Fort George, a 255-year-old fortress in the Scottish Highlands, might soon become a center for the very thing it once helped suppress—tartan weaving. Built after the 1746 Battle of Culloden to quash Highland clans and enforce rules like banning tartan clothing, the fort is now poised for a new chapter. With the Ministry of Defence (MoD) planning to vacate the site by 2032, there is growing support for transforming it into a community-owned hub, potentially centered around the production of Scotland’s iconic tartan.
A Rich History with an Evolving Future
Fort George was originally constructed as a military stronghold after the Jacobite rebellion, when Bonnie Prince Charlie’s forces were defeated. The British government sought to undermine Highland culture, enacting laws like the Act of Proscription, which banned the wearing of tartan. Ironically, this fortress built to suppress the cultural symbol of the Scottish Highlands may soon house a modern tartan weaving industry, breathing new life into an iconic tradition.
Clare Campbell, founder of Prickly Thistle, a tartan design and weaving business in Evanton, is at the forefront of a campaign to turn Fort George into a community-run site. Campbell sees the fort as a “blank canvas,” with numerous possibilities for its future, including hosting cultural events and serving as a base for traditional crafts like tartan weaving.
“It’s an incredible opportunity,” says Clare. “Imagine the sound of looms going at Fort George.”
Reconnecting with Tradition
Clare’s vision is shared by others within the tartan weaving community. Robyn Mackintosh, a weaver at Prickly Thistle, describes the experience of working with tartan as meditative and deeply connected to Scotland’s cultural heritage. She hopes more Highlanders will have the opportunity to engage in this craft and sees the fort as the ideal place for small-scale weaving operations to thrive.
“There is something really beautiful about seeing tartan come to life,” Robyn says. “It’s an incredible place to work. I think I am very, very lucky in that this is the only place in the Highlands of Scotland where you can weave tartan.”
The Irony of Fort George’s Transformation
Dr. Nicola Martin, a lecturer in history at the University of the Highlands and Islands, finds a certain irony in the idea of Fort George becoming a center for tartan weaving. She notes that after the Battle of Culloden, the British state used the fort and laws like the Dress Act of 1746 to attempt to destroy Highland culture and identity. A future dedicated to tartan weaving, she believes, would be a powerful symbol of cultural resilience.
Preservation of an Architectural Landmark
Architect Calum Maclean, from the Inverness City Heritage Trust, stresses the importance of repurposing Fort George to preserve its architectural significance. He points out that the fort’s sheer size and historical value make it a unique structure that could deteriorate rapidly if left unused. Its location on the Moray Firth also exposes it to severe weather conditions, making its preservation all the more urgent.
“The architecture of the building is really quite staggering,” says Maclean. “There is nothing quite like it in the UK.”
A New Chapter
As the MoD plans to vacate the site by 2032, many see this as an opportunity for a transformation that honors the fort’s history while revitalizing it for future generations. Historic Environment Scotland, which operates parts of the fort as a visitor attraction, has confirmed that it is in discussions with third parties regarding potential future uses of the site.
The proposed shift to community ownership and cultural revitalization could breathe new life into Fort George, weaving together Scotland’s past and future in a meaningful way.
