A SECTION of a historic Highland fort is at risk of collapsing into the sea due to a significant sink hole.
Fort George on the Moray Firth, near Inverness, was constructed after the Battle of Culloden more than 250 years ago. It is currently run as an army base for the Black Watch, 3rd Battalion, The Royal Regiment of Scotland, and a visitor attraction.
On its website, Historic Environment Scotland (HES) describes the site as the "finest example" of 18th century military engineering in the UK.
However, a sink hole has now formed behind a sea wall adjacent to the fort, and emergency repairs are required.
HES has applied for planning permission for the work and has said it is monitoring the damage, but added that public access to the fort was unaffected.
A HES spokesperson said: "Concrete underpinning works took place in late 2024 which allowed for our stonemasons and labourers to safely carry out localised repairs to the existing stone wall and associated landscaping.
"These works were completed by the end of 2024 and access to the Dog Cemetery has since been reinstated to the Ministry of Defence."
A small area of the North Glacis had since been fenced off.
They added: "Remedial works are planned and full access will be reinstated on the North Glacis once these have been completed."
The historic artillery fortification was built near Ardersier by the British government after the Battle of Culloden in 1746, and took 22 years to complete.
The current fortress has never been attacked and has remained in continuous use as a garrison.
The shape of the fort is based on a star design and remains virtually unaltered.
Exhibits show the fort's use at different periods of its history and the Grand Magazine displays the Seafield Collection of Arms.
