Listing Type: Fort

Fort William (fort)

Fort William takes its name from the stone fort established here in the reign of William II & III, replacing an earlier fort built in the Cromwellian period. The fort was a particular menace to the Camerons, and in 1746 it was beseiged by a detachment of the Jacobite army for several weeks, before the operation was abandoned ahead of the Battle of Culloden. With access to the sea for supplies, it was the only one of the three major Highland forts not to fall to the prince's troops. Parts of the fort were demolished in the 1860s, but the officers' block survived until 1948.

Access

The site serves as a park, with free open access. The ramparts are best viewed from the shore, and caution is advised whilst exploring the waterside.

Area of interest
1745 Fort

Saint-Brévin-Les Pins – Port of Mindin

The anchorage point located east of the head of Mindin was the starting point of the Du Teillay in the morning of 2 July 1745 (N.S.), according to the log of Captain Claude Durbé. The light frigate or sloop was to take Prince Charles Edward Stuart to the bay of Bonne Anse located a few miles west of Saint-Nazaire and embark Prince Charles Edward Stuart on the evening of 2 July to take him to Belle-Ile, then the west of Scotland for the start of the Jacobite uprising. West of the anchorage located at the foot of the river bridge is also the location of an ancient fort dating to 1861 that now hosts the Maritime Museum of the River Loire, a museum dedicated to the history of the navigation on the river. This location provides some pleasant beach walks along the south bank of the river Loire with some interesting views on the shipyards of Saint-Nazaire on the north bank of the Estuary.

Access

Free parking. Museum opening hours.

Website

https://museemarinemindin.com

Contact

https://museemarinemindin.com/contact/. Tel: 00 33 2 40 27 00 64.

Ruthven Barracks

On the site of an earlier castle severely damaged by the Jacobites in 1689. Built by George II’s government after the failed Jacobite uprising of 1715 and completed in the 1720s. The troops stationed there were to maintain law and order and enforce the Disarming Act of 1716. The barracks saw action twice. 300 Jacobites failed to take the barracks in 1745, but a more heavily-armed attack in February 1746 forced the barracks’ surrender. The Jacobites rallied here after their defeat at Culloden before dispersing. The buildings were destroyed either in the February attack or after Culloden. The site is in the care of Historic Environment Scotland.

Access

Free access. Open all year.

Website

https://www.historicenvironment.scot/visit-a-place/places/ruthven-barracks/

Contact

General enquiries phone: 0131 668 8600