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| Ardersier History Page. Aerial view of Fort George. | 
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There is little doubt that Ardersier
owes it's existence to the upheaval brought about in the aftermath
of the Battle of Culloden. In the 1750's the parish of Ardersier
was sparsely populated and only small scattered hamlets would
have existed in the area. One such small fishing hamlet called
Blacktown was unfortunate enough to have settled close by the
spot where the millitary engineers of the time decided to build
"Fort George". From there, it was planned that over
3,000 Hanoverian troops could be rapidly deployed to repress any
future sedition.
As can be seen the Fort is a massive structure complete with it's
own moat and defence system.
(see 'Other links' page.)
The fisher-folk of Blacktown had to
resettle about a mile away on the shores of the Moray Firth. Here
was founded two different communities, separated by land ownership
and religion. The narrow strip of land on which Stewart-town was
built belonged to the Earl of Moray and fell within the parish
of Petty. Literally, across the road, the householders of Campbell-town
worshipped in the church of Ardersier. Collectively these two
settlements were later referred to as Ardersier, but it was not
officially known as such until the late seventies, thus preventing
confusion on postal deliveries to the other Campbellton which
lies many miles away in the county of Argyll.
| This picture taken in the early part of the 19th century, has changed little to the present day. The development of Campbeltown as a service and residential area for Fort George is reflected architecturally by the regular housing on each side of the High Street. Having such a large millitary barracks on it's doorstep, Ardersier boasted numerous shops and services, as well as the living to be had from the sea. Time passed and the rebel threat died, but as today, the fort was maintained as a residential barracks and served as a training ground for hundreds of different regiments.. | 
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From here, tens of thousands of fighting men, marched along the High Street to board the train at Ardersier Station (long time gone) where they would eventually find themselves in Cuddalore, Assaye, Sevastopol, Kamara, Atbara, Omdurman, Nouve Chapelle and Loos. Most..... including many locals... would never return (see History, memorial page).
Today, Ardersier still plays host to the millitary, as the Royal Highland Fusiliers are meantime in residence, but it is also witness to around 80,000 visitors who pass through the village on their way to visit Fort George. Hardly any stop in their haste, and have but a fleeting glance of of the village as they pass. Not seeing the magnificent storm beach, the many sites of scientific interest or the glacial deposits. The dolphins and seals in the Moray Firth, the bird-life on it's shores, the rare flora and fauna, nor the last remaining inhabited thatched cottage. The thackstanes on the chimneys, windsurfers, canoeists hang-gliders, even the village panto. Clubs, societies, meetings, informative walks, not to mention the craic in the pubs at night. But moves are a foot to slow them down, a new pier is planned and the walkway along the foreshore is to be developed..
Parish of Ardrosser
A concise description of Ardersier by the Rev. John Matheson
(September 1841)
History of Ardersier
Article written by Inverness Field Club. (Highland News March
21st. 1992.)
History of Petty
Article written by Leonella Longmore. (Inverness Courier March
20.1992.)
Campletown Pier
Funding of the pier. (Nairnshire Telegraph October 1895.)
Ardersier War Memorial
Photograph of Ardersier memorial
and a full list of those honoured.