Cameron Barracks
{{Short description|British Army installation in Scotland}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=March 2017}}
{{Use British English|date=March 2017}}
{{Infobox military structure
| name = Cameron Barracks
| image = Northern Constabulary Pipe Band at Cameron Barracks Inverness Scotland (497029712).jpg
| caption = Northern Constabulary Pipe Band at Cameron Barracks
| type = Barracks
| map_type = Scotland Inverness
| pushpin_map_caption = Location within Invernesshire
| location = Inverness
| coordinates = {{coord |57|28|54|N|4|12|9|W|region:GB_type:landmark|display=inline,title}}
| ownership = Ministry of Defence
| operator = {{army|United Kingdom}}
| built = 1876–1884
| used = 1884–present
| architect =
| built_for = War Office
| garrison =
| occupants =
}}
Cameron Barracks is a British Army installation that stands on Knockentinnel Hill on the eastern outskirts of Inverness in Scotland.
History
The barracks were built by the Royal Engineers' Office between 1880 and 1886.{{cite web|url=http://www.ambaile.org.uk/detail/en/14501/1/EN14501-cameron-barracks.htm|title=Cameron Barracks|publisher=Am Baile|accessdate=29 May 2016|archive-date=10 June 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160610202337/http://www.ambaile.org.uk/detail/en/14501/1/EN14501-cameron-barracks.htm|url-status=live}} In 1873 a system of recruiting areas based on counties had been instituted under the Cardwell Reforms and the barracks were intended to become the depot for the 71st (Highland) Regiment of Foot and the 78th (Highlanders) Regiment of Foot.{{cite web|url=http://www.regiments.org/regiments/uk/depot/1873.htm |title=Training Depots |publisher=Regiments.org |accessdate=16 October 2016 |url-status=bot: unknown |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20060210172841/http://www.regiments.org/regiments/uk/depot/1873.htm |archivedate=10 February 2006 }} Following the Childers Reforms, the barracks became depot of the Queen's Own Cameron Highlanders in 1881.
During the First World War, the barracks was used to process many thousands of volunteer recruits. Returning wounded and demobilising soldiers also passed through the barracks towards the end of the war and on its conclusion. Conscientious objectors were, for a time, held here, as was the crew of a captured German submarine.{{cite web |url=http://www.secretscotland.org.uk/index.php/Secrets/InvernessTrainingArea |title=Inverness Training Area |publisher=Secret Scotland |date=2008-04-10 |accessdate=2014-03-30 |archive-date=30 September 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110930175018/http://www.secretscotland.org.uk/index.php/Secrets/InvernessTrainingArea |url-status=live }}
The barracks remained in use as the base of the Queen's Own Cameron Highlanders until September 1960, when the regiment moved to Fort George, shortly before the amalgamation of Seaforths and Camerons.
Architecture
Built in the Baronial style, it consists of 4 two-storey blocks enclosing 3 sides of the parade ground. The north-west and west blocks each have, at their centre, twin conical-roofed drum towers linked by a balcony above the round-arched entrance. The north-east block is surmounted by an asymmetrical clock-tower. There is, at the north-east corner, a square-plan entrance tower forming the main gateway. The barracks was listed as Category B listed building on 21 May 1971.{{cite web |author=Good Stuff IT Services |url=http://www.britishlistedbuildings.co.uk/sc-35340-perth-road-cameron-barracks- |title=Perth Road, Cameron Barracks - Inverness - Highland - Scotland |publisher=British Listed Buildings |date= |accessdate=2014-03-30 |archive-date=26 May 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110526055511/http://www.britishlistedbuildings.co.uk/sc-35340-perth-road-cameron-barracks- |url-status=live }}
Music
Cameron Barracks has a very long affiliation with both Army Piping and Cadet Force Piping. The first Army Class of Instruction was held at Cameron Barracks in 1910 under the expert tutelage of Pipe Major John MacDonald and supervisory direction of the Piobaireachd Society. The Army Cadet Force has endeavoured to keep this affiliation alive and each year an eight-day course of instruction is held at Cameron Barracks during the Easter school holidays.{{cite web |url=http://www.armycadets.com/county/pipingdrumming/pages/training-and-development/annual-concentration---inverness.aspx |title=Piping and drumming | Army Cadet Force |publisher=Armycadets.com |date= |accessdate=2014-03-30 |archive-date=1 October 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111001030140/http://www.armycadets.com/county/pipingdrumming/pages/training-and-development/annual-concentration---inverness.aspx |url-status=dead }}
Current units
The barracks are mostly used for exercising troops,{{cite news|url=https://www.gov.uk/government/news/new-kitchen-and-dining-facility-at-cameron-barracks-enhances-training-experience-for-armed-forces|title=New kitchen and dining facility at Cameron Barracks enhances training experience for armed forces|publisher=Defence Infrastructure Organisation|date=1 February 2021|accessdate=24 February 2021|archive-date=16 February 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210216012752/https://www.gov.uk/government/news/new-kitchen-and-dining-facility-at-cameron-barracks-enhances-training-experience-for-armed-forces|url-status=live}} however a number of small permanent occupants are present:
- Regimental Headquarters, The Highlanders, 4th Battalion, Royal Regiment of Scotland{{cite web|url=http://www.qohldrs.co.uk/html/contacts.htm|title=Contacts for Queen's Own Highlanders|accessdate=24 February 2021|archive-date=1 September 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210901233316/http://www.qohldrs.co.uk/html/contacts.htm|url-status=live}}