Festival at the Fort - a new event to mark the 250th anniversary of Fort George - will take place at the historic site on Saturday 10 and Sunday 11 August.
The event will feature a programme of family-friendly activity, historical re-enactment, music, dance and song.
Re-enactment performances will tell the story of the Jacobite risings and the building of Fort George. Visitors can also meet costumed characters in the history encampments and hear the stories of Jacobites as well as those who were involved in the construction of the fortress.
There will also be a 1940s/Second World War zone, with tents and vehicles. Visitors will be able to find out about the important role Fort George as a training base. There will also be a big band and swing dancers, and members of the public can join in on the dancefloor. At 1.30pm each day, visitors can watch parachute displays (weather permitting).
Families can have a go at making their own LEGO creations, using the LEGO model of Fort George as inspiration. The model was specially commissioned for the 250th anniversary of the Fort and is on display at the Officers’ Guardroom. Children can also enjoy getting involved in a pike drill, exploring handling boxes, and taking part in dress-up activities.
Throughout the weekend there will be musical performances from RAF Lossiemouth Pipes & Drums, Fèis Rois Ceilidh Trail, Inverness Military Wives Choir and The Margaret Stewart Trio, as well as Highland Dancing displays.
Gillian Urquhart, Events Manager at HES, said:
“Fort George is one of the most outstanding fortifications in Europe. This is a fantastic chance for anyone who has never visited before to discover why and how it was constructed and find out more about its present-day use.
Even people who have been before will find something new. With all the activities at this one-off event, there’s something for the whole family to enjoy.
Fort George is one of over 70 staffed Historic Scotland attractions managed by HES. It was built in the wake of the Battle of Culloden as a secure base for King George II’s army and is one of the most outstanding fortifications in Europe.
Festival at the Fort takes place at Fort George from 12pm - 4pm on Saturday 10 and Sunday 11 August. The site is open from 9.30am – 5.30pm.
Entry to the event is included in the normal admission price. There is a 10% discount for online bookings. Entry is free for Historic Scotland members.
For more information, visit: historicdaysawait.scot/festival
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