Fort George to host Historic Scotland's largest-ever re-enactment event

A Highland fortress will stage one of the largest historic re-enactments in Scotland, featuring an equestrian stunt show.

Fort George sits on a peninsula that juts out into the Moray Firth just east of Inverness and has been used continuously as a military garrison for 250 years.

The fortress was built by King George II following the Jacobite Rising and is still used by the British Army.

As a historic site, it is maintained by Historic Environment Scotland, which is planning to stage the largest re-enactment in its history at the fort this weekend.

Visitors will be able to journey through time on August 8 and 9 as part of the organisation’s Celebration of the Centuries event.

The immersive experience will span more than two thousand years of history, including the Roman legions, the medieval period, the wars of independence, and the Napoleonic era.

The event opens and closes with a grand parade of costumed characters.

The immersive experience features an opening and closing parade. Historic Environment Scotland

Organisers say one of the highlights will be the WWI Equestrian Stunt Show, a poignant tribute to the brave horses of the Great War.

Spectators will be able to watch the horses in action with riders displaying horsemanship and even some stunts on show.

In addition, there will be guided tours of the 18th-century fortress, including the Grand Magazine, used to store thousands of barrels of gunpowder.

Gillian Urquhart, events manager at Historic Environment Scotland, said: “Celebration of the Centuries is one of our most popular summer events and is a wonderful day out for all ages.

“There is so much to see and do, with visitors able to interact with history in a unique and immersive way.

“From fighting alongside King Robert the Bruce in the popular Medieval Kids Army activity to dancing to Big Band performances in the 1940s zone, there are so many ways to explore Scotland’s fascinating history.”