Monument record MHG43801 - Central Pier - Invergordon Harbour

The original central pier of Invergordon Harbour.

The structure was investigated in 2015 as part of the ARCH project 'Invergordon in World War I'. On the 1st edition OS map, the Central Pier is depicted with a building running north-south near the end, and a crane on the east-west section at the end. Railway lines run to the end, but do not turn onto the east-west section. On the 2nd edition map, the east-west section at the end appears to be enlarged to the south, and now had a building on it. A WWI Naval plan in private collection shows that the pier had been extended further to the east. It shows both buildings, but only the building on the east-west end had been taken over by the Admiralty, and it was divided into several functions. From west to east there were the N.S. Transport Office, Naval Picket House, Officer's Waiting Room and C.O.'s Office. A WWI aerial photo also suggests further buildings at the eastern end, as well as a pontoon. The buildings also appear on the 1930 aerial photo. By WWII the railway line had been extended along the east-west section, and a new jetty built running east-west to the east of the pier; it is labelled 'West Jetty' on a WWII plan in private collection to distinguish it from the 'East Jetty' on the East (Admiralty) pier. The timber buildings were still on the pier. The building now housed (west to east): Dalgarno (local butchers), Trailer Pump Room, Accommodation for Duty Boat Crews, S.C.E. Store, W.C. for boat crews, K.H.M. Office and Fuelling Office. At the eastern end of the pier were the S.C.E. Turncock, Duty Officer and Crew's sleeping quarters. By 1978 the pier was much shorter, without the east-west extension or the western jetty. It currently (2015) has railway lines running down its length. <1>