Monument record MHG56986 - WWI Naval Muster Station, western pier - Invergordon shore

A WWI Naval Muster Station on the former western pier in Invergordon.

The site was investigated in 2015 as part of the ARCH project 'Invergordon in World War I'. The 1st and 2nd edition OS maps show a building at the end of the western pier. On a WWI Naval plan in private possession a building is also depicted there, perhaps the same one. A detail labels the western part as a Muster Station, and the eastern part a Naval Victualling Store. Strangely the buildings are not shaded, which was the standard practice for buildings taken over by the Navy. The building is still there in the 1930 aerial photograph. A Naval plan from WWII shows buildings also at the end, but a slightly different alignment which may indicate rebuilding. There are no functions labelled on the plan. On an Admiralty plan of 1921 (MPI 1/651/4), this building is shown divided into three main units, and labelled Store & C.D.'s Rigging House. It is also shaded, suggesting military use. <1>

At least three versions of a WWI Naval plan survive, two in private collection which probably date to wartime, and one in the National Archives (MPI 1/641/4) which dates to 1921. On all three the buildings taken over or built by the Navy are shaded, but there are a few discrepancies between the plans. One of the plans in private collection has enlarged details, but only shows the Admiralty buildings and not others in the town. Valuation Rolls also indicate some buildings not shaded on our plans were taken over by the military. It is clear from contemporary photographs that the army built additional buildings, particularly north of Cromlet Drive. <2>