Monument record MHG56989 - WWI Naval Recreational Rooms - Invergordon

WWI Naval Recreational Rooms to the immediate north of Invergordon.

The site was investigated in 2015 as part of the ARCH project 'Invergordon in World War I'. A WWI Naval plan in private possesion shows a group of buildings near the current Invergordon Academy. They are labelled Naval Recreation Room, and the largest building of the group is labelled 'R.N. Canteen'. The nearby grassed area was used as playing fields and for other recreation activities. On an Admiralty plan of 1921 (MPI 1/651/4), one building, Site 301, is labelled Memorial Billiard Room. <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>