Building record MHG56991 - Possible WWI building - Seabank Tank Farm, Invergordon

A possible WWI building to the rear of the Seabank Tank Farm, Invergordon.

The site was investigated in 2015 as part of the ARCH project 'Invergordon in World War I'. A brick buillding survives near the edge of the military fencing which has been extended to include it. It is depicted on a WWI plan in private possession, but not shaded (the convention for buildings taken over by the Admiralty). Given its location, near the Generating House and within the military fencing, it is likely to be related to the tank farm. The building is also depicted on a plan dating to 1934, again not shaded like the nearby Generating House. <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>

The building is shown as shaded (and therefore under the control of the Admiralty) on a version of the plan dating to 1921.