Monument record MHG57023 - WWI Coppersmith's Shop - Invergordon dockyard

A WWI Coppersmith's Shop in Invergordon dockyard.

The site was investigated in 2015 as part of the ARCH project 'Invergordon in World War I'. The Dockyard workshops to the south of High Street comprised a number of specialist workshops, some quite large. Plans from WWI and WWII in private collection allow functions to be assigned in some cases. This building was a Coppersmith's workshop in WWI. A 1930 and 1947 aerial photo show a building at this location at those times as well. It is not clear if it is the same as the WWI one. However, the footprint looks similar to the WWI structure. The building has been demolished, and it is currently (2015) an empty lot. <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>