Monument record MHG57062 - Buildings - Central Pier, Invergordon

A range of buildings on the Central Pier, Invergordon. They first appear on the OS 1st Edition map but were used, extended and re-used during WWI and WWII. They were subsequently demolished when this end of the pier was dismantled.

The buildings were 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>

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>