Furious residents and war veterans have protested against plans to evict troops from Cameron Barracks in Inverness to house 300 male asylum seekers. The proposal by the Home Office has sparked a backlash, with even SNP councillors joining the opposition. The Queens Own Highlanders Regimental Association, which has long been based at the 140-year-old barracks, has been told to vacate the site by the end of the month.
Around 200 protesters gathered in Inverness city centre on Saturday, chanting 'send them home', while a similar number of counter-demonstrators waved 'refugees welcome' signs. The protest was organised by the group 'Inverness Against Illegal Migrant Barracks'. Local Conservative councillor Isabelle MacKenzie said: 'Inverness has never seen anything like this. And I believe this is just the beginning.'
Veterans expressed anger at the plans. Charlie MacIvor, 68, who served 25 years in the Queen's Own Highlanders, said: 'I am totally against this. Why are they sending all these people into Army barracks? A wee place like Inverness can't cope with an influx of that number of people.' RAF veteran Graham Cameron, 66, added: 'Veterans who are homeless don't get any support from this Government – why give it to illegal immigrants?'
SNP-led Highland Council has argued the location is 'inappropriate' and risks 'community cohesion'. The council is calling on the Home Office to hold a public meeting over the plans. The Ministry of Defence has reportedly told the veterans' organisation they will be moved for up to a year until a longer-term solution is found.
The protests in Inverness mirror similar demonstrations in Crowborough, East Sussex, where 2,000 people marched against plans to house 600 single men at an army training camp. Residents there have installed panic alarms amid safety fears and raised concerns about pressure on local GP services.
