South Barrack Block, Garrison Of Inversnaid, Inversnaid

Loch Lomond And Trossachs National Park Planning Authority

Located on a hill above the Inversnaid to Stronachlachar road, The Garrison is the rubble-wall remains of a barrack built in 1718-19, under the direction of James Smith and later Andrew Jelfe, both surveyors and architects for the Board of Ordnance. It formed a cornerstone of the Government's plan for restraining Jacobite sympathisers following the rebellion of 1715. Part of the remains have been adapted to serve as a roofless sheep-fank; the other remains have been incorporated into the fabric of a 19th century barn. The Garrison evidences the area's links to the Jacobite uprising and to the Government's methods of controlling the Highlands in the 18th century.

The Barracks as originally built were comprised of a near square enclosure, the N and S sides of which formed by rectangular barrack blocks. The N barrack block survives in a much reduced form and has been added to in the 19th and 20th century to form a sheep fank. Its N, W and E rubble walls remain at ground floor level, as do dividing walls projecting to the S, and in the NE compartment, masonry springers, evidence of a barrel vaulted roof. The S wall has been replaced by a later wall which runs just to the S of the line of the original. Later rubble enclosures have also been added to the N side of the original N wall.

The S barrack block has been extensively rebuilt, probably in the 19th century, to form a barn which follows the same footprint, and which contains the lower portions and footings of the exterior walls of the original barrck block. The barn is of painted rubble with dressed quoins, with a piended corrugated metal roof.

Adjoining the large barn to the NE is a small square-plan building, of 19th century character with rubble walls with dressed quoins and corrugated metal roof, which may also contain 1718-19 fabric in its W wall.