In Inverness, a decision to repurpose the centuries-old Cameron Barracks has sparked deep anger across Scotland.
The British government’s plan to convert the base into temporary housing for hundreds of asylum seekers means that the Queen’s Own Highlanders Regimental Association — a group representing war veterans and their families — will be forced to vacate the site they’ve called home for years.
The association, formed from the proud legacy of two legendary Highland regiments, has long operated from offices at Cameron Barracks, offering financial help, organizing reunions, and supporting ex-servicemen.
But under new Home Office proposals, that space will soon be needed to accommodate 309 single male asylum seekers by the end of the month.
From Military Heritage to Migration Housing
Cameron Barracks has always carried a strong sense of identity.
It’s where the Queen’s Own Highlanders — once led by the late Prince Philip as Colonel-in-Chief — gathered for generations.
The regiment, which was created in 1961 through a merger of the Seaforth Highlanders and the Queen’s Own Cameron Highlanders, served in major conflicts such as the Gulf War, Northern Ireland, and the Falklands before merging again in 1994.
Now, sources claim the Ministry of Defence has told the veterans’ association that they must vacate the premises for at least a year while a “long-term solution” is found.
Members have reportedly been asked not to speak publicly about the move, something that has only intensified frustration among former soldiers and their supporters.
Anger Builds Over the Government’s Decision
News of the eviction has caused outrage across the political spectrum.
Critics accuse the Labour government of showing a lack of respect for veterans and their historic contribution to the country.
Scottish Tory MP Andrew Bowie did not mince words, calling the decision “a disgrace.”
He argued that the move shows “total ignorance” from Westminster about the value of those who served in uniform.
“These men and women defended their country,” he said, “and now they’re being made homeless to make space for a hasty asylum plan.”
Bowie acknowledged the need to end the use of hotels for asylum seekers but said evicting veterans’ groups was “clearly unacceptable.”
Local Leaders Push Back Against Lack of Consultation
The backlash isn’t just coming from Westminster. Highland Council, which oversees the area, recently held an emergency meeting to discuss the Home Office’s proposal.
Members accused the department of showing “disrespect” by announcing the plan without consulting local leaders or residents.
SNP defence spokesman Dave Doogan went even further, calling the situation “farcical.”
He condemned both the Ministry of Defence and the Home Office for agreeing to the eviction, saying it showed how “poorly thought out” the government’s asylum strategy has become.
“Communication has been dreadful, and the unanswered questions keep piling up,” he said.
A Community Feeling the Strain
Residents of the nearby military housing are also expressing unease.
Liberal Democrat MP Angus MacDonald — himself a former Second Lieutenant with the Queen’s Own Highlanders — said he’s been inundated with messages from families worried about how the change will affect the area.
He told Parliament that Cameron Barracks “is not an appropriate location to house such a large number of asylum seekers,” especially with families of 3 Scots battalion personnel living directly behind the base.
With the battalion soon to deploy overseas, he said those families feel abandoned and anxious.
MacDonald also warned that local health services and infrastructure were already under severe strain, adding that the government “has done nowhere near enough” to support the council or local NHS.
Silence from the Home Office
When pressed about the eviction of the veterans’ association, the Home Office declined to answer questions directly.
A spokesperson instead repeated that the use of Cameron Barracks is part of a broader plan to phase out the costly use of hotels for asylum seekers.
But for those who once served under the regiment’s banner — and for a town that has long taken pride in its military heritage — the move feels like a painful erasure of history.
As the Queen’s Own Highlanders Association prepares to relocate their next reunion to a new venue, their members say they will continue to honor their fallen comrades — even as the walls that once symbolized their service are repurposed for an entirely different chapter in Britain’s story.