RECENT interest in the militia connection with Merkinch has prompted reader Alan Ross of Raigmore to send us a brief history of the organisation.

The militia were set up under the Scotch Militia Act of 1802 and Inverness, Banff, Elgin and Nairn were required to furnish a battalion of men who were subject to call-up.

In 1855, during the Crimean War, the militia was redesignated the 76th Highland Light Infantry, under the command of the Master of Lovat. The Telford Road barracks was built in 1856. Then in 1881 the battalion became the 2nd (Militia) Bn of the Queen’s Own Cameron Highlanders, becoming the 3rd (Militia) Bn of the Queen’s Own Cameron Highlanders in 1897.

After 1908 the militia finally became a reserve unit within the Cameron regiment and the barracks became surplus to requirements. In the 1920s the building was a preserve factory, then in December 1931 Telford bakery was opened and occupied the main barracks area for over 50 years – as long as the Army’s use of it!

Even after the bakery closed, the site was used by various small businesses, such as an upholsterers and a taxi firm. But after a fire gutted it the site became derelict, until the recent building began, retaining only the old barracks wall.