UK Government Plans to Use Cameron Barracks, Inverness for Asylum Accommodation
Garve and District Community Council
Added at 13:40 on 28 October 2025
The Highland Council has been told by the UK Government that Cameron Barracks in Inverness will be used as temporary accommodation for around 300 asylum seekers, to arrive in stages from early December 2025. The site is expected to operate for up to a year as short-term, transitional accommodation.
Council leaders – Convenor Bill Lobban, Leader Raymond Bremner, and Opposition Leader Alasdair Christie – have issued a joint statement outlining what they currently know and the concerns being raised.
Having read the statement, we note that Cameron Barracks is not owned by The Highland Council or any other public sector body, and the Council will not have a direct role in providing support at the site.
Managed by the Home Office
The Home Office and Ministry of Defence are leading the project. They have stated that the barracks will be self-contained, with all services provided on site. The asylum seekers are described as non-detained, meaning they are free to come and go.
This accommodation is intended to be temporary, before individuals are moved to other parts of the UK while their asylum claims are processed. The Home Office has also confirmed that asylum applications will not be processed in Inverness.
Council Seeking More Information
The Highland Council received its first written confirmation from the Home Office on 27 October, which formed part of a confidential briefing to local partners.
Council Leader Raymond Bremner has written to Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood requesting further details — including how Inverness was chosen and how community cohesion will be supported given the number of people expected. As of now, the Council has not received a reply.
Council representatives have expressed concern that the potential impact on Inverness and surrounding areas has not been fully assessed, given the relatively small size of the local population.
Meeting to Discuss
A Special Meeting of The Highland Council will be held on Thursday 6 November, following the Communities and Place Committee session. This will allow councillors to discuss the proposal in detail and agree on the next steps.