The UNITER building on MoD land at Fort George is built of 2ft thick reinforced concrete and the only access is through a heavy duty steel front door which has a unique locking system.

Self Storage 4U, which has 150 containers at Inverness harbour, has purchased the building and is now seeking planning permission for its change of use.

Robert Hughes, manager at the harbour facility told the Highland News: "It's a self contained building and was built at the height of the Cold War but basically it's an empty shell now. It's probably the most secure building in the area.

"At one time it would have been packed with communications equipment and it was designed to be totally self sufficient for a period of up to three months in the event of a nuclear attack.

"It has it's own generator, water and air conditioning and there are no outside vents or windows."

The facility has total floor space of 14,000 square feet and Mr Hughes said the expansion of the company's activities provided much needed storage space east of Inverness.

The storage firm was set up in 2004 by managing director Murdo Grant who saw an opportunity to provide storage facilities for small business and home movers.

"We now have 150 containers at the harbour which are occupied by small businesses including tradesmen and retailers," said Mr Hughes.

The UNITER building at Fort George is one of three similar communications centres in Scotland which are now redundant. The others are near Prestwick Airport and at Outhmuir near Dunfermline.

Mr Hughes added: "There is easy access to the facility and given the planned expansion along the A96 corridor it is a good location to have such a facility."

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