Modern

During the First World War, the Royal Navy was based at Invergordon, in the Cromarty Firth, where a mutiny took place in 1931. In the Second World War, there were airfields around the Moray Firth (there are good examples on the Black Isle, at Dalcross outside Inverness, and at Fearn), while Loch Ewe provided a safe harbour for the gathering of North Atlantic convoys. The remains of 20th century military defences are becoming increasingly interesting to researchers and visitors. 

After the First World War the Forestry Commission was established to help the UK become more self-sufficient in timber. In Badenoch and Strathspey, the remains of logging camps and railways can still be seen from this period. The 20th century also saw the harnessing of rivers and streams for hydro-electric power - initially to power aluminium works like those at Foyers and Kinlochleven, and after the Second World War for general public consumption. Meanwhile tourism continued to develop with the creation of a ski resort at Aviemore in the 1960s. In the 1970s the development of the North Sea oilfields meant the construction of fabrication yards at Nigg, Ardersier and Kishorn - these have now all ceased operation.

Today the landscape continues to change. Conservation and environmental bodies, and local communities too, have acquired Highland estates, and native woodlands are being encouraged to grow on some former sheep pastures. Cultural and environmental tourism is growing and more and more people are recognising that the Highland landscape and its archaeology are a major asset that can help build and sustain the area's communities in the future.