The Chancellor should use next week's autumn statement to reverse plans to shut eight military bases across Scotland, an SNP MSP has said.

Highlands and Islands representative Maree Todd said the cuts will be a "devastating blow" to the community.

She is calling on Phillip Hammond to use next week's statement as an opportunity to make a U-turn.

Last week, defence secretary Michael Fallon announced Fort George at Ardersier near Inverness would close by 2032, resulting in the loss of up to 1600 jobs.

Soldiers currently stationed at the barracks, which has been operation since 1757, will be moved to other sites across the country.

Todd said: "Last week's announcement came as a devastating blow to servicemen, their families and to communities across Scotland.

"People rightly feel let down and betrayed by this Tory government who are determined to preside over just the latest in a long series of brutal cuts to Scotland's conventional defence forces.

"Such decimation of our defence footprint is lunacy from a government intent on billing the taxpayer up to £205bn for new nuclear weapons.

She added: "With the autumn statement around the corner, the Chancellor should use the occasion to sort out his government's priorities.

"It's a golden opportunity for the Tories to backpedal on their wrongheaded planned cuts and to guarantee future funding for our forces.

"We're asking for a clear commitment that conventional defence spending in Scotland will be protected or enhanced to ensure that the proposed base closures do not go ahead."

Other Scottish military base closures:

The Treasury has been contacted for comment by STV News.