Why Visit The Gambia

Fort James Island - The Gambia

James Island is located in the middle of the River Gambia about 25km upriver from Barra and was ideally placed to provide strategic defences for whoever had control of it. Fort James was built on the island in the 1650’s and has been held by the French, Dutch and British, the later used the Fort as a slave collection point until slaving was abolished. The fort was completely destroyed and rebuilt at least three times and today only ruins remain. The island was so small that is had to be ‘extended’ to accommodate other buildings as well the fort. This was done by creating embankments supported by stakes however these are slowly being eroded at some points, the water now reaches parts of the ruin.