Scotland`s War Memorials
Inverness-shire
*Page under construction*
I have a large collection of War Memorial images, both taken in the UK and abroad, and this section is currently being revamped with memorials listed in their respective regional locations. Interesting non-military monuments and memorials are also included. This page covers War Memorials in Inverness-shire . Click here for (Link) the City of Inverness*.
Intro etc *
Fort William
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The Fort William war memorial commemorates the men of the town and surrounding district who lost their lives in both World Wars. It lists 116 names from the Great War and 33 names from the Second with an additional casualty from the Gulf War.
Further info to follow*
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Another figure stands close to the war memorial at the north end of the High Street. This is a statue of Donald Cameron of Lochiel, (1835-1906) 24th Chief of the Clan Cameron.
He was Lord Lieutenant of Inverness-shire and also served for a time as the county`s Member of Parliament. The inscription on the base of the memorial reads: "Donald Cameron of Lochiel, descendant of Donald Dubh, 24th chief of the Clan Cameron, Lord Lieutenant of Inverness-shire for many years, Member of Parliament. He was born 1835; he died 1906. This monument was erected by clansmen and friends as an acknowledgement of his humanity and his esteem and their respect for the noble gentleman". |
Glenfinnan
This is the Glenfinnan War Memorial which stands at the roadside just a short distance west of the famous Glenfinnan Monument. The classic view of the Jacobite Memorial, looking down Loch Shiel, has featured in countless calenders. Contrary to popular belief, the kilted figure on top of the column does not represent Bonnie Prince Charlie, but the Highlanders who fought and died for the Jacobite cause during the 1745 Rebellion.
The Glenfinnan War Memorial was unveiled on Saturday 19 September 1925. Closer inspection reveals that the soldier is now holding a wooden rifle and that the figure is actually facing in the opposite direction from the side of the base listing the names of the Fallen.
The main A830 Fort William to Mallaig road originally passed to the south, below the memorial but during a major route upgrade in the 1960s, the memorial was dismantled and removed for safekeeping while blasting took place. The new road bypassed the memorial on the north side but when the sculpture was reassembled, the figure was positioned incorrectly, looking over A830 rather than southwards towards Loch Shiel and the surrounding mountains.
The Glenfinnan War Memorial was unveiled on Saturday 19 September 1925. Closer inspection reveals that the soldier is now holding a wooden rifle and that the figure is actually facing in the opposite direction from the side of the base listing the names of the Fallen.
The main A830 Fort William to Mallaig road originally passed to the south, below the memorial but during a major route upgrade in the 1960s, the memorial was dismantled and removed for safekeeping while blasting took place. The new road bypassed the memorial on the north side but when the sculpture was reassembled, the figure was positioned incorrectly, looking over A830 rather than southwards towards Loch Shiel and the surrounding mountains.
Glenfinnan Catholic Church is located close to the War Memorial. Designed in the Gothic style by E Welby Pugin, the building occupies a fine site which looks out over the loch. Contained within is a memorial chapel to the MacDonalds of Glenaladale, the family with whom Bonnie Prince Charlie stayed prior to raising the Jacobite standard at the head of Loch Shiel in August 1745. There are also memorial stones to the Prince and members of the MacDonald clan.
Kinlochleven
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Kinlochleven was formed from two previously separate small communities - Kinlochmore to the north of the River Leven, in Inverness-shire and Kinlochbeg to the south of the Leven in Argyll, following the construction of an aluminium smelter and associated accommodation for its employees. The processing plant was powered by a hydroelectric scheme situated in the mountains above and made Kinlochleven the first village in the world to have every house connected to electricity, coining the phrase `The Electric Village`. Today it is a notable tourist destination, visited by thousands of walkers tackling the West Highland Way, and a centre for mountain pursuits.
The shot on the right was taken from the roadside on the north side of Loch Leven on the way to the village from Glencoe. The snow-capped Mamores which tower above Kinlochleven are in the distance. |
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Situated 20 yards west of the village Post Office on the B863 road in from Glencoe, this memorial consists of a Celtic cross raised on a granite blockwork platform. It lists 41 men from the village and immediate area who lost their lives in the Great War. Unusually for Scotland, there are no members of the dominion forces listed. Twenty-two names were added honouring Second World War fatalities.
There are two metal benches beside the memorial with backrests comprising silhouettes of figures relating to the First and Second World Wars.
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The above panel reads "To The Glory of God And To The Memory Of The Men Of Kinlochleven Who Gave Their Lives In The Great Wars 1914 – 1918, 1939 – 1945."
Additional images and information can be found on my blog, Clydeside Images.com. Further War Memorial and Military History content, not exclusively relating to Scotland, may also feature in the galleries of individual countries on this site.
