Council to improve garden at Commando memorial
Highland Council is to carry out improvement works at the famous Commando Memorial at Spean Bridge, it was confirmed this week, writes Mark Entwistle.
A Highland Council spokesperson told the Lochaber Times the work relates to the planning application submitted by the local authority for changes to the garden.
The spokesperson explained: ‘The proposed redevelopment of the garden is a result of discussions between the Commando Veterans’ Association and the Royal Marines, with whom we manage the site under a tripartite agreement.
‘The proposal will provide a more protected, fitting environment for tributes being laid by enclosing the area with a low wall - therefore providing some weather break - and upgrading the small bridge and footpath to make it wider, which will help those with mobility difficulties and give a little more social distancing.
‘The middle of the garden will be infilled with rough boulders appropriately sourced from Achnacarry Estate and the tributes moved to the ‘outer circle’ providing much more space for them to be properly displayed.’
Nearby Achnacarry Castle was the site of the legendary Commando Basic Training Centre during the Second World War.
The council spokesperson added: ‘Prior to the works, all the existing tributes will be carefully removed, stored, then put back in the garden once work is complete as we did when we last extended the garden.’ An RMA North Devon led team of current and former Royal Marines recently completed the Spean Bridge Train Station to Achnacarry Speed March in support of RMA – The Royal Marines Charity.