The Press and Journal (Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire)
Mountain memorial plan
Heritage: Just £23,500 needed for sculpture to renowned Cuillins pair
It is the final push to mark mountaineering history on the Isle of Skye.
A bronze sculpture at Sligachan, against the backdrop of the Cuillins, will pay tribute to two renowned mountaineering figures – Professor Norman Collie and John Mackenzie.
Having raised £93,500 so far, the Collie Mackenzie Heritage Group is just £23,500 short of its final stage target.
The pair are credited with creating many of the climbing routes across the Cuillins range, and are held locally as pioneers.
John Mackenzie was from the crofting village of Sconser and began climbing the Cuillins range at the age of 10, in the mid-1800s – he went on to become the first native Scot to become a professional mountain guide.
Mr Mackenzie met Professor Collie, an internationally renowned scientist and mountain expert, on Skye – and the pair formed a climbing partnership and friendship that spanned over half a century.
The heritage group has already successfully raised £200,000 to complete the first stage of the project, which included the formation of a 21-space car park, information panels, stone seating and the removal of an unsightly overhead power system.
They now hope to meet their final target by 2020, and are already planning a Skye celebration of the Cuillins to mark the historic occasion of the unveiling.
M o r a g N i c o l s o n , chairwoman of the Collie Mackenzie Heritage Group, said: “The lengthy climb from base camp to summit sees us now on the final ascent thanks to supporters from all over the world.”
Local MSP Kate Forbes and other supporters of the project include First Minister Nicola Sturgeon and Ian Blackford – Skye’s MP and SNP group leader at Westminster.
Donations can be made via the group’s website: www.skyesculpture.co.uk and further information is also available by emailing collieandmackenzie@ gmail.com