Commando Memorial Garden extension to provide a better environment for tributes

At their meeting today (9 August) Lochaber Area Committee Members agreed to allocate up to £65,000 from the Commando Memorial Garden Fund to extend and improve the garden for tributes.

The Commando Memorial has around 150,000 people visit the site each year. It lies less than a mile north of Spean Bridge and was erected in 1952.

Scott Sutherland was commissioned to produce the memorial and it was unveiled by the Queen Mother in September that year, becoming an iconic monument known throughout the world as a tribute to the Commandos who trained at nearby Achnacarry and who have fought in battle ever since.

The nearby Memorial Garden was created some years later and provides a focal point for those wishing to leave personal tributes to Commandos who have died during and since World War II.

Chair of Communities and Place Committee, Cllr Allan Henderson said: “The extension to the garden and the walled area proposed will offer greater protection from the weather and improve the setting for the tributes to be laid.

“The Highland Council amenities staff take pride in maintaining the whole area to a very high standard and works to the Memorial Garden will be carried out sympathetically with respect to its setting and purpose.”

He added: “The funding allocated from the Commando Memorial Garden Fund won’t support the full costs of this phase of works, however it will go some way and partners will work together to identify match-funding.

“The fund is precisely for improvements and the generous public donations are a strong indicator of the support and importance of the Commando Memorial to the public.”

Before work commences, all tributes will be photographed in situ, carefully removed to another part of the site and then laid again once works are complete.  At this time, it is hoped that a second phase will encompass cleaning of the Memorial and works to the base and paved surrounds.

Members noted and agreed to the following:

• Note the proposed works to the site which have been agreed with the Commando Association and the Royal Marines.
• Agree to allocate up to £65,000 from the Commando Memorial Garden Fund
• Note the intention to carry out further works to the Memorial which will be the subject of a future report.

The works were tendered in June with returns being received in late-July. The total project cost for this phase of the project is £95,972. As this is more than is available in the Memorial Garden Trust Fund, partners will work together to identify match-funding. No contract will be awarded until full funding is in place.

The whole area is managed under a tripartite agreement between the Commando Association, Royal Marines and The Highland Council. This agreement sets out the guidelines for how the site should be managed and maintained. All grounds maintenance is carried out by The Highland Council.