Inverlochy environmental improvements

The installation of a bronze sculpture of an aluminium worker ‘breaking the crust’ has now completed a £230,000 package of landscaping works in Inverlochy, which has given a welcome facelift to the centre of the village. The work has been funded through The Highland Council Planning and Development Service Capital Programme, which seeks to provide quality public spaces. Council funding has been supplemented with £15750 through the Highland Leader Programme and £10000 contributed by Rio Tinto Alcan.

The life-sized figure reinforces the special history of Inverlochy and its strong links with the aluminium industry. The contract for provision of the figure, costing £24500, was awarded to David Annand of Couper, the same sculptor as provided the popular ‘Sore Feet’ figure, which sits in Fort William High Street at the end of the West Highland Way.

Whilst the sculpture is intended to represent all those who have worked in the aluminium industry over the years and was inspired by a photograph of a furnaceman taken back in 1962. Interpretation panels, still to be installed, will provide interesting information on a range of aluminium related topics including ‘A new village for a new industry’, ‘Working for BACo’ and ‘The recipe for aluminium.’

Local Councillor, Brian Murphy said: “I am delighted with the quality of the design and workmanship in this improvement project. It has been carried out with comparatively little disruption and a lot of co-operation and understanding from the residents and businesses in the Village Square. A large number of Inverlochy people have commented favourably to me about it and I would remind the very few remaining critics of just how run down the village was looking prior to this work being carried out.

"The sculpture and the interpretation panels will provide a permanent reminder of the history of the Village, the aluminium industry in the Highlands and the men and women of our community who played such an important part in that story.”

Chris Murray, Rio Tinto Alcan Works Director at Lochaber said: “Rio Tinto Alcan is delighted to contribute £10,000 towards the costs of the Inverlochy sculpture as recognition of the importance of aluminium in the Highlands over the years. The sculpture captures the spirit of the industry, whilst the panels will assist in the understanding of its significance to the area and community.”