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The Great Britain Guide

Public art & sculpture · Scottish Highlands

Commando Memorial

In or near Spean Bridge.

Free admission

Commando Memorial in Scotland Highlands, United Kingdom.

Commando Memorial near Spean Bridge - geograph.org.uk - 5218855

James Emmans — CC BY-SA 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons licence

Plan your visit

Typical visit
1 h–2 h
Nearest railway station
Spean Bridge · 1.6 km
  • Free entry
  • Dog-friendly

Getting there & planning your visit

To visit the Commando Memorial, the nearest railway station is Spean Bridge, located 1.6 km away. The postcode for sat-nav is PH34 4EG, and entry to the memorial is free.

Directions on Google Maps →

About

Commando Memorial is a public sculpture in Scotland Highlands, United Kingdom. Britain's public art ranges from Henry Moore reclining figures and Anthony Gormley installations to the Angel of the North and the surviving statues of empire.

Photo gallery

See it from the streetimagery from 2022

Imagery © Mapillary contributors, CC BY-SA 4.0

Heritage listing

The Commando Memorial is a Category A listed monument in Lochaber, Scotland, dedicated to the men of the original British Commando Forces raised during World War II. Situated around a mile from Spean Bridge, it overlooks the training areas of the Commando Training Depot established in 1942 at Achnacarry Castle. Unveiled in 1952 by the Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother, it is one of Scotland's best-known monuments, both as a war memorial and as a tourist attraction offering views of Ben Nevis and Aonach Mòr.

From Historic Environment Scotland under OGL v3.

From the Wikipedia article

The Commando Memorial is a Category A listed monument in Lochaber, Scotland, dedicated to the men of the original British Commando Forces raised during World War II. Situated around a mile from Spean Bridge, it overlooks the training areas of the Commando Training Depot established in 1942 at Achnacarry Castle. Unveiled in 1952 by the Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother, it is one of Scotland's best-known monuments, both as a war memorial and as a tourist attraction offering views of Ben Nevis and Aonach Mòr.

Excerpt from Wikipedia under CC BY-SA 4.0. See the source article linked in Sources below.

Background

History

In 1949, the sculptor Scott Sutherland won a competition open to all Scottish sculptors for the commission, The Commando Memorial. Sutherland's design won first prize of £200. The base of the bronze statue is inscribed with the date of 1951. The sculpture was cast by H.H. Martyn & Co. The memorial was officially unveiled by the Queen Mother on 27 September 1952. The monument was first designated as a listed structure on 5 October 1971, and was upgraded to a Category A listing on 15 August 1996. On 18 November 1993 a further plaque was added to mark the Freedom of Lochaber being given to the Commando Association. On 27 March 2010 a 2 mi war memorial path was opened connecting the Commando…

Description

The monument consists of a cast bronze sculpture of three Commandos in characteristic dress complete with cap comforter, webbing and rifle, standing atop a stone plinth looking south towards Ben Nevis. The soldier at the front is thought to depict Commando Jack Lewington who frequently attended Remembrance Services at the monument during his lifetime. One of the other two soldiers is Frank Nicholls (rank unknown) the other is Regimental Sergeant Major Sidney Hewlett. Originally serving with the Welsh Guards, he was hand picked to be one of the founding NCOs of the commandos, and was also held in high regard and noted several times by Eisenhower. The entire monument is 17 ft tall. The…

Sourced from Wikipedia under CC BY-SA 4.0.

Coordinates
56.8979, -4.9440
District
Highland
Postcode
PH34 4EG
Parliamentary constituency
Inverness, Skye and West Ross-shire
Nearest railway station
Spean Bridge1.6 km

Sources

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Frequently asked questions

Where is Commando Memorial?
Commando Memorial is in the Scottish Highlands, United Kingdom (postcode PH34 4EG).
What is Commando Memorial?
Commando Memorial in Scotland Highlands, United Kingdom.
How do I get to Commando Memorial?
The nearest railway station is Spean Bridge, about 1.6 km away. Drivers can use postcode PH34 4EG.
Is Commando Memorial a listed building?
Commando Memorial is officially recognised as category A listed building listed.
Is Commando Memorial free to visit?
Yes, Commando Memorial is free to enter.
How do I get to Commando Memorial?
The nearest railway station is Spean Bridge, about 1.6 km away. Drivers can navigate to postcode PH34 4EG.