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The Commando Memorial is a Category A listed monument situated approximately one mile to the north of Spean Bridge, where the main A82 crests the hill. It was placed here, and unveiled by the Queen Mother in 1952, to commemorate the many members of the elite British Commando Forces units who trained in the area during the Second World War. It is a dramatically imposing bronze monument sculpted by Scott Sutherland (1910-84) which overlooks the training areas of the Commando Training Depot established in 1942 at Achnacarry Castle. The three Commandos are depicted looking south towards Ben Nevis. Behind the memorial lie Loch Ness and the Highlands to the north.

The entire monument is 17 feet (5.2 m) tall. The monument has been variously described as a huge, striking and iconic statue. (Link , Link and Link )

"United we conquer" is inscribed around the top of the stone plinth, while the original plaque on the stone plinth reads: "In memory of the officers and men of the commandos who died in the Second World War 1939–1945. This country was their training ground”

A Garden of Remembrance, which was subsequently added to the site, is used by many surviving World War II Commandos as the designated final resting place for their ashes. It has also been used as a place where many families have scattered ashes and erected tributes to loved ones who belonged to contemporary Commando units and who have died in more recent conflicts such as the Falklands War or in Afghanistan and Iraq.

Link - Undiscovered Scotland
Link - Wikipedia
Link - BBC, “Wars’ mark on Highland landscape”


See other images of The Commando Memorial at Spean Bridge