Capturing 1950s Lochaber: The George Scott Films (Episode 1)

In May 1997, 6 reels of Super 8 cine film were gifted to the West Highland Museum in Fort William, Scotland. The films were made by George Scott, MBE, AFC, an engineer at the British Aluminium Factory in Fort William from 1945 - 1956, and a keen amateur film maker. The films capture a series of local events and celebrations during the early 1950s, and give a true sense of life as it was in Fort William and Lochaber at that time. Episode 1: On 27 September 1952 Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother unveiled the Commando Memorial at Spean Bridge in the Scottish Highlands. It's one of Scotland's most recognisable monuments. In 1949, the sculptor Scott Sutherland won a competition open to all Scottish sculptors to design the memorial. The base of the bronze statue is inscribed with the date of 1951. The sculpture was cast in the H.H Martyn and Company's foundry. "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."