The Skye Sculptures a great project needing donations.

 Mountains and Memorials are not usually my idea of a good combination but the proposed Skye Sculptures are not a memorial but to me a low level commemoration of two of the pioneers who opened Skye up for mountaineers! They will hopefully placed near the Sligachan Hotel ( not far off sea – level) near the start of the Skye ridge walk into Sgurr Na Gillean  with an outstanding view of these wild hills! There is no plans for anything else ! 

Skye is a place close to my heart and I am booked to go in early October, I love the people, the Island and the mountains. I read an excellent article in the Scotland on Sunday about the proposed nine foot sculptures at the Sligachan in Skye. TheSkye Sculpture  trust is behind the idea is trying hard to raise the final £125000 to pay for the creation a sculpture of the figures of the early pioneers of the Skye ridge.  It is hoped that Creative Scotland and the Heritage lottery Fund will help. Over the past few years I have donated small amounts for birthday/ Christmas presents and feel this helps a little in the quest to get these sculptures built. Can you help and get these wonderful tributes to these pioneers of Skye built by 2017?

We are seeking to commemorate the climbing achievements of Isle of Skye native, John Mackenzie, and his friend and mountaineering pioneer, Norman Collie with a bronze sculpture of both men to be erected at Sligachan on Skye. We have two primary aims:

• To gain public appreciation of the achievements made by Collie and Mackenzie during their pioneering climbs of the Skye Cuillin.
• To promote the value and connection of the local landscape, wild places and the Gaelic culture.

The scultpure will form part of a wider interpretation area that aims to tell visitors about Skye’s spectacular Cuillin mountain range and the two men’s achievements.

Please use this website to find out more about the project and make a donation

The trust behind the Collie and Mackenzie sculpture is trying to raise the final £125,000 to pay for the creation of the figures, which will be one-and-a-half times life-size.

The project has already paid for a new “Gateway to the Cuillin” car park, seating area, shelter and information panels at the proposed site of the sculpture at the mountaineering shrine of Sligachan.

It is hoped Creative Scotland and the Heritage Lottery Fund will back the creation of the sculpture, which has been designed by Skye-based artist Stephen Tinney.

Skye means so much to mountaineers and Island lovers, I learnt so much following in the footsteps of these great pioneers and look forward to the day that these statues are completed. Good luck to you all and I am sure it will all come good by 2017.

1972 in Skye early days – huge learning.