£8m centre to honour castle's special history

AN £8million heritage centre is planned to honour the birthplace of wartime commando and special forces units.

- By Mike Merritt

A new trust wants to mark the role played by Achnacarry Castle and its estate near Lochaber in World War 2.

Thousands of soldiers from the UK and its allies, including Norway, Poland, France and Belgium, trained in the Highlands.

In early 1942, Achnacarry became the original Commando Basic Training Centre. It's role in the war is marked by the Commando Memorial unveiled near Spean Bridge in 1952.

Missions

Now, the new International Commando Heritage Trust has proposed building a "discrete" centre near the monument.