Commando March

The Commando Memorial

During 1996, the Association decided to reconstruct the original World War II Commando speed march to raise funds for both the Commando Benevolent Fund and the Airborne Forces Charities. This has now become an established  annual event attracting over 100 entrants.

The march is held over the original course between Spean Bridge Railway Station and Achnacarry House in the Scottish Highlands. Achnacarry is the home of Donald Cameron of Lochiel who graciously allows us the use of the estate for this event.

Achnacarry House

During the Second World War, Achnacarry House and grounds were used as Britain's principal Commando training establishment. The Clan Cameron Museum, within the grounds of Achnacarry, has pictures of the recruits abseiling down the  walls as well as various items of memorabilia. There is also the Commando Museum at the Spean Bridge Hotel which contains a number of interesting exhibits. The Commando Memorial, situated just over a mile from Spean Bridge, is passed on the route of the march.

The initial march took place when the volunteers arrived at Spean Bridge Station. It was not unusual for them to be ordered to leave the train on the opposite side to the platform and any man injured jumping down on the track would be RTU'd. Heavy kit would be placed upon the waiting transport  and the troops were then force marched to the gates of Achnacarry House carrying their fighting order weighing 36 pounds. The time allowed, to cover the 7 mile route, was 1 hour. Any recruits who failed to achieve this time were about turned and RTU'd by the next train. Prior to arriving at Spean Bridge, the recruits had undergone basic fitness training at Wrexham to ensure that they stood a good chance of completing the march.

The course consists of a 7 mile road march climbing around 400 feet out of Spean Bridge on the A82 before forking left onto the B8004 to pass the Commando Memorial at the 1.5 mile point. The route then descends on an undulating single track road to cross the canal bridge at Gairlochy having covered 3.5 miles. Turning right onto the B8005, the next 1.5 miles are on an undulating tarmac road through woodland to the estate gates at Achnacarry. The last mile of the course is a steady incline and drop to the house with the telephone box around three hundred yards out from the finish signalling the final sprint for the line.

Come on, stick with it! Digging in on the latter stages of the course

Captain Nial Thomson, ex 3 Commando, provided all the information for the reconstructed march. An instructor at Achnacarry during World War II, he had, in conjunction with Rocky (Bert) Moore, remembered as many details as possible after 55 years to ensure that the march was properly carried out and for this we will always be grateful.

Sadly, both Nial and Rocky passed away during the latter part of 1997 but their contribution to what has become an enduring part of World War II history, together with the ethos of the wartime Commandos, still lives on in this quiet corner of Lochaber.

All sponsorship monies and cash donations go in their entirety to the Commando Benevolent Fund, Airborne Forces Charities and No. 1 P.T.S. Museum R.A.F Brize Norton.

The original Second World War route is run in boots carrying a 36 pound bergen and entrants must be physically fit for this gruelling event. Entry is open to serving military personnel (individuals and teams) and members of the Association. All contestants are expected to be sponsored as the march is our main fund raising event of the year. If you don't mind a challenge and would like to help keep the legacy of the early Commandos alive, whilst benefiting a number of worthwhile causes, then why not contact us for more details?

The Commando Memorial

Group photograph in front of Achnacarry House

The Commando Memorial 2006

Going for it...

The Commando Memorial 2006

The Association would like to thank the following for their continuing generous support, without which the fund raising for the Commando March would not be possible:

 Donald Cameron of ACHNACARRY 

 Achnacarry community hall 

 ROY Bridge Hotel 

 Alexandra hotel fort William 

 fort William police 

 fort William roads department 

 Alcan Fort william 

 aberfeldy distillery 

 aultmore Distillery 

 Ben Nevis Distillery 

 craigellachie distillery 

 dalmore Distillery 

 Dalwhinnie Distillery 

 glencadam Distillery 

 Glen Ord distillery 

 Invergordon grain Distillery 

 whyte & mackay ltd glasgow