A new Stone Plaque for Loch Lomond Memorial Park

The New Stone Plaque

One of the defining things about Independent Hostellers is the interest they have in their own community. One of our members, Jock Cousin of Balmaha House Hostel,  has recently been responsible for ensuring the placement of a new memorial plaque to those who gave their lives in the first and second World Wars to replace one stolen years ago.  Since 1995, the area around Ben Lomond, including the mountain summit, has been designated as a war memorial, called the Ben Lomond National Memorial Park. 

 


Jock is on the right as the new plaque is placed on site

A few years ago the brass plaque for the sculpture was stolen, presumably for its scrap value.  Jock, a fighting soldier for 28 years with the British Military felt it was very important to get the plaque replaced and arranged at his own cost and through his military connections for a plaque to be commissioned and transported from Devon where it was made, to Balmaha.  This was no easy task as the new plaque was made of stone; Jock was determined to provide a memorial that would last and have no scrap value for thieves!

The stone plaque is a lovely thing and sits very well in its surroundings.  It carries the description “This Land Rising from the shore of the loch to the summit of Ben Lomond was dedicated in 1996 as the Ben Lomond National Memorial Park to be held in perpetuity as a tribute to those who gave their lives in the service of their country” . Due to the efforts of Jock, it will be there for a long time to come.