File:79th Queens Own Cameron Highlanders Monument Station Square Inverness Scotland (11891749166).jpg

The Camerons - now part of The Highlanders, 4th Battalion, Royal Regiment of Scotland (4 SCOTS) -was the Regiment of the County and Burgh of Inverness, and this monument is Inverness' first War Memorial.

Up-to-date photos of this monument which was unveiled in 1893 to commemorate the losses sustained by the Regiment in Egypt & Sudan 1882-1887.

It had hardly seen the light of day before a considerable number of additional fatalities required to be added to it, following the Regiment's next posting back to Egypt & Sudan (1898-1899).

In all, 142 officers and men (including one boy soldier) wrre either killed in action, died of wounds or succumbed to disease,during those two tours (1882-1887 and 1898-1899).

Despite being refurbished as recently on 2005, the monument (carved from Portland Stone - same as Cenotaph in London) is now a dull dark beige hue instead of very light grey, and is affected by moss/lichen/algae. The jacket of the Highlander himself is almost entirely green.

Back in December 2013, I highlighted the condition of the memorial on a Facebook group/forum for people who grew up in Inverness, and many of the group members made contact with Highland Councillors to seek action.

The elected representatives were very supportive and promised urgent action. I have now been informed by Provost Alex Graham, and other local Councillors, that: "arrangements have now been made to remove algae and moss from the monument. Work will be carried out by mid February 2014, weather permitting. This will allow for the work to be done, without damage to the monument. The work cannot be carried out in cold weather"