Pictures from a recent trip to Fort William Scotland

[norrie_model_t]

[Dallas Landers]

Nice photos and some wonderful country. Thank you for sharing with us.

[OilyBill]

Nice pics and a beautiful area!
I can tell that the cat is wanting to know when the catered meal is to arrive. He also wishes to remind you of the obligatory cat massage due directly after the meal.
In case you were wondering.

[norrie_model_t]

OilyBill you are a mind reader how did you know that's what my cat was thinking

[Duey_C]

Wonderful scenery Norrie!
What's the story of the model T "sculpture"?

[TRDxB2]

Here is t he FULL STORY behind the bronze statue. It includes pictures and unfortunately the video has been restricted by the BFI, British Film Institute, for viewing. The Story starts with the challenge show pictures of the attempt and the making of the Bronze https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-scotland-hi ... s-44003271
"In May 1911 a Ford Model T car was driven to the summit of Ben Nevis. The feat drew a large crowd to Fort William - and there are hopes that a new statue will help bring more visitors to the town. The idea of driving a Model T to the top of Britain's highest mountain was the brainchild of Henry Alexander, a motor dealer in Edinburgh. The Model T had rolled off a production line in the US for the first time three years earlier, and Alexander wanted to mount a publicity stunt to demonstrate that the imported, mass produced American cars were superior to hand-crafted British ones."
This link is about the dedication https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-scotland-hi ... s-44195835

[norrie_model_t]

In 1911 a Ford Model T car was driven up the tallest peak in the UK in a daring publicity stunt by Henry Alexander, Scotland’s first dealer of the American car company Ford.

In a bid to assure customers the Ford brand was of higher superiority to hand-crafted British cars, Mr Alexander ordered his son, Henry Alexander Jr, to drive a Model T from the foot of Ben Nevis to the peak.

Now a bronze statue to remember the feat has been placed in Cameron Square in Fort William.

In 2011 a Ford Model T was dismantled into 77 pieces and carried to the peak of Ben Nevis by a group of 60 devoted volunteers, tackling some of the most gruelling weather Lochaber has to offer.

Commemorating 100 years since Mr Alexander Jr’s feat, the Model T, minus the engine, was reassembled at the top of Ben Nevis for a photo opportunity, before being disassembled and returned to the base of the mountain, with four volunteers required to carry the chassis alone.

A total of £55,000 was raised from the challenge and the money was used to buy the statue which was unveiled on Saturday. Commissioned by the Powderhall Foundry in Edinburgh, the statue weighs a whopping three tonnes and depicts Mr Alexander Jr behind the wheel of a Ford Model T.

Chris Robinson, chairman of the Fort William Ford Model T project, said: “I am very satisfied, even a bit emotional. The quality of the statue from Powderhall – who are a great team – is fantastic.

“A great day was had by all and it really is a great gift to the town. The general consensus from everybody has been that it is a stunning sculpture and the level of detail is quite remarkable.”

The only surviving grandson of Mr Alexander Jr, Mike Munro, was on hand to unveil the statue in Cameron Square.

A new bronze trail was also launched over the weekend, showcasing Lochaber’s beautiful bronze statues. The model aluminium worker in Inverlochy and the Commando Memorial at Spean Bridge are also included in the route, aimed at encouraging more people to learn and explore the culture and heritage Lochaber has to offer.

[John Warren]

Love the story and the statue is fabulous!! They should have put a drip pan under it to protect the brick surface HAHA Thank you!!

[Terry_007]

Thanks for posting - we lived in Scotland for many years back in the 70s and early 80s. There were a only a couple of Ts around at the time but good friend Mike Povey acquired a 17 and later his 1912 and by the time we came back to the US the Ts seemed to be coming out in greater numbers. Our show in Scotland at Glamis Castle drew a few of them, and I think Mike has made every one of them with his T. Of course we were very familar with the Ben Vevis climb, and I've always wanted to get a spark plug for my collection from Alexander Ford. They had some made with their name on them and one is in the Myerton Motor Museum. We had planned to go back for our 50th wedding anniversary this year but the virus put the stop on those plans pretty quickly. We're long overdue for a return visit and once things loosen up a bit, we will begin planning another visit. The Ft. William bronze T will certainly be a grand photo-op for us, as well as taking in a car show if we can time things just right. Of course we have to include the Beaulieu Autojumble, and maybe the start of the London-to-Brighton. I'd love to rummage through some of the old London antique markets again too. Guess when we get back, we'll probably be there for a whole year!
Terry

[norrie_model_t]

Terry it sounds like you have a very busy schedule when you come over the pond maybe have to take 3 years off.