AROUND 200 people braved the inclement weather atop of Dumyat last weekend for the official inauguration of a replacement memorial to the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders.

A hardy group of local volunteers, led by Blackgrange resident David Gray, took it upon themselves to renew the regiment’s badge after it fell into a state of disrepair over the years.

David, son of Argylls war hero Major David Gray Sr. MBE, embarked on the project in honour of the sacrifices made by the regiment in its history.

The original memorial was first placed on the hill in September 1966 by David and his father David Sr. who served with the 51st Highland Division at Dunkirk during WWII.

David, jnr., said: “My father came up with the idea of putting a memorial on top of the hill. He was the brains behind it.

“My father and I built it together but because it was up there for 48 years, the badge became weathered and fell into a state of disrepair.

“We thought it was time to put a new one up there so my family all took up the task to have it replaced.” David then spent five months carving a scale model of the badge in clay before having a fibre glass copy made.

It was then cast in stainless steel and lifted by helicopter to the top of Dumyat.

David and his family then constructed the memorial over the course of a few weekends while camping out on top of the hill.

The memorial was in place for Armistice Day last year but was officially blessed and inaugurated at 1317ft last Saturday afternoon.

Its inscription reads: “Commemorates all those who have served in this proud and gallant regiment.” David and his family spent hours ferrying around 30 veterans up to the summit in a tracked buggy before the ceremony. Two officers from the Argylls, now known as 5 Scots, then officially received the monument into the regiment.

He added: “It was a family affair, me and my son Sean helped ferry around 30 veterans up to the top for the ceremony.

“My other son Simon also helped along with my daughter Samantha also put together a book about the whole process.

“I just want people to know about the badge and to maybe go along and see it when they can.” A number of local companies were involved in the project with Blantyre Castings, Keyline Builders in Stirling all pitched in with Jewson Parkhead Building Supplies in Sauchie providing around £1,000 of concrete.

Babcock’s, Dunblane Light Engineering, SSE and Water Pipeline Services gave their services to help ensure the memorial was completed.

However those who attended the ceremony paid tribue to David for his efforts in getting the whole project off the ground.

Fiona Conaghan said: “This man is a true hero who has done this because of his love for his father and for all those soldiers who have fought in the many wars this country has been involved in.

“This is not a local authority project, this is not a government or lottery backed project this is a project undertaken by one man a man of almost 70 years old to honour the people and the regiment he loves so much.

“This man has done this almost single handedly from start to finish with only a few bodies helping here and there this has been a massive project for one person to undertake he did it of his own back and at his own expenses now this is a feat for anyone on the ground never mind at the top of a hill like this.” The memorial was officially unveiled by Col Donald Ross of the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders, assisted by Major Bob Elliot BEM who took responsibility for the Regimental Flag.

The padre was Rev Ian Miller (Maj.) and Capt Colin Graham took on the role of piper for the event, having served under David, snr., in the 1980s.