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8 February, 2010
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By Stuart Taylor
Published: 08 October, 2009
ARISAIG will host a ceremony in November when a memorial to the Czechoslovakians who trained there during World War II is unveiled.
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Czech and Slovak dignitaries and Commando veterans will attend the ceremony which it is hoped will take place on Wednesday, November 11, when the granite monument will be unveiled in the village centre. A full day of events is planned, ending with a ceilidh in the Astley Hall in the evening. It is only recently that the date has become a reality with planning permission for the memorial only granted a short time ago. Preparatory work has started with the drilling of holes for the steel rods which will support the 9ft memorial, which is in polished and matt grey granite, a modern sculpture depicting a parachutist as he lands. It is being prepared in the Czech Republic by sculptor Josef Vajce and the foundation stone has just been blessed by Pope Benedict XVI on his recent visit to that country. The site of the memorial is on the seaward side of the village, opposite Café Rhu, but screened from it and the road by shrubs and rocks. There will be an explanatory plaque nearby. The Czechoslovakians were in Arisaig in the early 1940s as trainers and trainees in the Special Operations Executive. They were billeted mainly at Traigh House, Camusdarach and Garramore, while other nationalities were in Morar and Lochailort. They were trained to use explosives, silent killing methods and how to sabotage railways. Once trained, they were parachuted behind enemy lines to carry out a secret war against Nazi Germany. The memorial is the idea of Edinburgh-based Dr Paul Millar, honorary Czech consul general, who formed a charity to raise the money required. Arisaig community councillor Ann Martin said: "The unveiling ceremony will include the laying of wreaths by the Royal British Legion and community council, a lunch and afternoon reception in the Astley Hall and a ceilidh in the evening. "There will be a considerable number of people looking for accommodation in the area around that date so it is hoped B&Bs and guest houses will be open for them. "Anyone else who is able to offer accommodation is asked to contact the community council." 
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