Born in 1856, John MacKenzie, of Sconser on the Isle of Skye, loved to explore from an early age, first climbing Sgurr nan Gillean aged just ten. He went on to be the first ever native Scot to work as a professional guide and was hugely significant in early ascents of the Cuillin.

Professor Norman Collie, renowned climber, was a frequent visitor to Sligachan.  He and John Mackenzie became firm friends and working together they established routes across the Cuillin range so familiar today.

The Collie MacKenzie Heritage Group are looking to commemorate the achievements of both men with a bronze sculpture of them to be erected at Sligachan on Skye. We hope to gain public appreciation for their pioneering climbs of the Cuillin and to celebrate their connection with the place, and their appreciation of the significance of the landscape within Gaelic culture.

Sligachan will be hosting the inaugural Skye mountain festival in 2020 and we are aiming to unveil the sculpture to mark the opening of this event

We have raised over £40,000 towards the sculpture and need to raise another £72,000 to complete our project by placing both figures in the landscape.

Learn more about us here      Our Story

We are looking for your support to help us build the sculpture and put it in place in time for the opening of the mountain festival in 2020.

Please help us to make history on the Isle of Skye.