A short and low key ceremony was held this morning at the John Cobb memorial near Drumnadrochit to commemorate the anniversary of Cobb’s death 70 years ago today.
Wreaths were laid by Richard Noble (OBE) and his wife Shirley, and by representatives from GURCA (Glenurquhart Rural Community Association) Dan Light and Carolyn Wilson. Local boat operator Gordon Menzies, who knew John Cobb and remembers the ill fated event, was also present.
Mr Noble, holder of the land speed record between 1983 and 1997 will be officially opening the exhibition to commemorate Cobb’s gallant attempt, at the Glen Urquhart Public Hall, Blairbeg Drumnadrochit on Friday 30th September at 14:00. The event is organized by the Glenurquhart Heritage Group and Mr Menzies and features displays and presentations. It is open Friday 14:00-18:00 and Saturday 11:00-18:00 admission by donation and funds raised will go to the Cairn’s upkeep.
The John Cobb Memorial Cairn was designed by local artist George Bain and ‘erected by the people of Glen Urquhart’ in 1953 at a cost of £214-8/- . It stands as a monument to Cobb, a man the community held and still hold in high esteem, and also to the people of the Glen who undertook a difficult financial task in hard times.
The cairn is maintained by the Glenurquhart Rural Community Association (GURCA) who were pivotal in its development all those years ago.
