Achnacarry Castle hereditary seat of the Clan Cameron, was invaded and ravaged by the Duke of Cumberland's army after the Jacobite Rising of 1745. In 1942, two hundred years later it was once again occupied by the British Army, when "Commando Training" was born and the Commando Basic Training Centre was established there.

Sir Donald Cameron of Locheil and his family, moved into voluntary exile at a nearby house at Clunes and along with local residents watched as the Allied troops were trained.
Although there had been Commando units before 1942, Winston Churchill personally ordered the raising of this elite force back in the summer of 1940. Although previous specialist training had been given, it had proved unsatisfactory and it was decided that one centre was needed to ensure a regular flow of trained troops. Achnacarry was chosen as the location of this important Centre.

After arrival at the Centre, the trainees were taught tactics, war techniques, and devised many new ones. The trainees used the latest weapons and equipment and trained to be experts in handling captured weapons. They were also taught unarmed combat and survival skills in the unpredictable mountain climate of Lochaber.

Ben Nevis (4,406 feet), Britain's highest mountain was only an 18 mile run from Achnacarry, reaching the summit only one of the challenges for a day's training. Deep dark lochs, River Arkaig in flood were used to acquire skills in handling small boats and practice assault landings.

Night training was greatly emphasised, darkness was an ally the Commandos were trained to exploit this. Live ammunition, always used at the Centre, to provide battle conditions involved risks and sadly a number of trainees were killed during training. All officers and other ranks received the same training. Trainees who did not achieve the high standards were (RTU'd) returned to units. Those who completed the training received the coveted Green Beret. Achnacarry separated the men from the boys. American, French, Belgian, Norwegian, Polish, German (Jewish) and Dutch allied troops were trained at Achnacarry.

The Commandos were awarded 38 battle honours, 8 Victoria Crosses, 37 Distinguished Service Orders (9 with bars), 162 Military Crosses (13 with bars) and 218 Military Medals, some of the battles they fought were the bloodiest of the Second World War.

The world famous Commando Memorial stands proudly high above Spean Bridge. The three gigantic bronze figures stand proud in battledress, woollen caps and climbing boots looking across the Great Glen. The 17 foot high Memorial was designed by Scott Sutherland from Dundee College of Art in 1949, and unveiled by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother in 1952. Hundreds of veteran Commandos make the annual pilgrimage to attend the Service of Remembrance and Wreath Laying held at the Memorial in November.

The Commando Association was granted the Freedom of Fort William and Lochaber in 1993. The illuminated Scroll is on display together with a range of memorabilia and photographs in the Commando Exhibition in the Spean Bridge Hotel.