While the guardians of Ben Nevis propose to remove virtually all memorials on the British Isles’ highest mountain, a group on Skye wants to erect one to two pioneers of climbing.

The voluntary group wants to erect a sculpture of Norman Collie and John Mackenzie and is trying to raise funds for the project.

Conservation charity the John Muir Trust (JMT) is backing the idea, which aims to have the 1.5-times life-size bronze statue erected at Sligachan on the island.

The organisers of the appeal also want four unsightly electric poles moved to improve the environment around the site. They gained planning permission in June. A car park is also proposed to alleviate what the group says is parking congestion on a nearby lay-by.

John Mackenzie was born in the 19th century at Sconser on Skye and became Scotland’s first mountain guide. Collie was one of his first clients and went on to become one of the era’s great mountaineers. Sgurr Mhic Coinnich in the Cuillin is named after Mackenzie and Sgurr Thormaid (Norman’s Peak) is named after Collie.

The group has applied for charitable status and has appointed Irvine-born Steve Tinney to design the sculpture. The Mountaineering Council of Scotland reckons between £450,000 and £500,000 is needed for the project. The JMT has already chipped in to start off the appeal.

Details are on the Skye Sculpture website.