The war memorial in Cove has been declared the best-kept memorial in Argyll and Bute, following inspection of 18 entries from across the area. Local volunteers who lead upkeep work will now prepare the C-listed monument for a national inspection as part of Legion Scotland’s competition.
Community effort wins near-perfect score
Inspectors awarded the memorial a total of 109 out of 110 points. The only issue noted during the county inspection was a small area of weed growth in ground maintained by Argyll and Bute Council.
Members of the volunteer team received support from several local bodies: donations came from the Cove & Kilcreggan Community Council, the Cove & Kilcreggan Trust and the charity Our Community. Volunteers say continued community involvement will be vital in the run-up to the national inspection, expected next month.
Volunteers respond
“It’s really, really great news. It is a case of getting the community to keep going, which they have been doing – everyone who has been helping are going to continue helping,”
The comment, made at a recent community council meeting by volunteer William Higgins, reflected widespread local pride. He added that long-term residents had remarked on how striking the memorial now appears compared with previous years.
- Location: Cove (Cove & Kilcreggan area)
- Listing: C-listed memorial
- Score: 109/110 in the Argyll and Bute round
- Next step: National inspection by Legion Scotland, expected next month
Why the award matters
War memorials act as focal points for remembrance in small communities. Taking care of them preserves local history and ensures the site remains a respectful setting for commemorations such as Remembrance Sunday. The recognition also highlights how volunteer labour and small grants from local bodies can combine to conserve heritage assets without major public expenditure.
| Metric | Detail |
|---|---|
| Entries in Argyll and Bute | 18 |
| Score awarded | 109 / 110 |
| Listing status | C-listed |
| Supporting organisations | Cove & Kilcreggan Community Council; Cove & Kilcreggan Trust; Our Community |
Convener John Auld urged that thanks and congratulations be passed on to the volunteers, who emphasised they intend to continue the regular maintenance which produced the high score. With the national inspection looming, the community will be hoping the near-perfect county result can be converted into national recognition.
