Hutcheson’s Monument

In 1851, George and James Burns sold their fleet of steam ships to David and Alexander Hutcheson. Although the maritime trade was booming at that time, David greatly improved navigation around the coast and opened up new sea-lanes.

This was the beginning of the vast network of ferry routes to the Outer and Inner Hebrides, to add to those serving the Clyde coastal resorts and small communities along the western seaboard.

To acknowledge his outstanding contribution to maritime safety and commerce, a monument to him, in the shape of a granite obelisk,  was erected in 1883 at the north end of Kerrera,overlooking Ardentrive Bay and clearly visible to vessels coming down the Sound of Mull and  leaving and entering Oban Bay. Hutcheson’s Monument is, even to this day, an easily recognisable and much loved marker on the skyline.

Photo courtesy of F Black .