BSW Timber’s Fort William mill recently supported local residents by replacing fire damaged memorial bench which belonged to the Lochaber family.

The wooden bench was placed in Inverlochy by the side of the loch with a view over to Corpach in 2012 as a remembrance to the Sinclair family of Abrach Road, with the names of numerous much-loved members, including Donald who drowned in the nearby tailrace as a young boy in 1946.

The bench is thought to have been fire damaged after youngsters set fire to a small bike beside the bench, where the flames spread to destroy one half of the bench before a nearby resident put out the blaze.

BSW Timber, Fort William’s Mill Manager, Oliver Stephen found out about the damage on a local Fort William social media page, where he got in touch with the family offering to help, which they were absolutely delighted by.

The bench was hand crafted and built by the team at Fort William, made using a Douglas Fir log on K3 saw line. BSW apprentices built the frame, and their on-site handyman completed the bench and installed it.

Speaking on behalf of his kinsfolk, Gavin MacKinnon said: “The whole family is really touched and grateful for the kindness and generosity in replacing the bench.

“We are now delighted that a beautiful new seat has been installed, which clearly means a lot not only to our family but to the wider community also.”

Photograph: Iain Ferguson of alba.photos.