The Kennedy Monument, Cameron Square, Fort William
The Kennedy Monument once stood at the heart of Cameron Square in Fort William, serving as a lasting tribute to Dr. William Kennedy, a local physician who died in 1851 after treating patients during a typhus epidemic.
Erected in 1852, the monument reflected the community’s recognition of his sacrifice and stood prominently in what was then known as Church Square, near the present-day West Highland Museum.
For over a century, it formed part of the town’s civic landscape. However, during major redevelopment of Fort William town centre in the 1960s, the monument was dismantled—reportedly around 1965. Its removal has since been described as an act of “civic vandalism”, reflecting the loss of an important piece of local heritage.
Rather than being preserved, the structure was broken up, with large sections said to have been discarded along the shoreline near the town’s yacht club.
Paul Neil from Fort William, Inverlochy and Torlundy Community Council investigated this in April 2026 and found the orignal stone near the shoreline by the yacht club on Achinore Road.
Below is the link to the Flickr album.
Subsequent changes to the area, including the development of the Cameron Centre and the impact of the 1975 town hall fire, further altered the character of the square. Today, no visible trace of the monument remains.
The story of the Kennedy Monument highlights both the town’s historical response to public health crises and the lasting impact of mid-20th century redevelopment on local heritage.
Dr. William Kennedy (1810–1851)
Dr. William Kennedy was a surgeon based in Fort William in the mid-19th century, remembered for his dedication to the community during a deadly outbreak of typhus.
Born on 23 July 1810 in Kilmonivaig, he was the son of Angus Kennedy and Grace Cameron, both of whom were part of established local families in Lochaber. In 1838, he married Isabella Cameron, further strengthening his ties within the area.
At a time when medical knowledge and resources were limited, Dr. Kennedy worked on the front line of public health, treating patients during a typhus epidemic in Fort William. In doing so, he contracted the disease himself and died on 12 February 1851.
His death had a profound impact on the community. In recognition of his sacrifice, a monument was erected in Cameron Square in 1852, serving as a tribute to his service and dedication.
Although the monument was later removed during 20th-century redevelopment, Dr. Kennedy’s legacy remains an important part of Fort William’s history—representing the risks faced by early medical practitioners and the value placed on those who served their communities in times of crisis.
Dr Kennedy's Death Notice -
Inverness Advertiser and Ross-shire Chronicle - Tuesday 18 February 1851
Dr Kennedy's Grave -
Kilmonivaig Churchyard, Spean Bridge, Highland, Scotland
Photo taken by John Singleton, Find a Grave, 2022.
Demolition of the Kennedy Monument
By the early 1960s, concerns had arisen regarding the condition and maintenance of the Kennedy Monument. In 1964, the Trustees sought legal authority through the Court of Session to vary the original Trust Deed, enabling the potential demolition of the structure, sale of the site to the Town Council, and replacement with a commemorative plaque.
In 1965, the monument was formally deemed unsafe. With insufficient funds available to carry out repairs, Fort William Town Council agreed in May 1965 to proceed with demolition. Tenders were obtained, and the contract was awarded to B. & M. Modern Builders Ltd.
Demolition commenced in June 1965, bringing the monument’s presence in Cameron Square to an end. A plaque was subsequently installed on the Town Hall to continue commemorating Dr. William Kennedy.
The Fort William Town Council Minutes from 1964/65 regarding these decisions can be viewed in this Flickr album or at the Fort William Archive Centre.
The memorial being demolished in 1965 by B&M builders and the colour version below.
Photo from More Fort William Memories
