Fort William Model T sculptor’s historic family link

The artist behind a bronze sculpture of a Model T Ford, created to commemorate a remarkable car journey, has discovered a family connection to the occasion.

Mark Stoddart, a designer and sculptor from Ayrshire, oversaw the making of the full-size replica of the historic vehicle, which is installed in Fort William’s town centre.

It was made to memorialise the daring feat of Henry Alexander, who in 1911 drove a Model T Ford to the summit of Ben Nevis.

The three-tonne sculpture was a project already close to Mark’s heart, but it means even more since he discovered his great uncle lived in Fort William at the time and would have seen Henry Alexander pass through as he made his way to Ben Nevis.

“While looking into my ancestry, up came this relation, my grandfather’s brother on my father’s side, who lived in Fort William in 1911,” explained Mark, who usually creates high-end pieces of furniture.

“His name was Donald Stoddart and he lived on Cameron Road. I was quite amazed by it. I’ve no doubt he and his family would have watched Henry Alexander drive up Ben Nevis, because it was such a big event.”