Nathan Clarkson Droneography

Nathan Clarkson Droneography Aerial and event videography based locally in Gedling, Notts. Licenced and approved by the CAA.

The magnificent Isle of Skye. Where's your favorite part of Skye? Old man of Storr, Quirang, the fairy pools, Portree or...
02/09/2026

The magnificent Isle of Skye. Where's your favorite part of Skye? Old man of Storr, Quirang, the fairy pools, Portree or the world famous Talisker whiskey distillery. Comment down below, I want to know!!!!

I would just like to thank everybody who took the time to like, comment and follow me after my drone footage was posted ...
26/08/2026

I would just like to thank everybody who took the time to like, comment and follow me after my drone footage was posted showcasing the magnificent Commando Memorial at Spean Bridge with nearly half a million views. I’m honestly overwhelmed by the support.

So today I thought I'd do some digging and found out the incredible true story behind the men in bronze at Spean Bridge.

Imagine visiting the same war memorial for 40 years… standing under a 17‑foot statue… and having absolutely no idea the central figure, calmly holding the straps of his binoculars — was literally modelled on you.

That’s exactly what happened to Gunner Jack Lewington of No. 4 Commando.

In 1945, Jack and two comrades were told by their RSM to report to a gym at Wi******er Barracks. A civilian photographer snapped them from every angle while they stood on a table in full kit. No explanation. No follow‑up.

Jack remembered the other two men as Jock More and Taff Jones — though some veteran records suggest the models may actually have been Frank Nicholls and RSM Sidney Hewlett.
Either way, three real Commandos stood on that table… and those photos became the blueprint for the monument.

Fast‑forward to 1952 and the Commando Memorial is unveiled. Jack sees it in the papers… but never connects the dots.

It wasn’t until the early 1990s, during a visit to Spean Bridge, that he suddenly realised and was absolutely flabbergasted that the central figure was actually him and the other two was his mates from that photo session.

He’d spent decades quietly honouring fallen comrades, never knowing he was literally standing beneath his own likeness.

And Spean Bridge wasn’t chosen at random — it overlooks the brutal 6‑mile speed‑march route to Achnacarry that recruits had to complete in under 60 minutes or be returned to unit. The Royal Marines still do this today down near Exeter before they are awarded their cap comforter and start the Commando phase of training.

Edit!!!!!

I've just been contacted by the project manager of the Scott Sutherland project Steve Nicholl, he sent me the following stating that there was around a dozen models used to capture the Commando spirit for the monument.

"At the start in 2021 there were confusing claims over the Commando 'models ' for the statue. The truth is that Sutherland used at least a dozen and possibly more, this was confirmed by his son. Sutherland staked his reputation on attention to detail and for this commission he was determined to be completely accurate. He requested photographs of Commandos at various stages of the commission to ensure that specific details were captured. This resulted in different 'models' being used to get that detail correct. The facial details are often quoted as bearing a striking likeness to named individuals. This may be the case but Sutherland wasn't commissioned to sculpt known individuals but to capture a representative characterisation of Commando spirit."

I would like to thank Steve for reaching out to me with this valuable piece of information that fits the puzzle perfectly.

If you’ve ever visited this monument, drop your photos below — I’d love to see them.

And if you like what you see please drop me a follow.

24/08/2026

A 17-foot-tall bronze monument depicting three World War II British Commandos looking out toward their former training grounds. It is located near the village of Spean Bridge in the Scottish Highlands.

During WWII (from 1942 onward), the rugged local terrain, including nearby Achnacarry Castle served as the Commando Basic Training Centre. Around 25,000 elite troops, including British forces, Allied troops (such as French, Dutch, Norwegians, and US Army Rangers), underwent grueling endurance training here before earning their green berets.

The stone plinth features the motto "United We Conquer" and the famous inscription: "In memory of the officers and men of the commandos who died in the Second World War 1939–1945. This country was their training ground."

Designed by Scottish sculptor Scott Sutherland and unveiled on September 27, 1952, by Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother.

On a clear day, the monument offers breathtaking views across the River Spean valley toward Ben Nevis and the Nevis Range. A nearby Garden of Remembrance is also used by veterans and families as a resting place for ashes.

A few more photos of Eilean Donan Castle. One of the most photographed castles in the world and an iconic piece of Scotl...
22/08/2026

A few more photos of Eilean Donan Castle. One of the most photographed castles in the world and an iconic piece of Scotland.

Chased the eclipse over All Hallows Church in Gedling tonight. Check out the in-camera lens reflection projecting the cr...
12/08/2026

Chased the eclipse over All Hallows Church in Gedling tonight. Check out the in-camera lens reflection projecting the crescent shape down the spire.

Eilean Donan Castle captured in its true Scottish colours — the blues and whites echoing the Saltire as the Highlands ri...
08/08/2026

Eilean Donan Castle captured in its true Scottish colours — the blues and whites echoing the Saltire as the Highlands rise behind it. This iconic landmark starred in Highlander, and film crews have recently returned to shoot the remake with Henry Cavill. A timeless piece of Scotland in a single frame and one of my favourite shots of my recent trip around the Scottish Highlands,

This was one of the standout moments from my recent trip to Scotland — the mystical Old Man of Storr, rising sharply fro...
06/08/2026

This was one of the standout moments from my recent trip to Scotland — the mystical Old Man of Storr, rising sharply from the Trotternish Ridge on the Isle of Skye. Its dramatic pinnacles, sweeping ridgelines, and ever‑changing weather make it one of the most cinematic landscapes in the UK. For drone pilots, it delivers epic scale, moody atmosphere, and a sense of magic you can’t find anywhere else.

I was incredibly lucky to capture noctilucent clouds drifting above the Storr, adding a dreamlike glow to the scene. This shot was taken at 23:30 on Sunday 26th July, and it remains one of my favourite captures from the entire trip.

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