How to Find It
This quiet memorial sits just off the A835, near Conon Bridge, tucked behind a fence and some trees beside a roadside parking layby on the Brahan Estate.
- Coordinates: 57.56502° N, –4.47900° W
- what3words: ///doing.trees.ballooned (approximate – confirm on arrival)
It’s easy to miss. Look for a gap in the fence near the layby, follow the faint track into the woods, and you’ll find a weathered concrete Tryzub (trident), the symbol of Ukraine, standing quietly among the trees.
How to Find It
This quiet memorial sits just off the A835, near Conon Bridge, tucked behind a fence and some trees beside a roadside parking layby on the Brahan Estate—part of the historic lands that once hosted a WWII prisoner-of-war and displaced persons (DP) camp.
📍 Coordinates: 57.56502° N, –4.47900° W
🗺 OS Grid: NH 51813 55471
🧭 what3words: ///healers.scooter.pitching (approximate – confirm in app before visiting)
It’s easy to miss. Park in the large roadside layby just after the Conon Bridge turn-off (if travelling west). Look for a faint foot track that runs uphill through the verge. You’ll need to climb a short slope and carefully cross a low barbed-wire fence—there’s no gate or stile.
The monument itself, a weathered concrete Tryzub (trident), stands quietly a few metres inside the woodland, mostly hidden until you’re very close.
⚠️ Access note: This is not a formal heritage site and has no signage, path, or protection. Take care crossing the fence and consider whether it’s suitable for your mobility and footwear.
📚 References:
- Imperial War Museums Memorial Register
- Scotia Nostra – Ukrainian Tryzub at Brahan
- Saiga Tours – Ukraine’s Forgotten Highland History
🔒 Please do not leave tokens, flags, or objects—this is not an officially maintained memorial and doing so may unintentionally cause damage or attract litter. A photo and moment of reflection is the most respectful way to honour its meaning.
A Little-Known Piece of History
The Tryzub was built in 1949 by Ukrainians who had been brought to the area during and after the Second World War. Some were prisoners of war, others displaced persons (DPs) who refused to return to Ukraine after it fell under Soviet control. The Brahan Estate hosted one such postwar DP camp, making this an appropriate spot for their handmade memorial.
Why a Trident?
The Tryzub is Ukraine’s national emblem—an ancient symbol of freedom and heritage. At the time it was banned by the Soviet Union, so creating this concrete version in Scotland was an act of quiet defiance and cultural pride.
This is not a military monument. It’s a mark of presence—created by those who found themselves far from home, rebuilding their lives in the Highlands.
A Memorial Rediscovered
For decades the Tryzub stood mostly forgotten, gradually covered by weeds and woodland. But recent interest in Ukraine’s modern struggles has brought new attention to it. Today, you may see ribbons in blue and yellow, fresh flowers, or a handwritten sign. It remains a humble but powerful symbol of resistance and peace.
Why It Matters
The Tryzub stands as a quiet reminder that global stories often reach even the most rural corners of Scotland. It tells of exile, survival, and a people determined to remember who they are—even when far from home.
If you’re travelling the A835, it’s well worth a short stop. You won’t find it on many maps or in guidebooks, but it offers something just as lasting: a human story, quietly rooted in Highland soil.
A Personal Connection
Since the Russian invasion of Ukraine began in February 2022, we’ve flown a Ukrainian flag in our garden as a quiet act of solidarity. We’re now on our seventh flag—Highland wind and weather take their toll, but we keep replacing it. For us, it’s a daily reminder that the war is not just a headline. Seeing this Tryzub monument, hidden in a Highland wood, made that connection even more tangible.
Ukrainians have been part of Scotland’s story for generations—and this small marker proves it.
“They’re All Scotland’s Story”
The Scottish band The Proclaimers captured the diversity of Scotland’s history in their song Scotland’s Story. Among its verses is one that resonates deeply :
“All through the story the immigrants came,
the Gael, the Pict, the Angle and Dane,
from Pakistan, England and from the Ukraine
we are all Scotland’s Story and we are all worth the same.”
As a tour guide, I often finish my tours by reading this verse —a song that celebrates the rich tapestry of people who have shaped this country.
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