Major General Sir Hector Macdonald, KCB, DSO

Attribution: unknown (Greenhill street  in Dingwall looking North)

Major General Sir Hector Macdonald, KCB, DSO

Although born at Mulbuie, on the Black Isle, Hector Macdonald was greatly revered by the people of Dingwall and on 11 May 1899 he was awarded the Freedom of the town. The photographs which follow are in the ownership of Ross and Cromarty Heritage Society.

Major General Sir Hector Macdonald

Major General Sir Hector Archibald Macdonald, KCB, DSO

General Sir Hector Macdonald

General Sir Hector Macdonald. Photograph may have been taken at Lemlair House.

Attribution: In ownership of RCHS.

Birthplace

In August 2019 Mr Ian McNeish gave permission for RCHS to reproduce this postcard, which he owns, showing the birthplace of Sir Hector Macdonald in the early part of the 20th century.

General Sir Hector Macdonald

Rootfield near Dingwall, birthplace of Sir Hector MacDonald

Attribution: Ian McNeish

Freedom of Dingwall

On 13 May 1899 Sir Hector Macdonald was awarded the Freedom of Dingwall. The town was thronged for the occasion. This photograph has been taken outside the Masonic Hall (later the Picture House) and the building facing is the gable end of what is now Deas’ tearoom.

Freedom ceremony luncheon for Sir Hector Macdonald

Inside the Masonic Hall for luncheon. The Provost standing alongside Sir Hector Macdonald and Lady Macdonald in foreground.

Attribution: In ownership of RCHS.

General Sir Hector Macdonald awarded the Freedom of Dingwall

The crowd in Dingwall when Sir Hector Macdonald awarded the Freedom of Dingwall.

Attribution: In ownership of RCHS.

Shako and Freedom Casket

Sir Hector’s shako, or ceremonial hat, and the Freedom casket, both of which are in Dingwall Museum.

Freedom of Dingwall casket presented to Major General Sir Hector Macdonald in May 1899.

Attribution: Image in ownership of RCHS.

Sir Hector's shako, or ceremonial hat, decorated with ostrich feathers.

Attribution: Image in ownership of RCHS.

Minature Railway

When in due course the residents of Dingwall decided to honour Sir Hector by building the Macdonald Memorial on Mitchell Hill, this was a photograph of the miniature railway used to convey material to the top. The photograph can be seen in Dingwall Museum.

And a photograph of the miniature railway used in the construction of the Macdonald Memorial on Mitchell Hill.

Attribution: In ownership of RCHS.

The Sir Hector Macdonald Memorial

The Sir Hector Macdonald Memorial on Mitchell Hill.

Attribution: In ownership of RCHS.

View More photos of Sir Hector and other famous Dingwall people

Click on photo album to view thumbnails and then click thumbnail to see the full size images 
Dingwall » Dingwall History » Dingwall Picture House
05 Dingwall Picture House
05 Dingwall Picture House
The adjacent frontage of Morganti's. This was the original post office, with the outline of the clock clearly visible.
11 Dingwall Picture House
11 Dingwall Picture House
In 2020 demolition of the rear part of the building began. [Photo RCHS]
02 Dingwall Picture House
02 Dingwall Picture House
Side view of the entrance to the Masonic Hall in May 1899 on the occasion of the granting of the Freedom of Dingwall to Sir Hector Macdonald. [Photo RCHS]
12 Dingwall Picture House
12 Dingwall Picture House
Demolition. [Photo: E Sinclair]
14 Dingwall Picture House
14 Dingwall Picture House
Demolition. [Photo: E Sinclair]
17 Dingwall Picture House
17 Dingwall Picture House
Demolition. [Photo: E Sinclair]
03 Dingwall Picture House
03 Dingwall Picture House
Photo showing the origins of the Masonic Hall aka 'The Picture House' in later years. The flags are not celebrating the demolition of the building, but as in the 1899 photo, show that Dingwall "dresses up" on important occasions - in the case of 2019, Dingwall Gala Week! [Photo E Sinclair]
07 Dingwall Picture House
07 Dingwall Picture House
Morganti's original signage. [Photo: E Sinclair]
08 Dingwall Picture House
08 Dingwall Picture House
Morganti's original signage - "Refreshments". [Photo: E Sinclair]
09 Dingwall Picture House
09 Dingwall Picture House
Morganti's original signage - "Saloons". [Photo: E Sinclair]
11 Dingwall Picture House
11 Dingwall Picture House
Morganti's original signage. Demolition uncovered the faded sign above the clock, proclaiming what Morganti's had to offer - Refreshments - Saloons - Confections [Photo: E Sinclair]
13 Dingwall Picture House
13 Dingwall Picture House
The frontage of the former Picture House prior to demolition of the rear part. [Photo: E Sinclair]
16 Dingwall Picture House
16 Dingwall Picture House
Demolition. [Photo: E Sinclair]
14 Dingwall Picture House
14 Dingwall Picture House
Demolition. [Photo: E Sinclair]
01 Dingwall Picture House
01 Dingwall Picture House
Mr Sestilio ("Joe") Simonelli at the front of Morganti and Simonelli's shop, on High Street, in 1923. This was formerly the Post Office (note clock) and was adjacent to the Masonic Hall, later The Picture House. [Photo DMT]
04 Dingwall Picture House
04 Dingwall Picture House
Dingwall Picture House when functioning as a cinema. Source and date unknown.
18 Dingwall Picture House
18 Dingwall Picture House
As demolition progressed, Anagar Vinke, a woodturner living in Fodderty, acquired a beam from the Picture House and proceeded to convert the wood into souvenirs of the Picture House. One of these, a candle holder, is shown below. [Photo RCHS]
19 Dingwall Picture House
19 Dingwall Picture House
Candle holder from beam of Picture House. [Photo RCHS]
20 Dingwall Picture House
20 Dingwall Picture House
Just before Christmas 2020 the new frontage of "The Picture House". Work on "Morganti's" continues. [Photo RCHS]
06 Dingwall Picture House
06 Dingwall Picture House
Adjacent to the masonic plaque is the other symbol, crow-stepped gable and Scots thistle finial. [Photo RCHS]
04 Dingwall Picture House
04 Dingwall Picture House
An enlargement of the plaque showing the origins of the building as a Masonic Hall. [Photo RCHS]
05 Dingwall Picture House
05 Dingwall Picture House
An enlargement of the Masonic plaque.

Please submit your comment

Do you have any more information about any of the content on this page.

Your comments are always welcome: