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

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Dingwall » Dingwall Places » Dingwall Commercial
01 Dingwall Commercial Properties
01 Dingwall Commercial Properties
Dingwall & Highland Marts Ltd.
02 Dingwall Commercial Properties
02 Dingwall Commercial Properties
Cormacks and Crawfords
03 Dingwall Commercial Properties
03 Dingwall Commercial Properties
Pat J Mackenzie, gent's outfitter, now Blythswood charity shop.
04 Dingwall Commercial Properties
04 Dingwall Commercial Properties
This photograph [courtesy of the F W Urquhart collection] shows a well-stocked Fraser Brothers shop with Mr W Fraser, the proprietor, wearing his butcher's trademark apron.
05 Dingwall Commercial Properties
05 Dingwall Commercial Properties
Fraser Brothers and Country Garden. By a strange coincidence this photograph was taken by Alastair Mackenzie on the afternoon of Sunday 10 February 2013, approximately twelve hours prior to the fire which caused considerable damage to the former Royal Hotel on the upper floor of these two shops and serious damage to the shops.
06 Dingwall Commercial Properties
06 Dingwall Commercial Properties
On the same day, Alastair Mackenzie took this photograph of Cockburn's shop which, happily, has not had the unfortunate experience of Fraser Bros.
07 Dingwall Commercial Properties
07 Dingwall Commercial Properties
The long-established Deas Bakery.
08 Dingwall Commercial Properties
08 Dingwall Commercial Properties
The Croft Restaurant.
09 Dingwall Commercial Properties
09 Dingwall Commercial Properties
The National Hotel.
10 Dingwall Commercial Properties
10 Dingwall Commercial Properties
The Bank of Scotland.
11 Dingwall Commercial Properties
11 Dingwall Commercial Properties
The Royal Bank of Scotland.
13 Dingwall Commercial Properties
13 Dingwall Commercial Properties
Tesco Supermarket prior to relocation. Lidl's Supermarket now occupies this site.
14 Dingwall Commercial Properties
14 Dingwall Commercial Properties
Tesco Supermarket, Newton Road, on site of former Auction Marts.
15 Dingwall Commercial Properties
15 Dingwall Commercial Properties
Woolworths, a memory from the past. Now the Factory Shop.
15 Dingwall Commercial Properties.
15 Dingwall Commercial Properties.
Mackay's Garage, Dochcarty Road.
16 Dingwall Commercial Properties
16 Dingwall Commercial Properties
Dentist and Optician operate from this building on Tulloch Street.
17 Dingwall Commercial Properties
17 Dingwall Commercial Properties
The Call Centre in the Industrial Site.
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