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 Environment » Dingwall James Bridge
01 James' Bridge' Dingwall
01 James' Bridge' Dingwall
Plaque commemorating Robert's Bridge, at west end of Dingwall.
02 James' Bridge, Dingwall
02 James' Bridge, Dingwall
Old bridge had been closed to pedestrians for two years.
03 James' Bridge, Dingwall
03 James' Bridge, Dingwall
Old, unstable bridge in situ.
04 James' Bridge, Dingwall
04 James' Bridge, Dingwall
Old bridge.
05 James' Bridge, Dingwall
05 James' Bridge, Dingwall
Canal path leading to old bridge.
06 James' Bridge, Dingwall
06 James' Bridge, Dingwall
Canal path leading from bridge.
06 James' Bridge, Dingwall
06 James' Bridge, Dingwall
Area cleared for crane and new bridge.
08 James' Bridge, Dingwall
08 James' Bridge, Dingwall
New bridge being lowered at site. Old bridge still in situ.
10 James' Bridge, Dingwall
10 James' Bridge, Dingwall
Crane in place.
11 James' Bridge, Dingwall
11 James' Bridge, Dingwall
Crane ready for action.
11 James' Bridge, Dingwall
11 James' Bridge, Dingwall
Delivery of new bridge after crossing railway bridge on Ferry Road.
12 James' Bridge, Dingwall
12 James' Bridge, Dingwall
Old bridge ready for lift-off.
12 James' Bridge, Dingwall
12 James' Bridge, Dingwall
New bridge has arrived at site.
13 James' Bridge, Dingwall
13 James' Bridge, Dingwall
New bridge delivery area as seen from opposite side of canal.
13 James' Bridge, Dingwall
13 James' Bridge, Dingwall
Old bridge ready for lift-off.
14 James' Bridge, Dingwall
14 James' Bridge, Dingwall
New bridge in place.
14 James' Bridge, Dingwall
14 James' Bridge, Dingwall
Lift-off for old bridge.
14A James' Bridge, Dingwall
14A James' Bridge, Dingwall
Work on old foundations.
15 James' Bridge, Dingwall
15 James' Bridge, Dingwall
New bridge in place.
16 James' Bridge, Dingwall
16 James' Bridge, Dingwall
New bridge in place.
17 James' Bridge, Dingwall
17 James' Bridge, Dingwall
New bridge on site.
18 James' Bridge, Dingwall
18 James' Bridge, Dingwall
New bridge in situ with Cromarty Firth in background.
19 James' Bridge, Dingwall
19 James' Bridge, Dingwall
Crowd at formal opening.
20 James' Bridge, Dingwall
20 James' Bridge, Dingwall
Crowd at formal opening.
21 James' Bridge, Dingwall
21 James' Bridge, Dingwall
Bored dog at formal opening.
22 James' Bridge, Dingwall
22 James' Bridge, Dingwall
Opening ceremony. Philip Blake addressing crowd.
23 James' Bridge, Dingwall
23 James' Bridge, Dingwall
Philip Blake.
24 James' Bridge, Dingwall
24 James' Bridge, Dingwall
Philip Blake urging the community to enjoy the bridge.
25 James' Bridge, Dingwall
25 James' Bridge, Dingwall
Piper leading crowd over new bridge.
26 James' Bridge, Dingwall
26 James' Bridge, Dingwall
Piper playing on new bridge.
27 James' Bridge, Dingwall
27 James' Bridge, Dingwall
Piper playing on new bridge.
28 James' Bridge, Dingwall
28 James' Bridge, Dingwall
Crowd crossing the new bridge.
29 James' Bridge, Dingwall
29 James' Bridge, Dingwall
Crowd having crossed bridge, on Cromarty Firth side, with remains of Dingwall harbour in background.
31 James' Bridge, Dingwall
31 James' Bridge, Dingwall
Sunset on the new bridge.
James' Bridge, Dingwall
James' Bridge, Dingwall
29 Memorial plaque to the late James "Bubby" Blake

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