Major General Sir Hector Macdonald, KCB, DSO ⋆ Ross and Cromarty Heritage

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 Archibald Macdonald, KCB, DSO

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.

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 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 Social » Dingwall Other Societies

WRVS soup kitchen in the Old Academy grounds c.1950

WRVS soup kitchen in the Old Academy grounds c.1950 (Photo Urquhart and DMT) Second left, back row, Mrs Granville Hay. Third left, front row, Mrs Lily Macrae. Others to be listed as they are identified. [Photo DMT]

Interior of the Dingwall Citizens Advice Bureau office

Front view of Dingwall Community Centre

Lodge Fingal

The Rotary Club of Dingwall sign

Dingwall Community Centre sign

Layout plan showing location of Dingwall Community Centre

Dingwall Coat of Arms

Dingwall Players' production

Back row, l-r: ? ? Evelyn Wilkie, Jimmy ('Bobo') Mackay, (remainder unknown) Middle row, l-r: ? ? ? Bob Wilkie Front row, l-r: ? ? Eleanor Reid, ? , 'Mac' Conn

Dingwall Players and Dingwall Academy performance of A Quiet Weekend,

Dingwall Players and Dingwall Academy performance of A Quiet Weekend, produced by Hamish Fraser, Head of Primary Department, Dingwall Academy l.-r. Eleanor Reid (Players), Margaret S Dougall (PT Art, Dingwall Academy), Evelyn Wilkie (Players), George Brett (Clerk, Education Office), Lucy Munro (Primary Department), Jerry Cotter-Craig (Forestry Commission/Players), Jean Lawson (Players), Robin S Kerr (Science, Dingwall Academy), Joan Cooper (Players), Bob Wilkie (Players), Marjorie ? (Dingwall Academy), 'Mac' Conn (Players)

Dingwall Players' Production of The Wizard of Oz, December 1999

Mrs Brown and Mrs Hay

Photograph taken in 1973 when Mrs Charlotte Brown (right) was presented with a clasp to her long-service badge for 27 years' service in WRVS. Beside her is Mrs Granville Hay (78) who had 37 years' service.

Great Feil Maree

The Puffin Hydrotherapy Pool sign