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 Work » Dingwall Drover Sculpture
01 Drover Sculpture
01 Drover Sculpture
The site of the sculpture - Dingwall and Highland Marts.
02 Drover Sculpture
02 Drover Sculpture
Lucy Poett and her creation.
03 Drover Sculpture
03 Drover Sculpture
Preliminary sketches courtesy of Lucy Poett.
04 Drover Sculpture
04 Drover Sculpture
Preliminary sketch courtesy of Lucy Poett.
05 Drover Sculpture
05 Drover Sculpture
Courtesy of Lucy Poett.
06 Drover Sculpture
06 Drover Sculpture
Courtesy of Lucy Poett.
07 Drover Sculpture
07 Drover Sculpture
The Drover's legs. [Photo courtesy of Lucy Poett.]
08 Drover Sculpture
08 Drover Sculpture
Two sides of Drover. [Photo courtesy of Lucy Poett.]
09 Drover Sculpture
09 Drover Sculpture
The Drover's dog. [Photo courtesy of Lucy Poett.]
10 Drover Sculpture
10 Drover Sculpture
The bull. [Photo courtesy of Lucy Poett.]
11 Drover Sculpture
11 Drover Sculpture
The bull, now cast. [Photo courtesy of Lucy Poett.]
12 Drover Sculpture
12 Drover Sculpture
Bull, finally cast, with Lucy Poett (left) in her studio. [Photo: Lucy Poett.]
13 Drover Sculpture
13 Drover Sculpture
Where to place it? And facing east or west?
14 Drover Sculpture
14 Drover Sculpture
Prototype bull (fierce horns!) and modern drover Henry Meiklejohn.
15 Drover Sculpture
15 Drover Sculpture
Preparing the site.
16 Drover Sculpture
16 Drover Sculpture
Andrew Macphee at work.
17 Drover Sculpture
17 Drover Sculpture
Preparing the site.
18 Drover Sculpture
18 Drover Sculpture
Foundations.
19 Drover Sculpture
19 Drover Sculpture
Electrical work.
20 Drover Sculpture
20 Drover Sculpture
Electrics connection.
21 Drover Sculpture
21 Drover Sculpture
Landscaping.
22 Drover Sculpture
22 Drover Sculpture
Landscaping continues.
23 Drover Sculpture
23 Drover Sculpture
Still more landscaping.
24 Drover Sculpture
24 Drover Sculpture
George Tait giving guidance.
25 Drover Sculpture
25 Drover Sculpture
Still working on site.
26 Drover Sculpture
26 Drover Sculpture
"Site foreman" George Tait leaning on obligatory shovel .
27 Drover Sculpture
27 Drover Sculpture
Delivery day.
28 Drover Sculpture
28 Drover Sculpture
Lucy Poett, ARBS, with her sculpture.
29 Drover Sculpture
29 Drover Sculpture
Lucy Poett as more of her work is uncovered.
30 Drover Sculpture
30 Drover Sculpture
Four men who did much of the practical work: Henry Meiklejohn, Kenny Mackenzie, David Henderson and George Tait.
31 Drover Sculpture
31 Drover Sculpture
Preparing base for plaque.
32 Drover Sculpture
32 Drover Sculpture
Putting plaque in place. George Tait, David Henderson, Lucy Poett observing.
33 Drover Sculpture
33 Drover Sculpture
Then it was time to unload. Getting ready .....
34 Drover Sculpture
34 Drover Sculpture
..... up ......
35 Drover Sculpture
35 Drover Sculpture
Still handing around.
36 Drover Sculpture
36 Drover Sculpture
Lowering.
37 Drover Sculpture
37 Drover Sculpture
Still lowering.
38 Drover Sculpture
38 Drover Sculpture
Safely landed.
39 Drover Sculpture
39 Drover Sculpture
Now for the Drover.
40 Drover Sculpture
40 Drover Sculpture
Just about in place.
41 Drover Sculpture
41 Drover Sculpture
Well, we made it, Lucy!
42 Drover Sculpture
42 Drover Sculpture
At last, in situ, and looking over at the Black Isle.
43 Drover Sculpture
43 Drover Sculpture
Well protected.
44 Drover Sculpture
44 Drover Sculpture
More electrical work.
45 Drover Sculpture
45 Drover Sculpture
Final tasks.
46 Drover Sculpture
46 Drover Sculpture
Unwrapping begins.
47 Drover Sculpture
47 Drover Sculpture
Christmas comes early for Henry Meiklejohn!
48 Drover Sculpture
48 Drover Sculpture
Bruce Mackintosh hopes there's no more bubblewrap to recycle!
49 Drover Sculpture
49 Drover Sculpture
Unwrapped.
50 Drover Sculpture
50 Drover Sculpture
Protective gear.

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