A Highland warrior known as the “Fighting Mac” will be commemorated next month.
Major General Sir Hector MacDonald grew up the son of a crofter near Dingwall in the 19th century – and went on to become one of the country’s most decorated war heroes.
He gave his name to the MacDonald Tower at the Mitchell Cemetery in Dingwall – where a commemoration service will be held on March 4 from 11am to mark the 164th anniversary of his birth.
The event has been organised by the “Friends of the Fighting Mac” group – and present will be the chief of the Clan Donald Lord Godfrey MacDonald and David Lockhart, deputy lord-lieutenant of Ross and Cromarty.
Sir Hector worked as a boy in a shop in Dingwall – but rapidly rose through the ranks after joining the army.
He was enlisted the 92th Gordon Highlanders and served as a colour sergeant in the Afghan War of 1879.
His distinguished service saw him offered either the Victoria Cross or a commission in his regiment, choosing the latter.
He went on to serve in the Boer War and particularly distinguished himself at a the Battle of Omdurman in Sudan in 1898.
His strategic achievements in the battle saw him become a personal adviser to Queen Victoria and promoted to the rank of colonel.
He died in tragic circumstances in a hotel in Paris in 1903.
The commemoration event will involve the Colour Party Royal British Legion Dingwall, Dingwall Pipe Band and a service led by the Rev Alistair Murray, the legion’s chaplain in Inverness.
Soliders from 3SCOTS and 7SCOTs of the Royal Regiment of Scotland will also be represented, as will the Gordon Highlanders Association.
Wreathes will also be laid by local councillors Margaret Paterson and Alister Mackinnon.
The opening and closing addresses will be delivered by event organiser Greg Dawson Allen.
Respects will also be paid to Pipe Major George Findlater, another Gordon Highlander who fought in the same campaigns as Sir Hector.
He was awarded the Victoria Cross for his bravery at the Battle of the Dargai Heights in India in 1897.
The pipe major continued to play to encourage his fellow troops despite having been shot in both ankles.
He is buried at Forglen Cemetery near Turriff.
