A 117-year-old Victorian soldier memorial in Dingwall, Scotland is set to be revitalized after securing over £162,500 in funding. The monument, dedicated to Maj Gen Sir Hector MacDonald, has been closed for several years and its reopening is expected to be a significant milestone for the local community.
Highland Council has approved over £162,500 of funding to help reopen the 117-year-old MacDonald Monument in Dingwall, dedicated to Maj Gen Sir Hector MacDonald.
Maj Gen Sir Hector MacDonald was a renowned military strategist and aide to Queen Victoria. He fought in wars in Afghanistan and rose through the ranks from teenage soldier to senior officer. Despite his impressive career, he took his own life in a Paris hotel in 1903 after facing threats of a court martial due to ‘rumors about his sexuality’.
Hector MacDonald was a British Army officer who served in various roles during the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
Born on November 4, 1853, he rose through the ranks to become a general.
MacDonald played key roles in several military campaigns, including the Second Boer War and World War I.
He is also known for his involvement in the development of British military strategy during this period.
The monument, which stands at 30m (100ft) tall, has been closed for several years. However, with the new funding from the Scottish government-backed Community Regeneration Fund, it is expected to undergo restoration and reopen soon. Highland Council will work in partnership with Dingwall Community Development Company on the project.
Sir Hector was born to a Ross-shire crofter but achieved great success in his military career. His supporters believe that the rumors about his personal life were the result of ‘class snobbery and spite among fellow officers’ , rather than any actual wrongdoing.
The MacDonald Monument was opened in 1907 and overlooks the town of Dingwall. Its reopening is expected to be a significant milestone for the local community, and it will serve as a reminder of Sir Hector’s impressive legacy.
