As the train carrying Hector Macdonald's body stopped at King's Cross on its long journey to the north, a large crowd gathered round the open van, standing with heads uncovered while two pipers played the lament 'The Flowers of the Forest'.
They were still standing there as the porters closed the doors and the train began to draw slowly out of the station.

On a gray rainy morning March 30, 1903 about 6am the funeral was held in secret, Hector Macdonald was laid to rest. Hector is buried at Dean Cemetery, Edinburgh. By sunlight, word had gotten out that Hector was buried at the cemetery, it was reported that 30,000 people waited out side the gates to pay their last respects. In the weeks following, thousands of people from all over the world came to say farewell to Hector Macdonald. The Scottish people were angry at Lady Macdonald for depriving them of a heroe's funeral, and she suffered for years from the negative press. Lady Macdonald (Christina Duncan) and son (Hector Duncan) lived in seclusion, Lady Macdonald died 1911, young Hector went on to become a Engineer and was a loner, died in 1951.

 SOME FACTS:

  • Hector Macdonald received a L.L.D. degree from the University of Glasgow.
  • Hector could speak several languages.
  • Refused the Victoria Cross for a field commission
  • Hector Macdonald was the true hero at the Battle of Omdurman.
  • Knighted in 1901.
  • Macdonald was the first enlisted man to attain the rank of General entirely on his own merit and abilities.
  • A.D.C. to Queen Victoria and then to King Edward VII
  • A 100ft monument was built in 1907 on Mitchell Hill at Dingwall.

 A Commission's Findings-Published on 29th June 1903

"In reference to the grave charges made against the late Sir Hector Macdonald, we the appointed and undersigned commissioners, individually and collectively, declare on oath that after the most careful, minute and exhaustive enquiry and investigation of the whole circumstances and facts connected with the sudden and unexpected death of the late Sir Hector Macdonald, unanimously and unmistakably find absolutely no reason or no crime whatsoever which could create feelings such as would determine suicide, in preference to conviction of any crime affecting the moral and irreproachable character of so brave, so fearless, so glorious and unparalleled a hero; and we firmly believe the cause which gave rise to the INHUMAN and CRUEL suggestions of crime were prompted through vulgar feelings of SPITE and JEALOUSY in his rising to such a high rank of distinction in the British army; and while we have taken the most reliable and trustworthy evidence from every accessible and conceivable source, and have without hesitation come to the conclusion that there is not the visible, not the SLIGHTEST PARTICLE of truth in foundation of any crime."

(SIGNED) Angus Macdonald, Dr Matthew Wilson, Dr D. Macnaughton,

James Brodie, Gerald Heathcote, Arthur Lang.

Source: Toll For The Brave 1963
 
 

 Sir Hector Macdonald
A LAMENT.

Macdonald ! Macdonald ! come back to the Highlands,
And, lay your poor head on your Motherland's breast.
The whin-covered braes and the ocean-kissed islands,
Are calling you home in their shelter to rest.
The low winds are throbbing the mountain-land o'er,
All weary with sobbing "Lochaber no more !"
Sleep soft, weary heart, for the struggle is ended:
The tumult of battle will stir you no more—
You stormed the dread Silence alone and unfriended—
Its terror was less than the burden you bore.
With honour and pride in the dust lying low—
(Would God you had died with your face to the foe !)
Macdonald, Macdonald ! 'tis written for ever
That Scotland shall honour and cherish your name,
Howe'er in the future your foes may endeavour
To tarnish your glory and blacken your fame —
And the hush o' the brae-land will hallow your rest,
In the heart o' the grey land that loves you the best.

SIDNEY ELISE AUCHIHLECK.