1st MARQUIS OF MONTROSE SOCIETY October 2010 NEWSLETTER I S T M ARQUIS O F M ONTROSE S O C I E T Y INSIDE THIS ISSUE: AUTUMN WEEKEND OUTING Autumn trip 2 The battlefield itself is well laid out with Yet another successful weekend was the front lines of both armies clearly 2010 Commemoration 3 enjoyed by a group of 16 society marked. Pathways across the battlefield plans members when a return trip was made to allow the visitor to walk virtually in the Carbisdale and Ardvreck on September footsteps of the Jacobites as they charged across the moor, many of them to die 2011 field trip 3 3rd to 5th. under the guns and bayonets of the Although Culloden naturally has no direct proposal Hanoverian army. connection with our particular period of Having enjoyed the delights of the 4 historical interest we never the less Kirkwall memorial decided to visit Culloden on this trip north visitor’s cafeteria the group left Culloden and it was here where we assembled at late afternoon to head for our first over- lunchtime on 3rd September. For many of night stop at the National Hotel, Dingwall. Venture Faire entries 4 us this was our first opportunity to see Saturday morning saw us heading north the new visitor centre. to Carbisdale. Stopping at a high point to The new visitor complex has been built to the south of Carbisdale, from where a the east of the battlefield and its clear view of battlefield could be had , our chairman Malcolm McVittie gave an excellent displays and computer graphics Events clearly describe the battle and the events excellent account of the movements of the forces on the fateful day of the battle. which led up to it. One exhibit allows visitors to look down on a massive floor It was known that Montrose fled north- mounted computerised screen which wards from the battlefield and it was in shows a ‘virtual’ re-run of the battle, this direction which we headed. An unex- depicting clearly the movements of the pected treat had been arranged for us by Dates forces on the battlefield. Malcolm however in the form of a visit to cont. Contacts Communication The Culloden memorial cairn situated on the battlefield Ist Marquis of Montrose Society Page 2 M A L C O L M M C V I T T I E L E A D S T H E DISCUSSION A S T H E G R O U P V I E W S CARBISDALE BATTLEFIELD C ONTINUED F R O M P A G E 1 . Nearby Carbisdale Castle. This fine structure, which was castle and we were lucky enough to see many of the in fact built around 1900 by the Christian Salvesen treasures within. Family, is now a youth hostel and surely must be one of Continuing on our way, the next stop was at the the finest hostels on the whole country. When the castle Achness Hotel for a delightful soup and sandwiches was gifted by the family to the Youth Hostel Association lunch. the fine artworks and sculptures in the castle went with it Following this the group made its way north west and many of these remain today. The hostel manager through the bleak wilderness which is Strath Oykell. It kindly allowed us access to the ground floor of the was here where Montrose wandered for 3 days after the battle, lost and hungry, before being found and taken to Ardvreck Castle. Arriving at the castle mid afternoon the group had the opportunity to view the ruin, even luckily gaining access to the cellars which are normally kept locked. Having had ample time to explore and photograph the castle we made our way south to our overnight stop at the Cale- donian Hotel, Ulla- pool. cont. on page 4. Ist Marquis of Montrose Society Page 3 C HA I RMAN ’ S COMMENTS ………….. 2012 Commemoration - update Thoughts for the 2011 Field Trip There are now positive signs that the Service of Following a most successful field trip this Commemoration will get the support of the autumn we have had initial thoughts of Scottish Parliament, which will help make the returning to the North next year. On this service a truly national commemoration. We occasion we might assemble on the Friday have also had a very positive response from evening near Nairn or possibly Inverness. On Angus Council in relation to having an the Saturday morning we would visit Fort exhibition in Montrose towards the end George, which was commissioned as part of (September – October) of 2012. The Tattoo item General Wade’s report but not completed until is still very much on the cards and the tattoo well after the ’45. It is one of the best preserved commentator and Society member Alasdair forts of its kind anywhere in Europe and is still Hutton is working on the screenplay at the used as an infantry battalion barracks. On the moment. Saturday afternoon we would take in the Battle- field at Auldearn before moving to a suitable hotel closer to the site of the Battle of Alford. We There are difficulties within the BBC and would also hope during this trip to take the particularly within BBC Scotland which mean opportunity to erect a plaque at the Bellie Kirk- that it is unlikely that they will commission a yard nr Fochabers where Lord John Graham lies documentary. However, there are two other buried. If anybody has any thoughts on these independent producers who have expressed an interest, particularly as there is likely to be a proposals let us have them before the market in North America for such programme. November Council meeting (7 November). M McVittie The society was well represented at the Kilsyth Festival in August. Visitors were given the opportunity to view society literatuliteraturere and speak to society members about Montrose and the activities of the society. Handouts in the form of Kilsyth battle illustrations and society publicity flyers were distributed. Pictured (left to right) are; Brian Robertson, chairman Malcolm McVittie, James Hair (James travelled from Thurso to help man tthehe stall) ! Ist Marquis of Montrose Society Page 4 1st MARQUIS OF MONTROSE SOCIETY Venture Faire Entries It’s that time of year again when I’m looking for entries for this winter’s Venture Faire. Items (preferably of a historical nature) should ideally be in electronic ‘Word’ format and consist of anything up to 4 or 5 pages of typed script, including photographs. Small interesting snippets, or poems etc., are also welcome. This is YOUR chance to Society Chairman: Chairman: contribute to YOUR magazine, so don’t miss it! Any entries to the secretary please by Malcolm McVittie Malcolm16 Market Place McVittie 15 November latest. BR 16Lauder Market Place TD2 6SR Lauder TD2Phone: 6SR 01578 718776 K IRKWALL MEMORIAL EEE-E---Mail:Mail: Phone: 01578 718776 [email protected] EEE- E---Mail:Mail: MMMembers will remember an earlier report from the secretary regarding a [email protected] possible memorial plaque at Kirkwall, Orkney, to commemorate Montrose and the Orkney men, many of whom lost their lives in the battle of Carbisdale. Society Secretary: The secretary had previously made contact with the Orkney Islands Council Brian Robertson to explore the possibility of a plaque to 14 Silverknowes Bank recall the fact that it was from Kirkwall EDINBURGH that the fateful invasion which resulted in EH4 5PB the battle of Carbisdale was launched. Phone: 0131 336 4039 Having had his original correspondence EEE-E---Mail:Mail: acknowledged by the chief executive of [email protected] the Orkney Islands Council the secretary was informed that the matter was to be pursued by the Orkney heritage trust but, although there was initial contact from the trust, no further communication has been received. The secretary has written again to the trust in recent weeks and it is to hoped PORTRAIT OF MONTROSE BY VAN Website: that a suitable and constructive response DER GRACHT www.montrose- may result. society.org.uk SOCIETY WEEKEND VISIT ——— CONCLUSION ... (Continued from page 2) Following an excellent society dinner at the hotel an enjoyable evening Society Treasurer: was had during which members were able to socialise and recount the Mrs Jo Woolley sights and stories of the weekend. Mountboy The weather had been most kind to us throughout the weekend and so it By MONTROSE Angus was on a bright and sunny Sunday when the group made its way back to DD10 9YR Inverness for a light lunch before going our separate ways. This had been a most sociable and informative weekend and, as most of Phone: 01674 820234 the group had travelled together in the mini-bus (which started at EEE-E---Mail:Mail: Edinburgh), for them the weekend was particularly sociable. [email protected] Next year may see the society visiting Alford and Auldearn. Do make an effort to support this and the other events which the society is planning. B Robertson .