Information has just reached Golspie of the gallant conduct of Mr. Hector Macdonald, youngest son of Mr. and Mrs. Alexander Macdonald (Baikie), Golspie in saving the life of a Spanish boy, to the imminent danger of his own, at Seville in Spain.
Hector is 17 years of age and is one of the crew of the splendid yacht "Catania" belonging to His Grace the Duke of Sutherland. The "Catania" is presently cruising in the Mediterranean, and has on board the Duchess of Portland, the Duke of Sutherland and a party.
At Seville on 29th May, a boat containing a Spanish boy and other passengers put off from the yacht for the shore, and while in mid river the boy fell overboard and, being unable to swim, was rapidly carried away by the strong current which was running at the time. Without a moment’s hesitation, young Hector Macdonald (a worthy holder of a great name) dived from the yacht with all his clothes on, and swam to the the boy’s assistance. Not without great difficulty did he at last succeed in saving him, but after an hour’s struggle in the water he got him safely on shore. The first to congratulate young Macdonald on his magnificent feat was His Grace the Duke of Sutherland, who is naturally very proud of the young man. Those in possession of local knowledge inform us that deaths by drowning in the river at Seville are frequent, by reason of the strong currents, and Macdonald’s great rescue is thus more enhanced.
It will be remembered that, after the Coronation, Hector received a gold medal for swimming at the gracious hands of Her Majesty Queen Alexandra. He was one of the young boys who took advantage of the Duchess of Sutherland’s kindness, in providing professional teachers, to learn the art of swimming, and that the result, as given in the first part of the article, has justified the instruction, who can deny. We are all proud of Hector, not only because he is a native of Golspie, but because he is of that type where the desire to save others in danger, has whole place in his heart, and because that desire is always uppermost wherever he goes – in home or on foreign lands. (June 17th 1909 from the NT).
Hector Macdonald was born in Golspie on 17th December 1891, son of Alexander Macdonald, fisherman, and Margaret Macrae.
Many thanks to Sheila Mackay for finding the above article in the Archives.
You can read more about the "Catania" and other items of transport owned by the Duke
HERE. Click on The Catania.
