The E Alan Mackintosh trail in Scotland: from youth to soldier
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Alan's father, Alexander, rented Teaninich House, Alness for many years and after moving to Brighton continued to holiday in Ross and Cromarty. Alan enjoyed his Highland visits and, according to his tutor, learned to speak Gaelic and play the bagpipes. View location on Google Maps |
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At Oxford he became friends with Andrew Knowles of Leckmelm and visited the estate. He bequeathed his fishing rods to Andrew, who was killed the day before Alan. View location on Google Maps |
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Alan Mackintosh visited the Forsyth family in Brora and wrote a poem on the flyleaf of book for the children. This poem was written in 1912, but Ivy Forsyth remembered him visiting when he was in uniform. View location on Google Maps |
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Mackintosh was commissioned on 1st January 1915 into the 5th (Sutherland and Caithness) Battalion, Seaforth Highlanders (Territorial Forces) and joined them in Bedford. When the battalion, part of the 51st (Highland) Division, went to France in May 1915, he and others were sent to complete their training to the battalion headquarters at Golspie. View location on Google Maps View on Google Street View |
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This headquarters was situated opposite the Golspie Inn, then known as the Sutherland Arms Hotel. This was a venue for departing officers: the menu for 23rd of June 1915 was for a farewell dinner for Second Lieutenant John Bruce Cairnie. Alan attended the dinner and signed the menu as a keepsake. View on Google Street View |
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After Alan Mackintosh was wounded he traveled to Thurso to visit Lieutenant Milligan, who had been wounded. He may also have visited the parents of his friend in the 5th Battalion, R.M. Stalker, who lived near Wick. Stalker had gone missing whilst flying in September 1916. |
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