Duke Of Gordon Monument
Statue In Aviemore, Scotland
A monument that sits in woodland on Torr Alvie, commemorating the Duke of Gordon who died in 1836.
The Duke of Gordon's Monument sits on the summit of Torr Alvie near Aviemore. It can be seen from afar poking out of the wooded hill and at the summit you can admire the surrounding hills between the tree tops.
The monument is just over 27m high and commemorates the last Duke of Gordon who died in 1836.
General George Duncan Gordon was the 5th and final Duke of Gordon, who died on 28th of May 1836 in Belgrave Square, London.
He was born in Edinburgh in 1770 to Alexander Gordon (4th Duke of Gordon) and his wife Lady Jane Maxwell. After being educated at Eton, he embarked on an extensive military career, raising to the rank of General in the British Army.
He served as the Marquis of Huntly in Flanders in 1793/94. Then from 1796, he served as Colonel-in-Chief in the 92nd Highlanders (Gordon Highlanders), then as Brigadier General with the regiment where he was injured in 1799 at Egmont-op-Zee in Holland. By 1806 he had transferred to 42nd Regiment of Foot (Black Watch) as Colonel-in-Chief. Then from 1820 he was Commander of the 1st Royal Foot and finally in 1834 he transferred to the Scots Fusilier Guards.
If that wasn't enough, he was also heavily involved in politics. He was a Member of Parliament, Governor of Edinburgh Castle, Lord Lieutenant of Aberdeenshire and Lord High Constable of Scotland!
He married Elizabeth Brodie in 1813, with whom he had a daughter. With no legitimate male heir, the title Duke of Gordon ended.
The title of Marquis of Huntly went to his distant cousin, the Earl of Aboyne (George Gordon, 9th Marquis of Huntly).
The monument was erected in 1840 from funds raised by subscriptions by a local committee.
From Daldaddry parking area, head east under the railway and continue on the track turning right when it comes to a junction.
After a short distance take the gate on the left into a birch wood.
Follow the path to the end of wood, then go through the gate. Follow the ATV track to the left side of the field until you reach the gate.
Go through the gate and follow the path uphill through the woodland.
Keep an eye out for a small path and pile of stones to the right, this is the path for a short detour to visit the Waterloo Cairn.
Return to the path and continue on the path up hill. The monument will soon come into sight.
You get great views of Loch Alvie and the surrounding hills and mountains from the summit.
It is 2.5km and 133m of ascent to reach the Duke of Gordon's Monument.
Follow the above route, or find on OS Maps.
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How To Find Duke Of Gordon's Monument
Where Is Duke Of Gordon's Monument?
Lat / Long
57.157109659570196, -3.8576515589266998
What three words
Where To Park For Duke Of Gordon's Monument?
Lat / Long
57.15124057962975, -3.8888009435788606
What three words
There is a large car park at the Dalraddy Holiday Park.
Contributed by Lorraine London
I have been a keen hill walker for many years and more recently enjoy trig bagging. When I'm not exploring Northumberland, County Durham and Yorkshire, I spend most of my holidays in bonny Scotland. Other than hills, I love investigating ruinous buildings and waterfalls. I have been a member of NT and EH for years, which also gives me access to Historic Environment Scotland places.
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