‘The Bison’ went up against the founder of modern nursing

Brechin Infirmary owes its existence to two donations.

The first was from Sir Fox Maule-Ramsay, the 11th Earl of Dalhousie, and was given in 1866 to erect Brechin Hospital and Infirmary “within two years”.

He was born in Brechin in 1801 and entered the House of Commons as member for Perthshire in 1835.

While in office, he was nicknamed “the Bison” for his brawny physique and resolute temperament.

The Victoria Cross was introduced for bravery during his tenure as Secretary of State for War and he was at the War Office during the concluding period of the Crimean War.

He also had to deal with Florence Nightingale when she tried to instigate reforms in medical treatment.

“The Bison” informed Miss Nightingale that “the British soldier is not a remitting animal”, but she persisted with the support of Queen Victoria.

In December 1860, he succeeded his kinsman, the 1st Marquess of Dalhousie, as 11th Earl of Dalhousie, and in November 1867 he became the 68th Grand Master Mason of Scotland.

Among the functions he performed was the laying of the foundation stone of the Glasgow Industrial Schools, at Mossbank, in August 1868, the Free Library and Museum, Paisley, in April 1869 and the Albert Bridge over the Clyde in June 1870.

He died in July 1874 at Brechin Castle, aged 73, and was buried eight days later at Panbride.

The other donation, from Margaret Smith to Brechin District Committee of the County Council of Forfar in 1897, was intended to “erect a hospital or other substantial building or buildings and then maintain it/ them in all time coming”.

Mrs Smith was married to Thomas Ogilvy.

It is no longer clear what the couple’s standing in the community was.

However, records from the period list a man of the same name as a corn merchant.