Dr J. D. Macrae:
more than a physician

71 years after his death, Dr Macrae (1872-1951) is a name well-known by many in the Highland communities of Creich and Kincardine. To give him his full name, Dr James Donald Macrae M.B. C.M. M.D. was – besides being a Doctor of Medicine – a dedicated spokesperson and advocate for the people of these rural parishes.

By Anna K Macrae MacDonald

James was born in the Ross-shire parish of Urray in 1872 to parents Ken and Kate Macrae, Fairburn Mains. Ken was the farmer there, of a very large holding constituting some 200+ acres. He was also said to have been an accountant and bank agent. 


James, as far as we know, was one of seven children – four boys and three girls. He was schooled at Muir of Ord, Inverness High School and by 1894 had achieved the qualification of “Bachelor of Medicine, Master of Surgery” (M.B. C.M. Honours) at Edinburgh University. “...Dr Macrae went to Bonar Bridge in 1896 after short periods in Newcastle and Dingwall” (Northern Times obituary). He would spend the rest of his 55-year tenure serving the parishes of Creich and Kincardine, from his base at Kyle House, Dornoch Rd., Bonar Bridge.


By 1898 he had wed, choosing Catherine Mackay of Inveran as his bride. They opted for a small wedding at the Palace Hotel, Inverness. “On account of recent bereavements in both families, the marriage was comparatively a private one, only a few guests ...being invited...and after a champagne luncheon, the young couple left for the south” (Ross-shire Journal, 23/09/1898).

Together they had two sons, Kenneth Alexander (1900) and Alexander James (1902). Then in 1905, Dr Macrae achieved his M.D. (Doctor of Medicine) via Edinburgh University. Both sons professionally echoed their father, Kenneth becoming Medical Officer for Sutherland, and Alexander held positions in the County Council (Northern Chronicle 04/07/1951).


Serving a rural community at this time, Dr Macrae would have encountered a variety of ailments amongst his patients from measles, smallpox, tuberculosis, diphtheria, influenza to even the odd case of scarlet fever. It is said that “...Dr Macrae might prescribe “Black Ointment” for cuts and bruises or “a bottle” (for other things).” Some bottles certainly contained castor oil – a catch-all remedy for many digestion-related ailments of the day! Dr Macrae is also thought to have had the odd bottle of “placebo” ready for some.


“One story tells of “the bottle” getting spilled on the way home and the carrier filling it up with burn water, and no-one being any the wiser!” according to Sarah Horne’s books on Bonar Bridge and local lore/stories.



His driver “Alec the Devil”


Dr Macrae had an extensive district to cover, and to assist him with this, he employed a driver, Alexander Mackenzie, known locally as “Alec the Devil.” Alec’s wife Jean was the district nurse, and they lived a few doors down from the Doctor which would have been especially important when he was called out for emergencies where speed would be of the essence. While returning one day from a callout, during the period of the second war, Alec and Dr Macrae stopped to give a local man a lift. Now this man was known to be a bit of a “character” shall we say, a bit eccentric. As they crossed the bridge into Bonar, he remarked “...if a German bomb was to come down now there would be three very fine men lost.”


As well as childbirth, illnesses and injuries, Dr Macrae had to deal with the odd gruesome undertaking, for example examining bodies post-mortem to determine cause of death and – where there were suspicious circumstances – provide expertise to inquests. In terms of the latter, such incidences would have been rare.


One such incident occurred on the 19th of March 1909 when a body was discovered about ten or so miles west of Bonar Bridge. That morning, Police Constable Robert Sutherland had been informed “...that Neil Hughes aged about 50 years, a Pedlar camped at Invernauld Pier, was dead in his tent and that there was blood about him” (Daily Journal of duties performed by PC Robert Sutherland, No 16, Rosehall). PC Sutherland made his way to the tent where Hughes lay dead, and it was found that the canvas to the rear of the tent was torn. The Chief Constable was notified as was Dr Macrae who met PC Sutherland that afternoon at the tent to make his first examination. At 5pm the next day, the PC “...handed over the body to Dr MacRae and Dr Mowat for examination”. They determined that the deceased had been hit over the head with a blunt object from outside the tent and presumably as he slept. Although a local man was arrested on suspicion of the murder (motive thought to be theft), he was later released without charge. The murder remains unsolved to this day. Justice was not done on this occasion. (The Sutherland Murder, A.K.M. MacDonald)


Perhaps occasions like these contributed in some way to Dr Macrae becoming a Justice of the Peace for Sutherland and an active member of Sutherland County Council. Mr C.B. Simpson, the latter’s former convener, said of Dr Macrae:


“(he) and I served many years together on Sutherland County Council, and during that time some mighty battles were fought in the Council Chambers, but Dr Macrae was always on the side of justice and economy. His motto was always “Sans peur et sans reproche” and he certainly justified this rule of conduct ... Under a rather gruff exterior lay within one of the kindest and courteous of men.”


He was also a member of the old school board, the Licensing Court, Sutherland Benefit Nursing Association, Bonar Bridge, Ardgay Golf Club, Bonar and Balnagown Hall Committee, the British Medical Association, and held positions of convenor and vice convenor at the council, medical officer for the Sutherland Poorhouse/Swordale Institution, Chair of the Libraries Committee and Skip/President for the Ardgay-Bonar curling team. He remained as a working medical practitioner up to his death in June 1951, at home in Kyle House.


Some lovely tributes were made to the good doctor following his passing in 1951, such as: 


“Memories of this beloved physician’s skill and attention, of his words of faith and hope in time of trouble and of his ever-welcome presence will remain with all who had the privilege of knowing him.” (The Northern Chronicle 04/07/1951)


There are many people in the Kincardine and Creich communities to this day who know of Dr Macrae, some of who were delivered by him, some who heard stories about him from prior generations, and some who recall as children being a wee bit frightened of him due to his dark apparel; black suit, watch chain and black bag (no doubt containing those bottles of “black ointment” and castor oil!)


Dr Macrae was clearly a special man; intelligent, loyal, and so generous with his time. Here are the words of Mr G.J. Grant, Convener of the County Council, in 1951: 


“(Dr Macrae)... had been more than a physician to the people of this parish... he had also been their guide, philosopher, and friend.”

Esther C Mackenzie

One baby that was delivered 
by him at Woodbine, Altas, 
has unfortunately just passed away at the age of 79: 
Esther C Mackenzie 1943 - 2022 Esther’s mother Violet and Aunty Caroline both worked for Dr Macrae at Kyle House. Violet was a surgery assistant and Caroline was the cook. Esther, herself, grew up to become a nurse working in Glasgow, Inverness and at Migdale most latterly. She will be much missed by her family and friends.