john burnett
Joined: 29 Jan 2007 Posts: 790 Location: Fife
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Posted: Mon Nov 16, 2009 8:32 pm Post subject: General Sir David Baird |
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Thanks to Ian Archibald for the information and photos.
Sir David Baird's Monument is on the top of a tree covered hill approximately 4kms west of Crieff.
There is a car park on the south side of Taylor Park in Crieff.
Cross the bridge over Turret Burn and immediately turn left at the signpost for 'Lady Mary's Walk'. The walk continues down a dismantled railway line following the River Earn.
After about 3 kms you will see the high hillock topped with the stone needle - Sir David Baird's Monument. It's Ordnance Survey map reference is NN 824 217.
From Strathearn website.
Sir David Baird (1757-1829) was born in East Lothian. In 1779 while serving as a captain in India he took part in the 2nd Mysore War. At the Battle of Polilur in 1780, a Britsh force of 4000 was defeated and almost totally destroyed. Baird was wounded and captured. He was taken to Srirangapatnam where he spent almost 4 years chained in a dreadful cell in awful conditions.
Once free again, Baird got his revenge during the 4th Mysore War. Major-General Baird, as he had become, commanded the final assault on Srirangapatnam. In fact he was given this role because of his treatment there and to the annoyance and exclusion of Arthur Wellesley, future Duke of Wellington.
Baird went on to command an expedition of Indian troups against the French in Egypt in 1801. In 1804 his military contributions to the Empire earned him his knighthood. He went on to take the Cape in South Africa from the Dutch in 1806. At Corunna in 1809 he lost an arm.
Halfway between Comrie and Crieff a tall hill-top monument was raised in memory of Sir David Baird and his eventful military career. |
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