Mr J. Urquhart, the oldest man in the North Highlands.
I have, in my collection, a small memorial plaque to a Mr John Urquhart. Measuring some 12cms x 8cms, the tablet looks like a piece of Mauchline wear. The portrait has somehow been transferred to the front, and on the back is a short text.
"Mr J. Urquhart.
There has passed away, in his 103rd year, John Urquhart, crofter, Rhelinie, near Culrain, Ross-shire. He was supposed to be the oldest man in the North Highlands. Born in Creich Parish, Sutherland, in October 1802, his memory went far back into the time "when George the Third was King." Mr. Urquhart was under the rule of five long-lived, successive monarchs, viz... George III, George IV, William IV, Victoria, and Edward VII, and also, of course, the nine years Regency 1811 - 1821."
I have not come across a similar plaque anywhere. I wonder how common such an item was at the start of the 20th century, and indeed how the portrait was done. If anyone has anything to say on the subject, do please let me know: greywings89@gmail.com is the address you need to contact me.
"Looking up the Kyle of Sutherland, Sept. 14th." A view John Urquhart would have known well. Cul Mor and Cul Beag are the two mountains of the west seen in the distance. The watercolours are signed JEMB-K, though this one is without any monogram.One of the various