Alastair Macdonald (British Army officer)

General Alastair M'Ian Macdonald was a British Army officer who became Commander-in-Chief, Scotland.

Alastair Macdonald
Allegiance	United Kingdom
Branch	British Army
Rank	General
Commands	Commander-in-Chief, Scotland
Battles / wars	Crimean War

Military career

Macdonald was commissioned as an ensign in the 92nd Regiment of Foot in 1846 and became aide-de-camp to Sir John Pennefather in 1854.^[1] He fought at the Battle of Alma in September 1854 and the Battle of Inkerman in November 1854 during the Crimean War.^[1] He became Assistant-Adjutant-General at Dover and then aide-de-camp to the Duke of Cambridge.^[1] Promoted to major-general, he went on to command the troops in the North British District in 1881^[2] before retiring in 1885.^[1]

In August 1881 he oversaw and commanded the second Royal Volunteer Review in Holyrood Park with 44,000 soldiers parading in front of Queen Victoria.^[3]