An official event has celebrated the bicentenary of an Argentine statesman’s visit to a north-east town. A contingent from South America, including Argentine ambassador Mariana Plaza, were welcomed to Banff to commemorate the life of General José de San Martín. During his time in Banff in 1824, the military leader was granted the freedom of the burgh.
He was visiting his good friend James 4th Earl of Fife after they became close when they met during the Peninsular Wars in Spain. For seven days in August 1824 he visited his friend at Duff House. Recent research revealed that the trip was more than just a social visit, but a planning exercise for some international diplomacy to better the governance of Peru, something the British government of the time was interested in.
During the stay, specifically on August 19, the town of Banff granted General San Martín the freedom of the burgh. José went on to live in France, and died on August 17 in 1850. James planted a native Argentine monkey puzzle tree in his memory, that still survives in Duff House woods.
One hundred years later, the then Argentine ambassador, Carlos Hogan, paid a celebratory visit to Banff on October 25. Part of his visit was planting a monkey puzzle tree in the Banff Castle grounds – where it can be seen today together with its plaque. For the bicentenary visit the South American contingent was welcomed at the Plainstones in Banff, as this was the location where General San Martín was given his free.