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 freedom of the burgh, and where Argentine ambassador Carlos Hogan was received for his visit in 1950 on the centenary of the General's death.
There was a formal greeting and welcome speeches from Lord-Lieutenant of Banffshire Andrew Simpson and the Provost of Aberdeenshire Judy Whyte. The group then visited Banff Castle to see the 1950 monkey puzzle tree, the Museum of Banff to see its exhibition and onwards to Duff House. At Duff House a number of speeches were made.
Roger Curtis, director of operations at Historic Environment Scotland welcomed everyone to the historic venue, where General San Martín stayed in August 1824. Lord-Lieutenant of Banffshire Andrew Simpson read out greetings from His Majesty King Charles. Argentine ambassador Mariana Plaza thanked everyone for the warm welcome the group had received.
She said: “It’s truly an honour to be in the beautiful town of Banff. “It is a day that marks the close friendship shared between General José de San Martín and James Duff, 4th Earl of Fife. “In light of the warm welcome we have received and the meticulous organisation of this event I wish to extend my heartfelt thanks to the Lord-Lieutenant of Banffshire, the Friends of Duff House, Banff Preservation and Heritage Society, the Museum of Banff, Historic Environment Scotland, the Banff Castle Community Association, Banff Academy, Aberdeenshire Council and so many more.
“General José de San Martín was a man of unparalleled patriotism. Endowed with an extraordinary military and political genius. “He played a key role in the independence of Argentina, as well as Chile and Peru.
Yet his influence extends far beyond our region and has recognition on a global scale. “We are not only commemorating the 200th anniversary of the recognition the General received in Banff, but we are also celebrating the friendship that brought together these two distinguished gentlemen, as well as the goodwill that continues to flourish between the Argentine and the Scottish people.” Juan Dávila y Verdin, secretary general of the British San Martin Institute, presented a Patron's certificate to The Duke of Fife David Carnegie.
Vice-chairman of the Argentine-British Community Council John Hunter brought greetings from a number of organisations, including the Fundacion Nuestra Historia, Association of Friends of the General San Martin Cavalry Grenadiers Regiment and the St Andrew's Society of the River Plate. Friends of Duff House chairman Ian Williams, who hosted the event, presented a number of gifts to representatives. This included Dr Maria Susana Villegas Marco, president of the Asociacion Damas Pro Glorias Mendocinas, who earlier in the day had gifted to the Museum of Banff a replica of the flag that General San Martin had carried over the Andes on his way to liberate Chile.
Bottles of Glen Deveron whisky from Macduff Distillery were given to the Argentine ambassador, Juan Dávila y Verdin, John Hunter and Cristian Caratti of the British San Martin Institute. On behalf of the town, a specially commissioned silver quaich, made in Banff, was presented to Marcelo Scenna, chairman of the British San Martin Institute, as representative of the Argentine communities. The quaich was designed and made by Vanilla Ink at The Smiddy, with one handle in the shape of the country of Argentina and the other in the shape of the county of Banffshire, with both Yapeyu (the birth place of General San Martin) and Banff, marked by a smoky quartz, the stone of Scotland found only in Aberdeenshire.
The plinth is stylised with monkey puzzle tree leaves, with a centre stone of a Rhodochrosite, the national symbol stone of Argentina. This is the first piece of silver to bear the new Banff symbol. Scott and Karen McIntyre, and Drew Markou from Vanilla Ink at The Smiddy encouraged all present to put their hammer mark on the new community bowl which they had started at The Vinery anniversary event.
It will become a similar quaich to the one presented to the British San Martin Institute, as a symbol of the continuing friendship between the two communities, now lasting for more than 200 years. The guests then enjoyed a buffet which was served by The Knowes Hotel. An Auracaria Auracana or monkey puzzle tree was planted by the Argentine ambassador, the Lord-Lieutenant and the Duke of Fife in the Duff House grounds, continuing the practice in Banff of monkey puzzle trees being planted in connection with General San Martín.
A group of the guests then went to the Duff House mausoleum where they saw the monkey puzzle tree planted in 1850 in memory of General San Martín and the Duke of Fife laid flowers in front of the memorial stone to James 4th Earl Fife, the lifelong friend of the General, followed by a minute's silence. The organisations represented on the visit included Argentine Embassy in London; Argentine Embassy in Spain; British San Martin Institute; Spanish San Martin Institute; Argentina British Community Council; Anglo Chilean Society of London; Association Ladies Pro Glorias Mendocinas; Lord-Lieutenancy of Banffshire; MP Seamus Logan; MSP Karen Adam; Aberdeenshire Council; Historic Environment Scotland; Friends of Duff House; Banff Preservation and Heritage Society; Banff Castle Community Association; Banff Castle Pipe Band; The Vinery; Scottish Whisky Association and Banffshire Masons..
