"Death of Major-General Kirkland," obituary, Inverness Courier, 3/31/1896, p. 5a. Maj.-Gen. John Agmondisham Vesey Kirkland, Arngask. b. 11th June 1820, ed. Harrow, commissioned junior officer in Rifle Brigade at age 17. Served as aide-de-camp to Sir B. Durban, Cmdr. British forces in Canada for many years, and then deputy-assistant adjutant-general under Lord Raglan in Crimea and aide-de-camp at Sevastopol. "Deceased, though the subject of many brilliant exploits and narrow escapes, was very reticent as to his military career, but his great interest in their welfare made him immensely popular amongst his men." Except for short time in the Mauritius, Kirkland spent most of the rest of his life in Scotland, living at a residence in Avoch bought by his father, Sir John Kirkland, Queen's Wood, Kent, from Alexander Mackenzie, son of the discoverer of the Mackenzie River in America. Gen. Kirkland took great interest in Avoch and promoted its prosperity; eventually sold the village to late Mr. Fletcher, Rosebaugh, and moved to the Wester Fordel house he purchased at Arngask. His many appointments included deputy lieutenant in county of Ross. Survived by widow, son and two daughters. Wife, eldest sister of late Colin Mckenzie, W.S., Edinburgh, resided summers at Fortrose many years.