BEND'OR (1879-1953)

The 2nd Duke of Westminster was known from birth as Bend’Or, a nickname derived from his chestnut hair which reminded his grandfather the 1st Duke of his favourite Derby winner.

With four wives and a long liaison with the legendary Gabrielle ‘Coco’ Chanel, Bend’Or had a reputation as a playboy, but was nevertheless a keen and effective soldier who fought to very good effect in several wars.

In addition to two daughters, Bend’Or fathered a son but sadly the boy died of septicaemia shortly after an emergency operation to remove his appendix. The operation took place on the kitchen table at Eaton when the child was just four.

In 1901 Bend’Or began to take a great interest in the Reay Forest estate in the Highlands. It was he who decided to purchase it outright in 1920, the family having previously leased it from the Dukes of Sutherland. In 1949 Sutherland County Council appealed to Bend’Or for help in resolving the growing problem of unemployment in and around Durness, Kinlochbervie, Scourie and Assynt and, with characteristic drive and determination, the Duke set about creating a huge new forestry plan calling for 1,200 acres of planting and employing scores of men for the next half-dozen years.