Dufftown Scotland - Almost the entire population of Dufftown, Banffshire, turned out recently for a ceremony to honour the son of a local carpenter who became the first president of the Canadian Pacific Railway Company, George Stephen.

F.S. Burbidge, chairman and chief executive officer of Canadian Pacific Limited, unveiled a plaque to honour Mr. Stephen (1829-1921), who became Lord Mount Stephen.

The plaque features a bust of Lord Mount Stephen and a map of Canada, showing principal cities at the time the railway was completed in 1886. Created by noted sculptor Paul Wherle, it also includes a relief of a steam locomotive.

A close-up of the plaque unveiled at Dufftown.

ANOTHER PIONEER

The selection of Dufftown as the location for the plaque was made in 1981 when Canadian Pacific celebrated its centenary. The town was also home to another pioneer, Donald Smith, Lord Mount Stephen's cousin, who became Lord Strathcona.

George Stephen left school at the age of 14 and worked in a drapers' shop in Aberdeen, then in Glasgow and London. He moved to Montreal to become a tradesman and banker, finding great fortune, then going on to build the Canadian Pacific Railway, an organization that was to help shape Canada's future.

In ITV television coverage of the unveiling, local historian Heather Gilbert said Lord Mount Stephen didn't forget his roots.

"He was extremely kind to the whole north east of Aberdeenshire. He gave a great deal to the Royal Infirmary and he added something like one hundred pounds to the stipend of each parish in Banffshire and one or two others. That made a tremendous difference to the ministers", she said.

"I'm glad Dufftown is taking notice and especially the school children. It's nice for them to hear all about him."

Canadian Pacific also wanted to honour the major contribution continually being made by employees from Scotland and their descendants.

The connection between the company and Scotland remains very much alive today. Apart from services of CP Air, the company operates two large oil tankers, appropriately named the Lord Mount Stephen and the Lord Strathcona, which carry oil to Scotland from the offshore wells in the North Sea.

Accompanying Mr. Burbidge in Dufftown, were W.W. Stinson, president of Canadian Pacific, and two directors, Lord Polwarth and A.A. Jiskoot from Amsterdam.

Paying a visit:  The ceremony to honour the son of a Dufftown carpenter who became the CPR's first president was important to the Scottish community, especially to local children. Here Mr. and Mrs. Burbidge pose for a "class photo" with students from the Morlach Primary School.

This CP Rail News article is copyright 1983 by the Canadian Pacific Railway and is reprinted here with their permission. All photographs, logos, and trademarks are the property of the Canadian Pacific Railway Company.