Mr Thomas Fraser, M.A.

There passed away on Thursday last (February 1900) at Fleurs, near Elgin, (Morayshire) on of the most venerable educationists in the north, who, when in his prime was recognised as a most successful and distinguished teacher, and who was an ornament to his profession. We refer to Mr Thomas Fraser, M.A., who was born at Leylands, Auldern, Nairn, in the year 1813 and was consequently in his 87th year.

The late Mr Fraser received his elementary education and also his introduction to the classics at Auldearn Public School and he passed direct from it to Aberdeen University where he graduated with the degree of M.A. in 1834. He was first appointed to Rogart Public School, Sutherland, where he taught for some years with much zeal and gave promise of attaining an eminent place in the profession he had chosen.

When the Disruption came in 1843 great changes took place in the schools throughout the country as well as the churches and Mr Fraser was called upon to join the National Church of Scotland - - - - - but he declined. The Parish School of Golspie becoming vacant at this time the Duke of Sutherland, who had formed a high opinion of the energetic young teacher of Rogart offered to place this more important school at his disposal and the offer was accepted.

At Golspie Mr Fraser - - - - - - brought a large proportion of the pupils to advanced states in Classics and in Mathematics - - - - - -. A visitor said “His Grace had expressed to me his high opinion of Mr Fraser’s merits as a teacher and what I witnessed in the school fully justified the expectations I had been led to entertain. I saw a class of young Highland lads and lasses well drilled in Greek and translating Homer as accurately and with as much good taste as the young men with the highest advantages in the best Edinburgh academies”.

Mr Fraser taught in Golspie for 30 years. He left a family of four daughters and one son.
(Aberdeen Weekly Journal, 7th February 1900)

See also Golspie School 1840/46