Education in Sutherland

Early in the 17th century, it was decreed that every parish should have a school. The facilities, including the salary of the schoolmaster were to be paid for by the heritors. Because of the geography of the parishes in Sutherland, this, for many, was not a practical option. It may have been at this time, or earlier, that the practice of parents banding together to make some sort of educational provision for their children began. In addition to the parish schools there were also some burgh schools. In Sutherland the only burgh school was at Dornoch.

The Scottish Society for Promoting Christian Knowledge (SSPCK), was formed by royal charter in 1709 with the purpose of founding schools "where religion and virtue might be taught to young and old" in the Scottish Highlands and other "uncivilised" areas of the country. Their schools were a valuable addition to the Church of Scotland programme of Education in Scotland which was already working with support from a tax on landowners to provide a school in every parish. At first the SSPCK avoided using the Gaelic language with the result that pupils ended up learning by rote without understanding what they were reading. In 1741 the SSPCK introduced a Gaelic-English vocabulary, then in 1766 brought in a New Testament with facing pages of Gaelic and English texts for both languages to be read alongside one another, with more success. In the early 19th century their activity declined and the work was taken over by the Gaelic Society of Inverness. The work of this society was quite widespread in Sutherland.

Although heritors were supposed to make provision for a parochial schoolmaster, appointments were few and far behind in the Highland regions and, on the occasions of formal presbyterial visits in 1707 and in 1716, it was reported that no such teacher had been provided for in Golspie.

In 1731 John Sutherland was ordained in St. Andrew’s, Golspie, and became the new parish minister. Sutherland set about getting the heritors to fulfill their legal obligation of providing a salary for a schoolmaster. A master was duly appointed a year later and as was usual in those days, was required to act as session clerk and precentor in the church. This teacher stayed in his position for 7 years.

In April 1743 the heritors were summoned to meet members of the Presbytery at Golspie School to discuss the repairs which were urgently needed. As was usual the call was ignored and it was left to the ministers to exercise their rights in this matter. At a total cost of 15 pounds in today’s money a new school was built. School masters at this time were nearly always aspiring ministers and soon went off to Divinity classes becoming ministers. This meant frequent changes and often considerable periods with no teacher at all. Between 1740 and 1760 Golspie had no fewer than six changes.

Education at the parish school was not free. Acting as the Session Clerk earned the teacher an extra one pound 13 shillings a year. Additionally he was entitled to small emoluments from the fees charged in connection with baptisms, marriage contracts and providing certificates of good character.

Girls did not normally attend these schools. Nevertheless a few women did acquire sufficient education to enable them to undertake some teaching on their own. In Dornoch records there are two references to women being paid “for teaching the poor scholars”. In Golspie churchyard there is a memorial stone to Änn Macdonald, schoolmistress at Golspie, January 1766”.  In 1766 it was noted in Golspie that even the Kirk elders were unable to sign their names but merely put “their mark”.

In 1773 reference to George McCulloch, erstwhile schoolmaster in Golspie and now the Minister in Loth. In 1774 a new schoolmaster was appointed in Golspie. David Mackay, a student in Philosophy applied for the vacant post in Golspie. He was referred to presbytery to be examined in his fitness to serve. The examination consisted of his “knowledge of the Principles of Religion, his ability to read and translate English, his skill in Arithmetick and Church Musick".  A specimen of his handwriting was also examined. He was duly given the post.  By 1778 it was recorded that the Golspie schoolhouse was in a ruinous condition.

The Society for the Support of Gaelic Schools was founded in Edinburgh in 1811 and in Inverness in 1818. These societies raised funds in their home towns and in the lowlands to fund schools and teachers.

In 1830 there was a clash of schools in Golspie! Records show that Peter Tulloch, Golspie's schoolmaster who was also a minister, complained about a school "set up in opposition to his in the village of Golspie". This 'opposition school" was set up by a Mr Hector Munro. Tulloch applied to the Sheriff for an interdict against the said opposition school but sadly there is no reference to the outcome. 

In 1843 after The Disruption and the formation of the Free Church of Scotland, the newly established church launched an ambitious programme of building of manses and schools. In addition, the Ladies Association of this church in Edinburgh organised for Gaelic speaking divinity students to spend their summers as teachers in places seen by that association to be in need. Schooling was not made compulsory in Scotland until the Education Act of 1872. Every parent was then required to provide for instruction in Reading, Writing and Arithmetic for children between 5 and 13 years of age. Although compulsory, education was still not free.

In 1874 plans were drawn up for a new Public School in Tongue.  The report states: "Like many schools of the time the widnows were high above the floor so that the children would not be distracted"!

How well were the children of Sutherland educated? 

A member of our Mailing list noted: "That our ancestors in the Highlands and Islands were being educated well before 1872 and more regularly than in the cities. I see from census forms many children, particularly girls, in Glasgow before that date who are not attending school. I know there were some charitable organisations attached to the churches which fostered schooling in outlying districts and that may well have been a major factor. Sadly too, in the cities like Glasgow and Paisley the children could be employed from an early age in the thread mills and factories. It would also appear that crofters were so keen for their children to be educated that they took monthly turn about in housing the schoolteacher. My ancestors from Mull, Skye and Sutherland had more schooling than the few I had who grew up in the south".

Education in the county is a vast subject and is currently being discussed by our mailing list members.  Mona Black is currently collecting information on the education system in Sutherland and will be adding details to this small beginning.  Our members have also added information which for ease has been split into separate articles.  Please click on the links below to read one or all.  They each have something of interest to those interested in general education in the county.

Further articles on Education in Sutherland

We have many articles on this subject for you to read including many old school photographs.If you wish to read your way through all the articles (highly recommended) or choose to use LABELS on right as an easy way to reach what interests you most.

Or choose from:

ASSYNT

Drumbeg school 1910 - photograph with names 

CLYNE 

1898 Bursary winners 

Robert Bruce, schoolmaster

CREICH

Migdale Free Church School

Strath Oykel School, photograph

Dux Medalist  

DORNOCH

1898 Bursary winners  

Dux Medalist  

DURNESS

Durness school article 

EDDRACHILLIS

Achlyness - class of 1934 

Badcall Inchard School article 

Badcall Inchard class of 1920 with names 

Fangomore School - article 

Fangomore Class of 1912 with names 

Scourie School - log books

Scourie class of 1919 with names 

Scourie school photograph 1936

Oldshore School article    

Hugh Fraser, Headmaster, Scourie  

FARR 

Armadale School - 1835 salary

Armadale - undated photograph

Armadale - class of 1931

Armadale - class of 1933 

Armadale - class of 1937 

Bettyhill School photograph 1963  

Melvich School - 1831 repairs   

Strathy School - school house replaired 1831 

GOLSPIE

Golspie school - 1840 to 1846

notes 1851 

Prizegiving 1853  

Prizegiving 1854   

Prizegiving 1855  

Class photograph 1890s   

1898 Bursary winners  

Thomas Fraser M.A. - obituary

1953 New Head

Dux Medalist  

KILDONAN

Dux Medalist

LAIRG

Lairg School article 

1898 Bursary winners  

ROGART

1898 Bursary winners 

TONGUE

Robert Newlands, teacher

If you find any links not working please private message me via our Facebook page and it will be corrected.  Thanks.

Class of 1955 photograph

Photograph at top is a Golspie School Photograph

Scourie School, class of 1936

Photograph sent in by Andy Ross and Ray Mackay.  Andy has added names:

Back Row:
Hugh MacKay Graham Fraser (Headmaster and my grandfather), John MacLeod (Badcall) Jessie MacKenzie, Anne MacKenzie, Margaret Scobie, John MacLeod (Scouriemore), Miss MacKay

Middle Row:
Donny MacKay, Hugh MacKay, Oline Fraser (my mother), Marion MacKenzie, Kitty MacKenzie, Nan MacLeod, Kate MacLeod, Tommy MacLeod, Sandy MacLeod.

Front Row:
John MacLeod, Billy Ross, Arkle Fraser (my uncle), Ann MacKay, Angus MacKenzie, Peter Whyte.

Thank you both.

Migdale Free Church School, Creich

Photographs show Migdale Free Church of Scotland together with the old schoolhouse.

William Findlater Macdonald, born in Durness in 1826, son of John Macdonald and Johan Mackay, was the schoolmaster here. William died in 1902 at Migdale. He was married to Marion Leslie of Airdins, Creich and they had about nine children all born here in the schoolhouse.

We are currently trying to find some information on William's years as schoolmaster. If anyone can help be glad to hear from you.

We have heard from one gentleman whose grandfather attended the school and recalled carrying a peat to school in order that come winter they would be warm.

Many thanks to Hector Macrae for the photographs.

Chris

Tongue School circa 1955

Tongue School photograph taken around 1954-1955.

Girl sixth from left in back row is Dolina Manson Marshall from Blandy. Boy next to her is her cousin Dannie Mackay from Dalcharn, Tongue.

The girl fourth from the left in the back row is Catherine Keith.

Can anyone add any names to this picture or confirm the year?

Photograph sent in by Isabel Griggs, Australia. Thanks Isabel.

Bettyhill School circa 1963

This lovely photograph was taken at Bettyhill School, Farr, around 1962 or 1963.

Young girl at at right hand side, middle row, is Dolina Manson Marshall from Blandy.

Can anyone put a name to any others in the photograph? By clicking on the image you will see it full size.

Many thanks to Isabel Grigg, Australia, for sending the photograph.

Oldshore School

Photograph shows the old school house today, a holiday cottage

I started school at Oldshore Primary School, Kinlochbervie in 1952. The teacher was a Miss Elizabeth Fraser, who lived in Droman and she taught classes 1 to 7 in one room. I was Oldshore school for four years.

Gaelic was the language spoken by everyone in the area and most children understood it even if they didn't speak it. I remember my grandfather reading the Gaelic Bible first thing in the morning and last thing at night and this was the norm in most houses.

During my time at Oldshore school I was never taught Gaelic, although it was taught to the older children in the room. I remember this because one day the teacher was giving a Gaelic lesson to the older children and she asked them what the Gaelic for herring was. The boy she asked didn't know and then she made me stand up and give the answer. The teacher told the boy it was a disgrace that he didn't know. For me giving the correct answer I was given a slap in the ear
from the older boy after school for being so smart!!

Hector Macrae
Bonar Bridge

Badcall Inchard School

Badcall School which is now a restaurant.

Snippets from the press but unfortunately no date. Can anyone date this article?

In view of the resignation of Mr D D Todd, MA, headmaster, Badcall-Inchard Public School, it was resolved to advertise for a graduate male teacher.
Dr Macrae was of opinion that a female teacher would carry out the work.
Chairman – There are three side schools.
Dr Macrae – But surely a lady teacher can carry on. It would be very much cheaper and we would no doubt get the same quality of work.
The chairman was of opinion that a male head teacher should be advertised for and in this he was supported by Mr Murray.
Dr Macrae said that a lady teacher carried on the work at Larachan School, where the roll was larger than at Badcall-Inchard.
Mr Lundie did not think a lady teacher would be suitable.
It was carried, as stated, that a male graduate teacher be advertised for.

Lairg School

Prior to the general meeting of the Sutherland Education Committee held in the Sutherland Arms Hotel, Lairg, yesterday (Wednesday) the Bursary Sub-Committee went very fully into the list of applications for bursaries for the current year and effected a saving of £905 on the estimates. When the recommendations of this committee came before the parent body the economy was reduced to a sum of £840. The total sum allocated in bursaries amounts to £1115.

The director of education said that in connection with the proposed extension of the playground at Shinness School, Lairg, the fencing, according to the architect's report, would cost in the region of £20. 0.57 of an acre was proposed as the extension and Mr Horne was not so far in a position to say whether any drainage was required or not.

Mr Hugh Davidson – The extension of the playground at the school is very necessary. The present playground is really too small, and the amount asked by the crofter for the piece of land proposed to be taken over is very reasonable. At present, when the boys play football on the playground there is no room for the girls, and in addition windows get broken. The extension is overdue.

After several members referred to the difficulty which might arise in getting the land, Mr Davidson said the matter was not altogether so mountainous as was made out, and that the area might be got very cheaply. If the proprietor was approached, and they got the tenant's consent, then everything would be in order.

Mr John Ross – There is great necessity for adequate playground facilities here and I have no doubt if the proprietor is approached in the proper way he may make you a gift of the ground.
It was decided to approach the proprietor in regard to the extra piece of ground required for the playground.

Unfortunately I do not have a date for the above but believe it may be 1953. Can anyone confirm or give correct date?

New Head for Golspie 1953

Photograph shows Mr D K Macrae, front row centre, while head of Golspie School with other members of staff. Clicking on the photograph will bring it up larger for viewing.

1953 news tells us that Mr W. Rutherford, native of Helmsdale, Kildonan, head of Golspie senior secondary school in succession to Mr D. K. Macrae who retires at Easter.

Younger son of the late Mr and Mrs Andrew Rutherford, Helmsdale.
Educated at Helmsdale school and Aberdeen University - - - - “
From the Northern Times 30th January 1953

Does anyone have any further information on Mr Rutherford and Mr Macrae?
If so please email me - link on left.

Thanks lots to Shirley Sutherland, Golspie Heritage for above photograph. Lots more pics from Golspie Schools can be seen HERE.

Chris

DURNESS SCHOOLS

Dated from around 1700 the old parish school ruins on the shore of Loch Croispol was the former Established Church school. This was said to be the first free school in Scotland and served the township of Balnakeil up to the clearances.

In 1792 the Statistical Report states: “The salary of the parochial school is one hundred merks Scotch payable by Lord Reay with recourse on his Lordships tenants for one half. The quarter payments are two shillings and six pence for teaching Latin; two shillings for arithmetic, one shilling and six pence for reading and writing and one shilling for teaching to read. The schoolmaster has sometimes twenty shillings and sometimes ten or eleven shillings a year as precentor and session clerk. He has one shilling for every marriage and three pence for a baptism. The salary and perquisites could not maintain him if his employers did not accommodate him in board and lodgings. The number of scholars is forty-five. The present master is Mr Thomas Ross”.

In 1834 there were four schools in the parish, one Parochial, one Assembly and two Subscription. Following the Disruption of the Church a decision given in the Court of Session identified the work of the Assembly school with the Church of Scotland (the established church) and the Free Church set up their own school near the present church in Sangomore. This building was demolished around 1970. Two church schools continued in existence until the Education (Scotland) Act of 1872 became law when they merged into the Scots system.

Today’s primary school situated in Durine has a long history. Parts of the building date from 1830 when the Church of Scotland provided funds shortly after the shift in population from the Balnakeil domain. There have been sixteen different head teachers since 1869. It was a two teacher school.

Rebuilt in 1911 it then had around 80 pupils. Until 1939 it was both a primary and secondary school. In 1939 children of secondary age were then schooled on the east coast away from home. In 1943 the school became a one teacher school for two years. Electric lighting was installed in 1957 followed by central heating and indoor toilets in 1959. Before this, peats brought in by the children heated the school.

The janitor was paid two pound a quarter annum and worked for ten years, attending the fires three times a day. He cleaned the school on a Sunday. When a rise of one pound was denied he quit the job.

Since 1995 the children leaving the primary school attend the currently (1997) most modern school in Europe, Kinlochbervie High School, Eddrachillis.

For over 40 years the older children travelled to Golspie on the east coast, to live in hostels or board with local families, to attend Golspie High school. For many years the children stayed there all term only returning home at the holidays. Eventually this was altered and they came home for monthly visits.

Side schools were used when there were a number of children in a remote part. These were usually wooden and corrugated iron huts. There have been side schools at Cape Wrath, Laid and in the 1940s at Rhigolter for the children of the shepherd living at Carbreck and Rhigolter. Side schools were not usually staffed by qualified teachers.

In 1959 the school in Laid was closed and the three children attending there were brought into Durine school. At one time this school had forty pupils. The small gable school and schoolhouse was built in 1894 of local rubble, reddish-tooled dressing and tall chimney stacks.

The side school at Cape Wrath was in a very isolated area. Around 1935 there were ten children at the school which was situated at Achiemore. The children had to go over to Durness to sit their exams and for their Christmas Party. It was said at the time that the school was the most isolated on the mainland of Great Britain. The school closed in 1947.

For much more information on the old schools in Durness - see here - includes a photograph of the old school building at Loch Croispol.

Robert Newlands, teacher in Tongue

Robert Newlands from the parish of Closeburn and Grace Forbes from the manse at Tongue were married on 5 February 1836; in a petition to the Duke of Sutherland in September 1837 he referred to the time before his marriage when he was first in Tongue as 'finding himself after school hours desperately solitary in a solitary house and place, and so he took to himself a help-meet.' Robert had been baptised 9 March 1805 at Closeburn, Dumfries, son of Robert Newlands and Marrion Carruthers. A brother David was baptised on 7 April 1807. Robert Newlands the teacher died December 1854 in Tongue.

Parish schoolmasters were usually session clerk as well, and almost always precentor. The first minutes of Tongue kirk (church) session to have Robert Newlands' signature were dated 21 January 1836. He remained session clerk up to the last minuted meeting before the Disruption in 1843, when the Free Church separated from the Church of Scotland. I seem to recollect that he was one of the first Trustees of the Free Church congregation at Strathtongue. In the September 1837 petition, he asked the Duke of Sutherland for a small lot of land. He said it was very expensive to buy milk and food in the area, and that he was very poor. He asked for the small lot to keep a cow, which would enable him to take in boarders. Just after the Disruption, on 30 June 1843, the minister of Tongue, Rev Hugh Mackay Mckenzie wrote to the duke to say that having left the parish for the Free Church he had taken a room from the parochial teacher 'which I conceived he might as well let to me as to any other.' He remarked that it was being said that the duke would punish Robert Newlands for letting him the room, but he hoped not (and the duke did not).

On 15 November 1843, Robert Horsburgh the factor wrote to James Loch the duke's Agent telling him of a visit he and the new minister - confusingly also called Hugh Mackenzie - made to the parochial school, where a Sunday School was being held. Newlands as one of the teachers of the Sunday School had been told by the new minister that he was going to visit. This clearly had given the seceders an opportunity to cause trouble. As soon as the new minister had ended the opening prayer, all the older children walked out. Horsburgh deduced that this was the result of a premeditated plan in which Robert Newlands was involved. Horsburgh the factor clearly did not get on with Newlands, at this point at least. He told the duke that if the Free Church was allowed to put up a school at Strathtongue, the parochial school would be emptied, and commented 'this would not trouble Newlands - the fees are a trifle, and he might prefer to draw his pay and do nothing.'

On 14 September 1844, Newlands told Horsburgh that his pupils during July and August were 60 on the roll, with an average attendance of 45. In 1845 both Rev Hugh Mackay McKenzie and his son Rev William McKenzie - now of course Free Church ministers - died in the schoolhouse at Braetongue. Free Church propaganda made out this was a poor hut, when in fact the building was fairly newly built and quite substsantial, with two extra rooms for boarders. The same year, an Act of Parliament introduced a new method of supporting the poor, drawing on an assessment on the duke and the tenants. Parochial boards were to administer the scheme locally, with an Inspector of the Poor acting for them in each parish. In March 1849, Robert Newlands was appointed Inspector of the Poor for Tongue at a salary of £40. He was also for a time Clerk to the Board. In 1854, another statute set in motion the official registration of births, marriages and deaths, with a Registrar in each parish. Robert Newlands was appointed for Tongue. In May 1854, Robert Newlands resigned as Inspector and Clerk to the Parochial Board. The following year his widow Grace took over a tenancy in Modsary, which at that time had been resettled.
information from Margaret McKay

There was a new school proposed with plans drawn up in 1874. You can read a little more about this HERE.

Robert Bruce, schoolmaster in Clyne

Robert Bruce was born in Wick, Caithness, circa 1822. He became a schoolmaster in Clyne.
1844:
“On the night of Thursday 21st ult some wanton individuals attcked the parochial school house of Clyne occupied by Mr Robert Bruce, parochial teacher and his sister. The micreants drove two large stones through the window of a room on the ground floor, which after smashing three panes of glass, struck and severely wounded Miss Bruce, to the danger of her life, while she was asleep in her bad. The guilty parties have not been detected. A reward of twenty guineas has been offered to anyone who will give such information to their apprehension and conviction”. (Ross-shire Advertiser 18/12/1844)

“This young lady (Miss Bruce) still lies in a very dangerous state of health, in consequence of the injuried then sustained – so much so, that her mdeical attendants cannot yet report her out of danger” (John O’Groat’s Journal following week).

In 1850 Robert married Elizabeth Mackay who was born in Kildonan. They had a family.

In 1853 Robert Bruce, schoolmaster, Clyne, at the age of 31, was subject "to a precognition for the crime of breach of trust and embezzlement in 1853" (NAS AD14/35/10). It should be noted that precognition means this case was considered for prosecution - it may or may not have become a court case.

Soon after this Robert and Elizabeth with their children moved south to Lanarkshire. I have yet to find him in the 1861 census but in 1871 Robert, now 48 years old, was a schoolmaster living at Bellshill Road Schoolhouse, Bothwell, Lanarkshire. Elizabeth may have died as she does not appear in this or the following census. In 1881 Robert was shown at the Established Church School in Bothwell. I cannot find him anywhere in Scotland in 1891.

Their youngest daughter Elizabeth Mackay Bruce, known as Eliza, was born in Bothwell in 1860. She returned to Sutherland where she appears to have lived with her uncle Donald Mackay. She died in 1907 at Greenpark, Kildonan where she was a music teacher. She is buried in Helmsdale.

Armadale School, Farr

1835 Strathy and Armadale ledger shows under Annuities and gratuities: John Macdonald schoolmaster for ½ years salary £16 fifteen shillings and seven pence.
Advertising for schoolmaster in Scottish Guardian - 11 shillings
(Sutherland Estate Papers)

Melvich School, Farr

31 October 1831, Melvich School House Repaired
To William Munro carpenter.
For work performed in Melvich schoolhouse. Contract price for repairs £12.
Extras - 1 new door including lock and hinge @ 16 shillings
Small gate and hinge @ seven shillings and sixpence
Room shutters and hangings @ six shillings and sixpence
A chimney frame @ four shillings
1 form for school from Alex Cooper @ four shillings and sixpence
Total £13.18 shillings and sixpence
(Sutherland Estate Papers)

Strathy School, Farr

January 28 1831 - school house repaired
Account for repairing the schoolhouse of Strathy pre order of Mr Horsborough Jan 1831.
To paid:
2 men 2 days cutting rashes @ 1 shilling and sixpence and 6 shillings
1 man with cart to and from Bighouse @ one shilling
3 men 1 day thatching @ four shillings and sixpence
2 men 1 cutting and carrying feal for thatching @ three shillings
heather trimming at six shillings and sixpence
By cash per Mr Leslie £1. 1 shilling.
signed by Alex Fraser

(Sutherland Estate Papers)

Bursary Winners 1898

Glasgow Herald, 2nd August 1898
The Governors of the Trust for Education in the Highland and Islands of Scotland send us the following results of the recent examination for bursaries offered by the governors:

County Sutherland:

George M Mackay, Golspie Public School
Angus Baillie, Clyne Public School
Kenneth Campbell, Lairg Public School
Alexander Sutherland, Clyne Public School
John Maclennan, Rogart Public School
Lizzie G Murray, Dornoch Public School
Mary Sutherland, Dornoch Public School
Alexanderina Mackay, Lairg Public School
Annie V Macdonald, Dornoch Public School
Christina Gow, Clyne Public School

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

Strath Oykel school, Creich

This is the old school in Strathoykel, Creich, which was affectionately known as the Oykel University. My grandfather Christopher Ross born 1884 and his siblings are supposed to have attended it. They lived at both Salachy in Glenoykel and Caplich.

Andy Ross

Note: Caplich, Glenoykel, etc., was sometimes known as Rosehall, Creich.

Can anyone tell us anything about this little school? There were a considerable number of people living in this area so presumably many kids went through this school.

Any information most welcome.

Thanks
Chris

Armadale, Farr, Class of When??

We need your help here. This school photograph was taken at Armadale school, Farr - we do not know when and also have no names for the pupils.

Thanks to Cathy Wagner for submitting the pic.

If you can help you can find my email address at the foot of all pages on our main site www.countysutherland.co.uk


Thanks
Chris

Armadale, Farr, Class of 1931

We need your help here. This school photograph was taken at Armadale school, Farr in 1931 but we have no names for the pupils.

Thanks to Cathy Wagner for submitting the pic.

If you can help you can find my email address at the foot of all pages on our main site www.countysutherland.co.uk


Thanks
Chris