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.

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.

Achlyness School, Eddrachillis, Class of 1934

Back row - left to right
Hugh Munro, John Corbett, Norman Macleod, Willie Campbell, George Falconer, Miss Barbara Mackay, teacher in charge of school.

Front row: Vida Campbell, Norah Campbell, Mary Campbell, Effie Campbell, Christina Corbett, Mina Campbell and Joey Falconer.

Willie Campbell is the father of one of our members Marie Hembrow. His sisters Norah and Mary are also in the photograph.

Hugh Fraser, Headmaster, Scourie School

Hugh MacKay Graham Fraser, Headmaster of Scourie School, Eddrachillis 1905 -1945

Hugh was born at Drumbeg, Assynt, in 1880, son of Robert Fraser and Dolina Graham.

He finished his schooling around 1895 at the Nicolson Institute in Stornoway, Isle of Lewis, and had been living with his uncle Jamie Graham who was said to be a piper at Stornoway Castle. In the 1901 census Hugh was living in the schoolhouse at Grimshader in the parish of Lochs, Isle of Lewis. His job was a teacher.

He was appointed Headmaster at Scourie in Sutherland on June 1st 1905. After being in that position for three years he was sent to further teacher training college in Glasgow, from 1908-1909.

He married Christina Morrison at The Castle, Inverness on 18th October 1928. His usual residence was at Scourie and his profession given as a Schoolmaster.

In December 1932 Hugh was appointed as the Registrar at Scourie. He was also a Justice of the Peace.

In 1936 he was awarded the MBE (Medal of the British Empire), the certificate signed by Queen Mary (wife of King George V) and King Edward VIII who abdicated. Photograph shows Hugh on the day of the presentation.

During the Second World War he was also Receiver of Wreck for West Sutherland.

He retired in the October of 1945 and moved from Scourie to Dornoch, buying a property Gleann Gollaidh on Castle Street. When the new school year started in August 1946 he was asked to stand in as Latin teacher until a permanent teacher could be found for that post. He agreed, but this arrangement was short lived due to his untimely death just a month later. He died at Gleann Gollaidh, Castle Street, Dornoch on 26th of September 1946. He is buried at Oldshoremore graveyard at Kinlochbervie, Eddrachillis.

He must have been quite a character at Scourie during his time as anyone I have spoken to who encountered him shudders!!! His sister Elizabeth Fraser who never married was also a teacher at Oldshore. She died in 1984.

Andy Ross, grandson of the above Hugh Fraser.

Fangomore School Class 1912/13

I do have the names of those in this photograph but not the order. Presume it is back row left to right as normal.

Mr Colin Junnor headmaster, Hugh Mackenzie, Mary Macaskill junior, Mary Macleod, Mary Macaskill senior, Dolina Mackenzie, Ina Ross, Donnie Mackay, Donnie Fleming, George Mackay, George Fleming, Donnie Macleod, Alexina Macleod, Hughina Morrison, John Munro, Tommy Fleming, Willie Mackenzie, Bill Munro, Tommy Macleod, Robina Macleod, Carrie Ross, Vandie Macleod, Nathie Ross, Alistair Munro, John George Ross, Alexander Macaskill, Lena Macaskill, Barbara Macaskill, Christina Macleod, Bessie Ross and Meg Mackenzie.

Scourie School Class c1919

The children attending Scourie School taken around 1919.

Back row - left to right:
Lizzie Mackenzie, Bella Mackay, Annie Thomson, Hughina Matheson, Rhoda Matheson, Peggy Matheson, Jessie Mackenzie (Tottie).

Middle row - left to right:
Lilly Thomson, Getta Macleod, Tina Mackay, Florrie Whyte, Carrie Whyte, Maggie Matheson, Nina MacInnes, Dolly Mackay and Murdo Macdonald.

Front row - left to right:
Billy Mackay, John Moffat, Angus Moffat, John Falconer, Andrew Macdonald and John Mackenzie.

By clicking on the photograph you will see a larger image.

Badcall Inchard School, Eddrachillis

It is believed this photograph of the pupils and headmaster of Badcall Inchard school was taken in 1920.

If you click on the picture you will see it full size.

Back row - left to right:
Janet Macintosh, John George Mackay, Dornie White, Neil Morrison, Hugh Macleod, Hector Mackay, George Calder, Kattie Macleod and Alexander Macrae headmaster.

Middle row - left to right:
Agnes Morrison, Annie Macleod, Dolly Macleod, Annabelle Macintosh, Barbara Mackay, Tonsonina Macleod, Williamina Campbell and Georgina Mackay.

Front row - left to right: William Calder, John Macleod, Lachlan Ross and Andrew Mackay.

Fangomore School, Eddrachillis, Sutherland

Sources School Log Books and the Minutes of the Old School Board. Compiled in 1972 on the Centenary of the Scotch Education Act by Catherine Allan.

The site of the first school at Fanagmore which served the Tarbet, Fanagmore and Foindle area, is now known as Blar Tigh’n Scol. When this school fell into disrepair scholars moved to a house near Loch nam Brac. This was destroyed by fire (Tigh Scol Loisge) and another move was made to a room in the White House, at the shore, which had been built for the salmon fishers.

In 1874 Mr George Sutherland was the teacher, appointed and paid by the Ladies’ Highland Association, Edinburgh, who were responsible for Fanagmore School until the new school was built by the Eddrachilles School Board in 1899.

One of the recommendations made by H.M.I. Mr Harper after a visit to the parish of Eddrachilles in 1874 was that an infant and girls’ school should be built on a site mid-way between Tarbet and Foindle but the School Board replied that as there were only 6 families having between them 11 children between the ages of 5 – 13 years, they were unwilling to tax the parish with the expense of school premises and a teacher.

In 1880 Miss Rainy, Secretary of the Ladies Highland Association, requested that Fanagmore be placed under Art.190 of the Scotch Code, which provided “that in a district more than 4 miles from any school and in which less than 15 scholars can be assembled, they may be taught by a teacher approved by the H.M.I. and working under the supervision of the nearest School Board School.” The Board agreed to this and requested Mr Cowie, Scourie, to supervise the school.
From then until 1899 Fanagmore children presented themselves at Scourie School for Inspection by H.M.I., making the journey by sea. The first Inspector’s report in 1880, recorded in Scourie Log Book, reads, “Fanagmore Sub-School made a good appearance”.

Mr Sutherlands resigned in 1881 and was followed by Mr James Macintosh, who left in 1884. Mr Hugh McLellan taught from 1884 – 1890; Mr Roderick Fraser1890 – 1892; Mr Alex MacDonald 1892 – 1895 and Mr Alan MacKillop 1895 – 1897.

Mr Evander MacLeod of Tarbet, (late of Chryston, Lanarkshire) writes – “My first day at school was very austere – no boots, no road and no English – and my only consolation was that the teacher was an excellent Gaelic speaker, Alan MacKillop from the Western Isles.”

Mr MacKillop (who emigrated to Australia) was followed by Mr Willie Morrison, Achrisgill, 1897 – 1900, also a Gaelic speaker (who later became Tramway Superintendent in Glasgow!) In 1899 the parents of Tarbet, Fanagmore and Foindle complained about school accommodation. The School Board sent a Member, Mr Roderick Finlayson (Scourie Hotel) to look in to complaints. He reported that the room was not in fit and proper condition, being too small for the number of pupils, the floor being flagged, the chimney smoking and no proper seats or convenience of any kind for teaching. At this time the house was occupied by Mr Lachlan Ross and his family, and school was held in “the room”.

The original plan by the Board had been to alter the White House (which the proprietor, the Duke of Sutherland, had handed over to the School Board with the necessary ground adjoining on a Feu Charter) to include a classroom for 24, and by the addition of a porch in front with a separate entry for the dwelling house, make it suitable for the teacher to live in, at a cost of £120. In the meantime, however, Mr Maclean, Factor, wrote the Board that “as due notice has not been given to Mr Lachlan Ross, and that as he could find no other house, the Proprietor would not like to turn him out with his large family unless some other place was procured for him.” The Education Department, however, did not approve of the plans and were of the opinion a new school should be built. Fresh plans were drawn up by Mr Bisset, Architect, Golspie, for a new school (for 30 children) beside the dwelling house, which were approved.

In the meantime school was held on alternate weeks in Angus Macleod’s house in Tarbet and in Angus Falconer’s house in Foindle, there being no children of school age in Fanagmore at this time.

In 1899 the new school was built by Mr Peter Whyte, Scourie at a total cost of £214.5/- (including desks) in three months. The house was renovated for use as a school house by Mr H. Aird, Joiner, Scourie, at a cost of £68. Mr Angus Macleod, Tarbet (now of Stornoway) remembers the opening ceremony. “Mr Donald MacKenzie, Tarbet, was working at a boat by the shore, and we called him up to open the school. This he did. He turned the key and opened the door and shouted “Hurrah!” We all followed and shouted, throwing our caps in the air and waving, and so a new era in our education begun.” He continues, “There was no road or even a footpath from Tarbet to Fanagmore in those days and we had to walk through the hill each carrying a peat to keep the school fire burning. In summer we were barefooted and peat bogs we took in our stride. In winter we had to wear boots and keep to the harder ground.”

At this time the “floating shops” came from Orkney to Loch Laxford (Fanagmore) and Mr Evander Macleod, Tarbet remembers them well. “We frequented them very often and if we would sing a song they gave us sweets and clay pipes for our fathers.” And of the Coronation of King Edward VII he says “We went to Scourie School for games and each of us got a mug. I made over 3/- that day. Money had value in those days!”

A certificated teacher, Miss Jemima Grant, was appointed in 1900. She left in 1903 and was succeeded by Mr Robert Gillies (1903 – 1905) with Mrs Gillies to teach sewing. Mrs Gillies was later appointed assistant teacher to allow Mr Gillies to devote more time to supplementary classes. A very good teacher, the Board resolved to give him a Very Satisfactory Testimonial for his two years service.

The aforementioned Angus Macleod and Donald Macrae went to Sutherland Technical School from Fanagmore during his time (1904). Mr Henry Platt, who succeeded Mr Gillies in 1905, retired in 1910, with a pension of £50 a year from the Board. He had previously been Head Master at Oldshore School. Mr Colin Junnor, M.A., who had been Assistant Teacher at Oldshore, was next appointed and remained until 1919, when he left to attend an Art.55 Class in Glasgow.
County and Parish Bursaries were competed for and the school had a good record of success, many pupils continuing their education at Scourie H.G. School, Golspie High School and Sutherland Technical School.

The Inspector’s report for 1913-14 says “The instruction in this school is excellent in both divisions. It is proposed in consequence to recommend an addition to the normal rate of grant.”
1916 “This school is handled with admirable skill and the condition of the instruction at all points reflects high credit on the teacher.” Miss C. Sutherland followed Mr Junnor from 1919 – 1921. Miss A.C. Ross 1921 – 1922. Mrs Thomas, who was next appointed, left in 1926 to be followed by Mr George H.T. Milne, M.A., who retired in 1932. On his last day at school, 23rd September, 1932, his sixtieth birthday, he notes in the Log Book “Since October, 1926 five pupils of this school have gained bursaries in the County Bursary Competition. In October, 1926 the number on the roll was eight; it is now seven, the maximum enrolment for the same period being twelve.”

Miss Alexina Matheson was appointed in 1932 and when she left in 1940 the school was reduced to the status of a side-school and again came under the supervision of the Scourie Head Teacher. During the war years there was a succession of teachers who stayed for varying periods. Miss Mary Macaskill, a former pupil, was appointed in 1945 and remained until she retired in 1964. The roll which had reached a peak of 32 about 1911, had fallen to 7 in 1932, rose to 13 in the 1950-60 period but was now reduced to 6. Fanagmore School was closed and the pupils transferred to Scourie.

The schoolhouse, which Miss Macaskill did not occupy, having her own house, had been sold some years previously to Mr Alex Macaskill. When school meals were first served on 14th March 1956 Mrs Eva Macaskill was appointed cook and prepared the meals in her own kitchen. This arrangement continued until he school was closed.

The school was bought by the Church of Scotland and services are held on alternate Sunday evenings.

Scourie School Logs Books part two

This is part two - if you missed part one click HERE.

A year after he was appointed, in 1895, Mr Sutherland wrote the School Board requesting that the school buildings be enclosed with a stone wall but his request met with no more success than Mr Cowie’s. “The Board regret that their present financial position is such that the subject can not be considered at present.” The wall was eventually built – in 1906, by Mr John MacDonald, Mason, Badcall, at 2/8 per yard.

With a roll of 50 it was no wonder that in 1898 plans were drawn up for an additional classroom (for 30 children) but it was only after repeated exhortations from the Inspectorate (as in the case of the boundary wall) that a second class room was built in 1906.

In 1900 the first mention of a Christmas Party appears in the Log Book. January 5th “On Friday the school had to be prepared for a Christmas Tree entertainment, and in consequence no school was kept.”

On January 25th, 1901 “the sad intelligence of the death of our beloved Queen” was received, and school was dismissed for the day.

In July, 1901 Mr Sutherland was given leave of absence to attend a Drawing Class at Thurso. Two local Ministers, Rev D.M. Macintyre and the Rev. Dr George Henderson were in charge of the school for the first two weeks, and a holiday was given for the third. When he returned the school was dismissed at 1 o’clock one Friday so that the joiner could fix up the Linoleum for “Free Arm Drawing”.

8th November, 1901 – Began drawing for the first time. Although a cleaner had been employed several years previously she had soon resigned. Unable to find a replacement, Mr Sutherland was obliged to resume cleaning the school, lighting fires and emptying closets, but in November, 1901, a cleaner, Miss Georgina Ross was engaged, (at a salary of £3, later increased to £3.10 out of which kindling had to be provided) and he wrote in the Log Book “I now consider myself relieved of all responsibility in the matter”.

In November 1901 Mrs Sutherland resigned and her daughter was appointed in her place. Mr Sutherland resigned in1902 and went to Halkirk School (Caithness). The Clerk of the School Board wrote to Mr Sutherland of their appreciation of his services during his eight years at Scourie and their satisfaction with the invariably high standard of efficiency which he maintained as evidenced by the very satisfactory reports of H.M.I. Mr Donald MacLeod, M.A. was appointed successor. Miss Betsy MacDonald wrote offering her services as Sewing Mistress and was re-appointed at £10 per annum. Miss Mary Morrison was appointed Temporary Monitor (at a salary of 3/- per week) with a view to becoming a Pupil Teacher after the annual Inspection.

20th June, 1902 was a holiday for King Edward’s Coronation. Tea was served and games were held in the playground. Dr Henderson opened the proceedings and Duncan MacIver supervised the games for which money prizes were given. Mrs MacDonald presented the prizes.

The School Board, in 1904, decided to raise the salary of Mr MacLeod by £3.10/- “in view of increase in the number of scholars and the satisfactory character of his work since his appointment.”

That same year these successes were recorded for the school:
Johan Morrison – First Bursar in the County (Senior)
Donald M. Macrae – First Bursar in the County (Junior)
1905 – Donald M. Macrae – Second Bursar in the County (Senior)
Donald then went to the Sutherland Technical School.

In 1905 Mr MacLeod agreed to go to Oldshore as Head Master, and the Board gave him a testimonial for his services during his time at Scourie. Mr Hugh M.G. Fraser was appointed (photograph above).
That same year plans went ahead “in accordance with recommendations of H.M.I.” to erect a classroom at Scourie capable of accommodating 25 – 30 children and offers were received.
Peter Whyte, Mason, Scourie £ 99.10.-
J. & J. Nicol, Joiners, Golspie £136.10.-
Robert Ross, Plasterer, Ardgay £ 18. -.-
Mr Watson, Painter, Golspie £ 15. -.-
Total £269. -.-

The Board considered the offers too high “and would involve an expenditure which the Board should not incur in the interests of the ratepayers, and they authorised the Clerk to write W. Spiers & Co. to ascertain the cost of a wood and iron building. Spiers offered to do the work for £142.10 (plus £17.5/- for desks). With mason work at £13.6/- the cost was £155.16/-.

The new classroom was built, but the Board would have been well advised to have spent the extra £100, for many a complaint was recorded in the Log Book for more than half a century until it ceased to be used in 1961. It has now been demolished and a new classroom is being built in its place.

There was no Public Hall at this time and functions were held in the school. Now the Board decided “to close the school against Dancing Classes, and when a concert is held, the performance should be over by midnight.”

Miss Mary Morrison’s time as a Pupil Teacher is now up and she left to continue her training having passed her King’s Scholarship Examination. Mr David MacKay, M.A. was appointed. From 1908 – 09 Mr Fraser attended the Normal College in Glasgow and Mr James B. Calder acted as Temporary Head Master.

In 1909 there was a severe influenza epidemic and the school was closed. The Log Book entry of March 8th reads, “Since our last meeting two of our number have succumbed to the virulent epidemic, namely Mary A. MacKenzie, Scourie and Adam Thomson, Badcall, and we as a school herewith record our deep regret for these sad losses.” When Mr MacKay left with a testimonial from the Board in 1909 Miss Elizabeth Fraser was appointed.

Log Book 23rd October, 1914.
“There is no C.O. employed by the Board since the present one (Duncan MacKay) left for Huntingdon last August. As he is a Lovat Scout, he will probably not be back before the war is over.” In fact he did not return from the war. Miss Fraser left to go to Oldshore as Infant Mistress in 1915 and Annabella Urquhart was appointed. Children with defective vision went to Golspie in 1912 to have their eyes tested, the parents paying for the glasses and the Board for the transport. The same year children who came from a distance were given cocoa at lunch time and by 1914 soup was given on three days a week during winter and cocoa on two. Meat was supplied when gifts of venison were used up. Miss Urquhart left in 1921.

With a roll approaching 60 Scourie now became a three-teacher school. Miss Isabella Gunn and Miss Mary B. Sutherland (from Brora) joined the staff. Miss Gunn left in 1922 and Miss J.S. Flett was appointed. Miss Betsy MacDonald also resigned that year after almost 40 years’ service. Miss H. MacKay succeeded Miss Flett in 1923. Miss Margaret Ross, M.A. joined when Miss Sutherland left in 1928. A permanent partition was erected in the junior room to make two classrooms in 1923. It was removed after the school reverted to being a two teacher.

During Mr Fraser’s time the school competed very successfully in the Parish Bursary and Intermediate Bursary Competitions, many first places being won. From 1914 candidates were presented individually, and from 1918 whole classes were presented for full Intermediate Certificate and Higher Leaving Certificate.

An Inspector’s report of 1928 reads “It is highly gratifying that a day school of this modest size is able to present at the Leaving Certificate Examination year after year candidates whose proficiency in all subjects is so satisfactory. The headmaster is to be congratulated on his continued success.” And in 1932 – “The old tradition of the Scottish Parish School is admirably maintained here.”

By 1933 the roll had fallen to 35 and Miss Ross was transferred to Bonar Bridge. In 1936 Mr Fraser, in recognition of his services to Education, had the honour of M.B.E. conferred on him by the uncrowned King Edward VIII at an investiture at Buckingham Palace. He retired from Scourie in 1945 having taught there from 1st June, 1905. Mr A. MacLean who was appointed in Mr Fraser’s place, resigned in 1954.

The school was by now reduced to a junior Secondary, with Miss MacKay teaching the Homecraft Course and the Head Teacher being responsible for the rural – technical course. The homecraft room, erected in 1950 under the H.O.R.S.A. scheme was (and still is) used for the preparation and serving of school meals.

When Mr C. MacLeod, M.A., who succeeded Mr MacLean, was appointed Head Teacher to Durness in 1961 the school became a one–teacher school. In 1959 the Education Committee’s scheme for the re-organisation of Junior Secondary Education in West Sutherland had come in to effect and all secondary pupils were transferred to schools in Dornoch or Golspie, where hostel accommodation was provided, and Scourie thus became a Primary School. Miss MacKay was appointed Head Teacher, and retired in 1964 after a long and successful career.

Mrs Helen MacIlroy was next appointed and stayed for two years until 1966. Then followed Mrs J. MacDonald, 1966 – (Dec.) 1967, Miss Ann MacKay (Jan.) 1968 – 69, Mrs P. Sinclair 1969 – 70, Mrs Jean Chalmers 1970 – 71. Mrs Catherine Allan, a former pupil, was appointed in 1971.
This year plans went ahead to modernise the school and schoolhouse. The corrugated iron classroom built in 1906, now unfit for use, was demolished and a new classroom, cloakroom and staff-room are being built.

Gaelic, which Mr Fraser had taught as a subject in his first few years at Scourie to Gaelic-speaking pupils – Miss Mary Morrison the Pupil Teacher took Gaelic as a Leaving Certificate Subject – is once again being taught. In 1971 Mr Donald J.N. MacKay was appointed visiting teacher of Gaelic to schools in the North and West. Mr David Marshall, Balnakiel has now been appointed visiting teacher of art. The roll which had been over 40 in 1942, 33 in 1952 fell to 11 by 1962 but has been increasing and now stands at 19.

The following side-schools have been associated with Scourie School – Achfary, Stack, Altaurynie, Lochmore, Kinloch, Badnabay, Fanagmore, Duartbeg, Kylestrome, Glendhu, and Glencoul.

Subjects mentioned in Log Books and Inspector’s reports from 1874 – Reading, Writing, Arithmetic, Dictation, Grammar, Spelling, History, Geography, Latin and Domestic Industry. 1891 Map Drawing, English. 1896 Drill, Singing, Composition, Poetry. 1901 Drawing. 1902 Navigation, Mathematics. (1903, Dumb-bells for Drill.) 1905 French, Gaelic. 1909 Science.

The record of Merit Certificate winners is not complete, but these names are recorded:
1899 – E. MacInnes, J. Macintosh, B. Mackay
1900 – D. MacKay, A.M. Sutherland, Jessie MacLean,
Neilina Matheson, M. Morrison
Successes gained by Scourie pupils in county Bursary Competitions (up to 1924)
1904 – Johan Morrison – First Bursar in County (Senior)
Donald M. Macrae – Second Bursar in County (Junior)
1905 – Donald M. Macrae – Second Bursar in County (Senior)
Success in Parish Bursary Exams – First Bursar of the Parish
1908 – Donald MacKay
1909 – Donald Morrison
1910 – Alexander C. Macrae
1911 – Roberta Morrison
1912 – Norman Morrison
1914 – Norman Morrison – Full Intermediate Certificate gained – First Intermediate Bursar of the Parish
1915 – John Macleod – First Intermediate Bursar of the Parish
Janet M. Macrae - First Bursar of the Parish
1916 – John A. Morrison – First Bursar of the Parish
Angus MacKenzie – First Intermediate Bursar
1918 – John A. Morrison, Margaret MacLeod, Hughina MacKay and Barbara Matheson
All passed full Intermediate Certificate and got bursaries
1920 – Duncan M. MacKenzie & Edith C. Mackenzie - Full Intermediate Certificate
1921 – George MacKay & MacKay MacKay - Full Intermediate Certificate
1921 – Eva MacKay & Dolina Matheson - Full Intermediate Certificate
1922 – Margaret Ross, Chrissie B. Macleod & Maimie Thomson - Full Intermediate Certificate
1923 – Jessie A. Macleod & Annie M. Macdougall - Full Intermediate Certificate
1924 – MacKay MacKay, Dolina Matheson & Jessie A. Macleod - Higher Leaving Certificate
1924 – John Matheson & Annie B. Macintsoh - Full Intermediate Certificate
June 1947 – Last secondary pupil (Alice Thomson) left for Dornoch Academy.

Photograph above was taken at Scourie School in 1933. I do not have names of the pupils.

Scourie School Logs Part One

The photograph on the left shows you Scourie School, Eddrachillis, Sutherland, today. It was not always this large nor this robust.

Following is of great interest not only to those with connections to Scourie school but to general education in the county.

Sources School Log Books and the Minutes of the Old School Board; Compiled in 1972 on the Centenary of the Scotch Education Act by Catherine Allan, Head Teacher Scourie Primary School 1971 – 1988.

The present school at Scourie was built in 1866. Previous Schools were at Cardhu, beside the Free Church, and the building later used as, and still known as The Library, now an annexe to the Public Hall, which continued to be used as a Female (Sewing) School for some years after 1872.

School fees were fixed as follows:
1/- (one shilling) per quarter from the age 5 – 7 years
1/6 (one shilling and sixpence) per quarter from the age 7 – 9 years
2/- (two shillings) per quarter from the age 9 – 11years
2/6 (two shillings and sixpence) per quarter from the age 11 – 13years
3/- (three shillings) per quarter from the age for all above 13 years of age

All fees were to be paid in advance, to be collected by the teachers of each school, who would remit them with an account to the Treasurer. The fees produced from each school to be returned to the Teacher at the terms of Martinmas and Whitsunday, in addition to his salary. (From 1st January, 1875, however, fees were reduced to the uniform sum of 1/- per quarter for all ages, and later (1889) grants were given for the relief of school fees.)

The staff at this time was Alexander Cowie, Master “a man of good Attainments”, Kenneth Mackenzie Pupil Teacher, 3rd Year and Miss Jessie Pope, Sewing Mistress. In 1874 Mr Cowie’s salary was fixed at £90 per annum, plus £1 for cleaning the school, with “one fourth of the amount which he may earn or produce from the government as results”. The government grant for Scourie for that year was £31.18.4. for the Master and £17.18.4. for the P.T. Miss Jessie Pope asked for and received an increase of £1 yearly in her salary (of £5 per annum) and the Board agreed to pay this on the understanding that the Inspector reported favourably on the progress of her pupils.

Attendance was irregular and the School Board appointed Mr Evander MacIver (Chairman) and the Rev. D. Macaulay, Members, to co-operate with and assist the officer, Mr Alexander Mackay, in seeing that the children attended school regularly. They further authorized these gentlemen to go to the school at the stated periods to examine the registers, time tables and Log Books, and make the necessary entries therein.

In 1875 when the fees were reduced the Board provided fifty copy books for each school in the parish and left it to the discretion of the teachers to give them to “such as they are satisfied cannot afford to provide them otherwise”. Miss Jessie Pope resigned as the Sewing Mistress in the 1876 and Miss Betsy MacDonald was appointed. Later, in respect of the excellent report by the Inspector on the Domestic Industry and sewing class, the Board “to mark their approval of the teacher’s exertion, resolve to add £1 stg (Sterling). to Miss Betsy MacDonald’s salary, to commence at Martinmas first.” Not until 1889 was 10/- allowed annually for sewing materials.

A spring holiday was first given in 1876. The School Board “recognising that at this season of the year many parents keep their children at home to assist with field work recommend that there should be a vacation of two weeks, the same to be deducted from the autumn holidays. The school will therefore be closed for a fortnight.” Each child brought a peat to school daily for the fire but the spring and summer of 1877 were exceptionally wet and peats were scarce. In February 1878 when the Rev. D. Macaulay visited the school he found “on this, as on former occasions, the schoolroom very imperfectly heated, a number of the children barefoot and no fire in the room.” In March the School Board ordered coals (£1 per ton).

In 1881 Circular 49 from the Scotch Education Department was considered. An extract from the minutes of this meeting reads, “This Board unanimously are of the opinion that in every parish there should be at least one teacher qualified to give instruction in the Higher Subjects and that in this Parish it should be at Scourie, and the Clerk is instructed to send a copy of this minute to the Secretary of the Education Department.” At a later meeting the clerk was instructed to send a copy of the following minute to the Scotch Education Department: “With reference to the Circular from the Scotch Education Department dated 20th April last relative to the promotion of the Higher Branches of Education in Public and State-aided Schools this Board are of the opinion that in extensive Highland parishes such as Eddrachillis with a scattered population – and such are the majority of the parishes in the County of Sutherland – there is only one mode of accomplishing the object in view, which is the Establishment of one or two High Class Schools in a Central position to which pupils could be sent from various schools throughout the County who were anxious for a higher education than the Public Schools in rural parishes could provide.”

In 1884 the school received graduated writing sheets and a new map of Scotland (£1.5.3) and the Clerk of the Board was instructed to fix the desks and provide pen grooves –
Paid to –
William Macleod, Scourie, for 3 new desks £0. 8.3
John Morrison, Scourie, for 3 new seats £1. 0.4.
James Macintosh, Mason, Badcall, for repairs to school house £0.12.0
Hugh MacKenzie, Scourie, for cleaning and whitewashing school £0. 7.6

That same year Mr Cowie requested an enclosure for the house and school to protect them from horses and cattle (Ten years previously H.M.I. Mr Harper recommended that “the school premises should be enclosed by a stone wall”). The Board agreed to erect a stone wall, in length 136 yards, 4 ft. in height, the cope to be fixed with lime and to be harled inside and out and to have two small iron gates. The Clerk was instructed to receive offers for same. Two years later, the building of the wall (by George Matheson, Stoer, at 2/6 per yard) was postponed owing to additional outlay that year by the Board. Ten years later when Mr Cowie retired there was still no wall!

In 1886 the Board accepted the offer of Mr William Matheson, Road Contractor, to keep in repair the road leading to Scourie School and also the Sewing School at the sum of 15/- for that year and 12/- annually thereafter. Six years later this was raised to £1 annually. He continued this job until the Parish Council took over the upkeep of the roads in 1902. In 1886 a new set of Reading Books was ordered and later a second set – Collins Improved Readers – and also Collins History and Geography Books for all standards. New seats and desks were provided, made by Mr John Morrison, Joiner, to replace the old ones, which, according to H.M.I. were positively the worst in the Country!

Prizes were given for the first time in 1888 to the best scholars and those who had made the best attendance. Two years later the Board decided to allocate a sum of money not exceeding £5 for a school picnic as an inducement to better attendance “and those children only would be permitted to be present whose attendance throughout the year entitled the school to earn a grant on their behalf. The selection of the children to be left to the teachers.”

Irregular attendance was common. In bad weather, children from outlying districts like Badcall where at this time there was no road, could not attend. Help was needed at home with spring and harvest work and at these times attendance always suffered. But not least were epidemics of scarlet fever, ‘flu, mumps, diphtheria and measles. In 1892 “an epidemic of scarlet fever and influenza caused the school to be closed for six weeks, and was only opened with summer weather.” An extract from an Inspector’s report continues – “These facts apart the appearance made by the children was very good. The difficulty of language hardly exists at Scourie and the consequence is a more ready comprehension of the questions put by a stranger than where Gaelic is universally spoken.” Mr Cowie had forbidden pupils to speak Gaelic in the playground and as a result only the older people spoke it.

Three circulars are mentioned in this year. One from the Department as to Leaving Certificates (1892), one from the Trust for Education in the Highlands and Islands of Scotland as to Bursaries, and one about Savings Banks. A communication from the Secretary of the Edinburgh Decimal Coinage Association was laid before the Board and read.

The first evening class, in cookery, was held in the school for four weeks in1893. In 1894, Mr Cowie “in consequence of old age and infirmity, and feeling he was no longer able to do justice to his school” decided to retire. The Board, in view of his long and faithful service agreed to give him a retiring allowance of £60 a year, and to recommend the Department to give him a pension.
The Board agreed to fix the salary of the new teacher at £60 a year (plus £1 for cleaning the school) and to give him the benefit of the whole of the Government Grant that he might earn by results of examination, a house and the option of a lot of land at reasonable terms.

Mr George Sutherland Certificated from Lieurary Public School, Caithness, was appointed. The following year Miss Betsy MacDonald resigned, and Mrs Sutherland became Sewing Mistress in her place. Unfortunately “the garments at which the children had wrought during the year were all removed by the late Sewing Mistress”. Mrs Sutherland’s salary was increased from £7 to £10 per annum.

New Year (old style) was held in the district then and one or two days’ holidays were given for that about the middle of January. This practise continued up until at least 1908. On 1st February the school was closed because of the funeral of Mrs Evander MacIver, Scourie House.

Some extracts from the Log Book:
“19th July, 1895 – No school on Thursday as the scholars attending were entertained to a picnic at Loch Laxford. Attendance on Wednesday 100%.
21st May, 1897 – No school – Master engaged at planting his potatoes.
25th June, 1897 - Thursday was given as a holiday in honour of the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee. Scholars were entertained to a picnic.
22nd December, 1899 – The sewing Mistress was absent today. She has gone to Lairg to say goodbye to her brother, who has been ordered to join his regiment, The Seaforth Highlanders, in the Transvaal.
2nd February, 1900 – Thursday afternoon was observed as a holiday in honour of the relief of Ladysmith.

Continues HERE.