Any mistakes? Please let us know via the Contact Form. Perhaps you attended this school and have photos or information to share. We’d be delighted to hear from you.
In 1901 Peter Campbell arrived to teach at Strathlachlan School. The post was vacant due to the death of Archibald Crawford who had been Head Teacher for 46 years. Peter Campbell had trained at the Free Church College in Aberdeen and came to the school with glowing testimonials (copies held by SDLHS) The roll was 6 boys and 8 girls.
Peter Campbell’s last day at Strathlachlan was 2nd May 1902 as the School Board had approved his transfer to Strachur School with a salary of £100 per annum and a free house and garden. On 5th May that year, Jessie E. Munro arrived to teach. She resigned in1904 and her successor was Daniel McArthur who received a free house and a salary of £70.
In 1906 the Board has cause to ask the Headmaster at that point to sign a pledge of total abstinence and although he agree the Board were once again advertising the post in October 1906. The Board requested “…a gaelic speaking Male Teacher for Strathlachlan Public school. Salary £85 per annum (including industrial work) with free House and Garden…”
The present School building which is now Strathlachlan Hall was built in 1916 by Messrs Muir Bros., Dunblane. Bella Douglas reported the School was smaller than the original. Pupils at that time often walked more than two miles to school barefoot in summer, and in winter each child brought a lump of coal, wood, or peat to help keep the fire burning. John MacLachlan, the 23rd Chief, during his lifetime provided Cocoa, sugar, and milk for all the children. The school closed in1974 with pupils transferring to Strachur Primary School
Sources
Argyll and Bute Archives:-
Strathlachlan Public School Log Books, Minute Book of Strachur and Strathlachlan School Board
SDLHS research. A History of Strachur and District by Isabella Cameron Douglas.
Strathlachlan School Date: 3. 9. 1923
Left to Right
Back Row
Donald Crawford, George Manson, Archie Cameron, Annie MacFadyen, Peggy Crawford, Peter MacGregor, Archie MacNair, Jimmy MacNair.
Middle Row
Agnes Farquharson, Agnes Crawford, Barbara Manson, Joyce Crawford, Mr. G. Whyte (School Master), Ena Cameron, Jane MacNair, Flora MacDonald, Mary Crawford, Janet Pearson, John Cameron.
Front Row
Tommy MacNair, Angus MacKenzie, John MacNair, Archie MacGregor, Willie Henderson, Murdo MacDonald, Jim MacDonald, Harry Sinclair, Alex Farquharson.
STRATHLACHLAN SCHOOL DATE: 14. 5. 1925
LEFT TO RIGHT
BACK ROW
Archie MacGregor, Archie MacNair, George Manson, Donald Crawford, Jimmy MacNair, Harry Sinclair, Angus MacKenzie.
SECOND BACK ROW
Agnes Farquharson, Ena Cameron, Annie MacFadyen, Mary Crawford, Agnes Crawford, Tottie (Margaret) Douglas, Mr. G. Whyte (School Master).
SECOND FRONT ROW
Tommy MacNair, Margaret Farquharson, Peggy Leishman, Joyce Crawford, Barbara Manson, Alastair Douglas.
FRONT ROW
John Cameron, Willie Henderson, John MacNair, Alex Farquharson.
STRATHLACHLAN SCHOOL DATE: 1937
BACK ROW
John Robertson Sunfield, Peter McLachlan Leachd, Duncan Crawford Eas-Mhor, Earnest Crawford Feorline, Alexander Speirs Leachd, Miss Violet Murray (Teacher).
CENTRE ROW
Mary Muir Leanach, Mary Spiers Leachd, Agnes and Roberta (Bobby) Crawford (twins Eas-Mhor, Janet Leishman Old Post Office, Mary Crawford Faorline, Jean Muir Leanach, Annie Muir (Leanach), Charlotte Leishman Old Post Office.
FRONT ROW
Duncan Crawford Faorline, Iain McLachlan Leachd, Rosemary Chisholm (behind Iain) Inver, Iain Henderson (aka Barr) Leanach Farm.
STRATHLACHLAN SCHOOL DATE: 1946 ?
BACK ROW
Vaughn Blair, Cathie Kent, Isa McKenzie, Marion Blair, J. McKenzie, …?….
FRONT ROW
Peter Henderson, …?…, May Kent, Christina MacKenzie, John Henderson, …?…
STRATHLACHLAN SCHOOL DATE: 1966
BACK ROW
Kathleen Paterson Lephinmor, Fiona McLeod Leanach, Jack Diamond Leanach, Neil Paterson Lephinmore.
FRONT ROW
Martha Maclachlan Castle Lachlan, Caspar De La Mare Strachur House, Neil Beaton Strone, Laura De La Mare Strachur House, Catherine MacInnes Feorline.
TEACHER: Mrs McKinven (not shown) Pupils are in the school shed.
STRATHLACHLAN SCHOOL DATE 1973
FROM LEFT
Angela Dey, Rosie MacInnes (with Bob), Eilidh Paterson, Mrs McKinven, Calum Paterson, Alistair Kerr, Mary McLachlan, Euan Paterson.
FRONT ROW
Marie Dey, Linda Dey, Caroline Dey.
STRATHLACHLAN SCHOOL DATE: 1970
BACK ROW
Mrs McKinven, Stephen Spencer, Fiona Black, Callum Paterson, Eilidh Paterson, Rosemary MacInnes, Mary MacLachlan.
FRONT ROW
John Black, (Martin Spencer?), Ewan Paterson, Catherine MacInnes, Simon Kerr, Alistair Kerr.
6 replies on “Strathlachlan School”
Loving these photos my Dad Iain Barr is on the 1937 one bottom right front row amazing he would of been 90 on 19 April 2021 ! I still have his bible presented to him in 1941 by EV Murray the teacher in the photo
Glad you are enjoying the photos. Thanks for contacting us.
My happiest schooldays! I was collected at the top of the Castle Lachlan drive by the really nice school bus driver each morning to be greeted by the wonderful Mrs Macmillan (?)who was headmistress and the only teacher for the whole school – only c12 of us aged between 4 and 11. We had lift up desks in one big classroom and the sheep often wandered in and around. Extra excitement was getting pocket money for acorns that we collected for the Forestry Commission ! Does anyone have any photos from 1954 – 1956?
Thanks for your comments – glad our website is bringing back happy memories
George & Barbara Manson 1923-25 stayed at Sunfield 1922-1932 then moved to Logie Farm, Glenferness, Nairnshire. George KIA operation Goodwood Normandy 1944. Barbara married John Rosie and Died 2002 at Maybol Ayrshire. Was god to see young photos of my uncle and aunt.
Jean.
Many thanks for this information. Glad you enjoyed seeing photos of your aunt and uncle and thank you for taking the time to contact us.