School Exhibition ⋆ Ross and Cromarty Heritage

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Maryburgh School Exhibition

Attribution: S. Fraser (Maryburgh Primary School March 2015)

Exhibition - 19 and 20 October 2012

Members of Ross and Cromarty Heritage Society who are residents of Maryburgh felt that the closure of Maryburgh Primary School should be marked in some way in order to reflect its history, dating as it does from 1864 as a Free Church School and from the 1872 Education Act as a “public” school until its closure on Friday 29 June 2012.

A history of the school had been compiled in book form by means of various documents, registers, individual memories and photographs sourced from far and wide and it was felt that an exhibition would complement the launch of the book.

Accordingly, even more effort went into securing artefacts illustrating the school’s history over 150 years.

The exhibition, held over two days on 19 and 20 October 2012 was well attended, with a constant stream of visitors all keen to get a glimpse of themselves on the display boards, find a relation in the records folders, or admire the various trophies on display.

The “heidie” (Tom Thomas) took great delight in making sure that donations went in the inkwell of the desk (kindly loaned by Leanne Urquhart), and the threat of the tawse (loaned by Tommy Menzies) was more than enough to make folk dig into their pockets!

Through book sales, donations, a coffee shop and miscellaneous sales it was possible for RCHS to make a substantial contribution towards the upkeep of Maryburgh Amenities Centre.

RCHS members are grateful to all who make the official celebration of Maryburgh Primary School such a success which is due in part to those who attended the exhibition and those who contributed photographs and memories.

Examining one of the many photographs.

Attribution: unknown

View some more photos from the School Exhibition

Click on photo album to view thumbnails and then click thumbnail to see the full size images

Maryburgh » Maryburgh History » Maryburgh Primary School

Demolition of "Temporary" Classrooms - photo 1

Some time after Maryburgh Primary closed in 2012 demolition contractors moved in to remove the "temporary" classrooms adjacent to the main building.

Demolition of "Temporary" Classrooms - photo 2

Demolition of "Temporary" Classrooms - photo 2

Some time after Maryburgh Primary closed in 2012 demolition contractors moved in to remove the "temporary" classrooms adjacent to the main building.

Demolition of "Temporary" Classrooms - photo 3

Some time after Maryburgh Primary closed in 2012 demolition contractors moved in to remove the "temporary" classrooms adjacent to the main building.

Demolition of "Temporary" Classrooms - photo 4

Demolition of "Temporary" Classrooms - photo 4

Some time after Maryburgh Primary closed in 2012 demolition contractors moved in to remove the "temporary" classrooms adjacent to the main building.

Demolition of "Temporary" Classrooms - photo 5

Some time after Maryburgh Primary closed in 2012 demolition contractors moved in to remove the "temporary" classrooms adjacent to the main building.

Demolition of "Temporary" Classrooms - photo 6

Demolition of "Temporary" Classrooms - photo 6

Some time after Maryburgh Primary closed in 2012 demolition contractors moved in to remove the "temporary" classrooms adjacent to the main building.

Demolition of "Temporary" Classrooms - photo 7

Demolition of "Temporary" Classrooms - photo 7

Some time after Maryburgh Primary closed in 2012 demolition contractors moved in to remove the "temporary" classrooms adjacent to the main building.

Dux Medal presented to Sarah Menzies in 1917

Dux Medal presented to Sarah Menzies in 1917

Another Dux Medal is that presented to Sarah Menzies in 1917. [Photo courtesy of Mrs Mackenzie, Drumnadrochit, Sarah's daughter.]

Dux Medal presented to Sarah Menzies in 1917

Dux Medal presented to Sarah Menzies in 1917

Another Dux Medal is that presented to Sarah Menzies in 1917. [Photo courtesy of Mrs Mackenzie, Drumnadrochit, Sarah's daughter.]

Dux Pupil of Maryburgh School medal

Dux Pupil of Maryburgh School medal

This rather ornate medal was the annual award to the Dux Pupil of Maryburgh School by Lord Seaforth and was photographed for the Millennium Exhibition when it was on show as the medal won by James Macrae in 1903. The first Dux prize was awarded in 1872 to Andrew Gillanders but it was only in 1900 that "Seaforth's medal" was mentioned in the school logbook. The last mention of the medal is in 1926, although "Dux" is mentioned in subsequent prizegivings. The medal shown was provided by John R Frew, Jeweller, 61 High Street, Dingwall.

Frank Menzies with parents and sisters

Frank Menzies with parents and sisters

Sarah Menzies (who received the Dux Medal) would have been one of the three daughters in this photograph of the Menzies family.

John Macdonald, shown above celebrating his 102nd birthday in March 1988 with his daughter Sheila

John Macdonald, shown above celebrating his 102nd birthday in March 1988 with his daughter Sheila

John Macdonald, shown above celebrating his 102nd birthday in March 1988 with his daughter Sheila, features in the 1936 photograph of Maryburgh pupils, which also includes daughter Sheila. From the February 1932 entry in the log book we learn of his appointment to Maryburgh School, but the newspaper article gives a better insight into his background. He was born in Lewiston (Loch Ness-side) on 20 March 1888 and served in both world wars; taught in Dingwall Academy prior to becoming Headmaster at Maryburgh; retired in 1953 at age 65 only to embark on work as a labourer at hydro-electric schemes; and rejoiced in a successful cataract operation prior to the milestone birthday.

Maryburgh Primary School

Maryburgh Primary School

Front row, l-r: Danny Ferguson, Kennor Mackenzie, Colin Mackenzie 2nd row, l-r: Dorothy Maclennan, Rita Taylor, Argo Sutherland, Moira Duff, Amelia ("Maimie") Macrae, Alice Mackenzie, Olive Sutherland, Marie Macbeath, Rhoda Macintosh, Isabella ("Babe") Macrae 3rd row, l-r: Miss J Riach (teacher), Alix Macintosh, Peggy ? Macdonald, Bunty Ingram, Joan Williams, Flo Macrae, Ina Ferguson, Nellie Ross, Margaret Chisholm, Cathy Macintosh 4th row, l-r: James Maclennan, John Macbeath, ?, Angus Mackay, ?, James Mackenzie, Sidney Franklin, Alick John Maclennan, Ronnie Chisholm, Gordon Macpherson, Murdo Campbell [Information supplied by Peggy Bentley and Joan Cunningham]

Maryburgh Primary School

Maryburgh Primary School

Front row, l-r: Daisy Stewart, ?, ?, ?, Mairie Munro, Nancy Stewart, ?, ? 2nd row, l-r: ?, Mary Macdonald, remainder unknown 3rd row, l-r: Miss J A Campbell (teacher), ?, ?, ?, ?, Andrew Duff, Sandy Maclennan, ?, ?, Hugh Chisholm, Harry Franklin [Information supplied by Joan Cunningham]

Maryburgh Primary School 1912

Maryburgh Primary School 1912

Photograph c. 1912, courtesy of Mr Alistair Urquhart, who identified family member John Stewart, 4th from left in row 4. Headmaster is Donald Mackay.

Maryburgh Primary School 1912

Maryburgh Primary School 1912

Photograph c.1912, courtesy of Mr Alistair Urquhart who identified family members: Mary Stewart, 3rd row, 6th from left; Duncan Stewart, 5th row, extreme left; and William Stewart, 5th row, 5th from left. Teachers have been identified as Donald Mackay, headmaster, and (possibly) Miss J C Riach, teacher.

Maryburgh Primary School 1930

Maryburgh Primary School 1930

1930. Teachers are Miss Watt (left) and Miss Campbell (right). Only pupil identified is possibly Catherine Maclennan (6th from left in third row)

Maryburgh Primary School, immediately post-World War 2

Maryburgh Primary School, immediately post-World War 2

There must be many photographs such as this, lying in cupboards and drawers, possibly with names fading or unknown. This photograph of pupils of Maryburgh Primary School dates immediately post-World War 2 and is courtesy of Mavor Wilson whose husband is on the extreme right in the back row. Back row, l-r: Margaret Jack, George Campbell, Frances Barclay, Roderick ?, Margaret Oag, James Wilson. Front row, l-r: ?, James Macrae, John Maclennan, Patricia Sutherland, Nan Maclean, David Sutherland, William Macdonald, Hamish Mackenzie.

MARYBURGH SCHOOL 1936

MARYBURGH SCHOOL 1936

MARYBURGH SCHOOL 1936 Back row, l to r: George Mackenzie; ? Moir; James Stuart; Forbes Beaton; Hector Mackenzie; Dick McIntosh; Alfred Tough; Robert Ingram 3rd row, l to r: John MacDonald (Headmaster); Barbara MacRae; Stewart Coghill; Georgie McIntosh; Blanche Sutherland; Eva McIntosh; Sheila MacDonald; Donella Maclennan 2nd row, l to r: Margaret McLennan; Tilda MacDonald; Marjory Menzies; Peggy MacLean; Chrissie MacLean Front row, l to r: Campbell Cunningham; Arthur Henry; Jockie MacLean; Willie Stuart [Information supplied by a number of sources but includes Peggy Bentley (nee Maclean) and Joan Cunningham (nee Williams)]

Maryburgh School, Hood Street

Maryburgh School, Hood Street

Merit Certificate

Merit Certificate

Merit Certificate Cover

Merit Certificate Cover

Nessie Cartoon in paper for the 102nd birthday of John Macdonald in March 1988

Nessie Cartoon in paper for the 102nd birthday of John Macdonald in March 1988

Primary School Photo - date unknown

Primary School Photo - date unknown

Date unknown Front row, l-r: ?, ?, ?, Chrissie Mackenzie, ?, Emmie Gammie, ?, ?, 2nd row, l-r: all unknown except teacher Miss Campbell 3rd row, l-r: Miss Watt (teacher), ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, Edmund Macgregor, ? [Information supplied by Joan Williams]