Looking back...

Thanks to everyone who has emailed items, given me books, and handed me personal records, to contribute to the collection of historical items for this newsletter and website. I had intended to spend more time at Strathbran writing up further background on Sir Arthur, Lochrosque and the surrounds, but unfortunately I’ve run out of time for this issue (my day job just keeps getting in the way!). However, I shall be back on track for the next newsletter.

In the meantime, here’s a few snippets which I hope you’ll read here for the first time (of course, if any of this information is incorrect please let me know, I’ll be happy to set the record straight).

CONTIN:
Bonnie Prince Charlie allegedly had his horses shod at the Old Smiddy, on his way to rally the troops. (Culloden, perhaps?) Anyone know anything about this?

ACHNASHEEN RAILWAY STATION:
Some interesting photographs on the internet, if you’re interested have a look at www.signalbox.org. The station used to have a goods shed, water tower for the steam engines and two signal boxes.

SIR ARTHUR BIGNOLD:





















Tain Museum has a website with image library:

www.tainmuseum.org.uk/imagelibrary/index.asp

they say the library is “...a database of folklore and history associated”.

This photograph, was taken in 1907, is described as follows “… taken at the entrance to the old Town Hall in Tower Street (later used as a cinema) following the Freedom of the Burgh Presentations to Sir Arthur Bignold, MP, and Colonel James Alex. Francis Humberston Stewart Mackenzie of Seaforth in 1907. Sir Arthur is probably the white bearded gentleman at the front with Lady Bignold beside him. Also in the picture are various councillors, baillies and other dignitaries (including the Countess-Dowager of Moray and Sir Kenneth Matheson, Bart. of Lochalsh) and leading businessmen. A cake and wine banquet took place afterwards in the Royal Hotel.

BUILDINGS IN ACHNASHEEN:
Before 1870 the only buildings in Achnasheen were four cottages owned by the Strathbran estate. The oldest of these is thought to be the tiny building just in front of, and to the west of, ‘The Cottage’. The others are the previously semi-detached pair which are now ‘The Cottage’ itself, and the fourth is the small cottage known as Moruisg which is immediately opposite the railway station and has stables alongside it. This fourth cottage was renovated and extended in the early 1970’s. At the western end a portion of the stables was incorporated to form a living room. This cottage was nameless until 1969.

ACHNASHEEN PRIMARY SCHOOL:
Extracts taken from ‘Achnasheen Primary School - A Century of Change’.

From the very early years, the local community has had a very real involvement in the life of the school. In December 1896 it is noted that Mr Somerville of Birkenhead, who owned one of the local estates, donated the annual prizes and he continued as a benefactor for several years. By the mid-1950’s the Marquesa de Torremehosa, who lived at Strathbran Lodge, was supporting the school and in June 1953 she provided Coronation mugs for all the local children, and in December of the same year she also hosted a Christmas party for the children at the lodge. This marked the beginning of her long association with the school.

When the school was first built, its isolation, due to limited transport facilities, would have meant that outings were hardly a viable proposition. However, there is evidence in the logbook of a trip, by train, to Strathpeffer on the 18 June 1897, to celebrate Queen Victoria’s Diamond Jubilee. The next evidence of a trip is in June 1939, when the children were taken to Inverness, and it was observed that it would have been the first time some of them had seen a town.

The catchment area of the school originally stretched east to include Achanalt and beyond, south beyond Luib and west beyond Lochrosque. In September 1896, there was a suggestion that a school might be opened at Luibside but this seemed not to materialise. In 1895 there is evidence of pupils coming from Achanalt but by the 1930’s there was a school at Achanalt, which remained open until 1953, when the five pupils transferred to Achnasheen.

Weather conditions affected attendance, especially in the early days. When the school first opened most of the children would have had to walk to school, so stormy weather would definitely have caused a lower attendance. In the logbook, it is recorded that two boys had to walk three miles to school, and back. In January 1959 the Achanalt children were unable to attend for three weeks because of heavy snowfalls.

Sickness caused considerable absence, and until the late 40’s there was little protection against more serious childhood illnesses. The school would have to close in the event of serious sicknesses to prevent it spreading.

The main sicknesses causing closure were: Whooping cough - 6 weeks in the winter of 1902 and 1915. Measles - 5 weeks in winter 1905-6 and 1925. Scarletina - 3 weeks in February 1915. Mumps - 3 weeks February to March 1929. Scarlet Fever - January 1931.

Other reasons for ’absence’ have been recorded as: December 1896 - children from Achanalt were prevented from attending “because the department refused payment for their tickets.” It is not clear whether this is railway tickets, or which department refused the payment. April 1905 - one girl was absent for two days because she had no boots. April 1906 - children were withheld “for want of water”. March 1908 - one girl was absent for a fortnight to “keep house” because the rest of the family were ill.

Next issue we’ll learn more, as promised, about Sir Arthur and his house guests, and the famous people who have frequented the area in times past.

Jackie