Schools on Isle of Skye

[Gillie]

Hello, does anyone know what schools were on Skye around 1900 to 1920? Or where I could find this out.
Many thanks

[Currie]

Hello Gillie, and welcome to TalkingScot.

If you’re interested in Schools on Skye you’ll probably enjoy this section of “A Summer in Skye” published 1865. (from p59) http://books.google.com.au/books?id=dac ... AJ&pg=PA59

In Parliamentary Papers “1904 [Cd. 1970] Scotch Education Department return in showing I. The expenditure from the grant for public education in Scotland in the year 1903. II. A list of day schools aided from parliamentary grant, with statistics relating thereto, for 1902-3, and supplementary lists of schools, &c.” there is a long list of schools aided from a Parliamentary Grant.

Listed below are the School Boards and schools listed for the Skye parishes in Inverness. They are all public schools. I haven’t dug into the private school situation.

BRACADALE: Carbost, Soay, Struan.
DUIRINISH: Borraraig, Borrodale, Colbost, Dunvegan, Edinbain, Knockbreck, Lochbay, Vattin Bridge.
KILMUIR: Kilmaluag, Kilmuir.
PORTREE: Braes, Glens, Penefiler, Portree, Raasay, Rona, Sconser, Torran.
SLEAT: Aird, Ardvaser, Drumfern, Duisdale, Ferrindonald, Kylerhea, Tarscabhaig.
SNIZORT: Bernisdale, Carbost Macdiarmid, Kensaleyre, Uig.
STRATH: Breakish, Broadford, Dunan, Elgol, Heast, Kyleakin, Torrin.

There is statistical information about each school. Did you have a particular school or parish in mind? If so, I’ll supply a bit more info.

Hope that helps,
Alan

[Morag]

Hi Alan & Gillie

The article in the link was fascinating !
This probably doesn't help Gillie but my GGGGrandfather Angus McNeill was a teacher in Portree,Skye in 1881. In previous censuses he was a teacher in various locations on the Isle of Lewis - as was his son , also Angus. He is also listed on censuses and certificates of some of his children as a catechist. Two of his sons and one grandson became ministers of the Free Church - so I has assumed ( without basis ) that the church was responsible for schooling. Family legend had him as a minister.I have an exerpt from a book ' The Men of Skye' by Roderick MacCowan which mentions him.

I would be very interested in seeing some of the statisical accounts for the school in Portree Alan. The family were from Bracadale and Duirinish - so there may be a connection there as well.

Morag

[Gillie]

Hi Alan & Morag
Thank you for your replies. Alan I enjoyed reading 'Summer in Skye' and will try the parliamentary papers. The areas I'm particularly interested in are the north of the island ie Snizort, Kilmuir. Morag I have relatives that were born in Portree but I haven't concentrated on them yet as they are a branch or two removed.
Again thankyou

[AnneM]

Hi Gillie

Try the Highland Archive centre for school records.

http://www.highlandarchives.org.uk/arch ... centre.asp

School records are often informative but there are data protection closures.

Anne

[Currie]

Everybody,

The National Library of Scotland has House of Commons Parliamentary Papers as one of their many online databases. It’s a very useful resource and accessible from home to residents of Scotland who register.

Morag,

In the 1904 document the Public School in Portree finished the school year in June and had recognised accommodation for 372. There had been an average of 237 on the register during the year. Actual average attendance was 30 age under 7, 58 age 7 to 9, 30 age 10 and above with a merit certificate and 92 without, total 210. There were 4 certificated teachers, 2 assistant teachers and one pupil teacher. There are also other stats regarding the school finances.

I couldn’t find anything that detailed for the 1881 period. According to “1880 [C.2595] Scotch Education Department.--School supply etc”, Portree School Board district had places for students as follows:
Public Schools: Portree 180; Torrin 60; Glens 30; Rona 30; Clachan 30; Sconser 50; Braes 90.
State aided (non public) schools: Macdiarmid Braes, C.S. 60.

“1884-85 [C.4261] Report on Highland schools by Henry Craik, Esq., LL.D., senior examiner in the Scotch Education Department”, has scattered references to the Portree school.

There’s some basic info here about the situation with Scottish schools before and after the 1872 Education (Scotland) Act. http://www.scan.org.uk/knowledgebase/to ... cation.htm

“An important date in school education in Scotland was 1873, when public schools, funded by local taxation, were set up. Prior to this schooling had been carried out by church, burgh and private and charitable institutions.”

All the best,
Alan

[Morag]

Thanks Alan - will check this out

Morag