Black and white photograph of Balemartine School in 1948-49.
Balemartine School in 1948-49. Jean Fletcher (3rd L),Alasdair MacDonald (4th L), Jannette Hendry (5th L), Hughie Ferguson MacDonald (6th L), Jenny Penman (next L at front), Joan Kennedy (next L at front), Ellen Penman (next L at front), Margaret Sinclair (next L at front), Helen Montgomery (next L at front), Jean Whitelaw (next L at front), teacher Mrs Mary MacArthur, Jemima Montgomery (6th R), Donald J. Kennedy (5th R), Margo MacKinnon (4th R), Archie MacArthur (3rd R), Kenny Stewart (2nd R front), Isabella MacArthur (1st R back).
Photocopied account of the annual salaries and allowances to teachers on the Argyll estates of Mull and Tiree.
Account of the annual salaries and allowances to teachers on the Argyll estates of Mull and Tiree (no date), listing teachers, schools and salaries. (Bundle 1539)
Transcription of John Ramsay’s report on Tiree schools in 1863.
Courtesy of His Grace the Duke of Argyll
In 1863, John Ramsay, MP for Falkirk Burghs, reported on the state of Tiree schools to the Royal Commission on Education in Scotland chaired by the 8th Duke of Argyll. Ramsay assessed the condition of the buildings, the quality of the teaching, the progress of the scholars and their attendance at school.
At the time of the report, there were eight schools on Tiree, two supported by the Church of Scotland, four by the Free Church Ladies Society and one each by the General Assembly and the Society for Propagating Christian Knowledge. Only three made a good impression.
The recommendations of the Argyll Commission were put into effect by the Education Act of 1872. Primary education was made compulsory for children aged five to thirteen and the control of schools placed in the hands of popularly elected school boards.
Transcription of John Ramsay’s letter to the 8th Duke of Argyll about Tiree schools in 1863.
Courtesy of His Grace the Duke of Argyll
In 1863, John Ramsay, MP for Falkirk Burghs, reported on the state of Tiree schools to the Royal Commission on Education in Scotland chaired by the 8th Duke of Argyll. At the time of the report, there were eight schools on Tiree, of which only three made a good impression.
In this private letter to the Duke, Ramsay made several suggestions on how to improve the quality of the teaching on the island by removing unsatisfactory teachers, offering inducements for better pupil attendance and school inspections by the factor, Lachlan MacQuarie.
Rather than appealing to the Duke’s altruism, Ramsay stressed ‘the pecuniary value of education to the proprietor of a Highland estate’.
Photocopied letter dated 13/1/1862 from Rev John Gregorson Campbell to the Duke of Argyll.
Letter dated 13/1/1862 from Rev John Gregorson Campbell to the Duke of Argyll about the lack of accomodation for the teacher at Kirkapol school and the large class size (80-90 pupils). (Bundle 1540)
Photocopied report on the number of pupils in Tiree schools in 1862 and 1863 and the numbers taking each subject taught.
Report on the number of pupils in Tiree schools in 1862 and 1863 and the numbers of pupils in each school in 1863 taking reading, writing, arithmetic, English grammar, geography, Latin, Greek and geometry. (Bundle 1541)
