McLaren High School

Former Pupils’ Newsletter

June 2007

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Editorial Moyra McLaren

Contents

Welcome to the 2007 edition of the McLaren High School Former Pupils’ Newsletter. I have taken over as Editor from Sharon. I am a Former Pupil of McLaren High School (1990 – 1996) and now work at the school as the School Resource Officer. I would like to thank all of the Former Pupils and staff at the school who have prepared contributions for this edition. I look forward to receiving lots more contributions for next year’s Newsletter! The format is different from previous editions and it would be useful to hear what you think. What would you like included in the future? Would you be willing to contribute an article for next year’s edition or can you suggest Former Pupils I could contact to request a contribution? If you would like to submit articles or photos for next year’s Newsletter I can be contacted at the school or by e-mail at mclarenm04s@stirling.gov.uk This year we have decided not to charge for the Newsletter. However, if you would like to make a contribution towards the cost of producing this publication please send cheques to the school. We hope to make the Newsletter more widely available and an electronic copy will be available on our website at www.mclarenhigh.co.uk I look forward to meeting you all at the reunion in September! Moyra McLaren

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3 Rector’s Message, Peter Martin

4 PPP Project Update, Andrew McAllister

5 McLaren High Language

6 History of Music at McLaren, Jessica Carmichael

8 Music at McLaren High, Walter Hall

10 H.M.S. Pinafore, 1947, Extract from the Magazine of McLaren High School 1947

11 Pride in Our Park, Mike Cantlay

12 We Wore A Different Uniform, Derek Peachey

14 Memories of McLaren High, Margaret Wilkie

16 McLaren High, 2007, Mhairi Lloyd

20 Reunion Information

15 War Time Memories, Morag Hardy

19 Sir Campbell Fraser, John Forrest

17 Obituaries

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Rector’s Message Peter Martin, Headteacher

Dear Friends of McLaren High School This has been an interesting and challenging year for the school community! The physical environment of the building has certainly been made more “interesting” with the art nouveau backdrop of scaffolding and exposed pipe work which is an inevitable part of our refurbishment work. Those of you who can attend the September re-union will, however, have an opportunity to see some of the quality learning and teaching areas which are being made available. In February of this year we were visited by a team of HMIE inspectors who examined key aspects of the school’s work at all stages. HM Inspector described the school’s curriculum as good, with a broad and balanced curriculum for S1 and S2 pupils, a wide range of courses and work experience links for older pupils and an effective programme of rural training geared towards the needs of the local community. Teaching was strong, with teachers interacting “very effectively” with pupils through a flexible curriculum. Pupils were learning well, with the vast majority described as “motivated and hardworking”. The quality of pupils’ personal and social development was good with opportunities at all stages to take part in activities including canoeing, skiing, football, hockey and residential trips. The school was rated very good for Pastoral Care and inspectors noted that staff and pupil morale were high. “The school’s core values of order, respect, care and achievement influenced all aspects of its work and contributed to the very positive ethos. Staff and pupils identified strongly with the school. Pupils’ behaviour was very good and relationships amongst and between staff and pupils were almost always positive and supportive.” I am very pleased with the many positive statements about pupils’ learning experiences and about the commitment of the staff to meeting the needs of all our pupils. This summer brings the retirement of two of our longest serving teachers – Peter Ireland, Principal Teacher of Classics has taught at McLaren High for 27+ years while Gordon Clark, Principal Teacher of Modern Languages has been here for a mere 23 years. Both have been highly regarded members of the McLaren Community. We thank them for their commitment and wish them well in the next stage of their lives. This session has seen one notable addition to the range of pupil activities. Ms Gail Cunningham who joined the staff in June 2006 has re-vitalised pupil participation in debating and public speaking with considerable success. Our junior team reached the regional final of the English Speaking Union National Debating Competition which was held in Glasgow in March of this year. Our senior team, representing Scotland, has reached the UK final (one of only eight teams!) of the “Debating Matters” Competition. It will take place on the 29 June and involves 3 days of intensive debating in London’s National Portrait Gallery. After McLaren’s win in the Scottish final of this competition, one of the judges, Seonag Mackinnon, Education Correspondent at BBC Scotland, was particularly impressed by the students: “One of the charges most often levied against young people is that, in comparison with older generations, their general knowledge is abysmal, I saw no evidence of that today and was amazed by the student’s ability to draw on their wider knowledge to strengthen their argument!” One of our current fifth year pupils Mhairi Lloyd, was interviewed recently for the Guardian newspaper. I thought you might be interested in it being reprinted here in your newsletter. Do you recognise the ethos of McLaren from her comments? I hope you have a most enjoyable re-union in September. The staff and pupils of today send “Best Wishes” to all Former Pupils of McLaren High School. Peter Martin Headteacher

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Those of you who attended the FPs’ lunch last year could see the beginnings of the North Wing extension. We are pleased to report that the teaching areas inside it are finished and it was handed over on 16th April. However to begin at the beginning. The new build and refurbishment contract was awarded to the Gateway group, comprising A&L King Builders and FES, (Electrical and Mechanical and Facilities Management). Preliminary enabling work began last Easter with the main contract beginning officially in July 2006. The contract is scheduled for completion in August 2008. The work is a mixture of new build and refurbishment and is being completed and handed over in phases which mostly coincide with Easter and Summer holidays. There are significant challenges for the builders to work in and around an active school and for us to teach in a building site. We liaise with the Gateway group through Andrew McAllister, DHT, who has been working almost full time as PPP Coordinator and Moyra McLaren, School Resource Officer. During the recent HMIe inspection of the school, we were commended for our liaison work with the PPP project. Last summer, Maths, History, Classics, RME and 3 Science labs took occupation of ‘new’ huts beyond Music and the All Weather Pitch. This allowed the builders to construct their site compound next to the main road. This will eventually be the main car park and bus turning circle. Also last summer, the former Home Economics rooms were refurbished and remodelled to provide a combined Science Technicians’ room and store, a staff base and a Science Lab. Into this Lab moved Ian Martin, teacher of Biology and Science, whom some of you will remember. Among his comments were “I was told thirty years ago my hut would be ‘temporary’. However it’s been worth the wait. This new lab is excellent and I’m really delighted the first new teaching space happened to be mine! This is what teaching Science is all about – equipment, storage, space for everyone to move around and excellent lighting. It’s more comfortable for pupils and more effective and enjoyable for staff. It’s a vast improvement and soon the whole of this corridor will be devoted to new Science facilities. It’s great to watch it all take shape.” The north wing extension, handed over in April 2007, provides floors on 3 levels, sharing the Science, former HE and Art corridors. It gives us a new Woodwork room and stores, 4 more Science labs, an Art room, 2 Geography rooms, a Tutorial room and another staff base. Each move involves a great deal of planning and preparation by teaching and support staff to declutter, label items for packing and moving by Pickfords and to unpack after the move. As you would expect, all the McLaren High staff have put in additional time to carry this out conscientiously to minimise the disruption to normal lessons. Unfortunately, there has been some reduction of social space for pupils, with the temporary loss of the Senior Common room and some cloakroom area. When the project is finished the pupil social space will be much enlarged with new toilets, lockers and a Senior Common room provided and an enhanced Assembly Hall area.

PPP Project Update Andrew McAllister, Depute Headteacher

Work in Progress July 2006

Ian says goodbye to his ‘temporary hut’

New temporary classrooms hoisted into position

One of the new science labs

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Which brings us to what happens next…… The builders have started to strip out the Science and Art/Geography corridors to provide an HE practical room and the rest of Technical on the Ground floor and History, RME, Modern Studies and the rest of Art on the top floor due for completion in August 2007. Following the end of the SQA Exams in June, the builders have taken over the Assembly Hall, Stage, Music, Gym and Library to return them to us in August all sparkling, new and updated. Don’t worry - the basic shape and the floor of the Assembly will remain! Then more teachers and rooms will move - if the music stops and you haven’t got a room, you’re out !! So here we are, 12 months into a 28 month contract. It has been difficult, challenging, tiring and stressful but it’s great to have the use of some lovely new rooms with a great deal more to follow.

New woodwork room

New geography room

Façade of north wing extension An artists’ impression of the refurbished school in 2008

McLaren High Language

The McLaren High School Magazine, circa 1956

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History of Music at McLaren Jessica Carmichael, Former Pupil

Any attempt to encompass in one article the story of music in the school throughout its nearly 120 years of existence is doomed to failure from the start, but because the subject fascinates me I am rashly determined to try. Inevitably, this summary is incomplete, and reflects only my memories and interests, and there will be many omissions of what others consider vital! So be it: and if it stirs other memories and sparks off later contributions to the magazine, I am sure the Editor will be delighted, and other readers pleased with such recollections. Growing up in Callander, educated in both the primary and secondary departments of the school and finally returning to live in Callander, I have always kept in touch with the school, and have been fortunate enough to attend many of its operas and concerts throughout the years. I am old enough to remember its first music master - not as a teacher, but as our church organist - and to have heard of the many successes of his school choirs at Perth Festivals in the 1920s and 30s, and this in part started my interest. The first three music teachers: Frederick Hainsworth teaching from 1907 -1935; Thomas Adamson 1921 -1944; and J.Fleming Lamb 1936 -1968 were all church organists and choirmasters, so perhaps it was inevitable (and greatly to the pupils’ advantage) that from the early days there was emphasis on choral singing, and the choirs won many awards at the Perth Festival throughout the 1920s and 30s. When one considers the tremendous musical activity in the school today in orchestral, choral, and solo work as well as dramatic performances, the events of earlier years seem small by comparison, but one has to remember that in early days, and indeed probably until the Second World War days the ‘arts’ were for the education of the individual, rather than for public display - the “children should be seen, not heard” ethic of Victorian and Edwardian days persisted in the thinking of parents and affected their offspring for many years! Piano lessons were available, and later violin too, as well as class and individual singing lessons. The first opera performed was ‘The Bohemian Girl’ in 1919, and was performed in the Callander Public Hall. Pre 1939 Callander had a good Public Hall with an adequate stage in the building now occupied by the Chinese Restaurant but later performances were

either in the former St. Kessog’s Hall (now flats) or St Bride’s (i.e. Callander Kirk) Hall, both with rather inadequate stages for major performances! In 1922 H.M.S. Pinafore was staged and in 1925 the Opera ‘Maritana’. In 1924 the school music department was formally affiliated to Trinity College of Music and a local committee formed mainly, I believe, at the instigation of Mr Adamson. Later the school received high praise for its teaching of singing, especially because the boys were taught separately, “giving the teacher a chance to help boys whose voices were breaking to develop them properly. If all schools were offering the same chances which these boys receive there would be no dearth of choirboys in Scotland”. High praise, indeed! Until 1939 residence in Callander was essential for all staff and one result was a very close-knit community. A factor which was perhaps heightened throughout the war years and has persisted to a great degree ever since and has made a great, though unplanned, contribution to the education of the pupils. One of the great strengths of the school has always been the total and whole-hearted involvement of so many of the staff and their departments in productions of operas and plays - costume and scenery making, lighting and sound, transport and publicity - and the endless snacks needed to sustain performers at rehearsals, and this involvement continues to this day. While music played the greater part in the extra-curricular activities, elocution lessons were offered and recitations were often features of entertainments, particularly in the years between the two wars and there were also many dramatic performances - episodes from Shakespeare’s plays and Scottish plays. Much later, in the 1950s Alec Monteath, (later still of TV fame) featured as the hero in ‘Campbell of Kilmhor’ and also in scenes from ‘MacBeth’ and ‘12th Night’. Many will remember Miss Henly who often produced both plays and operas, Mr A R Thomson who produced many of the plays and Mr Bill Stark who gave immeasurable help both by his artistic and musical abilities. One who has been involved from her school day right until her retirement is Miss Jean Sim, who as teacher of piano and singing, as

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accompanist and often as co-producer made a huge contribution to the musical life of the school and beyond. (Outside school her, abilities as an accompanist for Scottish country dancing have taken her to many parts of the world until quite recently with examiners from the R.S.C.D.S, who regarded her as the ideal pianist for that demanding role.) And then there was Mrs MacArthur “Susie Mac” - widow of the former rector Wm. MacArthur who introduced so many youngsters to the violin with such great gusto and affection for them all, and the irrepressible and unforgettable Jaqui Mengler too! (Others, looking back, will recall the inspiration of other teachers with similar enthusiasm.) For the ‘aboriginals’ who will constitute the bulk of our readers, performances in the forties and fifties will stand out, and many of these were G.& S. Operas. Some of my personal memories, (though every reader will have their own) include Robert Vanhegan’s ‘Mikado’ (did ever a Mikado have such a fearsome laugh?); Bert Gonella, who later rose to eminence at Glyndebourne, as The Right Hon. Sir Joseph Porter K.C.B. in ‘H.M.S. Pinafore’ and also as Frederick in ‘The Pirates of Penzance’; Stuart Brown as Private Willis in ‘Iolanthe’; John Bayne as the Chancellor in ‘lolanthe’ with his wonderful nightmare song; and John Fleming’s ‘tour de force’,- having played that same role of chancellor in 1945 he was recalled 10 years later at very short notice, to take the similar role in the place of a sudden casualty in the 1955 school performance, and did it so immaculately - a wonderful feat of memory!! There were many lovely voices amongst the girls, but to the best of my knowledge (which is probably faulty!) the only girl to rise to international fame was Kathleen McKellar Ferguson, (now Mrs G Coubrough) who was the leading lady in the 1976 production of ‘Orpheus in the Underworld’ with the part of Calliope and was also a soloist at other school concerts. From there she went on to study music and begin a successful professional career. Many of our instrumentalists too have gone on to professional careers, either as orchestral members or as teachers, both in the UK and beyond. The first mention of an orchestra was in 1937: three violins, cello and piano! A small orchestra continued for many years and I have a personal recollection of

the band which played for Christmas parties in 1943: several fiddles, a drummer, and pianists, one of whom was the late Jim MacLeod of Dunblane Hydro fame, although it is interesting to recall that he declined to play for Scottish dancing at that time saying it was not his forte! That role was taken by Garry Ferguson from Stronachlachar, who for many years now has been a GP in Zimbabwe. In days when forays beyond local areas were very unusual a small choir took part in a broadcast of Children’s hour from Glasgow in 1948 under Mr Lamb’s direction with Mr McGregor as accompanist. Piano, violin and singing lessons have been given throughout all the years but there was little other instrumental tuition until the 70s. I believe that from the 70s there has been in schools throughout the UK a fresh look at the place of music in school, and a new understanding of the long-term benefits to pupils. Since then we have seen a huge expansion of the work done in that department. That coincided in McLaren High with the arrival in 1970 of Ian Milligan, with his boundless enthusiasm, talent and tireless energy. Tuition in many different instruments began to be available, but as Ian himself told me part of what he was able to achieve was due to the wisdom and help of successive Rectors who made a fund available to the music department both for the purchase of instruments and for the productions of operas and concerts. Under Ian’s direction in 1985 an orchestra of about 60, made a tour to Vienna, their first venture abroad. To those of us of an older generation the options available now for singing, instrumental work, composition and the opportunity to take part in one of many groups is quite bewildering - but also inspiring and we rejoice for our young folk. When Ian retired after 30 years of sharing his talents, energy and enthusiasm, many folk said, with some doubt, “How do we follow that?” Well, we did! Walter Hall arrived in the school in 2000, and has shown the same boundless energy, enthusiasm and talent. Under his direction the huge advances started in the 1970s have continued and increased. I asked Walter to give me an update on the present music scene, and am most grateful for the detailed account he has given me, which is printed separately in this magazine.

Note: the foregoing article comes from my researches in the school archives, from my own memory and the recollections of various friends. For omissions, and there are many, I offer my apologies. If there are mistakes, the fault is entirely mine: as they say sometimes on radio programmes -“But if you know differently...!!’ Comments, corrections or further memories would be happily received by me c/o the school, or by the Editor who would welcome contributions to a future magazine. Jessica Carmichael.

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Music at McLaren High Walter Hall, Principal Teacher of Music

Music continues to be a very important part of life at McLaren High School and as many of you will know there is a lot going on! It is important to emphasise that our main purpose is to teach the music curriculum. Sometimes it is easy to lose sight of that important fact. The McLaren community sees a ‘Shop Window’ for the school in the range of concerts and performances that take place. All the activities which take place are over and above the development of young people through learning and teaching of music. Below is a summary of the wide range of musical activities pupils are regularly involved in. Staffing I was appointed Principal Teacher of Music in November 2000. Eliza Bonnar joined the McLaren High staff as a newly qualified teacher in August 2003 and was appointed to a permanent post of Teacher of Music in June 2004. Linda Cantlay resigned in August 2003 after nearly 17 years of service, although has returned recently to provide additional support within music. A number of visiting instrumentalists visit the school to provide much valued additional music tuition to pupils: Mrs J Green (Violin), Mrs C Holden (Cello/Bass), Mrs E Little (Piano), Mrs L McEwan (Woodwind), Mrs A McInnes, (Percussion), Miss A O’Neill (Singing), Mr T Pacher (Brass), Mr A Wallace (Bagpipes) and Mr I Wilkinson (Guitar). Curriculum National Qualifications were implemented in session 1999-2000 introducing a new course at Higher level. In addition, Advanced Higher replaced Certificate of Sixth Year Studies in 2001-2002. The changes to the curriculum allowed candidates for the first time to sit National Qualifications taking M.I.D.I. sequencing as an alternative to playing a second instrument. In session 2003-2004, we decided to replace Standard Grade in S3-4 with National Qualifications at Intermediate One and Intermediate Two. This was a very important decision, which met the educational needs of more pupils. Since implementing the new national qualifications in S3-4, there has been an increased pupil uptake of music. National Qualifications are revised nationally and this is being implemented this year (2006-2007) for the first time. Pupils are now able to take music technology as an alternative to playing a second instrument. School Shows A number of extremely successful school shows have taken place in recent years:

• 2001: Calamity Jane

• 2002: Hello Dolly

• 2003: Oklahoma

• 2004: Les Miserables: our greatest achievement, with Sarah Beaney’s determination to succeed, we managed to put on a blockbuster of the school edition of this Broadway sensation. Only a handful of youth productions of this show had taken place in Scotland prior to ourselves.

• 2005: Grease: unfortunately this show was cancelled at short notice due to the tragic death of Sarah Beaney in a road accident.

• 2006: Sweet Charity: we felt that we had put ourselves back on the map with this very successful show.

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Orchestra Tours During the summer of 2007, 77 pupils and 9 staff/supporting adults will participate in an orchestra tour to play four concerts in the Lake Garda area. The programme will include performances by the orchestra, strings, wind and jazz bands, the choir and a ceilidh group. In preparation for this tour a residential music course at Gartmore House took place in June. This tour follows a successful orchestra tour to Lake Garda in 2004. Concerts We play at least three concerts throughout the school year at which all of the school’s large instrumental groups take part: 1. Autumn Concert 2. Christmas Concert 3. Music festival in March. The annual music festival in March has two days of competition (Junior, Intermediate and Senior), judged by an external adjudicator. This is followed by the festival concert at which prize winners perform as well as the larger groups within the school. Over the last five years we have seen an increase in the number of pupils who take part in the festival competitions.

Since 2000 we have also participated in the annual Childline concert. In addition, a reunion concert took place in March 2004, featuring more than 80 musicians. Orchestra and Other Groups • The orchestra has nearly seventy students: forty strings and thirty wind, brass and percussion. Our

current repertoire includes film music (Gladiator, Pirates of the Caribbean, Titanic, Prince of Egypt), classical and baroque pieces and arrangements of popular tunes.

• The string ensemble and concert band are currently run by instrumental staff and each have their own repertoire. There are other smaller ensembles which feed into the orchestra, also run by the instrumental staff. All groups get the opportunity to perform at concerts.

• Choirs: the junior (S1-2) and senior (S3-6) choirs perform at each concert. Each choir numbers more than 35 members, including some members of staff. The choir repertoire includes spirituals, popular songs and other material in arrangements by Eliza Bonnar. The senior choir has participated in the annual Childline concert in Stirling as well as charity fund-raisers for projects in Mozambique.

• Swing Band: McLaren Swing has been running for four years. They play everything from traditional swing to Afro, Latin and Rock. We have benefited greatly from the help and expertise of Derek Harrision, once a member of Johnny Dankworth’s band. The pupils all respect his talent and energy and they are very fond of him. We also had help from Duncan Haddow, a tenor sax player who was a teacher at the school for three years. We now have help from Ross Carroll (Physics) who plays alto/tenor sax.

• Teith Valley Stompers: A trad jazz band who play New Orleans and Dixieland Jazz.

The two jazz groups played in the inaugural Trossachs Jazz and Blues festival in September 2006. They have been invited to play again in the 2007 event. They have also participated in the annual Childline Concert in Stirling.

• Fealla Dha: This is McLaren’s very own fiddle group who have won awards at various mods and festivals around the country over the last four years. They have carried on from where their predecessors ‘Ratpack’ left off in 2003. Some of the members within the group have gone on to win prizes in individual mods and festival competitions. They have twice been runners up at the national Mod. They have set a very high standard and have been a source of inspiration to younger fiddlers. Fealla Dha were involved in the Wallace 700 project, playing in the premiere of ‘The Wallace’, a work commissioned for the celebrations of the 700th anniversary of the death of William Wallace. This included working with some of Scotland’s top folk musicians such as Aidan O’Rourke (Blazing Fiddles) and Alan MacDonald who composed the work. Fealla Dha also shared the platform with Ruaridh Campbell and Angus Lyon as part of the Blend Festival (Stirling) and played for the 2006 Childline Concert in Stirling.

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H.M.S Pinafore, 1947 Extract from The Magazine of the McLaren High

School 1947

REPORT ON “H.M.S. PINAFORE During the last six weeks of session 1946-1947 the senior pupils of the McLaren High School undertook a new venture, namely, the production of a comic opera. The opera chosen was “ H.M.S. Pinafore,” words by W. S. Gilbert, and the music by Arthur Sullivan. The production of the opera was undertaken by Miss Henly and the musical side of the show was in the capable hands of Mr. Lamb and Mr. McGregor. As the “ Highers “ were over, the business of rehearsals was wholeheartedly entered into by both pupils and those members of the staff responsible for some side of the production of the opera. Throughout the school-day mass rehearsals and rehearsals with the principals went on, but, on Wednesdays after school, chorus work was more fully practised. During the rehearsals many amusing incidents occurred and it was not unusual for one of the principals to be singing his own part and several other parts in their turn, as often the required principals could not be excused from their classes. Gradually the days were slipping past and, before we knew where we were, the first show was only a week ahead. That last week will long be remembered by all those who were, in any way, connected with the opera - the frantic bustle and haste, the anxiety on the part of everyone, the fitting on of the costumes and finally, the full rehearsal on Saturday, 21st June.

Until the Monday morning, the cast had never worked with the orchestra, and so the first full dress rehearsal with the orchestra took place. Then, on the Monday evening at 7.30, in St. Kessog’s Hall, the curtain went up on one of the most ambitious ventures the McLaren High School had ever undertaken. There were many cases of stage-fright but they had no visible effect on the performance. It was a great relief to see that the house was completely full, as everyone would have felt the work had been in vain if there had been a poor audience. That first show was a great success and gave confidence to the cast for the next performance which took place on the Tuesday evening. In the afternoon the show had been presented before the pupils of the School, and they proved to be a very enthusiastic audience. The show on the Tuesday

evening was also a great success, and, at the end, the cast felt it had raised the standard of the McLaren High School not a little. On the ‘Wednesday, the opera was performed in the Victoria Hall, Dunblane. Here it met with its greatest success as the hail was crammed full and people were even standing in the corridors. Thursday, 26th June, the last show, saw the company in Killin, where the opera was performed before a comparatively small audience. This was a great disappointment as it was hoped that there might have been a full house for the last performance. However, the three very successful nights had ensured the opera being a financial success. So came to an end a period of hard work, excitement and enjoyment, which every pupil enjoyed immensely and for which a great deal of the success was due to Miss Henly, who did not spare herself in her efforts to make sure that the venture would be a success. To Mr. Lamb also, is due a very great measure of credit as the musical side of the opera was directed so skilfully that as a remark overheard after the show so aptly puts it: “ The D’Oyley Carte itself could not have done better.” One must not forget the School Art Department and Roy Cunningham in particular. They made a superb work of art of the background for the opera and gave a very realistic appearance to the whole show. A. G. (Class V).

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Pride in Our Park Mike Cantlay, Former Pupil

During the last year it has been my privilege to serve as the Convener of Loch Lomond and The Trossachs National Park Authority. Ours is the first National Park in Britain to have a ‘fourth aim’: that of enhancing the social and economic well-being of the 15,000 people who live and work within the Park. These sit alongside traditional aims of ‘conservation’, ‘encouraging the use of natural resources’ and ‘sustainable recreation’. But what is little appreciated is that McLaren is the only High School situated in the Park. What’s more, the catchment of McLaren covers approximately half the entire Park. As a consequence, Rector Peter Martin has been working with the Park Authority to ensure our young people gain a broader understanding of the wonders of the Park. We’re also taking the opportunity to discuss topical issues like climate change with our young folk. I was at McLaren from 1976 until 1982. I thoroughly enjoyed my school days, and still believe McLaren offers pupils a fantastic education. I am perhaps biased, but then I did subsequently marry a McLaren music teacher!!! One highlight that will always be etched on my mind was the relay run our Orienteering Team organised to raise money to replace the school minibus back in 1980. Many of you will remember the ‘Gala Day’ that was held on 4 June of that year. Our run had started at the school exactly 24 hours before and we ran to every feeder primary school. The total journey was something in the region of 130 miles and we took it in turn to carry a replica of the ‘Fiery Cross’ and present it to each school. Caroline Smillee and Liz Youngson meticulously planned our route and Sheila Cleland, Tom Reay and a whole raft of parents transported the team to the furthest corners of our catchment. We started from McLaren and all ran down to Callander Primary. Fiona McNaughton and then Honor Thomson took off up the cycleway to Strathyre, then on to Balquhidder, and Lochearnhead. Running about 4 miles each we headed over Glen Ogle to Killin, then through to Crianlarich, up to Tyndrum and back down to Ardlui. Having left Callander at 3pm it was 10pm by this time and we relied on some FPs to negotiate the tricky stretch down the West Highland Way along Loch Lomondside all the way to Inversnaid in the twilight. Then we had a short hop over to Stronachlachar before a real marathon around Loch Katrine to Brig O’ Turk. The Water Board refused our request to accompany runners with a vehicle so David Higginson, Douglas Campbell and I set off to tackle the 22 mile journey with two bikes, such that one of us was always running whilst two of us cycled. I seem to remember arriving at the Trossachs Pier around 3am - one of us walking, one of us freewheeling on a bike, and the other carrying the bike with the puncture!! Then Ronan and Jarleth McElroy, whipped the Fiery Cross through the Achray Forest (we were orienteers after all!!) and over the Dukes Pass to Aberfoyle. Following this, we forged on to Kinlochard, through the Loch Ard Forest to Gartmore, on to Port of Menteith, Thornhill, Kincardine on Menteith, Doune, and Deanston. Finally, we sped back along the Torrie road to the Mollands straight where Philip Henman presented the Fiery Cross to Glen Campbell, the Gala Day host, right on schedule at 3pm. No doubt any ‘risk assessment’ would rule out such lunacy these days. But in those 24 hours I discovered the staggering beauty of the McLaren Catchment, now our National Park. The peace and tranquillity of Loch Katrine at 2am was simply profound. As Convener it is my hope that in future every FP of McLaren will leave with an intimate knowledge and love of our part of the world. After all, it is our young people who one day will inherit our Park.

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We Wore A Different Uniform Derek Peachey, Former Pupil

When we were told we would be attending McLaren High School in Callander we weren’t, as I recall, too sure what that would bring, or even how that would affect us. Having been pupils at an all boys boarding school for some years - and a school run along military disciplinary lines, at that - we could hardly believe we were being entrusted to attend a co-educational school in some other town. I don’t think any of we four Form 6 pupils were altogether aware of where, exactly, Callander was. What we were told was that we’d be travelling to and from the school by train from Dunblane’s railway station, each day of the week. Before we could do so, however, we were to walk from the school, through the town, Dunblane, to the station each day and walk the reverse track after returning to Dunblane. There would be no transport available - not even public transport. It was as well that we were fit lads. Given that the walk to the station was all of about three miles, it was some walk to start and finish our school days. Nevertheless, beset by a fair dose of excited anticipation, we were not backward in setting out on that first day - nor any day thereafter, as I recall. It was the start of a new adventure for us. None of us had been given much opportunity to meet civilians, never mind girls (band engagements excepted), during the years prior to attending McLaren High School. We were quite excited at the prospect of being given such an opportunity. We were, of course, four of the most senior pupils at the school. All had succeeded in being awarded the Army Special Certificate of Education and our school really had no other curriculum to offer us. Had we four opted to leave the school at that point the Queen Victoria School (QVS) and its staff would have been saved from having to take such an option - an option that would enable each of us to study for and take the examinations for Scotland’s Higher Leaving Certificate. Success in that field of academic achievement would have opened the way to many opportunities for each of us. Oh, how little, in hindsight, we were told of the opportunities available to us. Anyway, as I understood it, that was the plan. It

was a plan that eventually worked extremely well for some in the group of four, but not all. Nevertheless, on the appointed day (whichever that was, almost sixty years ago - a September day, I think), and at the appointed time, Ron Smith, Vic McGuirk, John Colbert and I set off for the Dunblane railway station. The exact arrangements for us are long forgotten. We were already well primed with a ‘good breakfast’ and needed nothing more to sustain us in a hurry. A meal would be provided, we were told, at lunch time by our new school. It was quite a novelty being allowed to walk through the town at that time of day. As we approached the Dunblane station we couldn’t help but notice the growing numbers of young pupils of all ages between 12 and 18, including a fair element of young girls, heading in the same direction. When the train arrived we sought out what seats were available once the Dunblane residents had claimed their seats and compartments. Obviously, they were very familiar with what needed to be done at the start. We four each took whatever seat in whatever compartment still had a spare one, before the guard signalled the driver to set off. Although almost a sixteen year old and never having been on that line before I found that first trip to Callander extremely exciting. It was all new, as were the pupils I sat with. I don’t recall any conversation on the train - well, not with me, anyway, and I was far too shy to start one. I did, however, get lots of quizzical looks and stares. Like the other three in our group I was in school uniform - a khaki battledress. The others were in other compartments and it never occurred to me to later ask if they had conversed with anyone. It really was amazing how few social graces and skills we had been taught. Alighting from the train at

Derek Peachey attended McLaren High School from 1948 -1950 after completing the Army Special Certificate of Education at Queen Victoria School, Dunblane. Derek is pictured standing, far right as Pooh-Bah in the 1950 production of ‘Mikado’.

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Callander we just followed the throng as they set off for school. There was no doubting they knew where they were going and we just strung along. I can’t even remember whether or not, at that stage, we carried a satchel, bag or briefcase with us. There is just so much one forgets after all the years that have passed. I do know I couldn’t keep my mind off the many girls I saw, but didn’t meet, that first day. Somehow we managed to merge in with the school’s activities. Who assigned us to what classrooms and what course subjects we would be taking I have no idea. All I know is that we soon settled to whatever activity was required of us. After all, for me, anyway, school was school no matter what subjects I took. My interest lay well and truly in other directions. The extra-curricular activities offered by the school were of interest. Normal sporting teams were many, supplemented by girls’ teams, as well. The girls, or rather young ladies, of the Hockey team ultimately proved to be the most sociable and we found ourselves encouraged to attend their social evenings. Those evenings offered Scottish Country Dancing and supper. The dancing was something quite foreign to the four of us - all being Sassenachs who had never so much as danced the light fantastic. Although QV pupils were extremely skilled in Highland Dancing, skipping over dangerous looking swords to tunes played on the bagpipes, we were not among that number. Any form of dancing was foreign to us - but not for long, I must admit. The Hockey ladies were wonderfully adept at making us feel at home and teaching us the intricacies of each dance to records played on a gramophone. I enjoyed every Hockey social and lost some weight in doing so. My goodness the dancing was energetic, other than a slow waltz, of course. The school also staged Gilbert and Sullivan operas and, as strange as it may seem, each of us lads from QV was chosen for a role. ‘lolanthe‘ was our first experience. Already our thespian talents had been tested in QV school pantomimes, so working on stage was no exceptional challenge - only the singing, coached by Mr Lamb, our diction coached by Miss Henley and staying in tune. I learned from an FP Newsletter some years ago that I was noted for my out of tune singing when performing in the Dunblane Hall. In my own defence, belated as it may be, it so happened that, before the performance that night I received inoculations prior to heading off to Germany for a holiday with my father. The combined effects of the inoculation and the stage overhead lights, when trying to stand to attention as a guardsman with rifle (pretend), were enough to make me perspire from heated Busby to studded boots. I couldn’t get off the stage quick enough before having no other option but to swim off. How becoming would that have been for a guardsman? John Colbert - with his clear tenor voice - proved an ideal choice for the Principal Boy role in ‘lolanthe’ and partnered Betty Moore, our leading

Soprano perfectly. Well, to my ears he did and I have never forgotten the pleasure I derived from hearing them both. Please don’t ask me the name of each starring role. Ron Smith and Vic McGuirk were selected to join the male chorus and I, for some inexplicable reason, was chosen to perform the part of Private Willis of the Grenadier Guards, dressed as a guardsman complete with Busby and rifle. In hindsight and remembering how I sweated - er - perspired, in that uniform under the stage lighting, I have a feeling I was given the role because all the other male singers were smarter than I in knowing how to escape the role. Nevertheless, I thoroughly enjoyed being a member of the troupe. The following year I was chosen to play Pooh-Bah, Lord High Everything Else, in - you’ve guessed it - ‘The Mikado’. I couldn’t have been altogether too bad in ‘Iolanthe’ could I? Nevertheless, I enjoyed that role and being a member of the cast. I did my very best to give as professional a performance as I could - minus the perspiration. The enthusiasm shown by the cast was infectious on both occasions. We had fantastic fun wherever we performed. It gave we QV lads the opportunity to travel around countryside we had never travelled before - a treat also offered to us when representing the school at sports, particularly athletics and football. As I will always remember, my days at McLaren High School were wonderful. It didn’t take too long before it was of no consequence that we QV boys wore a different uniform to everyone else. We were accepted at face value and welcomed into the school community in every possible way. The eventual benefit for me, these 60 plus years later, is that I receive occasional letters and e-mails from some of the lovely lassies it was my pleasure to meet there. I am always only too pleased to hear from anyone I knew, or knew me, during those years of 1948 to 1950. I can be contacted through Friends Reunited or via the Editor of this Newsletter. I was the first of the QV group to leave school to join the army in which I served for twenty-three years before migrating to Australia and the Australian Army. Ron Smith I remain in touch with, but Vic McGuirk and John Colbert I lost touch with, sadly. Incidentally, I did not pass the Scottish Higher Leaving Certificate’s exams, but I think I sat for some. I did gain a Lower grade in Technical Subjects and a Pass grade in Arithmetic. My success at the school could be measured more in terms of social and sporting achievement. Nevertheless, wherever I go, I carry with me the memory of my wonderful time at McLaren High School and the many friends I think I made there. Those were extremely happy days for me.

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Memories of McLaren High Margaret Wilkie, Former Pupil

Being the youngest of four siblings who attended McLaren High School, my memories stretch from 1942 - 1955. At the Centenary Celebrations it was good to meet those FPs who had been friends and classmates of my sisters and brother and had hitherto only been names to ‘Wee Margaret’. My earliest memory is the first Saturday in June 1947 (the first Saturday in June was, until I left school, the traditional Sports Day, which was well supported by parents and friends). In 1947 the Sports were rained off, the only time it happened, and the cast of HMS Pinafore (see page 10) was quickly organised for a rehearsal in the gym. Daddy Lamb took me under his wing as an impromptu child audience - I well remember Miss Henley chalking out the stage positions for the principals. My first introduction to Gilbert & Sullivan and the birth of a life-long love of their works. I look back with gratitude to the happy years spent at McLaren High School from 1949 - 1955. Dr McArthur was a much respected, firm but fair and encouraging Rector. We had so much time afforded to us by Miss Aitken on and off the hockey pitch during the week and on Saturdays, as well as our Country Dancing instruction on Friday evenings. In addition she was with us at our tennis coaching and matches, netball matches and our County Sports at Perth, Breadalbane and Blairgowrie. Choir practices under Mr Lamb’s baton, assisted by Jean Sim, were held on Wednesday evenings. Music rehearsals during summer term prior to our operatic productions were numerous and sometimes on Saturday mornings. We also had a very successful Puppet Theatre organised by Mr Stark and the Art Department. Thanks to the McLaren Trust we enjoyed numerous opportunities to attend plays at Pitlochry Theatre as well as various concerts at the Edinburgh Festival, not forgetting the Tattoo. Mr McAinsh, Alistair Chrichton and Dick Barton (Paterson) gave a lot of time to fostering football, athletics and cross-country running for the boys, with Dick firing the gun at the start of the races. He and the Tech Dept were always heavily involved in building the stage for the opera in the gym, which served as our concert hall. Pedro, Mr Morrison, organised the transport to Doune, Dunblane and Killin for our travelling opera - our own ‘Opera in the Round’. I often wonder about Pedro and his wife and two sons - what happened to them after they left Callander? I shouldn’t forget to mention the Domestic Science staff, who looked after catering on Saturdays and all special occasions as well as tea and cream cookies from the Atholl Bakeries, when we stayed late for our extra-curricular activities. Nor should I forget - and who could? - Mr Connell, who introduced Burns Suppers. On leaving school we continued our friendships through the Annual FP and FP Hockey Club dances at the Ancaster, as well as our weekly FP hockey matches. I cannot sign off without mentioning ‘The Belsen’, where we enjoyed our daily lunches. Mrs McArthur’s pastry cooking was enjoyed but not her custard!! Pearl Street has greatly changed since 1955. Another remembered face is that of Teddy Moore at Robertson House, with his ruddy complexion, ready smile and twinkling eyes, not forgetting his regular daily sojourns to the room of La Robb. His was an excellent link to McLaren High School of yore and his days of teaching PE. Our daily travelling from Dunblane to Callander evokes memories of Bean Feasts and glorious fires in the waiting room at Dunblane, as well as our gatherings around the fire in the porters’ room at Callander, when we enjoyed the repartee of Geordie Pywell as we waited for the 6 o’clock train home. (This would not now be politically correct!). As well as all these memories there are the friendships made over the years and maintained to this day. It is always good to hear from and meet with my contemporaries as well as all FPs. What a rich tapestry of life we were privileged to enjoy at McLaren High School.

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War Time Memories Morag Hardy, Former Pupil

I came to McLaren High in September 1939. I had been enrolled to start my secondary education at George Watson Ladies' College. However, as the Forth Bridge was attacked by Germans on the first day of the war, it seemed that travelling to Edinburgh from my home in Fife might be difficult. My father had started his teaching career in Callander and knew there was a school-girls' hostel. So McLaren was chosen as a safer place and I came to live in Ellangowan from 1939 to 1945. A time of good memories from the start when the older girls, mainly weekly boarders from the North and West of Callander, looked after me. Hostel friends are close friends over time and distance. Of the hardships and scarcities of wartime I do not recall being hungry at the hostel, but I do remember that hot water was unusual. I still regard a good heating and water supply as a luxury. Despite the restrictions of wartime there were many memorable activities at school. One highlight was a trip to the Monachiyle Youth Hostel - perhaps for prefects? Monachiyle had simple accommodation, wooden bunks and straw palliasses, heat and light from wood-burning stoves. Dr MacArthur, in his first year as Rector, recited Tam O'Shanter in the flickering firelight. The tale became so real, unforgettable. We were ‘snowed in’ for an extra night, but walked out next day. My love of literature, probably inherited from my English-teacher father, was certainly enhanced at McLaren by Mr MacDonald (Bobby Mac), Miss Henley (Wee Hen), able to knit while giving full enthusiasm to the lesson on classical prose, poem, grammar or history, and Dr McArthur himself. The works of Sir Walter Scott came to life in Rob Roy country. We schoolgirls were so blessed in our surroundings, able to walk along the Woodwalk, just behind Ellangowan amid the primroses in Spring, climb the Crags, and cycle round beautiful lochs. In wartime, of course, we wanted to do our best for our country's cause. Guides and Scouts were involved in collecting salvage, metal, paper (we were to use each envelope ten times). In Guides, for the war service badge, for forty eight hours we harvested rose hips and sphagnum moss lead by Miss Nancy Adams, science teacher and Guide Lieutenant; knitted army mittens, balaclavas, and seaboot stockings. My friend Irene Knox and I ‘minded' Dr Harvey's phone (he lived in the house next to the hostel). We also helped raise money, for example for an air ambulance. Miss MacFarlane, matron of Ellangowan, allowed my patrol to use the garden for a fete; we had stalls, competitions etc. I remember Mr Leckie, our Rector then, being surprised at being asked for 6d to compete in a quiz, having paid 1/- as the fete's entry fee. How well our teachers supported our efforts! Excursions were, of course, limited, but I remember going to sing in the Dunblane Cathedral where Mr Lamb, our music master, was organist. How patiently and meticulously he trained us to sing hymns and anthems. I love to sing them still. There was a hockey match on a misty day when our opponent's supporters seemed to wail through the fog "Beacon, Beacon" (I don't think they won!). Through all the times run the memories of lifelong friendship and kindness - hostel weekends made less lonely by invitations; Jessica Carmichael’s mother was especially good to me. There was support for each other in all sorts of stress. When we of the 1939 to 1945 years meet at reunions, there is a great feeling of warmth. There are, of course, now sad times, as some are no longer with us. Last year we were saddened by the sudden death of Norman Blacklock of the ‘graduating’ class of 1945, Head Boy in his final year. He had a very distinguished career (see page 17) but was very modest about his achievements. He kept in touch with friends from the boys' hostel and other school friends. When visiting commonwealth countries with Queen Elizabeth he would try to meet those of us in far flung places. He introduced me to Her Majesty on an Auckland visit as a school contemporary. Her Majesty said, "Yours must have been a special school." We know she was right!

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McLaren High, 2007 Mhairi Lloyd, Current Pupil

Mhairi Lloyd (pictured right) was interviewed for the Guardian Newspaper about her experience at McLaren High. She has allowed us to reproduce the following edited version of her article which appeared on 15 May 2007:- "I would call it a rural school; it's a small secondary. At the moment, I am studying for eight standard grades. I'm on study leave and I've done five exams so far. They've been going well. "It's definitely a good school to be at. We're quite good academically, but we also have lots of opportunities to do other things out of school. There's orchestra - they're going on tour to Italy. Every year there are ski trips. After your fourth year prelims, you go to an Outward Bound Centre near Fort William and we have an activity week. Because it is small you know everybody in the school. There's a real sense of community. "It's really nice being in a rural school, but I think the motivation has to come from the pupils, because if you are in a city school there are other schools nearby you can compete against; you might have better relations with other schools. McLaren does, but not to the same extent. "I think I'll stay on for a sixth year. I would love to be in the West End, but more realistically I would like to study Chemistry at university maybe with a year out in Paris. "I think the testing is what I would expect, really. It varies from subject to subject. My favourite part about school is probably the trips we get to do. You get to see a different side to the teachers, the more fun side."

JAMES STALKER

Janetta Reilly would like to contact James Stalker, who came from Thornhill and attended McLaren High School around 1950/51. If you have contact details for

James please advise the Editor

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Obituaries

In recent times we have lost many good friends of McLaren High. They came from many different walks of life, but their common bond was their affection for their old school, and their belief in the value of the education they had received there. They also supported the Reunions, both in the old FP Club days, and those which have followed since the Centenary celebrations in 1992. The death of Sir Norman Blacklock KCVO, OBE on the eve of our last reunion came as a great blow to those of us who knew him so well. After school and medical training he joined the Royal Navy, becoming the Navy’s Director of Surgical Research, and retired from the Navy as a Surgeon Captain in 1978. He became Professor and Head of Department of Urology in Manchester. In 1976 he was appointed medical adviser to the Queen, and accompanied Her Majesty on overseas trips for fifteen years. A very hard worker, a very quiet and reserved man, he lived in retirement near Portsmouth and the sea he loved. (Jessica Carmichael) John Stuart Brown (Bruno). Stuart, who lived at Duthieston House, Dunblane, started his education at St Mary’s Episcopal School, Dunblane before moving to McLaren High School Primary. Stuart, who was now living at Balhaldie Inn, Doune, left school in 1956 - a reluctant leaver. He was very proud of his school and was an excellent supporter of the FP Club. He boasted of his ability as a goalkeeper - given his height his was an intimidating presence to the opposition. His greatest pride was in his stage appearances as Bo’sun in HMS Pinafore, Private Willis in Iolanthe and the Pirate King in Pirates of Penzance. For those of us who played the boards with him in Iolanthe, the playing of his song ‘When all night long a chap remains’ as we arrived at the crematorium on 6 April 2006 was most poignant. In the words of Robert Burns: ‘If there’s another world, he lives in bliss - if there is none, he made the most of this’. (Margaret Wilkie) John Cowbrough, joiner and undertaker, spent his life in Thornhill. He was one of the quiet folk who is remembered with great affection for his helpfulness and constant kindness, always ready to help others in the most unobtrusive way. An enthusiastic gardener, and a man who loved his native countryside. A keen supporter of the old FP club he was its President in its golden jubilee year, and has been a most faithful attender at our reunions from Centenary year. (Jessica Carmichael) Alice Dunn (nee Hill) was both a former pupil of the school and a teacher in the geography department for many years with her husband Ken. A lover of her native countryside, as well as of travel, and a great supporter of the local Heritage Society, and the history of this town. She died after a short illness soon after last year’s reunion, but with her husband had been able to visit their younger son and his family in New Zealand just a few months earlier. (Jessica Carmichael) Isabel Stevenson Ewing died in Forfar on 15th February 2007, aged 78. Isabel came with her family to Callander in 1942 and they stayed in Julia Cottages, Bridgend in the 1940s and 1950s. She attended McLaren High School and was Head Girl 1946/47. After leaving McLaren High she took a Dip Ed at Jordanhill College. She was thereafter employed by Glasgow University as their Student Housing Officer. She moved to Forfar in her retirement. Isabel’s hobby was dancing, particularly ballroom dancing: she took part in demonstrations and competitions at National level. Another interest was in darts competitions. Outside of these sporting activities she was passionately interested in animal welfare, particularly in cats and to her last was a supporter of the People’s Dispensary for Sick Animals, being awarded their Certificate for her work. She had been in poor health for several years. Her younger sister Jeannette had pre-deceased her and Isabel is survived by her niece and family. (Sandy Cram)

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James Galloway FRCS grew up in Callander, and became a surgeon, spending most of his career in Dumfries and then in Ballochmyle Hospital. A very quiet and caring man, he never married, and took care of both his sisters, who pre-deceased him, and also his brother-in-law. He was a keen and knowledgeable gardener, but his great passion was sailing, especially in the Western Isles and Outer Hebrides (as a friend adds ‘with every known nautical gadget on hand!“) (Jessica Carmichael) Rosemary Gillan, (nee Sinclair). At the age of seven, Rosemary moved from her birthplace, Perth to Callander where, apart from her student years at St. Andrews and Glasgow, she spent the rest of her life. Her teaching career at Doune Primary ended with her marriage in 1965 to Stewart Gillan who so sadly died in 1971, leaving her with two children, Fiona, age five and Norman, two. Rosemary was a gentle, caring lady, always concerned about her children and her two grandchildren, and a wide circle of friends, near and far, and her love extended to the world of nature and animals. Her musical and artistic talents she shared generously with the Church and community where she will be sadly missed and fondly remembered. (Jean Fergusson) James Maxtone died peacefully in Dr. Gray’s Hospital, Elgin on 20th February 2007, aged 82. Jimmy and his brother John were evacuated to West Perthshire in the early 1940s and attended school at the McLaren High. They both took part in many school activities and Jimmy will be remembered for his art work in the ‘Dig For Victory’ campaign. After leaving the School they both went into forestry, gaining their Forester Certificates at Forester Training School and then joining the Forestry Commission. Jimmy worked in several forests and rose through the ranks to a Forest Officer, and was latterly the Private Woodlands Officer for the Commission in Moray, based on Mosstodloch, Fochabers. He retained fond memories of his time at McLaren High. He had a keen interest in the countryside, was an Elder of his church and in his spare time was a skilled wood turner. He was a fine man to know and a good colleague. He is survived by his children and grandchildren. (Sandy Cram) Duncan MacGregor. M.B. Ch.B. F.R.C.S.E. Farmer, ENT surgeon, enthusiastic sportsman, Duncan was a man who lived life to the full and continued his passionate interest in all three until his death. An all-round sportsman, his greatest love was football, playing for many different teams, finally resurrecting the Thornhill team, which remained one of his greatest interests until the end of his life. It was unfortunate that the obligatory presence of a doctor at Saturday football matches curtailed his participation in attendances at Reunions, but he was with us when possible. (Jessica Carmichael) Joan Raitt left M.H.S. in 1949 and then took teacher training in Dundee. She taught in Doune, Madderty and Thornhill primary schools before becoming head teacher at Portmoak where she remained until 1990. Her brother writes “in her retirement at Largoward she continued to enjoy her garden, her dogs, and was closely involved in local church and community. She loved books, music and particularly Scottish traditional airs. She also enjoyed bridge and golf. She had a great sense of fun, with an impish sense of humour, and loved her home, her family and her country”. (Jessica Carmichael)

To the relatives and friends of all these folk we send our sincere sympathy on their loss. There will be many former pupils of whose passing the school had no information, to their relatives we

add our apologies and our sympathy.

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It is with deep regret that I have to announce the recent death of Sir Campbell Fraser, but at the same time I consider it an honour to be asked to write this tribute for the FP newsletter.

After completing his early education at Dunblane he attended McLaren High from 1935 until 1940, and although he was two years ahead of me I have fond memories of him from our daily lunchtime football games. Little did I know then that I was tackling one of the school’s future luminaries! We were also fellow travellers on the south train to and from school. He was a keen rugby player (unlike me) and he appears in the 1938-39 photograph second from the right in the middle row.

I lost touch with Sir Campbell when he left school and I am indebted for the following information regarding his illustrious career to Alastair Steven’s eulogy in the Scotsman newspaper. He served in the RAF from 1941 until the end of the war, during which time his service involved brief studies at Glasgow University and McMaster University in Toronto. On his demobilisation he attended Dundee School of Economics where he gained a B. Com. Several years were spent at the Economist Intelligence unit, and in 1957 Sir Campbell joined Dunlop as Public Relations Officer, progressing to Managing Director of Dunlop New Zealand, before becoming Managing Director of the parent company in 1977; a post which he held until 1983. His expertise ranged from a long association with Dunlop, through B.P., S.T.V. and Charterhouse J Rothschild; culminating in the Presidency of the Confederation of British Industry. In 1978 his services to industry were recognised with the receipt of his Knighthood. He was director of S.T.V. from 1975-91. A visiting professor at Stirling and Strathclyde Universities, and many honorary degrees were bestowed upon him. He sat on the court of St Andrews University and in 1978 was made a Fellow of the Royal Society of Edinburgh. Here let me return to his association with the school! The Sir Campbell and Lady Fraser cups which are presented each year to the Head Boy and Head Girl were donated by Sir Campbell when he gave the speech at prize giving in 1978. I remember him arriving in a Jaguar, registration number STV1. He has always shown a great interest in his old school. I and several FPs of his era attended his memorial service in Dunblane Cathedral on 8th May before interment in Logie Kirkyard. Sir Campbell was predeceased by his wife Myar and is survived by their two daughters and his sister Christian to whom we extend our heartfelt sympathy on behalf of Former Pupils.

Sir Campbell Fraser (1923-2007) John Forrest, Former Pupil

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Reunion Information

McLaren FP Reunion 2007

Saturday 8 September 2007, 12.30

For further information or to order tickets please contact Elaine McClelland on 01877 330156.

McLaren High Reunion 1959-65

Nancy Crook is organising a reunion on Friday 16 May 2008 for Former Pupils who attended McLaren High School from 1959-1965. For further

information please contact Nancy on 01383 738219.

Class 3A 1962 ‘The Lass wi’ the Muckle Moo’, 1962