It was apparently the practice 160 years ago of the more prosperous citizens of Campbeltown, despite the educational reputation of the Grammar School, to send their sons to Boarding Schools. Private education had still to be provided for their daughters.
A prominent Campbeltown businessman wrote
a new Schoolmistress, Mrs Margaret MacIntosh of Edinburgh, on 30th December
1824 as follows:- "I was from home for three weeks and on my return a few
days ago had the pleasure of receiving your letter of the 14th current. The
Manse lately occupied by Mr MacLeod has been taken for you but nothing was
said at the meeting relative to either the furniture for a schoolroom or
your travelling expenses. About 15 years ago a schoolroom was furnished for
a subscription female school, then taught by the Misses Reid, and I hope
that furniture may yet be got as it is the property among others of several
who have subscribed for another.
At any rate the subscribers must provide furniture, and
at their first meeting I shall recommend their making an allowance to you
for travelling expenses.
The Manse is at present occupied by a tenant and will
not be ready for you before Whitsunday, but it is wished that you should
be here at or as soon after that term as possible. At the only meeting that
took place the Gentlemen made some regulations relative to fees, but the
ladies afterwards said they required correction, and if they do, that can
be done after your arrival. There are about 30 scholars already subscribed
for, and since my return, application has been made for some others, and
I am disposed to think you will have 40 at least.
The fees of these ought to exceed considerably the sum
guaranteed to you and the object in taking the Manse is that it is anticipated
the Heritors of the Parish may after the first year be induced to give you
the house rent free - of this however we are not certain but the idea was
first suggested by some of themselves ........."
Shortly afterwards there was correspondence
with Mr Alexander MacGhee, Schoolmaster, Liswatt School,
Stranraer.
"By desire of Mrs Campbell of Kilmartin
I beg leave to send you enclosed Five Pounds to account of the Board and
Education of the boy about whom she wrote to you herself.
The
name of the boy is Neill Campbell and he is the natural son of her husband
and is at present boarded with Mr Richard Mark of the Grammar School here.
By Mrs Campbell's agreement with Mr Mark the boy was to remain with him till
Martinmas next but Mrs Campbell wished to be sent to you about this time.
Mr Mark however is unwilling to part with the boy until the month of November
next (1825) but I shall endeavour to get him sent to you at the time the
other boys of this neighbourhood are returning after the vacation. If he
does not go then you may consider him as fixed from and after
Martinmas".
Mr Mark continued to make difficulties
however and on 25th August 1825 a further letter was sent to Mr
MacGhee.
"I wrote you on the 20th of last month
enclosing a Five Pound Note to account of the Boarding of Neill Campbell
which I hope you received. The boy was fixed with Mr Mark till the term of
Martinmas next, but I wished to pay up his board to that term and send him
to you by this opportunity.
Mr Mark however will not part with him
till his time is out. There are so many of his scholars leaving him just
now that he wishes Neill to remain until his school begins to fill again
and Mr Mark promises to get him sent to you by he latter end of harvest.
In that case you will consider the boy as fixed from the beginning of the
Session and keep a place for him".
The Stranraer Boarding School was
considered suitable for the writer's own son and two years later he was
writing.
"At my request Captain John Stewart of
Rothesay spoke to you about taking my son Robert as a boarder for next year,
and he is now the bearer of this letter. It was only this afternoon that
I heard that Captain Beatson was going your way, and Robert is therefore
packed off with such articles as could be hurriedly prepared, but he can
afterwards get whatever he may require. I wish him to learn English, Latin,
Writing and Arithmetic and as he is rather indolently disposed I hope you
will oblige him to attend to his books. I wish him to write once every month
by post and occasionally by private opportunities. You can allow him to take
the same pocket money as given to the other boys, but I should think a penny
per week sufficient, unless the fines are to be taken out of their pocket
money, but do as you think proper and use him as you would one of your
own.
I enclose Five Pounds to account, and when
the time expires which that pays for, advise me".
Page 5: William Ralston of that Ilk
Page 6: The Press Gang in Campbeltown
Page 7: The Argyll Rebellion of
1685
Community Tokens
Page 8: The Etiquette of Good Society: 1.
Breakfast
Bits and Bobs