Dunphail School

We've had visitors since 22nd March 2009.



summer


The building has an interesting past, like many in Scotland it bears the signs of several centuries of occupation as a school, part of it dates back to the early 20th century, part to the 19th century, and another, earlier still, to the 18th Century. It may have been a parochial school originally, that is one run by the local Laird or church. It was known then as Edinkillie Parish School. When it came under local government control it was renamed Dunphail School.

As Dunphail School it was closed in 1965, but was saved from demolition by a farsighted local farmer and former pupil, who bought it and converted it to a hotel and bar in 1971.


We are very glad that he had the foresight to do so !


Set out below is a series of class photographs that former pupils have kindly allowed us to copy. Where possible the names of the pupils are shown, those names that are highlighted still live in Dunphail or we have information about them. If anyone can fill in the blanks or can supply further information, or photographs that we could use we would be very grateful. Hard copy photographs would be returned .


Click on the small pictures to see full size versions.


Class of 1920

Class 1920



This old photograph was taken at Dunphail School in 1920, where Mr. William Cranston taught some 50 pupils of all ages up to 14.
Mr Ray Henley of Ascot tells me that his mother is the fifth child from the left in the middle row and that her sister Eve, late of Tillyglens, has Mr. Cranston's hand on her shoulder.
(12th January 2009)

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Class of 1928

Class 1928



Back row :- left to right.  Willie Reid, George Forbes, Peter Winchester, Alec Fraser, James Reid, John Russell, John Levy, Alex Campbell, John Raeburn.
Second row :-   Miss Peggy Alexander, Colin Campbell,  Jean Matheson, Jean Forbes, Ivey Robertson, Rita Robertson, Isobel Morrison, Flora MacDonald, Lennie Nicol
and Mrs Haggertye, Head Teacher.
Third row :- ,  Molly McIntosh, Margaret Campbell, Jessie Nicholson, Helen Pirie, Sheena McKenzie, Norah Fowler, Ruby Grant, Hazel MacPherson,
Fourth row :-   Alfie Watson, Eric Russel, Bobby Russel, John Reid, Dave Brands, Willie Johnston, Gilbert Raeburn, Peggy McKenzie.


George Forbes became Burgh surveyor for Forres.

Alec Fraser now retired in Kippen aged 91, Scots Guardsman and gamekeeper.

Alex Campbell farmed Faekirk 1951 to 1976.

Miss Peggy Alexander (Teacher) came from Knockando and drove a BSA motorbike.

Jean Forbes died at Whitebridge.

Rita Robertson stayed at the Mount, which Dave Brands later bought. Her father was one of 6 postmen based at Dunphail.

( It is Jessie Nicholson in the photo, Georgina Nicholson went to Logie School. )

[Georgina Nicholson died at 18. I have been told two versions,
a). She ate a tin of dodgy pears and died of food poisoning.
b). She had gone to a dance, got wet and dye from her black stockings infected a cut on her leg from which she contracted blood poisoning and died.]

Norah Fowler married Jimmy Fraser at Oakbank Dunphail.

Lennie Nicol was a postman in Forres, his son, also Lennie is manager at Forres sorting office.
Peter Winchester lived at Culfearn farm.

John Russell, Eric and Bobby Russel all went on to work on the railway, later Eric and Bobby moved to Ascot.

Colin Campbell died on a motorbike in an accident on the Altyre Brae.

Ivey Robertson married Donald McKenzie who was chauffeur / handyman to the Honourable Miss Bruce of Glenernie, their daughter Angie was stabbed and killed at Whitebridge. Ivey died recently in Forres.

( Donald was in fact chauffeur to Major the Hon Robert Bruce. After the Major's death he was chauffeur to his widow the Hon Mrs Mary Bruce; later he may have been chauffeur to Miss Veronica Bruce, but Veronica did not have the courtesy title of Hon.)

Isobel Morrison "Chooky" was Edinkillie minister's youngest daughter, she became a nurse.

Helen Pirie was brought up in the cottage next door to the school, her father Charlie kept a parrot it was said the cottage was so clean you could eat your dinner off the floor. Charlie was another of the Dunphail postmen.

Dave Brands joined the RAF and retired to the Beachans. He died of a heart attack in 1988 on the A9 whilst driving home, his wife Lil was in the car.
She was a resident at Cathay Nursing Home in Forres, but died recently.


I am indebted to Alec Fraser for his incredible memory in supplying his classmates names and information on some of them. Also to local residents who supplied more when their memories were jogged.
(2nd October 2007)

Thanks to Jimmy Simpson (Tillyglens) for the full photograph and for updated information and corrected spellings which he gathered from various sources.    
(27th November 2007)

Thank you, Richard Williamson for your kind words and information on Donald McKenzie.   (7th April 2008)

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Class of 1930 ( we think )

Class 1930


Thanks to Jimmy Simpson (Tillyglens) for the photograph. No information as yet.   27th November 2007

I'm pretty sure that this is not Dunphail School, I have seen another photograph with a small group of children and teacher who appear to be wearing "fifties" style clothing, I think it was the same building. Possibly Relugas School ?

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Class of 1944

Class 1944


Top Row :-  Davie Munro, Alec McIntosh, Freddie Burgess, Malcolm Reid, Ronnie McDonald, Hamish Reid, Ernie McIntosh, Teacher Miss Milne.
Middle Row :-  Janet Campbell, Ethel McIntosh, Babs Munro, Annie Munro, Moira McTavish, Babie Rae, Violet Burgess.
Seated :-  Val Coutts, May McTavish, Ella Simpson, Isobel Burgess, Doreen Pozzi, Joey McIntosh, Heather McPherson, Clementine Reid
Front Row :-  Jimmy Proctor, Jim Coutts, Donald Reid, Ian Reid, Ian Fraser, Roderick Grant.


Davie Munro farms Tomcork and Woodside.
Annie Munro farmed Woodside, but is now retired.

Doreen Pozzi was the younger daughter of Joe Pozzi, Station Master at Dunphail. She moved up to Forres Academy. Sadly, Doreen died of leukaemia while still a pupil at the Academy.

Ella Simpson farmed Balvair until she retired.
Jim Coutts farms Dallasbraughty with his brother Alan (1953)

Derek (Roderick) Grant has written various books. One,
"Clap hands for the singing molecatcher" tells of his schooling and childhood in Dunphail. Another, "Strathalder" a story about a highland estate between the wars appears to be based on Dunphail estate where his father was an Under-Keeper.


Thanks to Davie Munro for correcting names.  ( 22nd November 2002 )
www.amazon.co.uk Has "Clap hands for the singing molecatcher" in stock. (1st October 2007)
Thank you Richard Williamson for the corrected spelling of Doreen Posie's name and additional information.   ( 7th April 2008 )

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Class of 1950

Class 1950


Top Row :-   Teacher Miss Milne, Jimmy Andrews, Donald Matheson, David Fraser, Jimmy Robertson
Middle :-  Jim Coutts, Derek Grant, Jimmy Proctor, Janet McKay, Heather McPherson, Diana Bruce, Davie Munro, Jimmy Fraser, Angus Matheson.
Seated :-  Martin Robertson, Dave Burgess, Dorothy Dowe, Elizabeth McPherson, Marjory Dowe, Margaret Nicol, Jane McPherson, Edith Fraser,
Angie McKenzie, Jimmy Smith, Neil Dowe.


Jim Coutts farms Dallasbraughty with his brother Alan (1953)
Davie Munro farms Tomcork and Woodside.
Derek (Roderick) Grant has written various books. One, "Clap hands for the singing molecatcher" tells of his schooling and childhood in Dunphail. Another, "Strathalder" a story about a highland estate between the wars appears to be based on Dunphail estate where his father was an Under-Keeper.

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Class of 1953

Class 1953


Top Row :-   Teacher Mrs. Milne, Alistair Murray, David Burgess, Jimmy Smith, Martin Robertson.
Middle :-  Brian Smith, Jimmy Andrews, Margaret McArthur, Margaret Nicol, Elizabeth McPherson, Jim Fraser, Alan Coutts
Seated :-  ? Mary Nicol ?, Evelyn Grant, Jane McPherson, Edith Fraser, Jane Fraser.
Robbie Fraser was not present, he was off with a cold.



Alan Coutts farms Dallasbraughty with his brother Jim.(1950)
Married names :- Margaret McArthur (Younie), - Margaret Nicol (Grigor), - Edith Fraser (Cook), - Evelyn Grant (Forbes), - Jane McPherson (Yeadon).

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Class of 1957

Class 1953


Top Row :-  Jimmy Stuart, Sheila MacDonald, Mrs. Milne, Angela McKenzie, Evelyn Grant.
Middle :-  Ian Grant, George Calder
Seated :-  Brian Smith, Elizabeth Smith, Alan Coutts Robbie Fraser, Janie Fraser, Doreen Smith
This photograph was taken to mark the retirement of the teacher Mrs. Milne on 14th Nov 1957


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Class of 1965

Class 1965


Top Row :-  Arthur Sorrie, Danielle Clark, Dolina Robertson, Helen Robertson, Roderick McKenzie.
Middle :-  Duncan Campbell, Colin Campbell, Frank Pratt, Brian Sorrie, Steven Foss, Donald McKenzie, George Brands, Spencer Foss, John Calder.
Seated :-  Catrina McDonald, Stephen Fraser, Joe Crilley, Haydn Foss, Graham Calder, Kenneth Sorrie, Linda Sorrie.

This photograph is the last class at Dunphail School, taken in May 1965.   The teacher was Mrs Rankin,  Mrs Heggarty was the "dinner lady".

The school was closed at the end of that summer term, and the pupils transferred to Logie School.

Danielle Clark now married to Grant Nicholson who farms Faekirk,
mother of four lovely girls.
Frank Pratt now runs Dunphail Garage with his son David.

Stephen Fraser now farms Glenernie.


Thanks to Linda Sorrie for updated information ( 6th July 2002 )


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If you know something we don't or have spotted a mistake please email school@braemoray.scot .

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