The 1872 Act required all children to be given an elementary education in reading, writing and arithmetic but many additional subjects were taught in Highland schools. HMI reports, found in school log books, often go into detail about the progress made by each class in each subject – from geography and history to music and science.
Conon Bridge School Log Book from March 1882, HCA/CRC/5/3/58b
St Kilda School classroom, HCA/D29/1
Wick North School Junior Division Timetable from 1916
Log books occasionally include a timetable, indicating how much time was spent on each subject, and these can shed light on who was being taught what. Boys were given extra tuition in arithmetic when girls were taught needlework, sewing or darning. Some schools ensured lessons were given in gardening and/or nature studies.
All classes had regular Bible knowledge lessons although it’s interesting to note that the Act allowed for parents to opt their children out of religious instruction if they so desired.
In the recording below well-known Highland journalist Jim Love recalls some of his favourite subjects from his time at Inverness Royal Academy in the 1950s.
Audio credit: Moray Firth Radio.
