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Strath of Appin School In 1872 the Education Act made it compulsory for all children aged between 5 and 13 to attend school. The existing Parish and schools were taken over by the state and managed by locally elected School Boards. The new system was co-ordinated nationally by the Scotch Education Department with the curriculum emphasising on the teaching of reading, writing, and arithmetic (the three ‘Rs’). The churches made a crucial contribution to the new system by handing over their schools without charge to the School Boards. On the 1st October 1874, John Macgregor Campbell, a 27 year old…

Vintage video clip in colour

Researched by Ian MacPhee from the Oban Times Archives Appin Shinty Reports Oban Times Report 18th April 1914 BULLOUGH CUP Appin 3 – Dalmally 2 On Saturday last, Dalmally and Appin met on Appin ground in the semi-final of the above competition. Throughout the first half the home team showed a decided superiority over the visitors. Cattanach scored shortly after the ball had been thrown up and following some good combination, MacNiven raised the total for Appin to 3. In the second half, however, Dalmally soon showed that the game was not yet won and but for the sterling defence…

A Short History of Annat Church The present ruins of Annat Church were built (or overhauled) in 1749, as per the date stone above the South doorway. The building was originally in the form of a rectangle, with two outer stone staircases on the East and West gables that lead to inner galleries. Records date back to a church building in 1641 called An Eaglais Ur (The New Church), suggesting this predates an earlier church on the grounds at Annat. Second-hand stone can still be seen today. In 1776 it was decided that the church was too small and in…

Miss McGlashan Janet Ann MacGlashan, was born in Dundee in 1847, the daughter of James and Janet. Her father was a grocer and spirit dealer in the 1840’s and later became a gardener. Janet Ann, known as Annie had an older sister, Elizabeth and a younger brother James. Annie was the first to leave home and studied in education. At the age of 24 she was teaching and boarding in the district of St. Giles, Edinburgh. By 1881, she was Schoolmistress of Lochcarron School. During the same period, her parents moved to Port Appin, living at Airds, in the Gardeners…

A History of the Appin Police, 1840 -1913 The first record of a Police Constable, that may have covered the Appin area, was a Hugh Livingston from Ballachuilish, in the 1840’s. He was born in 1811 and he lived with 4 other families (all quarriers) in Ballachuilish, with his wife and two children. In 1851, Colin Campbell, originally from Easdale, was the nearest constable to Appin. He lodged at Duror School House with the School Master, John Menzies. An Argyllshire man, John Macgregor, from Kilbrandon, was the first known police officer to reside in Appin. John moved to Port Appin…

Inveraray Court House records On a night in 1699 the barque or boat called the Jennet, of Inverkip, belonging to Alexander Taylor, merchant in Greenock, was lying at anchor in Loch Creran, between Lochnell and Glaiceriska, on the coast of Appin, being bound for Fort William. About 11 O’clock at night six or more armed men came from Appin’s side and cocked guns. They cut the ropes of the sails and tied up the seamen and proceeded to plunder the ship, from which was removed the following: – two big casks full of meat, four dozen of horn combes, two…

Witchcraft proceedings in 1677 Extracts from the Proceedings at the Justice Court held at Inveraray Tolbooth, 27 October 1677 John McIlverie in Dalavich persews Donald McIlmichall vagabond without residence and Donald dow MaGregour in Dalavich for a cow they stole from him upon 4 or 5 October last. Donald McIlmichall examined confesses that he and John dow McDonald vcranld in Glentindall (small glen near Barcaldine House) and Allister oge mcdonel in Ardnaclach in Appyne coming from Kilmichall in Glastrie met with the said Donald dow McGregor at Dalavich and after cloud of night bought the said kow from him for…

Local businesses from days gone by A compilation of commercial merchants that traded in the Appin area, dating back about the late eighteen hundreds.