The "Botriphnie" section of "Banffshire Schools" (about 1925).

A century and a half ago the minister of Botriphnie put it on record that "Few parishes in Scotland afford less subject for statistical inquiry than this of Botriphnie." Such a view was mistaken, and it has been shown to be so by Mr Stuart Wilson, its present headmaster, whose delving powers in the matter of the present inquiry are quite beyond praise, and enable us, along with other researches, to write with a sense of fullness on all the fine educational work that has been identified with the parish for centuries past, and for which it continues to be distinguished today. There have also been of assistance notes on some of the earlier schoolmasters of the parish by the late Rev. S. Ree of Boharm, so that from one source and another we are able to afford evidence in support of the proposition that the opinion of the worthy gentleman might have been amended.

The parish, as most of our readers are aware, consists of a long and beautiful strath, situated between the Towie Hill on the north, bordering on Boharm, and Bellyhack Hill, bordering on Glass. In other directions it has as its neighbours Mortlach and Keith. The Isla takes its rise in beautiful Loch Park, a lovely expanse of water a mile long, with hills surrounding it picturesquely clad with birch. spruce, lime and fir trees. The area of the
parish is about 15 sq. miles, or 9459 acres. The largest heritors are the Gordon-Duffs of Drummuir; the Bodenfinnoch district is in the Auchlunkart estates, and other parish lands which formerly belonged to the Duke of Fife are now the property of the Reps. of the late Mr Alex. Geddes of
Blairmore, and Mr Robert Forbes of Lynemore. The population has of late decreased considerably in common with all other similarly situated rural areas. Time was when it numbered 867. In 1901 it was 754; in 1911, 732; and at the last census 654. Physical conditions and the hardships inevitable in high altitudes have led to a good deal of emigration, and in one part there are the ruins of a dozen crofts, the lands of which are now devoted largely to pasture. "Fumack Kirk" was at one time the name of the parish, so called from its patron saint, St Fumack  - St Fumack's Well, below the Parish Church manse, and the beliefs that were popularly entertained of the healing power of its waters, at one time exercised the activities of the Reformed Church, and for long the annual St Fumack's Fair was a leading market in the North. The origin of the name Botriphnie is itself disputed, but there are those who believe that it is a corruption of Buttruthin, another form of the Celtic words Bo-traigh-an, the "river holm or strath of the cow."

Perhaps the earliest record of the recognition of the educational needs of the parish is to be discovered at a meeting of the Presbytery of Strathbogie in 1642. For when the Presbytery visited the parish on 18th August 1631 and on 1st August 1638, there is no mention of a school at either visitation. But at a visitation on 30th June 1642 -

The Gentlemen, elderis, deacones and otheris inhabitants of the paroche of Botriphnie such as wer present willinglie condiscendit to give a firlot of wictuall out of each pleugh of old to a scoolemaister quho wold reid befor the sermon and teach their bairnes. The brethren and rest of the memberis of the presbyterie ordayned Mr Alexander Fraser, their minister, to provyde for a honest man for that effect and not to be deficient, seing the parochineris wer so well willed.

James Rany, who took his degree of M.A. at King's College, Aberdeen, in 1636, was the first schoolmaster. At a presbyterial visitation on 9th August 1643 -

Anent the act mad the last zeir for the provisione of a schole, report vas mad that the samyn vas put in execution and Mr James Rany chosen to the said function, who gave a good report of the parochiners. Mr James Rany ordainit to be clerk to the session of Botriphnie.

At another visitation on 21st June 1648 -

Mr James Rany, scoolmaster, ...... vas somequhat remiss in his attendance of the scoole, and too gryt frequenting of taverns: quheim he was gravlie rebuked and ordained to amend as he vold be answerable to the presbyterie.

He removed shortly after to Grange, for at a presbyterial meeting on 27th September 1648 -

Mr Alexander Fraser regraited Mr Robert Watsone had condescendit, and setled vith Mr James Rany, his scoolmaster, vithout his knowledge, advyse or consent; quherupon it was ordained that no scoolmaster sould remow nor be resett vithout consent of the presbyterie in tym coming.

For nearly seven years the parish was without a schoolmaster.

George Leslie's Adventures.

George Leslie, a native of Fifeshire, formerly schoolmaster of Deskford and previously schoolmaster of Mortlach, became schoolmaster in 1655. At a session meeting on 11th February 1655 -

It was condescended that endeavours sould be vsed for a scoolmaster, and everie on of the members of Session to be trying out for on, and Mr James Ranie, now scoolmaster at Oartlie, nominat for the tyme.

Letters were sent to Mr Ranie, but he gave "evasive" answers, and on 24th June -

Compeired George Leslie, formerlie scoolniaster at Deskfurd, and offered himself to be scoolmaster, session clerk and precentor, and produced testificats from Mortleich and Deskfurd, bearing that he had taught a scoole at each of these places, that his cariige ther was good and his abilitie sufficient to take up a psalme, wreitt session minuts and teach children to read and wreatt. The Session finding that Mr James Ranie had deceived them, and elect and chose the said Georg for to teach a school, &c., ut supra.

At a session meeting on 5th August 1656 -

"Complaind Georg Lesly, scoolmaster, on Thomas Mitchell, in Ardbrack, that he said Georg Lesly taught the children to steal, and the children brought in kale stocks out of neighbours' yards to the said Georg's house; and gave up witnesses. The partie and witnesses to be summonded to the next day."

On 17th August -

Compeired Thomas Mitchell in Ardbrack, and confessed he said he gave geer to learn his child to read and not to steal, but denyed that he said any further; as also the said Thomas in passion did swear befor the Session and start away abruptly. The matter continued.

On 28th September

Compeired Thomas Mitchell and ...... submitted to censure. Being accused of slandering Georg Lesly, he again declared that he said he sent his sonne to learn to read and not to steal, meaning that he wold have him corrected because he found him stealing. Being posed if he mentioned Georg Lesly or any of his house as stealers, denyed. The said Georg Lesly acknowledged that the said Thomas did faithfully report his own words and desired him, since he exponed himselff so, to do it befor the congregation. The said Thomas was ordained to acknowledge his miscarriage befor the Session in presence of the congregation befor the pulpit, and to declare the meaning of the above-written words uttered by him.

In another case that came before the session there is a reference that shows that scholars from the Highlands were attending the school at Botriphnie. On 6th June 1658 "Thomas Anderson and Lachlan Paul delat of playing at a brydall with some Hieland boyes, schollars at the school, ordained to be summoned." On 27th June "compeired Thomas Anderson and being accused of playing with some Hieland schollars, who were now removed to Keith, he referred it to the people who were present at that play." On 1st August "Lachlan Paul and Thomas Anderson . wer convict and ordained to acknowledge ther fault befor the pulpit." Leslie resigned his office at Whitsunday 1659.

James Rany, M.A., who had been schoolmaster before, was re-elected in 1659. On 10th April 1659 -

Compeired Mr James Reinie, schoollmaster at Gairtlie and condescended with the Sessione to be schoollmaster, sessione clerk and precentor at this church, for the space of a yier beginning at Whytsunday next, and that upon the same termes and conditiones that Georg Leslie, present schoollmaster, serves for, referring what further the Sessione should be pleased to bestow on him to ther discretione according to his good carriage and acquittal of himself in his office.

Accordingly on 29th May he entered as schoolmaster and session clerk, and continued till the beginning of December 1662, when he left the parish, The school was vacant till Whitsunday 1663.

James Anderson, who graduated M.A. at King's College, Aberdeen, in April 1663. became schoolmaster in June 1663. On 31st May 1663 the session -

Condiscended with Mr James Anderson to be schoolmaster till Martinmas next. He did undertake to teach a school, tak up the psalm, read in the church, be session clerk, &c., and for this the ordinar victnall, viz., a firlot out of each pleugh, in the parochin in the year, and ten libs out of the box for this half year at twentie libs yearly, was promised to him; as also the Session promised, if ther be comon good to mak it up in the box, to bestow some more on him as they see him carrie; as also the casualties of baptism and marriage were appointed to him, and his entrie to be on Tuesday come eight days.

On 14th June 1663 -

It was enacted, anent the casualties due to the church servants, that for every baptism ther sall be payed to the scoolmaster sex sh. and to the officer tuo: for every marriage to the scoolmaster tuelve sh. and to the officer four sh.; for every testificat granted to a whole familie sex sh. eight d. to the scoolmaster and for every testificat granted to ane single person fourtie d. to him.

He was schoolmaster at 6th December 1663 when the minister, Mr William Burnet, preached his farewell sermon, on his translation to the parish of Cullen. From that date to 23rd April 1682 the session minutes are wanting, and it has not been ascertained how long Mr Anderson held office.

" A Scandalous Persone."

Robert Mitchell, M.A., who probably graduated at King's College, Aberdeen, in 1664, was schoolmaster in October 1678, and had then apparently held office for some time. At a visitation of the parish held by the Bishop of Moray on 22nd October 1678, the minister, Mr William Speid -

Regrated that the elders endeavoured to keep as their achoolmaister and precentor in the church a scandalous persone, Mr Robert Mitchell, who was ane habitual drunkard: and 2d who did revile his minister and with ane uplifted hand, had threatened and minaced him, offering with uplifted hand violent injurie to him; 3d who did denye to give into the minister the book of baptisme and other schroales of the Session when he called for them; 4d who had baptised a child of his own, begotten in fornication, at a brook, as hee was certeinelie informed.

The case was deferred till 50th October at Elgin. At Elgin on 30th October evidence was led, and -

My Lord Bishop and brethren present finding that, first, as he was an habitual drunkard; 2d, so also that he had minaced his minister; 3d, that hee had struck a boy of the minister's and bleed him; 4d, that ther was strong presumptiones that hee had baptised his own bastard bairne, as the woman, mother of the child, confessed; 5d, that hee had oblidged himselfe to demit if ever found scandalous, as the extract out of the registers of the Presbyterie of Straithbogie did evidence at the tyme: theirfor they did simplie depose the said Robert Mitchell from teaching of the school at Botriphnie anie more in tyme comeing: and did call him and intimat into him by the Lord Bishop at this present tyme, wherinto the said Mr Robert submitted.

At the Synod meeting on 8th October 1680, it was reported that the schoolmaster of Botriphnie "had reponed himself," and the Bishop undertook to visit the parish and inquire into the matter. There is no record of the Bishop's visit, but he apparently allowed the schoolmaster to remain. Robert Mitchell appears as a witness to several documents on 23rd August 1679, 12th May 1680, 14th November 1682, and frequently thereafter, and is always described as "Schoolmaster at Botriphnie." He was one of the schoolmasters who signed the Test Act before the Bishop in 1681, and part of his minutes as session clerk (23rd April 1682 to 22nd July 1683) is still in existence. On 20th January 1703 "there was a letter produced from Mr Robert Mitchell, schoolmaster at Botriphny, signifying his willingness to have come and waited upon the presbytery for signing the Confession of Faith, but was not in case to travel, being aged 70 years and married." He was still in office on 28th March 1716.

George Ray, son of George Ray in Botriphnie, who studied at Marischal College, Aberdeen, from 1723 to 1727, was schoolmaster in 1725, and resigned at Martinmas 1728. The school was vacant till July 1729.

George Gordon entered on his duties as schoolmaster on 5th July 1729. At a meeting of Presbytery on 25th June that year -

Robert McPherson, chamberlain to Robert Duff of Drummuir, presented letters from the heritors of Botriphney appointing Mr George Gordun to be schoolmaster of Botriphney. Mr George Gordun presented testimonials frum the presbytery of Garioch, showing he had for some years served in the station of schoolmaster in their bounds, and had subscribed the Confession of Faith; and the Presbytery did not judge it necessary to take further trial of him, but did appoint him to enter quam primum.

He resigned in the summer of 1732 and became schoolmaster of Drumblade.

James Ogilvie, who had entered King's College, Aberdeen, in 1752, was the next schoolmaster. On 20th September 1732 -

There was laid before the presbytery a letter from William Duff of Bracco, also one from Robert McPherson, factor to Drummuir, in favour of a young man, called James Ogilvie, son to James Ogilvie in Bankhead, his being schoolmaster at Botriphney. The presbytery finding they cannot overtake the legal steps necessary to his admission, they appoint him to repair to the parish of Botriphney and teach school there till their next meeting on 22nd November, when they appoint him to attend them.

He entered on his duties at Botriphnie on 1st October. When he presented himself at the Presbytery according to appointment "the day being short and the Presbytery but thinly convened, the Presbytery remitted him to teach the school until called for by the Presbytery." His salary as schoolmaster was twelve bolls of meal. He became a student of Divinity in 1736, and resigned the school in June 1739. He was licensed by the Presbytery of Fordyce on 11th June 1741, was appointed Royal Bounty missionary at Portsoy in 1747, was ordained minister of Ordiquhill on 25th
February 1750, and was translated to Rothes on 24th March 1763, where he died on 20th May 1788.

Andrew Ogilvie, brother of the preceding, became schoolmaster in June 1739, when his brother left, but was never formally admitted by the Presbytery. He was a student at King's College, Aberdeen, from 1737 to 1741. He resigned the school - where his salary was 20 merks Sc. - at Martinmas 1748, and became a student of theology under the Associate (Burgher) Presbytery; he was ordained in September 1751 Burgher minister at Wigtown, where he died on 25th April 1783, aged 62, leaving a son, Alexander, who succeeded him at Wigtown.

Thomas Duncan, a native of Deskford, ' who graduated M.A. at King's College, Aberdeen, in 1750, became schoolmaster in May 1749, but was not examined and approved by the Presbytery till 13th March s 1751. He resigned at Whitsundav 1752. So efficiently had he carried on the school
that during his term of office his salary was increased by £5 14s 6d Sc.

John Miln, a native of Keith, entered at Whitsunday 1752, but was never admitted by the Presbytery. In April 1755 he left the parish, appointing Alexander Grant as his substitute. On 1st June 1755, "the Session considering that Mr Miln is now bound apprentice to a Doctor of Medicine at Aberdeen, where he has stayed some time, did therefore make choice of Mr Grant to succeed him." In 1761 Mr Miln was a physician in Portsoy.

Alexander Grant taught in place of Mr Miln from April 1755 till February 1758. He was examined and approved by the Presbytery on 11th September 1755.

William Gordon, son of James Gordon, Mortlach, graduated M.A. at Marischal College, Aberdeen, in 1761. He became schoolmaster of Botriphnie in 1759 at Whitsunday, and resigned in 1761. He entered Divinity, and became minister of Glenlivet 1767, and later of Urquhart parish (Elgin) in 1768. He died on 18th July 1810.

Hugh Shearer was a native of Keith, and graduated King's College, Aberdeen, in 1764. After due examination by the Presbytery, he was admitted schoolmaster of Botriphnie on 24th June 1761. He was licensed on 23rd October 1770, and resigned the school in 1778. He later became Royal Bounty missionary at Cairnie and ultimately minister of Lonmay in 1807. He died on 22nd February 1810.

Alexander Thomson was also a native of Keith and graduate of King's College, Aberdeen, in 1779. He was examined and admitted schoolmaster of the parish on 1st April 1778. He resigned in December 1782 on becoming schoolmaster of Mortlach. As was customary, Mr Thomson was also session clerk and precentor, and following on his appointment this entry was made in the Session records - "The Session finding that every necessary of life was becoming considerably dearer than formerly, and that the wages of every class of people was advanced, upon that account they agreed to augment the Session Clerk's fee four pounds Scots yearly, but reserved themselves a power of taking the said four pounds Scots from him again if he was not found deserving."

George Grant, a native of Banffshire, was M.A. of King's College, Aberdeen, in 1782. He was examined and admitted as schoolmaster on 4th December 1782, and resigned in March 1783 to complete his Divinity course. He became minister of Old Machar in 1789, and later of Mortlach
in 1794. He died on 10th October 1804.

George Wilson succeeded him, and no records show his career or subsequent history further than that he was a witness on 6th August 1785 and resigned in 1788.

James Craig, a native of Aberdeenshire was a graduate of King's College, Aberdeen, in 1788. He became schoolmaster in June 1788, and left at Whitsunday 1789 to become schoolmaster of Spynie.

Deposed.

Thomas Donald, a native of Banffshire, graduated M.A. at King's College, Aberdeen, in 1790, becoming schoolmaster the same year. In consequence of a petition by the parishioners, accusing him of going to tippling houses and getting drunk in school hours and then striking the children
unmercifully, also stating that "he uses a shoemaker's foot-fang in place of a tards, which is not common to be heard of in schools, so that by this usage, the school is reduced from between 50 and 60 to only two or three children," the Presbytery met at Botriphnie on 17th June 1793, and examined witnesses, and on 9th July deposed him. On 25th June 1794, the Presbytery found that his appeals to the Synod had been dismissed, and his appeal to the General Assembly fallen from, and declared the school vacant. He was afterwards schoolmaster of Edinkillie.

That narrative takes the story down to the close of the 18th century, providing an opportunity for taking a short retrospective glance. We might refer, for instance, to the ministry in the parish of Rev. George Campbell, who was schoolmaster of Marnoch (1717), graduated at Edinburgh University in 1721, was licensed in 1722, and was presented by William Duff of Braco in 1727 to the pastoral charge of Botriphnie. He died in 1775, aged 76,
and bequeathed a sum of £625 to the S.P.C.K., a Society whose activities in the interests of education in remote districts are most noteworthy. At that time the school was in the vicinity of Kirkton House to the west of the present Parish Church, and, although they are largely obliterated, traces of it may yet be found.

Rev. Alex. Angus was settled as minister of Botriphnie in 1774. He was the second Presbyterian minister in the parish since the Revolution. His immediate predecessor, Mr Campbell, was, as we have seen, settled in 1727 and died in 1773; the preceding clergyman, Mr Chalmers, was an Episcopalian; he became minister of Botriphnie in 1682, but notwithstanding the ecclesiastical heat of the times, he was permitted, by reason of his
own character and the moderation of the Presbytery, to enjoy the living until his death in 1727, although he did not conform. It was during Mr Angus's ministry that the present church was built in 1820. He lived till 1829 and died at the age of 85, in the 57th year of his ministry, as is recorded on a marble slab in the north wall of the church. Mr Angus wrote on more than one occasion of the parish in which he was settled in 1774. In one production he proceeds, so far as concerns the subject of these papers, to say that -

There is a parochial schoolmaster whose salary is 12 bolls of meal, and £2 stg. for acting as session-clerk. The boys are taught reading, writing and accounts. It was much the fashion formerly to instruct them in Latin and send them to the University, but whatever advantage this might be to the individual it was a loss to the society, who was thereby drained of useful hands that are now more profitably employed in agriculture and manufactures.

Mr Angus has, elsewhere, something more to say concerning his parish -

There is a legal parish school; the salary of the achoolmaster 12 bolls of meal; £2 stg. as session-clerk; 6d for every baptism; 1s for every marriage; Is 6d a quarter for every scholar. The number of scholars from 20 to 30. The children are taught reading, English and writing; a few of them instructed in the principles of arithmetic; but the Latin language not so commonly taught at the parochial schools as formerly; though in general the schoolmasters are sufficiently qualified for that purpose. This is of great consequence to ministers' children as their narrow livings could not afford to board them in the town while at the grammar school. . . . My own family is very numerous; I have two sons and five daughters, and have been married 13 years.

When a later incumbent, Mr Masson, came to write of his parish in 1841, all that he says in the course of a meagre account on the matter of education is that -

"The only schools are the parochial school and a female school for sewing, knitting, and elementary reading. Salary of the parochial schoolmaster, £30. Amount of fees actually paid to him, £7 per annum. He is also entitled to a share of the Dick Bequest."

Schoolmaster for 50 Years.

To resume the narrative of the parish dominies, Peter Cameron was a native of the county, M.A. of King's College in 1801, and became schoolmaster in 1800 in succession to Thomas Donald, whose deposition has been noted. He was licensed May 5, 1809. He lived till 70 years of age, and taught in the parish for 50 years. He died in July 1853. He had the longest term of service of any schoolmaster of the parish, and, in his time, naturally saw many changes in a period in which both the Legislature and the Church were showing an increased activity in the promotion of education. The Presbytery of Strathbogie, on its part, recorded its determination "that no person who is not sufficiently qualified in every respect for the instruction of the youth, shall be admitted to a parochial school within its bounds"; the Presbytery further laid down rules which they ordained to be published from each pulpit with suitable exhortations to parents and guardians, and a copy to be shown in some conspicuous place in every school, each clergyman being instructed to see that the regulations were complied with. These "Laws of the Presbytery," dated 1804, included -

That they (schoolmasters) give punctual attendance in school from 7 o'clock in the morning till 5 afternoon from 22nd March till harvest vacation, allowing from 9 to 10 for breakfast, and from 1 to 5 for dinner. From the time of commencing after harvest till the 22nd March from 9 in the morning till 3 in the afternoon, after allowing half an hour at 12 o'clock noon for relaxation.
That the Assembly's Shorter Catechism be taught on Saturdays and the school dismissed at one o'clock.
That the harvest vacation be four weeks, to commence when harvest becomes general in the parish, and this period to be ascertained by the minister of the parish.
That due attention be paid to the morals and cleanliness of the children, and with a view to the latter that the school be regularly swept at least twice a week.

At a visitation by the Presbytery in 1819 "the committee found about 20 scholars at this school, one reading Latin, and the others engaged in arithmetic, English and writing. In all these branches, and in the catechism of our Church the scholars acquitted themselves to the satisfaction of the committee." The school, however, was found to be "in a most uncomfortable state, being too low, damp, dark and cold, and not of sufficient capacity to hold the number of scholars that may be presumed to attend from this parish, and also that the tables and seats are very improper and insufficient. On enquiring at the schoolmaster they found that he had taken no steps to obtain from the heritors the legal accommodation for the scholars." Some years later, in 1827, a University Commission met Presbyteries in the North "to enquire what schools in each area were in practice preparing young men for the University, and what branches of education were taught by the schoolmaster." It was found that in the Presbytery of Strathbogie "Latin and Greek are taught in all parochial schools with the exception of Botriphnie and Rhynie," and further, "that the schoolmaster of Botriphnie is qualified to teach these languages, but the school is so insufficient that it is almost deserted ; a new one, however, is now erecting." In 1828 the heritors awoke to the state of dilapidation to which had fallen the old school to the west of the Parish Church, and they sanctioned the building of a new school, which is now the present schoolhouse, the ground floor being used as the school, equipped with teacher's desk and long forms, and the upper flat the schoolmaster's domicile-sitting-room, study and bedroom. The plot in front of the present schoolhouse was the playground. There are yet alive those who recall these arrangements, and who received their education in the three Rs in the room subsequent to Mr Cameron's tenure.

Mr Cameron was still schoolmaster when in 1830 the Session and heritors fixed the salary, at £30 stg., being somewhat more than the price of 1³/₄ chalders of oatmeal at £17 2s 2¹/₄d per chalder, and ordained that to be paid by the heritors according to their respective valued rents. Though
getting up in years Mr Cameron, wishing to satisfy the requirements imposed on .schoolmasters by Synod and Presbyteries and the Dick Bequest Trust, applied for full recognition as a parochial schoolmaster, and on 27th March 1833 -

The Rev. W. Maseon introduced to the Presbytery his schoolmaster Mr Cameron who has held office for many years, but was not examined at the period of his entry. He requested the Presbytery to examine him now and declare him qualified, if they shall. The Presbytery, considering the occupancy of his office for such a length of time, more than 30 years, equivalent to the production of a presentation, which cannot now be done, proceeded to examine the said Mr Cameron in Latin, Arithmetic and English, and found him qualified for the office which he holds and entitled to his emoluments.

The "Laws of the Presbytery" of 1804, quoted above, were revised in 1833, "having fallen into desuetude owing in a great measure to their being impracticable" and new regulations for parochial schoolmasters within the bounds were promulgated -

1. That they (schoolmasters) give punctual attendance in the schoolroom from 9 o'clock in the morning to 5 in the afternoon, allowing from 12 to 2 for dinner and relaxation in the landward parishes of Botriphnie, Grange, Marnoch, Rothiemay, Cairnie, Gartly, Glass, Rhynie and Mortlach, during the period from 1st April to the commencement of the harvest vacation, and in the parishes of Fochabers, Keith and Huntly, containing populous villages, from 7 to 9 o'clock in the morning, from 10 to 1 in the forenoon, and from 3 to 5 in the afternoon during the same period: the Wednesday afternoon hours being allowed for relaxation during the summer months. And from the time of convening after harvest till 1st April from half-past 9 in the morning to 3 o'clock in the afternoon, allowing from half-past 12 to I for relaxation in the aforesaid landward parishes: and in the aforementioned parishes containing villages from 9 to I o'clock for the forenoon meeting, and from 2 to 4 for the afternoon.

2. That the harvest vacation be 4 weeks, to commence when the harvest becomes general in the parish, and this period to be ascertained by the minister; intimation then to be transmitted by him to the schoolmaster in writing. That the Christmas holidays be from Christmas to New Year's day inclusive, and that no other vacation or holidays be allowed except by the special consent of the minister.

3. That the Holy Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments be read every day as a regular exercise by the scholars: that the school be opened and closed every day with prayer by the teacher, and that the Assembly Shorter Catechism be taught on Saturdays, and the scholars dismissed at I o'clock.

4. That proper attention be paid to the morals and cleanliness of the scholars and with a view to the latter that the schoolroom be regularly swept every day before the hour of convening.

The above to be published from each pulpit with suitable exhortations to the heads of families, and parents: and a legible copy be fixed in a conspicuous place in every schoolroom.

As time went on the school seems to have fallen into disrepute, for in 1846 the number of pupils had gone down to an alarming degree, calling for special inquiry. Several causes may be given for the decrease, but most prominent was the fact that there were still and had been for years, several dames' schools in the parish, while a church school, first at .Forkins, and later at Blackhall, catered for the teaching of the three Rs, supplemented with classes in sewing. The Presbytery report of May 1846 on the parochial school is that "they found the attendance miserably small, for which deficiency in numbers Mr Cameron could give no satisfactory account. The advancement made by the pupils was also by no means satisfactory, and upon the whole, the Committee felt bound to express to the Presbytery their conviction that the school of Botriphnie is in a very inefficient state indeed as a seminary of education."

Later inquiry showed that this was largely due to Mr Cameron's advancing years and physical condition. For some years assistants acted for short periods, these including Wm. Masson, a Scott bursar at the University, and son of the minister of the parish; Wm. Gregor, M.A.; John Skene, M.A.; and Wm. Robb, M.A., the last-named, belonging to Keith, coming from Peterhead, where he had previously been teaching. At length, arrangements were made that allowed Mr Cameron to retire, but he did not live long to enjoy his allowance.

Shorter Tenures.

Mr Cameron was succeeded by Alexander Carmichael, who was appointed in September 1853. He was a native of Botriphnie, educated at Keith under James Smith; he was a first bursar at Aberdeen and after graduating became schoolmaster of Botriphnie. He was much handicapped through ill-health, and died in November 1859. During his term of office, in 1857, the Presbytery agreed that schools should be given a holiday on Saturdays "as being in the interests of education and of benefit to teachers and scholars."

Mr Carmichael was succeeded at Botriphnie by Donald Stewart, appointed in January 1860. He was a graduate of King's College. His father was farmer at Davidston House, on the Drummuir estates. His influence as an educational factor in the parish is still fresh in the minds of those who were under him. He resigned in 1867, and in the following year became the valued minister of King Edward, where, after his death in 1893, a tablet was erected in the church commemorating his long and much appreciated pastoral services. Mr Stewart attended Divinity classes at Aberdeen while headmaster of Botriphnie, and during these periods had a locum in charge of the school, William Morrison, M.A., a native of Grange, born at Nethermills in that parish about 1836. He graduated at King's College, Aberdeen, before the fusion of the Colleges. He went to Jamaica about 1861 as master in the Collegiate School there, and in 1872 on Rev. Dr Milne leaving Jamaica to become minister of Fyvie, he became co-Principal of the Collegiate, which was then the leading educational institution in the island. Later, when the Collegiate closed, he started a school of his own in another part of the city with the same name. From about 1876 till he died he was leader writer on some of the leading newspapers of the colony. He was one of the best known and most popular men in the island, and had great influence, especially in political matters. For a number of years his abilities were prominent as a "coach" to many successful scholars in Jamaica, who subsequently matriculated at McGill's and other American Colleges.

Mr Stewart was succeeded by John Christie Strachan, younger son of James Strachan, Mathematical master in Milne's Institution, Fochabers. He was an alumnus of Aberdeen University, 1859-63, and became schoolmaster of Botriphnie in December 1867. He was much handicapped by physical weakness, and he resigned in September 1874. He was later a teacher in England, and died at West Croydon in 1898, aged 54. His father
was the author of well-known arithmetic text-books in use in schools of that period.

Mr John R. Hunter.

Mr Strachan was succeeded by John Robertson Hunter, a man of quite outstanding parts. He was a native of Crathie and enjoyed a Queen's bursary,
graduating at Aberdeen in 1874, and teaching for a time in a seminary in England before coming to Botriphnie. Under him the school made a distinct upward move in higher education; his Government reports were eloquent of efficient and thorough work, and not a few of his pupils today hold important positions in the professions and in commercial and civil life. He conducted very successful evening classes and never grudged his services for the furtherance of the education of a lad o' pairts. When he died at the early age of 45, the School Board put on record the loss of one who had laid the foundation of the success of many students, and their high sense of the ability and faithfulness with which he had discharged all his duties, these pertaining to a variety of parochial offices in addition to that of schoolmaster.

Mr Hunter was not a schoolmaster only, although in the prosecution of his profession he won very successful results. He was a gifted man of letters, and was an extensive contributor to the periodical literature of the day. His father was in the employment of Queen Victoria at Balmoral, and he was himself employed for a time as a Page in the Royal Household. Giving evidence of ability and evincing a desire for education, he was sent back to
school and made such progress that this was followed by his going to Aberdeen University, where, as we have said, he held one of the Queen's bursaries. He graduated in Arts, and received as his first appointment the position of a teacher in a high-class school in Middlesex. Turning his eyes to his native hills, he became, in 1875, headmaster of Botriphnie, where he remained till his death in 1895.

Mr Hunter was a man of pronounced individuality and of wide general culture. The position that he came to occupy in the parish was illustrated by his appointment to the offices of inspector of poor, registrar and session-clerk. In the issue of "Harper's Magazine" for the same month in which he died there appeared an article from his pen, entitled "Queen Victoria's Highland Home," in which there were shown to advantage the fine descriptive powers that he had at command. He was a contributor also to "Chambers' s Journal" and other popular magazines. We quote a few lines from the article in "Harper's," to which reference has been made -

On this hill, called Craig-Gowan, there is reared, after the Highland custom, an imposing and substantial cairn of dry stones in commemoration of every Royal marriage in the family. Hence, also, blaze forth to all the country round bonfires in honour of any great national event. The first of these was for the fall of Sebastopol. Immediately to the rear of Craig-Gowan rises the higher Craig-Lourachan (Foxes' Hill) capped by a large pyramid of dry dressed granite to the memory of Albert the Good. The idea, if nothing else about it, is Egyptian. It is a mere molehill compared with Cheops, but the workmanship and material are excellent. A built-in tablet, with an inscription ending in a text that has sorely exercised the narrow orthodoxy of a schismatic section of the Scottish Church, leaves to future generations no room for doubt as to the signification of the monumental pile. From the hill-top the view of the Dee valley is pleasantly extensive, and on an August afternoon the Queen rides thither to "survey her empire and behold her home," to drink in the wild sweetness of her hills and their honey-scented heath, and - who can doubt - to muse on the chastening sorrow of her life

In the same article Mr Hunter described a torch dance—

After a successful deer-shooting, one of the sights of the season at Balmoral or Abergeldie Castle, but chiefly at the latter, is a deer dance, wherein the deer do not dance but lie impassive and dead enough, head and tail, in numbers of two, three or more, at the chief entrance. After the Royal dinner - and the darker the night the better - long heavy torches, called "sownacks," made of splints of dry log fir, bound together with green birken withes, are lighted and held aloft by a number of stalwart kilted Highlanders, a piper or two, splendidly radiant in tartan and silver, strike up a march, and the Royal sportsmen, accompanied by the Princesses, and the ladies and gentlemen of their suite, go forth into the lurid circle to view the trophies of the day. After inspection and remarks, a torch is handed to each of the Princes, invariably dressed in full Highland costume, four or more of whom take their places at the head of a long line of jagers, keepers, foresters and gillies, each with a flaming torch, to dance a reel. A piper manipulates a strathspey and reel from his drones and chanter, and all foot the light fantastic "Highland Fling," with whoops and yells and wild hurrahs. To the quick pulsations of "Monymusk" and "Hulachan," tartan kilts and plaids, brawny limbs and jewelled belts and dirks fleet and whirl in wild yet measured confusion beneath the lines of scintillating flame. But the powers of muscle and lung soon flag on the dull gravelly surface that serves for dancing floor. A bonfire is made of the "sownack" stumps amid a chorus of cheers that resound far through the dark welkin. Jingling glasses are charged with the "strong wine" of the country, and emptied to toasts by the dancers; then royalty seeks its bed chamber, the great clock overhead chimes forth some hour near mid-night, and the grand spectacular display is over - for a night.

Later Teachers.

After Mr Hunter's death the school came into the hands of Mr James Innes, M.A., a native of Glenlivet, in which parish he received his early education, partly at Morinsh under Mr Troup, the first schoolmaster in the then new school, and partly in Tomnavoulin, under Messrs Lorimer and Clark. He passed to Keith school, where he studied under Dr Grant, and obtained in competition a bursary at Aberdeen University. In 1893 he graduated in Arts, having combined with his University curriculum a two years' course of training in the Church of Scotland Training College under Dr Joseph Ogilvie.

At the Christmas examination (1892) he obtained 3rd place in the First Class. At once he returned to Keith, where he taught as one of the masters for two years. In 1895 he took charge of Botriphnie school, where, as the reports of H.M. Inspectors testified, he ably maintained the high standard reached by his predecessor. When one thinks of the bright pupils that passed through the school at that period, such names arise in one's mind as Barclay, Dey, Grant, Milne, Morrison, Jamieson, and Robertson. The Humphrey bursaries had come into operation just before Mr Innes left the district, but he ever strove to encourage advanced subjects. Nor did he forget the adolescent population in the matter of evening classes, and at all times he identified himself with what made for the real welfare of the parish. Mr Innes resigned in September 1904 to become headmaster of the school at Alford, a post that he continues to hold with ability and success.

Mr Innes was succeeded by the present headmaster, Mr Stuart Wilson, who for the past 21 years has carried on the educational activities of the parish in an admirable way. Born in Keig, where his father, a native of Cairnie, was V. S. on the Forbes estates, he was educated at Huntly under Dr George Smith. He enjoyed a Brander bursary at Huntly and a Drum bursary at Aberdeen. Graduating in 1893 he was for a time assistant at Dufftown, and for three years was assistant in the Miller Institution, Thurso, where he organised highly successful evening classes. For two years he was headmaster at Dunbeath, and he then succeeded Mr Joseph Kirton as headmaster of Glenrinnes, the roll there then averaging over 90 pupils. The ambition for education was still reflected in the pupils, following the successful work of an illustrious roll of schoolmasters who had served in the
Glen, and to-day many attribute their success in the professions and in business to the thorough training given them by Mr Wilson and his predecessors during their services there. Of those who then went direct from the Glen school to the University there are recalled such names as
those of James Mackie, M.A., B.Sc., for some time an organiser in the Agricultural College, Aberdeen, and now holding a similar post in England; Douglas Bruce, M.B., Ch.B., now in the Indian Medical Service; Isabella Grant, M.A., latterly teacher of Modern Languages at Dunbar Academy; Annie B. Green, M.A., latterly assistant at Rickarton school; Peggy McConnachie, M.A., assistant under Durham Education Authority; and Georgina
Murray, late headmistress at Craigellie. Mr Wilson. organised summer trips for the scholars of the Glen, and in a variety of ways gave of his best in the interests of the community.

On going to Botriphnie, he soon in like manner became closely associated with the educational interests and progress of the parish, and though, in common with other rural districts, recent years have reduced the number of pupils, owing to depopulation and migration, the record of the school
over many years has been of a gratifying kind, a valuable aid to that end being found in the bursaries open to its pupils. Mr Wilson has had particularly good results from his evening class work, in the promotion of which he has to excellent purpose exercised his activities. During the war years he received recognition from the General Assembly and the Presbytery as a Lay Reader, and at that time and since then he has been a familiar and
appreciated figure in northern pulpits. In 1906 the school was raised to a three-teacher grade, which it still is. Belonging to the past score of years is a most gratifying record of distinguished pupils, who received their early education at Botriphnie, testifying to the admirable work that continues to be its characteristic.

In 1878 the first female ex-pupil teacher was appointed to teach, in addition to the infant classes, industrial work and singing, and generally to assist in the work of the school. This was Miss Mary Fraser, Invergordon, and when she resigned in 1880, she was succeeded by Miss Margaret Taylor, Aberdeen (1880-83), and she in turn by Miss Mary Rutherford, Dufftown (1883-84). Miss Jessie Burgess, Blackhall, Botriphnie, was appointed
monitress in 1884 and pupil teacher till 1888. when she left for the Free Church Normal College, where she had a fine career in her classes. Miss Burgess after her training was appointed assistant in her native parish school, a post she held till her resignation in 1898 through failing health. Other assistants have been Mary Milne (1898-1900); Eliza J. Kemp, Dufftown (1900-01); Helen J. Strachan (1901-05), daughter of the late Mr J.
Strachan, station agent, Auchindachy, and who left Botriphnie to go in succession to the schools of Alford and Inverurie: Margaret Davidson, Fife-Keith (1905-08), now infant mistress in Stonehaven Academy ; Alice Middleton, Aberdeen (1907-08); P. C. Neish, Huntly, interim in 1909, married to Dr Stewart, late of Dufftown, now in Hamilton; E. J. Grant, Auchindoun (1909-16); Miss Ross, Dufftown (1916-17); Jean A. Gregson, Craigellachie (1917-20), now infant mistress at Auchinblae, Kincardine; Janet Moir, Dufftown (1900-22), married to Mr J. R. Smedley, Inland Revenue, late of Dufftown; Miss Swapp, Aberdeen (interim), March to July 1922, now assistant under Aberdeen Education Authority; and Miss
Elizabeth Green, Keith, from August 1922 to the present date, and formerly mistress at Forgie school, Keith. Junior assistants have been Miss M. Silver, Aberdeen, March to June 1907 ; Miss Adeline Irvine, Macduff (1907-09), now married in South Africa; and Jeannie M. Jamieson, Shenwell, Cairnie, from 1909 to the present time.

In earlier days the pupil teacher system was the apprentice-ground for admission to the training centres, and, as was customary, promising pupils were enrolled as monitors, or monitresses, being afterwards, if satisfactory, promoted as pupil teachers. Though the remuneration was small, the training received laid the foundation for subsequent careers in the teaching profession, while the prospective aspirants were in the atmosphere of practical
teaching during the years of their apprenticeship. The following roll of pupils, who served as monitresses, many of whom had successful records as teachers after training in the Colleges, testifies to the encouragement given to brilliant pupils in School Board days: - Jessie Burgess (1884-88), Eliza Milne (1888-94), Jane Morrison (1894-98), Jemima Robertson (1897-99), Janet Humphrey (1899-1904), Eliza Stevenson (1901-1904), Anna Newlands (1903-1904), and Mary Ann Kemp (1904), who gained 1st class King's Scholarship on entering the Training College.

Extra-Parochial Schools.

Many interesting reminiscences might be written of the old dames' schools in the parish, well-known in the latter part of the 18th century and the early half of the 19th. There is remembered "Cissy" Wilson's school at Sauchenward, which was well-known in its day, conducted by Miss Wilson. The "Foggy" school, an unpretentious cottage at Forkins, was taught by Miss Grant, whose stepfather is said to have built it for her use. It was so called for its unique structure, being lined with fog, with walls of turf and stone. For many years this institution found considerable favour, and was the female school of the parish, where sewing was an important subject taught. Later, a more substantial building was built at Blackhall by Major Duff of Drummuir, known as the "Timmer" school, where Miss Grant continued her work for many years, till later a stone and lime building took its place on the same stance.

On the opposite side of the road, where there is now a dwelling-house, Miss Panton's school was also carried on for many years as a female or dames' sewing school. Later it was carried on by Miss Black. The building was remodelled in later years by the proprietor, and was the female
school conducted by Miss Hepburn when the School Board took it over in 1874.

Perhaps of older date was the Allenach school, taught by Miss Anderson as a dames' institution. She lived to be an old woman, and taught chiefly Scripture lessons in reading and spelling, the Bible being the only text-book, and "Proverbs" her favourite theme.

Nor was the Bodenfinnoch district neglected in schools, for that part of Botriphnie was then thickly populated with crofts. It is recorded that a school
was begun at Gateside, facilities being granted by Admiral Duff of Drummuir to James McIntosh, a Waterloo veteran, formerly of Newburgh Croft. Mr McIntosh was old and retired, but saw the need for some kind of instruction being given in that outlying district. For many years he taught the three R's, and died at the age of 90, and is buried in Botriphnie churchyard. After his death a female school was carried on, also in that district, by Miss Annie Kinnaird, in a small hill croft on the borders of Drummuir and Auchiunkart estates. This lady was a daughter of the schoolmaster of Mortlach, and her instruction seems to have been popular, the seminary being many miles from any other recognised school. She taught there for long till the building was condemned as ruinous and it was abolished when the School Boards came into operation. For some years she continued to carry on teaching in the Kininvie district on the borders of Botriphnie and Mortlach, and several may recall her humble building in the neighbourhood of Loch Park, no traces, however, of her abode being now discernible.

In 1873, when the work of the School Board began, a census revealed 146 children of school age in the parish, of whom 22 attended the public school, 34 Drummuir female school, 29 Forkins female school, 17 Windyraw school (Cairnie), 5 Milton school, Auchendoune (Mortlach), 3 Shandston school (Boharm), 2 Mrs Moir's female school (Boharm), 1 Miss Guthrie's female school (Glass), and 2 were educated privately. The first
officer of the Board was Mr Alex. Grant, crofter, Bodenfinnoch, and he held the appointment for no less than 40 years. The two schools under the management of the Board were the public school and Drummuir female school at Blackhall. The latter up to this time had been supported by Major Gordon Duff, and was now leased to the Board, the teacher, Miss Hepburn, Inversnaid, coming into the service of the new parochial body. Figures would go to show that this school was the more popular of the two. When Miss Hepburn resigned in 1874 her school was taken over by the proprietor and converted into a dwelling-house, which it still is, the scholars being transferred to the public school, which became the one school in the parish. In addition to these two, there was in the parish in 1875, the Forkins school, with 29 pupils, but in course of the years it lapsed into a dames' or sewing school and was removed from Forkins to Blackhall, the last teacher being Miss Grant. The public school then stood on the site of the
present building, but with the addition of the Drummuir pupils it had to be enlarged in 1875, the happy scholars getting a vacation of no less than 16 weeks while the work was under wav. The architect was Mr F. D. Robertson, Fife-Keith and the building is perhaps unique amongst rural schools in its fine tower, after an Early English design, giving a look of distinction to the parish educational seminary.

Some Sons of the Parish.

Mr James Stewart, Midthird, was the first chairman of the Board. He was succeeded in 1876 by Rev. R. Grant, who held the post till 1885 when he was succeeded by Rev. Alex. McKay who was chairman for 21 years, and to whose sound judgment, together with a Board gifted with prevision, are due the present finely equipped buildings which take a foremost place in the county amongst rural schools. Owing to the increase of pupils a monitor was appointed in 1874 when Mr Hunter came. This was William Stewart Thomson, who was the first male pupil teacher in the school. Mr Thomson was born in Boharm in 1859, and his parents were crofters in Botriphnie. He entered Aberdeen University in 1879 and was secretary of the Arts class of the year, editing its Record in 1913. He took prizes in Latin and Greek and was second for the Seafield Gold Medal in English. After graduation, he intended to go through the Divinity Hall, but the death of his father and domestic needs made him enter the teaching profession. He was for a time headmaster of the Civil Service Military Academy in Belfast. In 1887 he acquired the College at 10 North Silver Street, Aberdeen, which he renamed The Aberdeen Civil Service and Business College. A man of abounding enterprise, he was one of the first in Scotland to specialise in tuition for the Civil Service, and to supplement his day and evening classes by correspondence lessons to students in every part of the globe - as far
away as Manchuria and the Falkland Islands. He was an omnivorous reader, and his languages included French, German, Italian, Dutch, Norwegian, Flemish, Hebrew, Latin, and Greek. His beautiful script, with copybooks he prepared, has been the model for several generations of students, while his Civil Service Handbooks enjoyed a wide popularity. In addition he found time to write weekly columns on scholastic subjects for a number of newspapers, and occasionally he gave lectures to learned bodies. In 1916, although over 50, he realised his life-long ambition by entering the Divinity Hall of Aberdeen University. He stood first or second in every class, and he was duly licensed by the Presbytery of Aberdeen. Unfortunately, the strain of the years, particularly when, owing to the war, he was carrying on his school almost single-handed, doing much public work as a member of Aberdeen Town Council and other bodies, and also attending Divinity classes, had undermined his constitution, and he died in October 1918, aged 58, having been a licentiate of the Church for only four months. In his memory, his widow gave to the University Court a sum of £700, the interest to provide a Stewart Thomson Bursary in the Faculty of Divinity.

A sum of money bequeathed for the promotion of female education in the parish was under the administration of the kirk session and the proprietor of Drummuir, who granted the bequest. In 1883 it was invested to provide for a pupil, a bursary tenable for three years, for higher education, to be known as the Duff or Drummuir Bursary, which now is one of the county intermediate bursaries. This provided encouragement and stimulus to pupils going forward to Training College or University, and has resulted in many scholars of promise entering different professions.

The school has also been fortunate in the Humphrey Bequest. Mr Alex. Humphrey was a native of the parish, to trade a carpenter at Forkins (Mr Dey's), and emigrated to New Zealand, where he made "good." On his visits to his native parish, he provided prizes and medals to the school, and on his death in New Zealand in 1902, he left a bequest of £2000 to the School Board to be apportioned for bursaries and a gymnasium or hall for physical drill in connection with the school. This provides annually a bursary of £14, tenable for three years, which has been extended to £10 for four years at a higher grade school. After negotiations, the School Board, as managers, built a hall in 1905 to the north side of the main school building, and equipped it as a gymnasium with all accessories. It is a decided asset to the efficiency and equipment of the buildings.

The Humphrey Bursary paved the way for the careers of many distinguished scholars, all, in turn, proceeding from Botriphnie to Keith Grammar School to pursue their studies. The first bursar was Miss Jeannie Barclay, Stripeside, who, after winning the dux medal at Keith, entered Aberdeen University as sixth bursar, and won numerous class distinctions, graduating M.A. with Honours in Mathematics and Natural Philosophy and B.Sc. with distinction in Mathematics and Geology. She attended the Cambridge Training College for Secondary Teachers, and won the 1st class Diploma for teaching from Cambridge University Teachers' Syndicate with special distinction in the Practice of Education. She taught in succession at the schools of Keith and Huntly, and is now married to Mr John Trail Stephen, M.A., Science Master at Buckie school.

Men who have risen to positions of usefulness and distinction had their early training at the school of Botriphnie. There is recalled the name of Dr James Johnstone, the son of a local tailor, who studied to be a missionary at Spurgeon's Baptist College and went out to Jamaica after he had also gone through Medicine. He was a member of an expedition that traversed Africa from west to east, and he returned to Jamaica, where he died. His son is still in the island, and carries on the mission work so faithfully performed by his distinguished father. Of a later date is Lewis Morrison Grant, born at Loch Park, and who died in 1892 after having been at the University for only two years. He published a collection of verses of high merit, and a short sketch of his all too brief life has been written. Mr George Stewart, son of the late Mr James Stewart, Midthird, was a pupil of Mr Strachan. On leaving school he went into business, and then went to the Universitv, where he graduated with distinction and entered Divinity. He is now U.F. minister of Cairns Memorial Church, Uddingston, Edinburgh. John McIntosh was a native of the parish, the son of parents of humble working-class.
He learned the shoemaking trade with the local "sutor" at Newburgh, Botriphnie, and going to Turriff to pursue it, there got associated with the local Mutual Improvement Society, which gave him a taste for literary work. On going to Aberdeen, he underwent various changes of business, and ultimately started a stationer's shop, still pursuing literary work, and getting access to records in the University and public libraries. He wrote the "History of Civilisation in Scotland," a standard work at that date, and was honoured by the University of Aberdeen with the honorary degree of LL.D. He was the author also of a historical and descriptive account of the Valley of the Deveron, and he wrote other books that won him high credit.
In the report of H.M. Inspector of 1889 on Botriphnie school there occurs the remark that "The amount of higher work done in this school is one of its distinguishing features, showing thorough grounding and solid attainments. A pupil who received the bulk of his training in it stood 12th on the list of successful competitors at Aberdeen University bursary competition in October 1888." This refers to Rev. John Garrow Duncan, B.D., born in Botriphnie in 1872, and an M.A. (1892) and a B.D. of Aberdeen. In both Faculties he had a bright career as a student.
In later years he has made a great name for himself in exploration work in the East. He won the Blackie Travelling Scholarship of 1894-95, and was appointed interim director of Excavations at Nippur, Babylonia in 1895-96. He has also had the supervision of important excavations in ancient Egypt. The years he spent as minister of Macduff are still remembered with pleasure, and he now holds the position of minister of the parish of Kirkmichael. At the moment of writing this record Mr Duncan is engaged in exploration work at Jerusalem, the Kirk-Session of Kirkmichael and the Presbytery of Abernethy having granted him leave of absence for two years for the work. At the inauguration of the Hebrew University at Jerusalem on April 1, 1925, by Lord Balfour, Mr Duncan represented the University of Aberdeen. Both by his writings and by his practical work over a number of years in the East, Mr Duncan occupies a leading position in this important and interesting department of research.

Through the generosity of Mrs Gordon-Duff of Drummuir, a hot dinner scheme was started in the winter of 1897 for the benefit of the scholars, and for many years this privilege was enjoyed, till merged later in a hot cocoa scheme, which has for years been kept up by local voluntary contributions, concerts and entertainments, organised by the headmaster and staff annually. For years, too, a prize fund was likewise kept going, but of late this has
been exchanged for a summer trip to the scholars.

NOTE:

Firkin - a small beer cask, holding nine Imperial gallons (72 pints).
Firlot - 1 bushel in Imperial measure (about 36 litres in the case of crops such as wheat, peas, beans and meal, and about 53 litres in the case of barley, oats and malt.)
Boll - (¹/₂ qr Imperial) 4 firlots
Chalder - 16 bolls.
To convert Scotch money to English money divide by 12.

ALEXANDER HUMPHREY
A Generous Benefactor

Alexander Humphrey was born at Towiemore on 15 May 1837 in the Parish of Botriphnie. He started his life as an apprentice carpenter at Forkins, before emigrating from Scotland to New Zealand in 1862 where he continued to work as a carpenter and ultimately invested in land, his speculation proving very profitable. In 1900, after selling off the greater part of his three farms, he paid a visit to his native parish. In November of that year he married Miss Jeannie Robb daughter of the late Mr James Robb, draper, Keith and returned to New Zealand with his wife. Regretfully Mrs Humphrey only enjoyed her new home for about a year, when she died. The following year Alexander Humphrey died following an operation for appendicitis.

Following his death on 24 Oct 1902, the trustees of the School Board received a letter from a firm of solicitors in Timaru, New Zealand intimating that under the late Mr Humphrey's will a bequest was made in favour of the Botriphnie School Board of a sum of £2000, which was to be devoted to founding scholarships at the Botriphnie School and for the erection of swimming baths or a gymnasium.

Prior to his death Mr Humphrey donated prizes to the scholars at Botriphnie School. This along with his donation of £2000 was testimony to the deep and heartfelt interest he had in the affairs of his native parish, particularly of the young, who were not to be precluded from pursuing their studies.