Shenwell School Summer Outing circa June/July 1939. By Jean Mark, Pitlurg.

Shenwell School lies approx. 2 miles east of Drummuir. It was closed around the mid 1950s and is now a privately owned house. In the late 1930s almost 30 children, from the surrounding area received their Primary School education here. Once a year, at the end of the Summer term the children, often accompanied by brothers, sisters, mums and dads, enjoyed a Summer outing.

The photograph shows the trippers at Auchindachy Station some with buckets and spades, waiting for the train to take them to Lossiemouth. Many of the children were driven to the station on horse-drawn vehicles. The carts, holding about 10/12 children, had been specially scrubbed out for the occasion and the beautiful Clydesdale horses had their manes and tails tied up with raffia and their brasses polished for the event. At this time Bomakelloch Farm still had 6 or 7 Clydesdales, but changes were afoot as the first tractors were bought in the late 1930s and would soon replace these lovely animals.

The train journey went via Loch Park and Elgin to Lossiemouth and the children walked from the station to the beach where they enjoyed games and races. The highlight of the afternoon, a once yearly treat, was the slider. This ice-cream was a real delight. After the fun and games on the beach a picnic was another treat. Then a walk back to the station to the final excitement, a trip back home in the train again.

Although some of the children have left the area, many of the locals in the photograph can still be recognised. The bottom left group for example, shows three of the Christies from Edintore, five Stewarts from, Bomakelloch can be seen, and three McWilliams from Mains of Davidston. The Thains from Mossend are in evidence, as are four Greens from Davidston House and also four Wintons from Drumgrain as well as Edna Carmichael. How many kent faces can you spot?