Kyles Scalpay (Caolas Scalpaigh) School

For my second foray into identifying the teachers in individual Harris schools I have selected to look at this school which was situated in Steinish adjacent to Kyles Scalpay at Grid Reference NG205982*

1841

(Donald Morrison, 42, Teacher, Tarbert, b. Inverness )

(Together with his Wife and 8 children)

1851

Donald Morrison, 60, Schoolmaster, Kyles Scalpay, Father, b. Harris)

(Neil Morrison, 15, Scholar, Head, b. Harris)

(Jessie Morrison, 17, Scholar, Daughter, b. Harris)

(Christina Morrison, 60, Schoolmaster's Wife, Tarbert, b. Harris)

(Together with Daughter, Granddaughter and Servant)

1861

(Donald Morrison, 70, Retired Schoolmaster, East Tarbert, b. Harris)

(Wife, Daughter and 4 Grandchildren)

1871

Susan Mcleod, 37, Teacher, Wife, House at Kyles Scalpay, b. Harris

(Alexander Macleod, 40, Head, Crofter, b. Harris)

(6 children ages 1 to 16 all born in Harris)

1872 Education Act

1875 – Public School Building takes place but Kyles Scalpay not identified as one of these.

1881

Mary Campbell, 21, School Mistress, Kyles Scalpay 48, b. Ardchattan, Argyllshire

1891

Jessie C McLaren, 23, Teacher of Elementary School, School house, Kyles Scalpay, b. Dull, Perth

(Annie Keir, 10, Scholar, Cousin, b. Dunfermline, Fife Shire)

1901

John Macleod, 35, Teacher (English), Kyles Scalpay School, b. Barvas, Ross-shire

(Ann Macleod, 29, General Servant (Domestic), Sister, b. Barvas, Ross-shire)

Pupil Numbers

1919 68

1929 49

1938 43

1950 22

1958 06

1960 CLOSED

The first teacher that we have clearly living and working in Kyles Scalpay was Donald Morrison. He and his wife, Christina Mackinnon are known to me because their youngest daughter, Lexy Morrison (1835-1921) married my '1st Cousin 4 times removed' Angus Kerr (1826-1910) both of whom were employed by the Factor John Robson Macdonald at Rodel.

Donald was in Kyles in 1851 but I cannot say who, if anyone, was teaching there in 1841 and 1861.

However, in 1871 Crofter's wife and mother of 6, Susan McLeod ,was teaching in Kyles to be followed in 1881 by Mary Campbell, in 1891 by Jessie C McLaren and in 1901 John Macleod.

We can see that, despite the healthy school roll of 1919, numbers fell into decline and the school finally closed in 1960 ending at least 110 years of educational provision in Kyles Scalpay.

Note: *Many thanks to ADB44 for identifying the site of the school.