TREASURES IN THE PLUMBER'S STORE!
When the Manciple's staff were asked in the Summer holidays to clear the Plumber's Store, they little knew what they would find in a large, locked cupboard at the back. As it was too heavy to lift, they broke it open – and revealed a treasure-trove of Glenalmond's history.
Among many other things, there were 8 albums of Victorian photographs, of College buildings, Members of Council, Wardens, Masters, and boys, going back to the 1850s, each carefully named. We can now put faces to charismatic characters from the past, such as the Henderson brothers, who came to Glenalmond with the first intake in 1847, and died in the Indian Mutiny, and the Rev. Browne, who taught Maths here in the 1850s, and fought a duel with the German Master – at Glenalmond!
Space is limited, but mention must be made of a letter from Mr Gladstone, written in 1874, explaining with great tact why he is not giving more money to Coll. Fresh light is shed on the pursuits of boys in the 1860s by a letter from Warden Hannah, who had to ban the Ornithology Club, as the boys were using it as an opportunity to poach pheasants in the neighbouring woods. A prospectus of 1841 from the Cairnies Quarry tells us exactly how much was paid for the sandstone of which Coll. was built – 1/- (5p) per ton for foundation stones, for example.
Real new light is shed on Glenalmond history by this amazing find, which has almost certainly lain hidden for 51 years, since Mr St Quintin finished "The History of Glenalmond".
No wonder I came rushing back from retirement to see it!
Felicity Given - immediate past archivist
The present archivist is Elaine Mundill
