 | 8 |
 | Unknown |
 | 1958 |
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Achnamara
The village of Achnamara at head of Loch Sween - No Knapdale - Argyll
(c)The Scotsman Publications Ltd. Licensor www.scran.ac.uk.
Picture Added on 08 February 2007.
Comments
Further to my initial contribution I thought it may be interesting to note that in 1952 the monthly rent was £1.14.0 (£1.70) in modern terms.I notice that No4 Achnamara is for sale at a fixed price of £155, 000 - quite a difference in values. In 1952 the weekly wage was £3.00 though some of the adults were on piece work for felling. In thse days there was neither Gas or Electricity so all the heating and cooking was provided by the Raeburn Cooker plus a plentiful supply of logs whilst lighting came from Tilley lamps.There were no Transistor radios either so every Saturday I cycled into the Ironmonger shop in Lochgilphead to get two Accumulator Batteries charged up for the wireless. Us young folk used to cycle to places like Bellanoch, Kilmartin.Tayvallich, Lochgilphead or Ardrishaig to dance till 2 or 3 o'clock in the morning before cycling back in time to get the Forestry lorry to work about 7am - I don't know how we did it!
Added by Donald Ferguson on 17 March 2009.
Added by Donald Ferguson on 17 March 2009.
I'm quite disappointed that no one else has posted comments so I'll add some more information.Sometime in 1953 the residents decided that we should try to have a Village Hall and to this end the Forestry Commission agreed to let us have some land just opposite the Post Office/Shop but the site would have to be cleared by ourselves. In order to have funds to pay for the structure itself all kinds of events were organised over a period of months. My father, Donald, had an old Jowet Javelin car and he would go into Lochgilphead each Saturday and get a container of Ice Cream and a supply of Wafers and ' Pokey Hats' and we would go round the village and neighbouring farms and houses and sell these.
Father, who was a Baker to trade also baked Teabread and Cakes and these would be sold in the Post office and in this way we gathered enough money to pay for a pre-fabricated structure. In the interim trees were felled and drains dug after the site was cleared - the hardest task was digging out the roots of the trees but thereafter things progressed quite smoothly and eventually we had our Village Hall. It was well used for fetes and occasional Dances and became a focal point for the village activities. There was no electricity in those days so Tilley Lamps were the order of the day - speaking of which reminds me that each Saturday I cycled to Lochgilphead with a Accumulator battery on each handlebar and these would be charged up and I would cycle back again, hoping I wouldn't hit any bumps and get acid all over my legs. As they used to say in the Looney Tunes Cartoons ' That's all folks'
Added by Donald Ferguson on 06 April 2009.
Father, who was a Baker to trade also baked Teabread and Cakes and these would be sold in the Post office and in this way we gathered enough money to pay for a pre-fabricated structure. In the interim trees were felled and drains dug after the site was cleared - the hardest task was digging out the roots of the trees but thereafter things progressed quite smoothly and eventually we had our Village Hall. It was well used for fetes and occasional Dances and became a focal point for the village activities. There was no electricity in those days so Tilley Lamps were the order of the day - speaking of which reminds me that each Saturday I cycled to Lochgilphead with a Accumulator battery on each handlebar and these would be charged up and I would cycle back again, hoping I wouldn't hit any bumps and get acid all over my legs. As they used to say in the Looney Tunes Cartoons ' That's all folks'
Added by Donald Ferguson on 06 April 2009.
I used to live in achnamara in 1952 until 1957. my friends were fiona shaw, alma souden and her twin sisters, one of who now lives in our old house, no 5. I have been back and visited jean mcdonald whose parents had a farm there and fiona.
Added by Joy Guthrie on 19 May 2009.
Added by Joy Guthrie on 19 May 2009.
I was at Achnamara Residential School for nearly the whole month of October in 1968. As a wee Glesga Keelie from Bridgeton I loved every minute of it. We used to walk to church on a Sunday singing hymns and 'battle hymns' of Ibrox much to the annoyance of our old teachers Miss Tood and Miss Bell.Every day was an adventure for us and I can still see the flies in the milk and remember those brilliant rambles through the forest.
Added by Charlie McDonald on 19 May 2009.
Added by Charlie McDonald on 19 May 2009.
I was at Achnamara Residential School for a whole month 1960/61 can not remember
exact month but like the note I have just read by Charlie McDonald I also loved
every minute. I was born and brought up in Townhead Glasgow so this place to me
was something else. Always promised myself one day I would go back to see if the
place was still there so I did that just the other day - June 8th 2009. I took my daughter Alison with me who is now 36 yrs old for company and all the way there I was wondering if my journey would be in vain. All the way there I was trying to remember the teachers names. I remembered Miss Todd the other one Miss Bell I could not remember her name but I could see her face as plain as yesterday.
There was another teacher many years younger than Miss Todd or Miss Bell her name was Miss Morton, I would think about 30yrs old at most. When I got there I was surprised to find the place still standing although derlict but still in not too bad condition. I took some photos although the place was overgrown but it was just as I remembered. I also mind the church Charlie mentioned but could not remember which direction it was. If I ever get back I will find it because it can not be that far as we all walked singing the same songs as Charlie and his pals, happy days.
Added by Jack Horn on 10 June 2009.
exact month but like the note I have just read by Charlie McDonald I also loved
every minute. I was born and brought up in Townhead Glasgow so this place to me
was something else. Always promised myself one day I would go back to see if the
place was still there so I did that just the other day - June 8th 2009. I took my daughter Alison with me who is now 36 yrs old for company and all the way there I was wondering if my journey would be in vain. All the way there I was trying to remember the teachers names. I remembered Miss Todd the other one Miss Bell I could not remember her name but I could see her face as plain as yesterday.
There was another teacher many years younger than Miss Todd or Miss Bell her name was Miss Morton, I would think about 30yrs old at most. When I got there I was surprised to find the place still standing although derlict but still in not too bad condition. I took some photos although the place was overgrown but it was just as I remembered. I also mind the church Charlie mentioned but could not remember which direction it was. If I ever get back I will find it because it can not be that far as we all walked singing the same songs as Charlie and his pals, happy days.
Added by Jack Horn on 10 June 2009.
Message for Jack Horn. Leaving Achnamara and going towards Ashfield Farm there is a fork on the road and if you take the road on your left you will come to a building on your right, which used to be a croft belonging to( if my memory is right) a Neil Campbell and the next on the left is the Church - I believe the sign at the fork of the road reads ' Inverlussa '.
It is encouraging to find more comments on this site, may there be many more.
Cheers Jack.
Added by Donald Ferguson on 13 June 2009.
It is encouraging to find more comments on this site, may there be many more.
Cheers Jack.
Added by Donald Ferguson on 13 June 2009.
The village hall commended on by Donald Ferguson, who is my uncle, was built, with help, by my father Robert, who was a carpenter. I still have a raffle ticket with the organisor's name on it - Robert Guthrie. I have used my maiden name in case any one remembers me. I have been reading a book, which my uncle Donald sent me, written by Marjory Scott, nee Holmes, who went to school the same time as me. I could not put the book down as it brought back so many memories. I was at school the same time as Marjory although she was older than me. I was the youngest there when I started and I loved it. The book is called "Reflections Recollections". Wouldn't it be nice if Marjory made her comment on ths site. Come on Marjory, I loved your book. Many thanks, Joy Jackson (nee Guthrie)
Added by Joy Guthrie on 16 June 2009.
Added by Joy Guthrie on 16 June 2009.
Thrilled to find this site - I so hope to visit Achnamara this October - timetables proving problematic.
Donald's comment reminded me that, when I lived in Achnamara around August 75 - August 76, I stayed at Inverlussa House (or the Manse House) where Mary Moir, the local Councillor, did bed and breakfast and sold antiques. Her husband, Lennie, was one of the earliest oyster farmers on Loch Sween at the time and lived on the island opposite. I remember a remarkable and beautiful crisp December night - with full moon - when Lennie rowed me to shore after I had delivered some Christmas presents.
I had trained as a schoolteacher in Bath (originally I'm from London) and held my first ever teaching post at Lochgilphead High School. I drove in those days and learned the art of single-track roads. There was, of course, the fateful day of the 360 degree spin on black ice - Hughie and the boys at Bellanoch Garage reckoned I had a charmed life!
I loved Achnamara and got on with many in the village - some of my own school pupils took me swimming in the Loch and where I also learned a lot about midges.
I have a reproduced sketch of Inverlussa Hose drawn by Andrew L Hunter and would happily send a copy by mail (I can't scan).
Thank you for this site - Frances Plummer - returned to London, population 10 million!
Added by Frances Plummer on 09 August 2009.
Donald's comment reminded me that, when I lived in Achnamara around August 75 - August 76, I stayed at Inverlussa House (or the Manse House) where Mary Moir, the local Councillor, did bed and breakfast and sold antiques. Her husband, Lennie, was one of the earliest oyster farmers on Loch Sween at the time and lived on the island opposite. I remember a remarkable and beautiful crisp December night - with full moon - when Lennie rowed me to shore after I had delivered some Christmas presents.
I had trained as a schoolteacher in Bath (originally I'm from London) and held my first ever teaching post at Lochgilphead High School. I drove in those days and learned the art of single-track roads. There was, of course, the fateful day of the 360 degree spin on black ice - Hughie and the boys at Bellanoch Garage reckoned I had a charmed life!
I loved Achnamara and got on with many in the village - some of my own school pupils took me swimming in the Loch and where I also learned a lot about midges.
I have a reproduced sketch of Inverlussa Hose drawn by Andrew L Hunter and would happily send a copy by mail (I can't scan).
Thank you for this site - Frances Plummer - returned to London, population 10 million!
Added by Frances Plummer on 09 August 2009.
Have greatly enjoyed all the comments on Achnamara, my family, the Livingstons are from Seafield, just 1/4 mile to the North. I now live in Alloa. Especially interested in those who were at the 'big school' Achnamara Residential School. We never got to know those who visited there, we were shy country folk and they were big city types. My grandmother came from Kent to work in the service of JP Coats, cotton barons and the former owners of what was then Achnamara House. Have a look at Neil Soudan's web site www.achnamara.co.uk. Thanks to those who suggested books, must try to run some to ground.
Added by Jeffrey Livingston on 14 August 2009.
Added by Jeffrey Livingston on 14 August 2009.
I have just discovered this site- courtesy of my brother Jeffrey (see above) who put a link on his face book page-Achnamara village hall was an important venue for us as children and thanks to Donal Ferguson and his family for getting it up and running- I didn't know all of that. My mother's older sister lived in No 1 Achnamara- our Aunt Belle- Isobel Fraser- a fearsome woman not to be disobeyed-she put terror into the hearts of all children- you played flip the kipper whether you liked it or not!! she appeared to run the hall when we were small- and I now appreciate the amazing Halloween and Christmas parties we had. We even managed an Easter Bonnet parade for a few years. My father, Jimmy Livingston, played piano accordion in a small dance band with Archie MacVicar senior- and I can't remember who else-they played regularly in the hall. We had the Highlands and Islands cinema come to visit. I can't remember any of the films but I do remember the scratchy old blackand while news reel. Not quite so far back - we had my mother's (Helen Livingston)70th birthday and my 50th parties in the hall- I must dig out some old photos and add them.
Added by Chrystine Livingston on 16 August 2009.
Added by Chrystine Livingston on 16 August 2009.
I started school in 1956 in the old schoolhouse at Asfield. The school bus was a car driven by 'Malkie' I think, and I was the only passenger. I had to walk home, a long haul for a five year old. I would wait with Libby Ann McNair at Ashfield farm till my older cousins, Catherine and Lilah Soudan (the twins mentioned earlier by Joy) came up the road. We walked to Achnamara where Aunt Peggy would give me a 'piece'and I would walk on up to Seafield. I wasn't there for long, the new school in the village opened a few months later. A few years ago I was invited to a 50 year celebration of the 'new' school and had a look at the School Roll. On the first page were my father, Jimmy Livingston and his sister, Peggy. A few pages later were the Soudans and then all of us Livingstons. Not many pages later the Roll moved to a new book and near the end was Thomas Livingston, my brother James's son from Seafield. Now Thomas is out the other end of secondary education, and there are very few kids to keep the school going.
Added by Chrystine Livingston on 16 August 2009.
Added by Chrystine Livingston on 16 August 2009.
There was an old guy who used to do the garden when I was there I believe his name was Mr.Graham and if I remember correctly he lived in the stone cottage at the small bridge in the village.We were allowed to spend the sum of nine pennies on a Tueday and a Saturday in the village shop/Post Office...plus another four pennies on a packet of crisps if we bought them over and above our sweeties allocation.
Added by Charlie McDonald on 06 October 2009.
Added by Charlie McDonald on 06 October 2009.
we also lived in achnamara, We were the Peats, has anyone any more pictures or know of us, My dad was James Peat mother Mabel, sisters Margaret, Mamie, Evelyn myself Audrey and twin brother James. Dad was in the forestry working with my two oldest sisters, He also played football, for who we dont realy know, We came to Australia in 1958, any information would be great. regards Audrey.
Added by Audrey Cooper on 31 October 2009.
Added by Audrey Cooper on 31 October 2009.
If anyone here knew us please get in contact with me on my email address, We were the PEATS in number 19 My dad was James Peat. Mother Mabel, sisters Margaret, Mamie, Evelyn, Myself Audrey and twin brother James, any school photos or any other would be great, I do have some here with other children in Achnamara. I know one was my sister Evelyns friend, and my sister Mamie baby sat some of the children. I would like also to track down the football team my father played for, and photos as well, So if there is anyone there that has my father James Peat in a picture, please contect me. Thank you, Audrey.
Added by Audrey Cooper on 31 October 2009.
Added by Audrey Cooper on 31 October 2009.
I lived in Achnamara at number 19 from 1950-58 (next boor to the Kavanas).
I then moved to Australia with my family where I still live now. I have very fond memories growing up as a child. If anyone has any photos of the area, I'd love to see them.
Cheers.
James Peat.
Added by James Peat on 31 October 2009.
I then moved to Australia with my family where I still live now. I have very fond memories growing up as a child. If anyone has any photos of the area, I'd love to see them.
Cheers.
James Peat.
Added by James Peat on 31 October 2009.
Fiona Shaw, was related to my sister Margaret, her husband Archie Morrison was a cousin to their father, I think she still keeps in touch with Fiona. James Peat who has left comment on here is my twin brother.
Added by Audrey Cooper on 01 November 2009.
Added by Audrey Cooper on 01 November 2009.
I have just received the comments from James Peat and Audrey Cooper and very pleased that they got in touch - I never thought that there would be so many responses since I sent my first contribution in March this year but, the more the better. I certainly knew James and Mabel, in fact my first attempt at dancing was with Mabel in the first dance held in the (then) new village hall.
Mention of the Kavanaghs reminds me that at that same dance 'Paddy'Kavanagh sang a song called ' The stone outside Dan Murphy's door'- how's that for a memory?
I worked a lot in the forestry with Margaret and Mary ( I presume that Mary and Mamie are one and the same)although my memories of Evelyn and James are pretty vague. My niece Joy, who has contributed to this site a couple of times, would probably remember them better. Regarding James and playing football the only team that I can think he may have played for was a local team called the Forestry Rangers who, I think, played their home games in Ardrishaig - but he may have played for other teams.
I have visited Achnamara fairly frequently over the years and have some photographs but I'm not very good at attaching things to emails so if yourself, Audrey, and James care to advise me of your postal addresses I would be happy to send copies.
Incidentally, thinking of Margaret, there was a time when she was the girlfriend of Danny Murphy - he lodged with my sister Nan and Robert Guthrie at No 5 and was a Accordionist who started a Band and played at dances in Ardrishaig, Kilmartin, Bellanoch, Campbeltown etc. I have a photo of Danny and would send you a copy if you want.
Donald Ferguson,
5 Ardbeg Road.
Rothesay.
Isle of Bute.
PA20 0NJ
Added by Donald Ferguson on 01 November 2009.
Mention of the Kavanaghs reminds me that at that same dance 'Paddy'Kavanagh sang a song called ' The stone outside Dan Murphy's door'- how's that for a memory?
I worked a lot in the forestry with Margaret and Mary ( I presume that Mary and Mamie are one and the same)although my memories of Evelyn and James are pretty vague. My niece Joy, who has contributed to this site a couple of times, would probably remember them better. Regarding James and playing football the only team that I can think he may have played for was a local team called the Forestry Rangers who, I think, played their home games in Ardrishaig - but he may have played for other teams.
I have visited Achnamara fairly frequently over the years and have some photographs but I'm not very good at attaching things to emails so if yourself, Audrey, and James care to advise me of your postal addresses I would be happy to send copies.
Incidentally, thinking of Margaret, there was a time when she was the girlfriend of Danny Murphy - he lodged with my sister Nan and Robert Guthrie at No 5 and was a Accordionist who started a Band and played at dances in Ardrishaig, Kilmartin, Bellanoch, Campbeltown etc. I have a photo of Danny and would send you a copy if you want.
Donald Ferguson,
5 Ardbeg Road.
Rothesay.
Isle of Bute.
PA20 0NJ
Added by Donald Ferguson on 01 November 2009.
If my memory serves me right did the minister at the church not have a speech impediment or was his face disfigured in some way. One of the women from the village who work in the kitchen used to wear a Rangers scarf when dishing out the dinners and kept us informed of what was happening on the fitba scene back in Glasgow...sadly Rangers were beaten one nil by Celtic in the Scottish League Cup Final when I was there. There used to be a fitba park up and the back up from the house which was a novelty to us wee Glesga Keelies as it was grass and we were used to playing on the streets or black ash parks back home in Glasgow.
Added by on 02 November 2009.
Added by on 02 November 2009.
Thank you for your response, so pleased to be in cotact. My address is 130 Raye street, Wagga Waggga, 2650 New South Wales. Australia. I have more pictures and information to put up, but it would be good if we could swap pictures, I am not great at putting photos up, , my brother James is. but please keep in contact. kind regards Audrey.
Added by Audrey Cooper on 02 November 2009.
Added by Audrey Cooper on 02 November 2009.
I am the daughter of Archie and Margaret Morrison(nee Peat). this is so nice reading the comments on this site Mum and dad often talk about things you have said here. Yes Mum was engaged to Danny Murphy we have a photo of him playing his accordian. I have 3 brothers Archie, James and Allan Morrison, Mum and Dad live on my brothers property in Gladstone, queensland, Australia. They will get a real thrill out of this site.
Added by Marion McKewen on 02 November 2009.
Added by Marion McKewen on 02 November 2009.
Our mother Mabel Peat worked at the big house, I remember going with her, even down to making butter in the kitchen and helping setting the dinning tables. I know my father won medels for football. Our brother inlaw Archie Morrison told us that he was asked to play in a team in England, but he declined the offer. I have a photo of him by himself with a team jumper on - it is striped but can't tell the colours as it is black and white, I have pics with Anne Anges with her sibblings, and some other children in our yard, The Kavanaghs lived next door. My sister Mamie is married now to Mrs Kavinagh's daughter,s husband, as her daughter died years ago, his name is Anthony Holt from Adrishaig. My sister Mamie has been back a few times to Scotland. My dad's sister Jenny Peat still lives in Lochgilphead.My sister Mamie tells me that she kissed Donald under a tree, and Margaret got her into trouble for it. Donald, my sister Mamie said 'do you remember when you got paid on Fridays, and the Cambells van was in the village and you would buy sweets and lemonade and take it back up into the forest when you were working up behind the big house'.She said old Jimmy Stewert used to get hornets nests on the end of his walking stick, and then chase use to chase use with it. Mamie has many memories, she lives 10min from me and is going to come in one day and I will bring this site up for her and she will fill in a lot that I don't know, but all you people will know. She said it has great memories there for her. So for now I will stop, and give some more information next time, but anyone that can get hold of that book mentioned please let me know, if you could get one for us. Thank you. Audrey nee Peat
Added by Audrey Cooper on 03 November 2009.
Added by Audrey Cooper on 03 November 2009.
Did Anyone Know Anthony Holt (Tony) That worked in the forestry At the same time as James Peat and my sisters mamie and margaret, His fathers sir name was Grub, thanks again, Audrey nee Peat p.s. He is now married to my sister Mamie.
Added by Audrey Cooper nee Peat on 04 November 2009.
Added by Audrey Cooper nee Peat on 04 November 2009.
Marion Mckewen Is our niece. Kind regards audrey.
Added by Audrey Cooper nee Peat on 04 November 2009.
Added by Audrey Cooper nee Peat on 04 November 2009.
I do remember Campbell's van coming on Friday's and all us younger forestry workers would buy sweets and lemonade because it was our pay day.There was another van which came on Tuesdays and I think it was a Co-operative van from Ardrishaig. My father never liked that van because he could buy his Capstan or Players cigarettes as the Co-op only sold their own brand plain cigarettes called Cogent which he hated but, being in need, he had to smoke them till Campbell's van came three days later.He had a name for these Cogents which I won't repeat here but it was also 'cogent'
Mamie is also quite right about Margaret seeing us kissing under the tree although she doesn't mention the other times we kissed. I remember one night I was working in our garden and Mamie was passing going for a walk.Being the gentleman I am I offered to keep her company.Just outside the village was a old stone quay where 'Puffers' came in to unload supplies for the local farmers and at the top of the quay was wooden hut( Ithink it was a weighbridge) and Mamie and I had a few kisses in there. I hasten to add that it never went beyond kissing because in those days I was only 17/18 years old and didn't realise that kissing wasn't the only pastime you could enjoy.
Does Mamie remember the time that Davy Doak hid a frog in her 'piece bag'to give her a fright and then, when he opened his own bag a Weasel flew out over his shoulder. The expression on his face was absolutely priceless! I don't think anyone put it there but it must have smelled the food and just crawled in.
Added by Donald Ferguson on 04 November 2009.
Mamie is also quite right about Margaret seeing us kissing under the tree although she doesn't mention the other times we kissed. I remember one night I was working in our garden and Mamie was passing going for a walk.Being the gentleman I am I offered to keep her company.Just outside the village was a old stone quay where 'Puffers' came in to unload supplies for the local farmers and at the top of the quay was wooden hut( Ithink it was a weighbridge) and Mamie and I had a few kisses in there. I hasten to add that it never went beyond kissing because in those days I was only 17/18 years old and didn't realise that kissing wasn't the only pastime you could enjoy.
Does Mamie remember the time that Davy Doak hid a frog in her 'piece bag'to give her a fright and then, when he opened his own bag a Weasel flew out over his shoulder. The expression on his face was absolutely priceless! I don't think anyone put it there but it must have smelled the food and just crawled in.
Added by Donald Ferguson on 04 November 2009.
Ooh Uncle Donald (Ferguson), I'm getting to know your past now. I remember Danny Murphy use to stay in our house Marion but I did not know he was engaged to your mum. Somebody put a FROG down the back of my dress outside the "dance hall" in Achnamara. I was screaming and everyone came running out of the hall. My dad gave me a piggy back home. I remember the vans coming round and mum use to buy a bar of highland toffee as well as other shopping. Joy Jackson (nee Guthrie)
Added by on 10 November 2009.
Added by on 10 November 2009.
I took this picture several years ago when on a trip up to Achnamara...was the kirk known as Inverlussa Church.
Added by on 18 November 2009.
Added by on 18 November 2009.
Message for Marion McKewen, could you say a big hello to your parents fro Mia and Topsy Campbell, my mother is Mia and they grew up next to your parents and is delighed to hear them mentioned on this site, my aunt Topsy still lives in Achnamara, say a big hello and hopefully they both remember some stories about them.
Margaret Mclaren
Added by on 29 November 2009.
Margaret Mclaren
Added by on 29 November 2009.
Re the 18 November entry: If you go back to home page and type in Inverlussa and search, you will find the picture I submitted of Inverlussa House - drawn by someone from the village I believe. Otherwise known as the Manse House, it was therefore the house belonging to the Church. In those days I didn't pay attention to it but there must have been Inverlussa Kirk. I haven't found the picture, however, referred to in your comment.
Isn't it thrilling to get so much commentary on Achnamara - which I did manage to visit this year for just a few minutes while the bus turned round there. It is even smaller than I remember but full of its own unique and remote atomosphere and charm and I managed to speak with the father of a couple of the boys I taught over 30 years ago.
Added by Frances Plummer on 30 November 2009.
Isn't it thrilling to get so much commentary on Achnamara - which I did manage to visit this year for just a few minutes while the bus turned round there. It is even smaller than I remember but full of its own unique and remote atomosphere and charm and I managed to speak with the father of a couple of the boys I taught over 30 years ago.
Added by Frances Plummer on 30 November 2009.
Hello Margaret McLaren,
I remember Mia and Topsy whom I worked with from time to time in the Forestry
in Achnamara. I remember my Mother Mrs Ferguson, who was SubPostmistress in the village, asked me if I would like to earn a little money to deliver a Telegram to the Campbell residence. I don't remember how far it was outside Achnamara but I cycled there and returned home to be given 6d or 2and a half pence in new money - apparently that was the going rate set by the then GPO.Please pass on my good wishes to your mother.
Added by Donald Ferguson on 30 November 2009.
I remember Mia and Topsy whom I worked with from time to time in the Forestry
in Achnamara. I remember my Mother Mrs Ferguson, who was SubPostmistress in the village, asked me if I would like to earn a little money to deliver a Telegram to the Campbell residence. I don't remember how far it was outside Achnamara but I cycled there and returned home to be given 6d or 2and a half pence in new money - apparently that was the going rate set by the then GPO.Please pass on my good wishes to your mother.
Added by Donald Ferguson on 30 November 2009.
Hello Donald, my mother and aunt return your good wishes and hope you had a wonderful xmas, we used to walk from my grans to Achnamara several times a week, next time I visit the village I will take lots of pics and put them on here. Keep up the good work.
Added by on 26 December 2009.
Added by on 26 December 2009.
Nice to hear from you again Margaret. I think it was Chrystine Livingston in August mentioned the bus driver 'Malkie' which reminds me of the time, I think it was November 1953, the bus was hired by the villagers to take them to Glasgow to do some Christmas shopping and my younger brother Alex an I went with them. Malkie dropped us off in St Enoch Square and arranged a time to pick us all up later on. Alex and I went into a Ironmongers to buy a Bushman saw along with a few others including an elderly gentleman - I think he was a Crofter from around Achnamara. We allowed this man to go to the counter before us and heard the assistant say ' my, it is quite busy today' to which he replied, knowingly " Aye. there's a busload in from Achnamara!" On our return journey to Achnamara, when we got to the lock bridge at Cairnbaan Malkie couldn't move the bus without skidding on the ice so we all, men, women and children had to get off and push the bus and, after a struggle, we finally arrived home, cold and wet and very tired ! Many thanks for your Christmas good wishes Margaret and pass on my Wishes to you and yours for a Happy, Healthy and Prosperous New Year in 2010.
Donald Ferguson
Added by Donald Ferguson on 29 December 2009.
Donald Ferguson
Added by Donald Ferguson on 29 December 2009.
I have fond memories of Achnamara Residential School in the summers of 1962 and 1963. Our school, Sandwood Primary, Penilee, Glasgow arranged a weeks holiday for us to Achnamara.
Memories of these times are still vivid although I was only eleven years old.
The minister did have a speach impediment, a tall bald man with grey sideburns, we got into trouble comong back from the church service for jumping in the farmers haystacks !
Long walks in the woods up to the loch, midnight walks to the ruined village where all the people had been killed by the redcoats ! One year I got to be the ghost !
Watching the mouth of the burn being netted to catch the sea trout. Walking round to seal bay, fishing off the jetty, exploring the island at low tide.
The shop was a wooden hut, we were told to send postcards home to our parents, however the post mistress stormed up to the big house to complain that no one had bothered to put on a stamp.
Scottish Country dancing in the hall behind the big house, pinching fruit from the walled garden. This heaven was a world away from a housing estate in Glasgow.
Twice I returned with my two sons, around 1995 and 1999, we camped next to the jetty, on the second visit a kind resident of the newer bungalow just below the big house let us borrow his rowing boat so my sons could go out fishing. The house was then an outward bound centre and appeared to be well attended. The shop was still there with the daughter now in charge.
This week I returned again with my best friend from my childhood, he had always wanted to return to see Achnamara, so on our way back from a day in Oban we detoured to Achnamara. It was quite a shock to see the house in it's present state, no longer being a place full of happy voices enjoying the great outdoors. Instead an overgrown garden doing it's best to hide a once beautiful building. It was more so for Graeme whom had never been back for nie on fifty years. At least we did return and we will always have the fondest of memories of such a wondeful place. Thank you for sharing your village with us.
Added by Alan Vint on 20 August 2010.
Memories of these times are still vivid although I was only eleven years old.
The minister did have a speach impediment, a tall bald man with grey sideburns, we got into trouble comong back from the church service for jumping in the farmers haystacks !
Long walks in the woods up to the loch, midnight walks to the ruined village where all the people had been killed by the redcoats ! One year I got to be the ghost !
Watching the mouth of the burn being netted to catch the sea trout. Walking round to seal bay, fishing off the jetty, exploring the island at low tide.
The shop was a wooden hut, we were told to send postcards home to our parents, however the post mistress stormed up to the big house to complain that no one had bothered to put on a stamp.
Scottish Country dancing in the hall behind the big house, pinching fruit from the walled garden. This heaven was a world away from a housing estate in Glasgow.
Twice I returned with my two sons, around 1995 and 1999, we camped next to the jetty, on the second visit a kind resident of the newer bungalow just below the big house let us borrow his rowing boat so my sons could go out fishing. The house was then an outward bound centre and appeared to be well attended. The shop was still there with the daughter now in charge.
This week I returned again with my best friend from my childhood, he had always wanted to return to see Achnamara, so on our way back from a day in Oban we detoured to Achnamara. It was quite a shock to see the house in it's present state, no longer being a place full of happy voices enjoying the great outdoors. Instead an overgrown garden doing it's best to hide a once beautiful building. It was more so for Graeme whom had never been back for nie on fifty years. At least we did return and we will always have the fondest of memories of such a wondeful place. Thank you for sharing your village with us.
Added by Alan Vint on 20 August 2010.
If you found this interesting, have a look at the following groups of pictures.
Lochgilphead
The Divers, Peats, Doaks, Francis's, Muries, Angus's, Morrisons, Hunters, Brownlees, Sowdens, Guthries(my sister Nan and husband Robert and their children Ronnie and Joy), Lawrences and others.The District Officer was a Mr Robertson.
One of our first jobs was to clear trees which had been blown down in that year's January storms - I was 17 years old then and myself and the other younger boy's job was to climb up and clear the higher branches which were tangled so that they could actually be cut down. Other tasks we undertook were tree felling and planting;digging drains, brashing(pruning) and road building.
I left to undertake my National Service in January 1954 and my family moved to Rothesay, Isle if Bute in June of the same year. I would like to write more but I don't think there is enough space to do so, but I will make a further contribution in the near future. I hope more ex residents will find this site and make their comments.
Added by Donald Ferguson on 15 March 2009.