Glenalmond College
Encyclopedia
Glenalmond College is a co-educational independent
boarding school
in Perth and Kinross
, Scotland
, for children aged between 12 and 18 years. It is situated on the River Almond
near the village of Methven
, about 8 miles (12.9 km) west of the city of Perth
. The school's motto is Floreat Glenalmond ('Let Glenalmond Flourish'). The school is affectionately known as "Coll" by pupils and staff.
by William Gladstone and James Hope-Scott
(later Hope-Scott of Abbotsford). It was to be "north of the Firth of Forth
, and removed from the vicinity of any large town, a College to be called The College of the Holy and Undivided Trinity of Glenalmond, which may receive and board a large number of youths to eighteen years of age, and also afford a sound Clerical Education to young men destined for the priesthood". Gladstone and his father (Sir John Gladstone) inspected several sites before deciding on a site proposed by the landowner of Cairnies. Once the site was decided upon, John Henderson
was commissioned as architect. The school opened its doors on 4 May 1847 to fourteen boys (though one boy, Lord Kerr, later Marquess of Lothian
and Secretary for Scotland, arrived a day early). The first Warden (headmaster) was Charles Wordsworth
.
Until 1990 Glenalmond was an all-boys school. Girls were then initially accepted into the sixth form only, and the school is now fully co-educational.
A history of the College to 1947, written by Guy St Quintin, is available from the school. In 2008 David Willington, a retired teacher, brought the history up to date, publishing 'Alumni Montium'.
Independent school
An independent school is a school that is independent in its finances and governance; it is not dependent upon national or local government for financing its operations, nor reliant on taxpayer contributions, and is instead funded by a combination of tuition charges, gifts, and in some cases the...
boarding school
Boarding school
A boarding school is a school where some or all pupils study and live during the school year with their fellow students and possibly teachers and/or administrators. The word 'boarding' is used in the sense of "bed and board," i.e., lodging and meals...
in Perth and Kinross
Perth and Kinross
Perth and Kinross is one of 32 council areas in Scotland, and a Lieutenancy Area. It borders onto the Aberdeenshire, Angus, Dundee City, Fife, Clackmannanshire, Stirling, Argyll and Bute and Highland council areas. Perth is the administrative centre...
, Scotland
Scotland
Scotland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Occupying the northern third of the island of Great Britain, it shares a border with England to the south and is bounded by the North Sea to the east, the Atlantic Ocean to the north and west, and the North Channel and Irish Sea to the...
, for children aged between 12 and 18 years. It is situated on the River Almond
River Almond, Perth and Kinross
The River Almond is a tributary of the River Tay in Perth and Kinross, Scotland. It rises in the hills to the south-east of Loch Tay, and flows eastwards through Glenalmond. It runs through the village of Almondbank, before joining the Tay immediately north of Perth. The river's course is around ...
near the village of Methven
Methven, Perth and Kinross
Methven is a large village in the Scottish region of Perth and Kinross, on the A85 road due west of the town of Perth. Methven is close to another Perthshire village, Almondbank...
, about 8 miles (12.9 km) west of the city of Perth
Perth, Scotland
Perth is a town and former city and royal burgh in central Scotland. Located on the banks of the River Tay, it is the administrative centre of Perth and Kinross council area and the historic county town of Perthshire...
. The school's motto is Floreat Glenalmond ('Let Glenalmond Flourish'). The school is affectionately known as "Coll" by pupils and staff.
History
Trinity College Glenalmond was founded as an independent schoolIndependent school (UK)
An independent school is a school that is not financed through the taxation system by local or national government and is instead funded by private sources, predominantly in the form of tuition charges, gifts and long-term charitable endowments, and so is not subject to the conditions imposed by...
by William Gladstone and James Hope-Scott
James Hope-Scott
James Robert Hope-Scott was a British barrister and Tractarian.-Early life and conversion:Born at Great Marlow, in the county of Buckinghamshire, and christened James Robert Hope, he was the third son of Sir Alexander Hope, and grandson of John Hope, 2nd Earl of Hopetoun...
(later Hope-Scott of Abbotsford). It was to be "north of the Firth of Forth
Firth of Forth
The Firth of Forth is the estuary or firth of Scotland's River Forth, where it flows into the North Sea, between Fife to the north, and West Lothian, the City of Edinburgh and East Lothian to the south...
, and removed from the vicinity of any large town, a College to be called The College of the Holy and Undivided Trinity of Glenalmond, which may receive and board a large number of youths to eighteen years of age, and also afford a sound Clerical Education to young men destined for the priesthood". Gladstone and his father (Sir John Gladstone) inspected several sites before deciding on a site proposed by the landowner of Cairnies. Once the site was decided upon, John Henderson
John Henderson (architect)
John Henderson was a Scottish architect. He is chiefly remembered as an ecclesiastical and tractarian architect working in the Gothic style....
was commissioned as architect. The school opened its doors on 4 May 1847 to fourteen boys (though one boy, Lord Kerr, later Marquess of Lothian
Marquess of Lothian
Marquess of Lothian is a title in the Peerage of Scotland. It was created in 1701 for Robert Kerr, 4th Earl of Lothian. The Marquess of Lothian holds the subsidiary titles of Earl of Lothian , Earl of Lothian , Earl of Ancram , Earl of Ancram , Viscount of Briene , Lord Newbattle ,...
and Secretary for Scotland, arrived a day early). The first Warden (headmaster) was Charles Wordsworth
Charles Wordsworth
The Reverend Charles Wordsworth, M.A. was bishop of Bishop of St Andrews, Dunkeld and Dunblane in Scotland. He was a classical scholar, and taught at a public schools in England and Scotland...
.
Until 1990 Glenalmond was an all-boys school. Girls were then initially accepted into the sixth form only, and the school is now fully co-educational.
A history of the College to 1947, written by Guy St Quintin, is available from the school. In 2008 David Willington, a retired teacher, brought the history up to date, publishing 'Alumni Montium'.
Boarding houses
The pupils are allocated into one of seven houses, some named after staff who participated in the development of the school. There are instances of four or even five generations of pupils having been members of the same house. The boys' houses are Reid's, Skrine's, Matheson's, Patchell's, and Goodacre's. The girls' houses are Home and Lothian. Until 1992 there was another boys' house called The Cairnies which was reopened in the summer of 2006 as a girls' form house but is now home to all fifth form girls. Skrine's has been upgraded with a brand new boarding house behind the trees on the western side of Front Avenue.Pride and Privilege
Glenalmond College was the subject of a documentary broadcast on BBC 2 in Autumn 2008. Pride and Privilege chronicled a year in the life of Glenalmond and followed a number of pupils and teachers. Directed by Stephen Bennet, it detailed the first full scholar in the history of the school through his first year as he settled in. Its broadcast dates were 18 and 25 November, and December.Glenalmond Rugby
Glenalmond College is centred around the 1st XV and has a very strong rugby tradition. The 1st XV play on Neish's which sits on raised ground above all the junior pitches with one of the most stunning backdrops in the UK. Rugby day at Glenalmond is on every Saturday in the season and it is a huge occasion with the whole school either playing or supporting at the pitches. The old wooden stand is always full as the 1st players run up the famous Neish's steps to the sound of Highland Cathedral. Since the school went co-ed the rugby has not been as strong as in previous years but is still regarded as a respectable rugby school. This was shown by the 1st XV of 2008 who were regarded as the top school side in Scotland. Glenalmond always struggles in the Schools Cup due to loss of players who are too old as the school runs on the English education system. Earlier this summer (2011) The 1st XV when on tour to Argentina, playing 5 games over 3 weeks. The current head of rugby is Huw Thomas, former Welsh age group and sevens representative. Notable former players include Scotland and Lions players Rob Wainwright and David Sole. As well as current Scotland international Dougie Hall and Candian fly half Ander Monro.Former pupils
- Sir Ernley Robertson Hay BlackwellErnley BlackwellSir Ernley Robertson Hay Blackwell KCB, was a British lawyer and career civil servant...
– lawyer and civil servant - Victor Alexander Bruce, 9th Earl of Elgin – Viceroy of India
- Alick Buchanan-SmithAlick Buchanan-SmithAlick Laidlaw Buchanan-Smith was a Scottish Conservative and Unionist politician.The second son of Alick Drummond Buchanan-Smith, Baron Balerno and Mary Kathleen Smith, he was educated at Edinburgh Academy, Glenalmond College, Pembroke College, Cambridge and University of Edinburgh...
– politician - Duncan CampbellDuncan Campbell (The Guardian)Duncan Campbell is a British journalist and author. He was a senior reporter/correspondent for The Guardian from 1987 until 2010. He was the Los Angeles and crime correspondent for the paper at one point.-Education:...
– journalist and author - Torquhil Campbell, 13th Duke of ArgyllTorquhil Campbell, 13th Duke of ArgyllTorquhil Ian Campbell, 13th and 6th Duke of Argyll , known as Earl of Campbell before 1973 and as Marquess of Lorne between 1973 and 2001, is a Scottish Peer...
- Alexander CockburnAlexander CockburnAlexander Claud Cockburn is an American political journalist. Cockburn was brought up in Ireland but has lived and worked in the United States since 1972. Together with Jeffrey St. Clair, he edits the political newsletter CounterPunch...
– journalist - Andrew CockburnAndrew CockburnAndrew Cockburn is a journalist who has lived in the United States for many years.-Early life and family:Born in London in 1947, Cockburn grew up in County Cork, Ireland. His father was socialist author and journalist Claud Cockburn...
– journalist - Patrick CockburnPatrick CockburnPatrick Cockburn is an Irish journalist who has been a Middle East correspondent since 1979 for the Financial Times and, presently, The Independent....
– journalist - Robbie ColtraneRobbie ColtraneRobbie Coltrane, OBE is a Scottish actor, comedian and author. He is known both for his role as Dr...
– actor - Sir James Crichton-BrowneJames Crichton-BrowneSir James Crichton-Browne MD FRS was a leading British psychiatrist famous for studies on the relationship of mental illness to neurological damage and for the development of public health policies in relation to mental health...
– Lord Chancellor's Visitor in Lunacy 1875 - 1922 - James CuthbertsonJames CuthbertsonJames Lister Cuthbertson was a Scottish-Australian poet and schoolteacher.James Cuthbertson was born in Glasgow, Scotland, the eldest son of William Gilmour Cuthbertson and his wife, Jane Agnes Cuthbertson. James was educated at the secondary school, Trinity College, Glenalmond, Perthshire, where...
– poet - Charles Falconer, Baron Falconer of ThorotonCharles Falconer, Baron Falconer of ThorotonCharles Leslie Falconer, Baron Falconer of Thoroton, PC is a British Labour politician, who became the Lord Chancellor and the first Secretary of State for Constitutional Affairs in 2003...
– former Lord Chancellor and Secretary of State for Constitutional Affairs - Georg Friedrich, Prince of Prussia
- Sandy GallSandy GallHenderson Alexander Gall, CMG, CBE , known as Sandy Gall, is a Scottish journalist, author, and former ITN news presenter. His career as a journalist spans over 50 years.-Education:...
– former ITN newscaster - Sir John Gilmour – politician
- Dougie HallDougie HallDouglas William Hugh Hall is a Rugby Union Footballer playing at Hooker for the Glasgow Warriors and Scotland.Born in Dingwall he was educated at Glenalmond College in Perthshire and it was playing for them he was first scouted. He debuted for Scotland in the second-half defeat against Wales at the...
– rugby player - Jonathan Hammond – Olympic shooter
- Gerald HowatGerald HowatGerald Howat, born Gerald Malcolm David Howat , was a British writer on cricket, a historian and a schoolmaster.-Early life:...
– historian, teacher and cricket writer - Phil KayPhil KayPhil Kay is a Scottish stand-up comedian.-Early career:Kay became known to the public when he won the newcomer's competition, 'So You Think You're Funny', at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe in 1989. He then went on to be nominated for the prestigious Perrier Award in 1993. He also won the award for...
– comedian - James KennawayJames KennawayJames Kennaway was a Scottish writer. He was born in Auchterarder in Perthshire and attended Glenalmond College.-Career:...
– novelist - Miles KingtonMiles KingtonMiles Beresford Kington was a British journalist, musician and broadcaster.-Early life :...
– writer and humorist - David LitchfieldDavid LitchfieldDavid Litchfield is a renowned security expert from the United Kingdom, who focuses on the discovery and publication of computer security vulnerabilities with a special focus on database server software...
– writer - Joseph Leycester LyneJoseph Leycester LyneJoseph Leycester Lyne, known by his religious name, Father Ignatius was an Anglican Benedictine preacher....
– preacher - Malcolm MacCollMalcolm MacCollMalcolm MacColl , British clergyman and publicist, was the son of a poor Scottish crofter or labourer in Glenfinnan who died when his son was still a boy. Despite this difficult beginning, MacColl's intellectual exertions enabled himself - and his younger brother Hugh - to succeed in obtaining an...
– clergyman and publicist - Kevin MacdonaldKevin MacDonald (director)Kevin Macdonald is a Scottish director, best known for his films One Day in September, State of Play, The Last King of Scotland and Touching the Void.-Personal life:...
– film director - Alastair MackenzieAlastair MackenzieAlastair Mackenzie is a Scottish actor. He was born in 1970 in Trinafour, near Perth and educated at Westbourne House School and Glenalmond College in Perthshire.Mackenzie left home at the age of 18 and moved to London...
– actor - Alexander Mann – bobsledder
- Allan MassieAllan MassieAllan Massie is a well-known Scottish journalist, sports writer and novelist.-Early life:Born in 1938 in Singapore, where his father was a rubber planter for Sime Darby, Massie spent his childhood in Aberdeenshire...
– journalist and writer - Ander MonroAnder MonroAlexander Monro is a Canadian rugby union footballer. He previously played for the Edinburgh Gunners, Waterloo R.F.C. and Colorno Rugby Club in Italy. He currently plays club rugby for Castaway Wanderers and plays with the Ontario Blues in the Canadian Rugby Championship...
– rugby player - Sir Henry PrimroseHenry PrimroseSir Henry William Primrose K.C.B., C.S.I., I.S.O., P.C. was a Scottish civil servant. He joined the Treasury in 1869, served as private secretary to the Viceroy of India from 1880 to 1884 and to Gladstone in 1886. He was secretary of the Office of Works from 1887 to 1895...
(1846–1923), Scottish civil servant who became Chairman of the Board of Inland Revenue - John PurvisJohn PurvisJohn Purvis is a British Conservative Party politician, who was a Member of the European Parliament for Scotland.His first session in the European Parliament was from 1979 to 1984, for the Mid Scotland and Fife seat...
– ConservativeConservative Party (UK)The Conservative Party, formally the Conservative and Unionist Party, is a centre-right political party in the United Kingdom that adheres to the philosophies of conservatism and British unionism. It is the largest political party in the UK, and is currently the largest single party in the House...
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– sculptor - Michael RoddMichael RoddMichael Rodd is a British television presenter and businessman.-Education:Rodd was educated at the independent school Trinity College, Glenalmond near Perth in Scotland, and at Newcastle University.-Life and career:Rodd became a familiar face to millions of television viewers in Britain as a...
– TV presenter - Archibald Noel SkeltonArchibald Noel SkeltonArchibald Noel Skelton was a Scottish Unionist politician, journalist and intellectual.-Early life:The son of Sir John Skelton KCB LLD, Skelton was born on 1 July 1880 at Hermitage of Braid in Edinburgh and was educated at Glenalmond College, Edinburgh University and at Christ Church, Oxford, to...
– politician - Dr Richard Simpson – Labour Member of the Scottish Parliament and former Justice Minister
- David SoleDavid SoleDavid Sole is a former Scottish rugby union footballer. He was educated at Blairmore prep school and Glenalmond College, a private school in Perthshire....
- rugby player - Adair Turner, Baron Turner of EcchinswellAdair Turner, Baron Turner of EcchinswellJonathan Adair Turner, Baron Turner of Ecchinswell is a British businessman, academic and chairman of both the Financial Services Authority and the Committee on Climate Change. He was formerly chairman of the Pensions Commission...
– businessman, Chairman of Financial Services AuthorityFinancial Services AuthorityThe Financial Services Authority is a quasi-judicial body responsible for the regulation of the financial services industry in the United Kingdom. Its board is appointed by the Treasury and the organisation is structured as a company limited by guarantee and owned by the UK government. Its main... - Rob WainwrightRob WainwrightRobert Iain Wainwright is a former rugby union footballer who was capped 37 times for Scotland and once for the British Lions. He played flanker. He was educated at Glenalmond College and Magdalene College, Cambridge where he represented Cambridge University R.U.F.C..He received his first cap in...
– rugby player - David Wilson, Baron Wilson of TillyornDavid Wilson, Baron Wilson of TillyornDavid Clive Wilson, Baron Wilson of Tillyorn, is a retired British administrator, diplomat and Sinologist. Lord Wilson of Tillyorn was the penultimate Commander-in-Chief and 27th Governor of Hong Kong...
– diplomat and colonial administrator - HM Bateman, Cartoonist
External links
- Glenalmond College – official home page
- Glenalmond College's page on Scottish Schools Online
- The Old Glenalmond Club
- Pride and Privilege documentary director's film page