Oct 2008 - Morrison's Academy

Boarding
and influenza in 1929. A further
change in Rector forced the
Governing Body into deciding that it
would no longer be prudent for
boarders to be in the care of the
Rector. By this time, “Glenearn” was
being lived in by a member of staff
who reopened the house as a private
boarding residence.
The Governing Body, working with
Provost Mungail of Croftweit and
aware of the increase in numbers,
formed the Boarding Houses’
Association in 1931, primarily to
“provide accommodation for boys
coming from a distance”. Ogilvie
House (Victoria Terrace) was
incorporated in 1935 and Innismhor
(Dollerie Terrace) just before this date
to cater for the increasing numbers of
girls. Families who already had boys
boarding at the school were putting
pressure on the Governing Body to
find suitable accommodation for
female siblings.
Mrs Marguerite H Wilson (nee McNeil),
the first Girl Boarder of Morrison’s
Academy, writes:-
“In September 1927 Morrison’s
Academy Girls’ Boarding School
came into being.
Prior to this, there was no Girls’
Boarding House and Mr and Mrs
McNeill of Rangoon, Burma, who had
already installed their two elder sons
in the Boys’ Boarding House, were
anxious about their daughter’s
education. An appeal was made to
Miss Mason, Headmistress of the Girls’
School, to see if anything could be
arranged. Miss Mason urgently asked
her staff to consider the situation and,
if possible, offer a solution. Two brave
teachers, Miss Elsie Oates, Head of the
Primary School, and Miss Mary
Dalmhor 2007
Boarding The Morrisonian | 07/08 Page 153
Malcolm, who was in charge of
Physical Education, agreed to get
together and buy a house
“Innesmhor” in Dollerie Terrace and to
take in their very first boarder,
Marguerite McNeill.
It turned out to be a great success
and within a year, more boarders
were asking to join in. First of all there
were three weekly boarders from a
farm in Amulree – the Steele sisters –
followed by Edith McGilchrist from
Auchterarder. Very soon “Innesmhor”
was too small for the ever-growing
family and a move to “Aviemore” in
Victoria Terrace took place. Still, the
Boarding House grew in numbers and
before long a move to “Balbegno” in
Drummond Terrace was necessary.
Finally, with numbers increasing so
rapidly, it was decided to move to
“Benheath” on the Comrie Road
overlooking the McRosty Park – a