John McChlery, Headmaster of McLean School 1848 – 1885 by Elaine Campbell In the second half of the nineteenth century the residents of Dunfermline would have been familiar with the name of John McChlery but like many of our esteemed citizens of the past his name is now unknown. John McChlery was born in 1820 in Stonykirk, Wigtownshire the son of a farmer.  From an early age John had decided to become a teacher. In the 1840’s he entered the Church of Scotland Training College in Glasgow and also attended Glasgow University. In 1848 he gained his teacher’s certificate and in the same year a vacancy occurred for a headmaster of the McLean school in Dunfermline and thus started John McChlery’s 37 year career as the head of the McLean school. With the passing of the years, the people of Dunfermline frequently referred to the school as the Golfdrum School or ‘McChlery’s School’. The present McLean School, which is located in Baldridgeburn, Dunfermline was opened in 1896. The original school building however, was in Golfdrum Street next to the North Parish Church. When the Rev Allan McLean, who was minister at the Abbey Church, died in 1836 he left a bequest to build a school “to provide education at a low fee for the children of the working and poorer classes of the town and parish of Dunfermline and particularly of those residing in the suburbs of the town.” The suburbs at that time consisted of the area to the north and…
Call for articles!
We are always looking for short articles on local history topics which will be of interest to visitors to the site. Have you an interesting recollection of life in Dunfermline? Do you know an unusual piece of local history? These can appear either as articles or shorter “Did You Know” pages on this site or as links to documents published elsewhere online. Authors retain copyright of any material submitted. We invite all members to submit articles to the editors.
The Volunteer Bazaar
In the mid 19th century, Volunteer Rifle Corps were being formed for defence against a perceived threat from France. The Dunfermline unit needed additional funding, so an ambitious event was organised. In this article Sue Mowat tells the story of the hard-working ladies who ran it and gives us a vivid insight into the life of the town 150 years ago. The Dunfermline Volunteers Bazaar by Sue Mowat The Dunfermline Volunteers Old enmities cast long shadows. Although Napoleon had been defeated by Wellington at the Battle of Waterloo in 1815, British suspicions about French aspirations for European domination took a long time to fade. They re-awoke in 1859 when France declared war on Austria-Hungary. Could an invasion of Britain be next on the French hit-list? If French forces were to cross the Channel extra men would be needed to augment the standing army  and the only way to recruit auxiliary troops without increasing taxation was to raise an unpaid force, so on 12 May 1859 the War Office sanctioned the formation of Volunteer Corps throughout the nation. Dunfermline rose to the challenge and on 2 November 1859 eleven gentlemen signed a ‘requisition’ (petition) to the Provost requesting the formation of a Volunteer Rifle Corps in the town. Twelve days later about 1500 townsfolk attended a public meeting in the Music Hall, where, amid immense enthusiasm, the Volunteer Corps was born, its first muster roll containing 218 names. In those days amateur poets often celebrated…
How Important was Queen Margaret to Scotland?
By George Robertson It is generally accepted Margaret, Queen, later Saint, of Scotland, was born in Hungary around 1046.  Her father, Edward the Exile, became heir to the English throne of Edward the Confessor, who was half brother to her grandfather Edmund Ironside.  It is also generally accepted she travelled to England with her parents, sister and brother around 1056 in order that her father would be on hand to assume the mantle of kingship on the death of the Confessor.  However, fate conspired against the family with the death of her father, which preceded that of the Confessor, to be followed, in 1066 by disaster for England at the Battle of Hastings.  As a result, around 1067, Margaret’s mother – Agatha – decided to leave England with her three children, possibly with the intention of returning to Hungary.  However, it is suggested by the author, she may have intended travelling to Scotland in an effort to enlist the help of the Scottish king – Malcolm III – whom she hoped would assist her son – Edgar – recover the English throne from William the Conqueror.  Whatever the reason, legend has it their ship entered the Firth of Forth and was driven ashore during stormy weather at the bay now known as St Margaret’s Hope, between North Queensferry and Rosyth. Margaret, who had been religiously influenced whilst staying at the court of the Confessor, was a very pious young woman and was inclined to spend her life as a nun.  …
Frank the Tramp and the Minister’s Dinner
by Dr. Jean Barclay DID YOU KNOW… about Frank the tramp who stole the minister`s dinner? In the 18th century Scotland, when the population was only between one and two millions, hundreds of beggars wandered the roads. A few were privileged `blue gown` beggars under Royal protection but most were poor people with no work and no support. They would carry their meal pock containing oatmeal and other scraps they had picked up and counted themselves lucky if at certain houses they got something to eat and drink and a bed in a barn or garret. Beggars were sometimes welcomed for the news they carried to isolated spots and might even be entrusted to carry messages, but more often than not they were regarded as a nuisance and their increasing numbers alarmed the authorities. Acts of Parliament made an attempt to control the poor and in March 1777 the Sheriff of Fife in Cupar ordered the Dunfermline Kirk Session, who were responsible for poor relief, to return a list of their `begging poor` and what they proposed to do about them. Of their list of about 50 poor, the Session decided to continue to maintain in their homes `those who did not beg from door to door but staid at home and wrought and spun as they were able` and to issue the others with badges to be sewn into their clothing which allowed them to beg through the town and parish. These metal badges were circular and had stamped on them a number or a name, date and round the border `The Town and Parish of Dunfermline`….