McLean School is one of Dunfermline’s oldest Primary Schools, founded in 1842. John McChlery was it’s headmaster from his qualification to his retirement. In “John McChlery, Headmaster of McLean School 1848 – 1885” Elaine Campbell tells us of his long career, of the early history of McLean and more generally of education in Dunfermline in the 19th Century.

In “Mary Abernethy Thomson“, Elaine Campbell tells us of a pioneering 19th Century Headmistress. Working both before, and after, the reforms brought about by the 1872 Education act she made a huge contribution to girls’ education in Dunfermline.