Are you a past pupil of Inverness Royal Academy? 

Come join our virtual assembly as part of Doors Open Day. Wasps’ Inverness Creative Academy are delighted to present an online discussion with past pupils from Inverness Royal Academy during it’s period at Midmills.  

The discussion will be chaired by former pupil and teacher Charles Bannerman who has written four books about the school’s history at Midmills. This year our building celebrated its 125th anniversary, since opening as Inverness Royal Academy in 1895 and this event will include personal reminiscence about the school’s key characters, memorable classes and antics from the 1950s – 1970s. 

“The Midmills Building has now played a prominent educational and cultural role within Inverness for a century and a quarter and it’s great that the latest custodians of that heritage, Wasps, are so committed to maintaining that tradition and celebrating the building’s past. I hope this online exercise will give a revealing and entertaining insight into what life was like within its walls in its original role of housing Inverness Royal Academy.” Charles Bannerman

Charles Bannerman was a pupil at Inverness Royal Academy from 1965-71 and, having graduated in chemistry from Edinburgh University in 1975, returned to teach the subject at the school two years later, remaining there until he retired in 2013. His ‘Up Stephen’s Brae’ series of publications, dating from 1995 – 2013, engagingly chart the decades at Midmills and are a fantastic record of the school’s history. Alongside teaching Charles has had a parallel career in sports journalism and broadcasting as well as a lifelong interest in athletics and several spells coaching with Inverness Harriers. 

Join Us
If you’d like to participate in the Q&A please register for the Zoom webinar here:
https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_mBjSLtOGTiSNlm5VzzK9_A

You can also watch the live stream via our Facebook page!

#RealAcademy

Photo credit: Sixth year geography class, Inverness Royal Academy, 1962, courtesy of the Andrew Paterson Collection and Am Baile

Our heritage programme is supported by The National Lottery Heritage Fund

During our online talk with Stuart MacKellar last week this conversation arose in the comments:

Carol : There was a bust on the windowsill of our English classroom … does it still exist and who was he?

Dave : Was that bust not called “Hector”?

Monica : That was Hector!

William : Hector Fraserius!!

Marilyn : Hector Fraserius!!

Carol : Rings a bell, we took him for granted. 

We’ve found out more about the bust of Hector Fraser on the Am Baile website. For 22 years Hector was master (later called Rector) of Inverness Grammar School, the school which preceded Inverness Royal Academy until 1792. A bust, sculpted by Richard Westmacott (who was also responsible for some of the carving on Marble Arch in London), was put up in the Hall of the original Academy building in 1812 on Academy Street. It then moved to the Midmills site in 1985 and is now on display in the Inverness Royal Academy school library at the new Culduthel building.

Fraser was a native of Inverness, but had been a bursar, both for arts and for divinity, at King’s College, Aberdeen. He graduated in 1732 probably at about age 18 or 19, as was common in those days, and then became the master of an Academy at Bethnal Green, now part of the east end of London. He would have been in his forties when, in 1755, he came back to Inverness, having been selected by the Magistrates as master of Inverness Grammar School, teaching primarily Latin and perhaps Greek. The magistrates gave him £15 for transporting himself and his family from London.

He clearly saw the way forward for the Grammar School as part of an Academy, where the various subjects being taught were brought under the control of one person – the Rector. Consequently he petitioned the Town Council to introduce a scheme presumably similar to the arrangement at Bethnal Green, and was beginning to take hold through England and in some parts of Scotland.

After consideration, the Council decided to proceed with his plan and ordered the salary agreed for the teacher of mathematics, and money for the rent of a suitable school house, to be paid to Fraser. Within a year the Council also gave him, his family and his servants, free crossing of the old stone toll bridge over the River Ness.

Nothing else is heard of Fraser until April 1777, when he must have been approaching 65 years of age. This silence in the Town Council minutes presumably indicates that the Council had no cause to complain, and probably were very satisfied with his service. In that year the Provost reported that there was reason to believe that Mr Hector Fraser, Rector of the Grammar School [the first recorded use of the term ‘Rector’ in connection with the school], would willingly demit office in order to pass the remainder of his life in ease and retirement. In consideration of his having served the community for many years with fidelity and reputation they judged it a part of their duty to testify their sense of his service by bestowing an annuity of twenty pounds sterling on him, which they accordingly promised him. He accepted the offer and retired as from 30 April 1777. He died in 1786.

Fraser is buried in the Chapel Yard in Inverness, and he was held in such high regard by many of his pupils that for many years there was a dinner held in his memory by his former pupils. The first such event which has been traced was in September 1792. By 1811 his reputation was such that a marble bust of him was ordered.

The Latin inscription on the plinth translates as follows:
“Hector Fraser
A man truly great
if greatness is indicated by a sense of duty, loyalty, the highest learning,
and remarkable love for one’s fellow citizens.
Born at Inverness,
he grew to old age as a teacher of this school.
With what enthusiasm, devotion, and success, he pursued this calling,
the many young people, who imbibed his teaching, are witnesses.
To his memory, as deserved by his excellent qualities,
his pupils arranged to have set up
this portrait of an outstanding teacher
in the Year of our Lord 1812.
When will they find his equal?”

Research found on the Am Baile website.

#RealAcademy – share your stories with us on social media!

Wasps’ Inverness Creative Academy is delighted to present an illustrated online talk from Stuart MacKellar of LDN Architects. Stuart has overseenLDN’s role in delivering masterplan proposals for the former Midmills Campus as well as being lead architect for the Wasps development. As our building celebrates its 125th anniversary, since opening as Inverness Royal Academy in 1895, this talk will take you on a tour through the principal interior spaces and illustrate how they have changed over the years. Stuart will also share LDN’s approach to the development, the works that have taken place to date as well as the vision for the completed Inverness Creative Academy.  

“LDN Architects has been involved in the redevelopment of Midmills Campus since 2014. It is then with great privilege that we are now helping to deliver the final piece of the jigsaw by transforming the jewel in the crown that is the former Inverness Royal Academy, for Wasps Artists Studios. Having witnessed first-hand the effects that the initial phase of development has had on the Highlands’ creative community, we are set on ensuring that the second and final phase adds to what has already been achieved, whilst conserving one of Inverness’s finest architectural pieces. We look forward to sharing what we have learnt about the building’s past, it’s present state and our future vision in the upcoming talk hosted by Wasps.” Stuart MacKellar

Stuart MacKellar joined LDN Architects in 2015 and became a Partner at the start of 2018. Having grown up in the Highlands, Stuart then studied in Edinburgh and went on to spend time working for international architectural practices such as Foster + Partners before returning to Inverness. Now based in LDN’s Forres office, some of Stuart’s other ongoing projects include restoration works to Inverness Town House, a new community hub in Huntly and theInverness Castle project.

Join Us

If you’d like to participate in the Q&A please register for the Zoom webinar here:
https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_TDFlTbd_S6yX14w2nWU6ZQ

You can also watch the live stream on our Facebook page!

Our heritage programme is supported by The National Lottery Heritage Fund

Header image: drawing by Stuart MacKellar, LDN Architects, 2017

The new Inverness Darkroom sits almost on the same spot as the first ever ‘teaching’ darkroom in the Highlands, which was created in 1948 by Fred Hardley when it was occupied by Inverness Royal Academy.  In turn the Inverness College art department created a modern darkroom in the building around 2003. So, the current darkroom is the 3rd to be built, and we are carrying on a now long established photographic tradition!  

“I started work at Inverness College in the mid 1980s and my first office was at the ‘Midmills’ Building.  At that time the College was still part of Highland Council and the Midmills campus was gradually being restored and developed for use as a base for further education. I recall the front half of the building being reminiscent of a building site, with all the floorboards up and access restricted – very similar to the way it is at the moment! 

The art department was originally located in two ordinary classrooms in the main Longman Building and photography classes were held in a large cupboard on C floor, just big enough for 8 enlargers and a small sink, with tutorials and crits being held in the corridor.  

However, when the HIDB closed its doors on the Highland Craftpoint building in Beauly (which was shared by Made in Scotland, now the Co-op) at the end of the 90s the College rented the building. This transformed the art and media departments with the creation of excellent new facilities, which included large studio spaces, multimedia rooms, a new purpose-built darkroom, and an exhibition space.  We quickly expanded courses and developed our sense of a mini ‘art school’.  Unfortunately, for a number of very practical reasons this was short-lived and a move back into Inverness became inevitable.   

Due to the excellent recruitment to the art and media courses a move to the Midmills Building was proposed as the large airy spaces and good light created an ambiance perfect for art and drama to continue to expand.   

It is fitting that Wasps’ Inverness Creative Academy now hosts working artists, a dedicated community of photographers and students from the UHI – carrying on the creative enterprise begun by Fred Hardley in 1948. “

The Inverness Darkroom opened in February 2019 at Inverness Creative Academy and is a community workspace with 8 enlargers and black & white film processing facilities. They run regular workshops and  membership of the darkroom is affordable and flexible with options to pay monthly, quarterly or annually.

www.theinvernessdarkroom.org.uk

Find them on Facebook here

Images courtesy of The Inverness Darkroom

This week we wanted to acknowledge the far reaching impact of Inverness Royal Academy which until the introduction of a comprehensive education system and local authority catchment areas in the 1960’s and 70’s, welcomed pupils from as far away as the islands of Barra, Uist and Harris. Many pupils boarded in Inverness and accommodation was provided in two hostels within the city (one for boys and one for girls) at Hedgefield House, Culduthel Road (named the Inverness Academy War Memorial Hostel), and also within Drummond Park House.

This meant the school had strong links with the Gaelic culture of the Highlands & Islands both through it’s students and staff. Therefor we’ve chosen to share a short audio clip from Peggy Mackintosh (known as Peggy MacLeod in school) from the isle of Raasay near Skye. Her Father was the bootmaker on Raasay and you’ll hear reference to herself as ‘Peggy Shoemaker’ in this clip.

Peggy came to the Academy in 1944 aged only 12 and a half. She had only left Raasay once before to have her appendix removed in Broadford Hospital a few months prior to her departure. She describes her journey to Inverness as ‘difficult’. Her father was by her side and they travelled by boat, then train, it was her first ever train journey.

Some of Peggy’s brothers had attended Portree Academy, but the MOD had removed the steam boat service that took them there. Her father knew the Rector, DJ MacDonald and asked if her older brother and she may attend there. Angus went in 1939, Peggy followed and then her youngest sister a year after her.

A resident of Hedgefield Hostel, Peggy only got home a few times per year. She met her husband Andrew at the school and his mother took her under her wing. Peggy would go to his for tea sometimes after school, but to do so, she would have to ask the hostel Matron at lunch time.

Peggy recalled the hostel dances where the 4th-6th year girls would select some 4th-6th year boys that could attend the dance, the list would then be taken to the Rector who would sign it off. Lucky for her, Andrew got to come along when she was in 2nd year. They won a dance competition; the prize was tickets to the Palace theatre, where they had double seats to cosy up in.

A lot of the girls wouldn’t have their own dresses. Peggy recalls Ms Yule’s kindness in finding dresses for them all; “she was fantastic…she used to take dresses up from Edinburgh and share them out amongst the girls who had nothing…she was good to us…they were good to us really.”

This interview and research was untaken by Kerry Duncan in 2018.

“Here is a photo of the Royal Academy 1st Hockey XI of 1949-50 with Peggy third from the left in the front row, next to team coach Maude Yule. As a PE teacher, including back at the Royal Academy, Peggy went on to become an eminent hockey coach and referee. Peggy went on to marry the school’s Howden Medallist of 1948, Andrew MacKintosh.” Charles Bannerman

Photo credit: Paterson Collection.

“Peggy (my mother) played in the school’s Senior Hockey team from S1 onwards as goalkeeper. She says the main reason she was chosen for that position was because she had played shinty from an early age at home on Raasay with her siblings and was used to stopping the ball with her feet! Her younger sister Alice, who went on to become a Gaelic teacher, is on the right end of the back row.” Callum Mackintosh

#ThrowbackThursday

The Academy Street Townscape Heritage project and Inverness Creative Academy are delighted to present an illustrated talk from Inverness based conservation architect Calum Maclean. This talk focuses on the architectural practice of Ross & Macbeth in Inverness and coincides with the launch of Calum’s new publication ‘The Architecture of Inverness’.  

Alexander Ross is one of the most celebrated architects in the Highlands. During the Victorian period Inverness expanded dramatically and Ross was responsible for designing many of the most important streets and buildings in the city centre including Inverness Cathedral. In 1887 he entered into a long-running partnership with his then assistant Robert John Macbeth.

In this talk Calum will explore two iconic Ross & Macbeth buildings; the Inverness Creative Academy at the Midmills campus (formally the home of Inverness Royal Academy) and the Rose Street Foundry/AI Welders building at 96 Academy Street.

Audrey Carlin, Chief Executive Officer at Wasps Studios, said: “This talk is a wonderful opportunity to learn about the long and colourful history of two of Inverness’ most iconic buildings. Wasps is thrilled to be bringing the ‘Midmills’ buildings back to life as Inverness Creative Academy, looking forward to a vibrant future as the Highlands’ first major creative hub.”

Cllr Jimmy Gray, Chairman of the Inverness Townscape Heritage Project, added: “Recently I have been doing a great deal of walking around Inverness Old Town centre and looking up at some of the beautiful buildings we have. I’d encourage others to do the same and this talk is a great opportunity to learn about the Rose Street Foundry and Midmills campus.”

Calum Maclean created the architectural practice MAAC Studio to encourage a wider appreciation of the beautiful historic architecture that is spread throughout the Highlands and his forthcoming book ‘The Architecture of Inverness‘ explores the extraordinary story of Inverness told through its architecture.

Update: Watch a Clip

In this 15 minute extract Calum explores our building’s site, proportions and highlights some of the fantastic exterior stonework. You can watch the full recording via our Facebook live tab.

Our heritage programme is supported by The National Lottery Heritage Fund and the Academy Street Townscape Heritage Project.

Get involved

On your daily walk take a look at the old buildings in your area.Try to spot any interesting or unusual architectural details, for example the size and shape of the windows, ornate railings or stone carvings. We’d love to see what you discover! You could sketch or take a photo of the building features you find.

Share it with us via our Inverness Creative Academy Facebook page or email [email protected] … or post your images on social media using the hashtag #WaspsHeritage

Online Resources

Use some of these websites to find out more information, there are interesting online maps & archive photographs.

Explore Academy Street – has a great interactive map that shows you some of the history behind the buildings on Academy Street in Inverness, including the Rose Street Foundry/AI Welders Building by Ross & Macbeth.

Inverness Creative Academy – this page on our website has more history about our building and Inverness Royal Academy including old school photographs.

National Library of Scotland – maps are great to see how an area has changed this website has old maps that you can explore and compare to present day maps.

Am Baile – has old photographs and sound recordings from right across the Highlands & Islands.

Project supported by the National Lottery Heritage Fund Scotland.

This week we are sharing a short audio clip from Dave Conner (past Inverness Royal Academy pupil) and Robert Preece (past IRA Geography teacher) discussing their memories of Ellis ‘Curly’ Stuart, the Principal Teacher of French during the 1960s.

Charles Bannerman described Ellis Stuart in his publication ‘Up Stephen’s Brae’:

“Curly was never a teacher to whom one ever got particularly close, and there was something of an air of mystery about him too. There had always been the perception that he had done something terribly dangerous in the War, and on odd occasions he would slip off his guard and begin to allude to this, only to check himself abruptly. It was almost quarter of a century later that he told me that he in fact spent time behind enemy lines both in France and Poland, working for a branch of MI5, so courage was not in short supply by any stretch of the imagination!

There was no doubt that Ellis Stuart was an excellent teacher who set high standards … He was a great devotee of the sport of Shinty, having co-founded the School Camanachd Association in the 1930s.”

Interview/sound recorded by Kerry Duncan, 2018.

You can read more of Charles’s publication via the Inverness Royal Academy website.

Do you remember one of these rooms?

Help us populate this map with stories – maybe you remember a favourite teacher or lesson.

Please leave us a comment below or alternatively you can get in touch with your stories via our Inverness Creative Academy Facebook page or email [email protected]

We hope to bring you a new online archive with the research material gathered to date and gradually over the next few months we’ll be sharing videos, audio clips and archive photos, as well as asking for the public to share their own school photos and memories. This activity is kindly supported by the National Lottery Heritage Fund Scotland.

We are very fortunate that significant progress has been made since works began onsite in January, and while works have ceased onsite, the team will continue to progress work during this period, so we are in a position to restart as soon as it is safe to do so. In the meantime, read on to see some of the progress we are delighted to report so far.

The removal of the internal partitions in the hall is now complete, opening up and revealing the original grandeur of the Assembly Hall. The internal scaffold is left in progress for the refurbishment works to begin on our return.

Midmills’ history has being revealed to us throughout the process of stripping out the internal works. We were delighted to find the original parquet flooring still intact in the main hall. We also had an interesting discovery of the school’s old soot flue that used to service the assembly hall fireplaces, found within the walls. 

In our first blog post we mentioned the external scaffold being erected to examine the original stonework. See below for incredible images of the carved stonework details on the exterior of the building that we were able to see up close.

Should you have any queries about the project please contact us:

Wasps
Emma Callaghan (Project Development Manager)
Call 0141 553 5890 or email: [email protected]

Get Involved

We are currently fundraising for this final phase which will complete Wasps’ vision to deliver a vibrant creative destination to serve the whole of the Highlands. We have secured most of the money to complete our Midmills transformation, but must raise a final £500,000 to reach our overall target.

If you would like to find out more about supporting the transformation of Midmills, please contact Claire English, Wasps Funding and Partnerships Manager on 0141 553 5890 or email [email protected].

There are a number of options to acknowledge your support within the development. You can also donate securely with PayPal Giving Fund using the button below: