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A School in South Uist: Reminiscences of a Hebridean School Master, 1890–1913
A fascinating portrait of life as an educator on a remote, rugged Scottish island at the turn of the twentieth century.
These are the memoirs of a teacher from England who became headmaster of Garrynemonie School in South Uist in the 1890s. At that time, the Hebrides were as remote and forbidding to mainlanders as the Antarctic is today, and this particular island was one of the poorest districts in the Outer Hebrides. Roads were no more than rough tracks. Gaelic was the majority language, although children had to learn their lessons in English and few allowances were made for bilingual teaching. Epidemics were frequent, and the school had to close its doors because of outbreaks of smallpox, whooping cough, scarlet fever, mumps, and measles.
F.G. Rea’s memoirs show how he strove to meet these difficulties—his pupils would recall him as a sincere, hard-working man and an excellent teacher. This work reveals his powers of observation and his interest in the unfamiliar scenes and events he witnessed and recorded, as well as providing a close-up view of this corner of the world in history.
These are the memoirs of a teacher from England who became headmaster of Garrynemonie School in South Uist in the 1890s. At that time, the Hebrides were as remote and forbidding to mainlanders as the Antarctic is today, and this particular island was one of the poorest districts in the Outer Hebrides. Roads were no more than rough tracks. Gaelic was the majority language, although children had to learn their lessons in English and few allowances were made for bilingual teaching. Epidemics were frequent, and the school had to close its doors because of outbreaks of smallpox, whooping cough, scarlet fever, mumps, and measles.
F.G. Rea’s memoirs show how he strove to meet these difficulties—his pupils would recall him as a sincere, hard-working man and an excellent teacher. This work reveals his powers of observation and his interest in the unfamiliar scenes and events he witnessed and recorded, as well as providing a close-up view of this corner of the world in history.
277 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 1964
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
October 3, 2013
I’ve been hooked to this book set in one of the Hebridean islands. An English schoolteacher in the late 1800s, for want of more earning, applies to teach in a school in South Uist. As luck would have it, he gets picked as head teacher. It is his first trip to Scotland, and certainly his first to one of the isles. Now, just like this man, I too was new to Scotland last year. I visited my first Isle this year. Though there’s been about 120 years between us, the emotions that the isles of Scotland evoked in him are much the same as they did in me.
from http://cupandchaucer.wordpress.com/20...
from http://cupandchaucer.wordpress.com/20...
May 27, 2017
An interesting read if you are going to South Uist, but for me he didn't really talk enough about life on the island and particularly about his work in the school. I suppose he wasn't writing for an audience, but just reminiscing about what interested him. Towards the end that seemed to be exclusively fishing!
Worth reading if you are going there, but not a gripping tale. Some interesting insights into the attitudes of the day.
Worth reading if you are going there, but not a gripping tale. Some interesting insights into the attitudes of the day.
February 21, 2018
I enjoyed Mr. Rea's extended memoir about his experiences as a new teacher in Garrynamonie School (situated on South Uist, a small island in the Hebrides west of Scotland). Having visited this part of the world, more than 100 years later, I could visualize the distances he walked from place to place, to teach, visit, and fish, and imagine how the weather could play a large factor in everyday life. I would like to have read more about some of his individual students but do recognize at least how challenging everyday life must have been for these kids.
May 10, 2016
A really interesting account of the experiences of a teacher from the north of England who moved to Uist to teach in the late 1800s. It's not great literature, but it is a really interesting snapshot in time of life Uist. There's a mixture of school activity, sport (fishing and golf and even a bit of football) and lots of really enjoyable narratives about the locals and local folklore.
August 31, 2023
fascinating glimpse of the Scottish isles
This is a straightforward account of a schoolmaster’s observations of daily life in the outer Hebrides. Insightful and at times humorous.
This is a straightforward account of a schoolmaster’s observations of daily life in the outer Hebrides. Insightful and at times humorous.
September 4, 2023
Read whilst I was in the Outer Hebrides, so it made the book come alive. Amazing what some people have done with their lives!
April 19, 2024
I’m not sure the author has a sense of humour but loved some of the anecdotes and descriptions of Hebridean life. Also really annoying to know how good the fishing used to be.
October 3, 2013
As I was saying earlier, I’ve been hooked to this book set in one of the Hebridean islands. An English schoolteacher in the late 1800s, for want of more earning, applies to teach in a school in South Uist. As luck would have it, he gets picked as head teacher. It is his first trip to Scotland, and certainly his first to one of the isles. Now, just like this man, I too was new to Scotland last year. I visited my first Isle this year. Though there’s been about 120 years between us, the emotions that the isles of Scotland evoked in him are much the same as they did in me.
from http://cupandchaucer.wordpress.com/20...
from http://cupandchaucer.wordpress.com/20...
February 19, 2011
Tales of a school inspector for the isle of South Uist in the Hebrides, Scotland.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews