Achnamara House � Achanamara Village

Date Added: 29 September 2019 Contributor: Norman Davidson Year of Photo: 1958 Picture No: 4527

The photograph courtesy of Fiona Green, North Connel, is of a view of Achnamara Residential School taken from the forest behind the large walled garden with a lovely view looking down to Loch Sween. The house was at this time owned by Glasgow Corporation and managed as a Residential School for a relay of children from the city who stayed for several weeks before returning again to their home and normal school. Note the very well stocked vegetable and fruit garden maintained by Willie Graham who was the gardener at the Residential school.

On the extreme right the buildings that can be seen through the trees close to the loch shore could possibly be some of the timber Forestry Houses build circa 1951.

Fiona recalls that:
“The new Ashfield Primary School built about 1957 and just prior to that Achnamara Village, were both built on grazing fields attached to Seafield farm which is just north of Achnamara village.
Looking from the walled garden to the large conifers which are located across the burn which ran at the back of the village there was a fairly substantial area of sawdust from a previous sawmilling operation. The abandoned sawdust pile was over four foot deep and covered a large area. There were no remains of any machinery there, perhaps it could have been from a time when the area belonged to the Poltalloch Estate. The village children played in the sawdust digging traps to lure other children into them.
Billy remembers seeing the remains of a steam engine in the forest at the head of an arm of Loch Sween near Strone, which is a few miles north of Achnamara village”.

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16 Comments

My wife and I visited Achnamara today 18th July 2021 and were saddened to see the condition of the residential school house. I spent a month in the school from 11th January to 11th February 1959. My twin brother and I were pupils at Calder Street Junior secondary School, Glasgow and enjoyed our time in Achnamara. Although the building and grounds are no longer what the were back then, our memories of our stay have lasted a lifetime. Comment left on 18 July 2021 at 22:19 by Colin Baird

Just as I remember it. I was there twice in the early 60s. The second time I actually nipped out from school to get my deposit money, I was at Possilpark junior secondary, loved Achnamarra still have some good memories although it was all those years ago. Comment left on 04 July 2022 at 22:22 by Ian Begg

I stayed at Achnamara residential school house. I spent some time there with other pupils from Calder Street Junior secondary School, Glasgow some time between 1965-67 and enjoyed my time in Achnamara. The memories of my stay have lasted a lifetime. Comment left on 02 March 2023 at 21:58 by Robert Bremner

I also went to Achnamara house for 4 weeks from Drumchapel around 1968. Think I was 11 had the best time ever I still talk about it to this day

Met some great kids from Easterhouse school. Wish my grandkids could have had the experience Comment left on 09 August 2023 at 21:49 by lynda pollock

I stayed there in 1957 when I left Dowanhill Primary before going on to Hyndland Secondary. I was there for a month and as been said before, the memories have never left me.
Great experience. Comment left on 15 August 2023 at 09:22 by Brian Langbridge

I stayed there for about a month in 1972, best time of my life, I fell in love with the place and still my fondest memories, each time my parents would write to me, my mail was opened, by a certain Willie Graham, gardener at the big hoose. Happy days indeed. We got a large caravan over at Castle Sween, my brother may sill have one there. Days without a care in the world. I was at Garrioch school in 72, another school was there same time as us. We all got along and a few romances sprouted, short lived but fun times. I really should go visit as its been a long time since I was there, about 1986 I think. Comment left on 17 August 2023 at 17:44 by Willie Graham (not the gardener)

Oh my goodness, what wonderful memories, clear as a bell, despite it being over 60 years ago. I remember wonderful walks through the woods and seeing a dragonfly for the first time. We used to rush toward the postman every day, hoping he brought postal orders from home so that we could buy sweets in the little wooden shop in the village. One day, as we all rushed toward him he stopped and put his hand up. We all froze like statues. He then put his finger to his lips so that we would approach very, very slowly and quietly. As we got near he slowly took his heavy postbag from his shoulder and gently placed it on the grass. Inside was a little fawn, trembling, it's beautiful big eyes staring at as all. The postman came across it on his rounds and after his deliveries was taking it to the vet. I remember that like it was yesterday. It's the closest I'd ever been to a wild deer, then or since. I could write a book about the time I spent at Achnamara. It quite literally changed my outlook. I had never been in the country before and instantly felt at home. I did go back (I think most who were there just had to!). It was a kind of outdoor adventure centre by then and I had a chat and a cup of tea with one of the chaps who ran it. I signed the visitors book. He told me he almost wished he had been there when it was a school, judging by the amount of people who come back every year. Comment left on 12 December 2023 at 18:48 by Sarah

My wife and I also visited Auchnamara residential school a few years ago and found it very sad to see the condition of the buildings.
I went to Calder school in and around 1958/59 and remember the 4 weeks I spent at the Achnamara.I still have a small school book where we drew surrounding wild life along with a description of their habitat. I also remember going down to loch edge and looking for urchin shells, our visit to Lochgilphead and watching a film called “Mogambo” with Clark Gable and Ava Gardner.
I also still have a few photographs taken during my school visit which includes a photograph of Mr Barclay the Head Master of Calder Street School.
Happy times.
Comment left on 19 January 2024 at 15:33 by John Lyons

I was at Achnamara house early 60s, always wanted to go back to visit but never seemed to have the time. I was at Calder Street junior secondary school which I really enjoyed. Comment left on 22 March 2024 at 23:16 by Ian Taylor

Remember Achnamara well, beautiful place. The letter writing to your parents particularly special, waiting on postal orders to arrive for you to cash in at the local Post Office. Outdoor activities were amazing and such fun. Making friends and new relationships and I thoroughly loved them all, brought me such a sense of achievement, which I look back on with joy and has made me the woman of today! Comment left on 22 August 2024 at 12:16 by Helen

I stayed at achnamara residential school for 3 weeks Jan 1972 met lots of new friends then from Govan school
I loved the rambles through the woods, all great memories. Comment left on 08 November 2024 at 15:43 by Linda Hunter

My dad, John Mcnabney, who sadly passed away May 2024, stayed at Achnamara with his classmates from Scotstoun. He always talked about the place to us and loved his time there. We visited years ago and he was lost in thought, he missed his time there. Just thought I’d put a message on here to say how much he loved it. Comment left on 12 December 2024 at 14:33 by Deborah McNabney

I stayed there in July 1969 lots of kids gathered round the TV to watch Prince Charles become the Prince of Wales.
Very happy memories of this beautiful place.
So sad it's in a state of disrepair. Comment left on 06 November 2025 at 20:12 by Sandra Bradley

Was on trip from Calder St jnr sec school approx 1955. Remember sour milk for breakfast one morning although enjoyed most things and gathering leaves to keep and name in our jotters.
Comment left on 19 November 2025 at 18:39 by Henrietta Cheyne

I have often thought if happy times there probably 1958/59. From Calder St Jun sec School. Remember the big hut like an annex where we had a dance on final night before we went home. My Mum sent a dress to me pink satin. Remember One Tree Island, we rowed across to, walks through the forest, took us into Lochgilphead too. Bought sweets at wee shop. Great memories Comment left on 08 February 2026 at 13:57 by Grace Sichi

went twice in early 60s from bernard street school happy days met then girlfriend cathie mcknight Comment left on 11 February 2026 at 17:22 by george wilsongeorge

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