Atholl History

The Atholl Preparatory School was started in 1925 as a group of six children who were taught in their own homes by Miss West under the general guidance of a parent – Mr David Kennedy-Fraser of Jordanhill Training College.

In 1927 Miss Louisa Hoare purchased Atholl Cottage in Glasgow Road, Milngavie, and with the assistance of Miss West organised the teaching in her own home. Miss Barron took over as Headmistress in 1929 and the school moved briefly to the Boys’ Brigade Hall.

‘Atholl Preparatory School’ became a limited company in 1931. The new building, opened in November of that year, consisted of the Blue Room, the Green Room, one cloakroom and a small staffroom. In 1935 it was extended to provide the Indian Room and a new staffroom.

Successive Headmistresses were Miss Kathleen Ritchie (‘Beaky’ to her pupils!), Miss Davidson, Miss Rachel Macnair, Mrs Sally Windebank and Mrs Janice Donaldson.

After merging with The Glasgow Academy in 1999, Atholl continues to progress and prosper. In some ways things have not changed: activities which pupils remember from pre-war days include a Nativity Play and a Medieval Banquet – part of the curriculum today.