Balrossie School, Kilmacolm - August 2009

[JEP27]

We were in Scotland for holidays and Auntie Katherine said she would look after the kids for the day, so we decided escape was a good plan. We had intended to check out Polphail, but things didn't quite turn out as we were hoping, so we ended up going in search of Balrossie.

Balrossie School was built in 1899 and was originally a home for sailors orphans. Prior to WWII Balrossie was bought by The Boys Brigade and used as their outdoor training centre. Balrossie was HQ for light AA during World War II. In the 1960's it became a residential List D School and was closed in 1994. It is now abandoned and derelict. More details and pictures can be found here:-
http://canmore.rcahms.gov.uk/en/site...d=asc&show=all

I know it has been mentioned before, but it is perhaps worth warning everyone again, there is a lot of water in these buildings and the electric is still all on and a lot of wires dangling in puddles

Externals













The first building we came across was the annex building. There was an easy entry point, but water was quite literally cascading somewhere inside so I decided a photo through the window was ample, especially as we were quite tied for time and there was a lot more to explore.



On to the main building.



Science labs


Cookery






Iona Unit







Cue the mobile ringing to tell us Auntie Katherine had had her fill of kids, so we had to pack up and go and rescue her.

[skin]

The canmore website lists the gates as having initials SH it is actually SOH - Sailors Orphan Homes. No -one can make out the inscription on the stones and I am not 100% convinced it is a H - at the moment Im veering towards three letters with the first a J. although I havent turned up anything that relates to either a J or a H . Sir Charles Cayzer donated £10000 towards the build but his name doesnt fit - its an annoying mystery.

Nice pics !

[JEP27]

Dawn made a prospectus for the school:- http://www.youtube.com/v/_X6cn-2z8HA...ram%3E%3Cparam

[foz101]

No -one can make out the inscription on the stones and I am not 100% convinced it is a H - at the moment Im veering towards three letters with the first a J. although I havent turned up anything that relates to either a J or a H . Sir Charles Cayzer donated £10000 towards the build but his name doesnt fit - its an annoying mystery.

It's def 3 letters but I can't seem to make it out. I just wasted part of the day trying to find out. Architects, benefactors etc. Richard Hunter of Hunter Barr & Co, some sort of link with Quarriers - who owned the land I wonder? It is frustrating.