Back – part 2
morning the examination took place, two happy candidates writing at opposite ends of the table in the minister’s study. Previous to this, when my elder sister was a candidate in the Welfare of Youth examination, she had all the adventure of a voyage to Tobermory for the purpose.
‘My friend Maggie Robertson and I had another adventure when she was a performer at a concert held in the school at Claggan. We walked all the way, along the margin of the loch, and over the bridge spanning the River Aline. We were hospitably welcomed and were the guests overnight of the school mistress, Miss Stewart, a gentlewoman whose air of stately charm greatly impressed us. Additional inmates of the school house were two Marys, the housekeeper and a school girl boarder.
When our hostess had occasion to leave the house there was a quaint formula, which charmed us because of its unexpectedness and gentle tones. “Can I trust you Mary MacDonald?” “Yes ma’am.” “Can I trust you Mary Clark?” “Yes ma’m.” The concert was lengthy and delightful, mostly Gaelic. Two items only can I recall. Bingen on the Rhine was recited by a young lady from over the hill, given with considerable dramatic power. When her name was called out my friend Maggie left her place by my side at the gallery, made her way sturdily, her steps sounding all the way to the platform. Her song was in Gaelic, all joining in the chorus.
Tho’ I’ve neither sheep or cattle was the first
Main: Glencripesdale Farm House home of Peter Robertson, with inset, Kinlochteacuis Farm House where Mary Inglis, the essayist, was given hospitality by Mr and Mrs John Robertson; and left, Lord Robertson of Port Ellen on holiday in Morvern.
line. The air is familiar still. In school at Kinloch Teagus we sang so lustily, Farewell, farewell to Fiunary! I should like to go on pilgrimage and see Morvern again.’
The Robertsons, whom the writer mentions with such affection, were on old farming family from Breadalbane who came to Morvern in 1866. James John and Peter jointly took on the agricultural tenancy of Rahoy, Glencripesdale and Kinlochteacuis from the owners, the Stewarts of Auch, who sold up in 1871 to three Newtons brothers from Warwickshire. Although the Morvern leases ended in 1892, various members of the family stayed on in Morvern, while others went to Killiechronan on Mull and elsewhere in the Highlands.
Among their descendents were Jessie, the primary school teacher, Claggan, Morvern, from 1902 until 1939, and Peter (Pat), headmaster of Lochgilphead and Rockfield school in Oban, who are still remembered in teaching circles for their skill and popularity.
James John’s great grandson George, is Lord Robertson of Port Ellen, one of Britain’s most distinguished statesman who served as the 10th Secretary General of NATO from 1999 to 2004 and Secretary of State for Defence from 1997 to 1999. Lord Robertson, former MP for Hamilton, is also a Knight of the Order of the Thistle – the greatest order of chivalry in Scotland, conferred by Her Majesty the Queen on Scottish men and women who have held public office or who have contributed in a particular way to national life. George was born in the police station in Port Ellen, Isle of Islay, on April 12, 1946, where his father and grandfather were policemen. His grandfather played a leading role in the aftermath of the sinking of the SS Tuscania and the SS Otranto during the First World War, when hundreds of troops perished. Self-discipline and service to community and country are traditions which have continued in the Robertson family for generations.
Glencripesdale, Kinlochteacuis and Rahoy are now three separate estates. Before they were split, the last two were owned by the Highlands and Islands Development Board as an experimental deer farm but it was short-lived.