McLaren marks a historic milestone
Anniversary celebrations all set to start
McLaren High School is celebrating its 125th birthday with a series of events throughout the school session.
The Callander school’s founder was banker Donald McLaren, originally from the Strathearn area, the traditional lands of the Clan MacLaren.
In the 1840s he endowed the Free Church School in the town, which was the immediate forerunner of The McLaren High School, established in 1892.
Donald McLaren died in 1854 but his daughter Mary carried on the tradition of her father’s generosity and ensured that the McLaren Educational Trust endowments were used for the benefit of the children throughout West Perthshire, including Balquhidder, without distinction of income, class or church.
The school moved from its original location at what is now Callander Primary School to the current building in Mollands Road in 1965.
Pupils and staff marched from the old secondary building at Bridgend to the new campus - a walk which was re-enacted in 2015, 50 years on.
These days McLaren High has a roll of 614 pupils, with children from 11 primary schools in the cluster transferring after P7.
Celebrations kick off on Thursday, September 7, with the annual awards ceremony in Callander Kirk.
On Saturday, September 9, there are a number of events taking place in the school which all current and former pupils and staff and members of the school community are invited to.
At 12.30pm for 1pm the annual FP lunch takes place, tickets £11 available from the school. Then afternoon tea for current and former staff will be served at 3pm (tickets £7.50).
At 5.30pm a barbecue for current and former pupils is at 5.30pm (entrance free) while a family ceilidh is held from 7.30-11.30pm, tickets £10 adults and under-18s £5.
Tickets for the ceilidh and afternoon tea can be purchased from the school reception or by calling Stirling Council bookings on 01786 473544/01786 274000.
Pupils and staff marched from the old secondary building at Bridgend to the new campus