What exactly went on in the Parish School? There are few clues to exactly what happened in our school, but as there were general teaching principles laid down, pay and conditions were regulated by parliament from as early as the 1690's and a system of supervision by the presbyteries of the Church of Scotland was in place until 1871, general summaries can be made.

There does not appear to have been more than the schoolmaster employed, whatever the number of pupils. We know from the Church Accounts the following were the schoolmasters of Durness:

 

1768 Donald Munro

As the school probably opened in 1767, Donald was almost certainly the first parochial schoolmaster. He was probably a local man as there were a number of Munro families in the parish, all apparently descended from the three generations of Munro ministers in the 17th century. He was also the precenter in the church -he led the singing- and he was Session Clerk, responsible for the administration of the Kirk session of Durness church. This also implies he was an elder of the church. However by 1770 he was described as 'the late schoolmaster suggesting he had resigned.

 

1781 James Craig

He was paid 'his demands' Martimas 1781-1783 - probably a supplement to his

salary. Craig is not a known name in Durness and he probably came from outwith

Sutherland.

1. Murdo MacDonald

2. Paid 'gratuity per agreement' for 1789. There were MacDonalds locally, but
   there is no record of Murdo.

 

1796 James Simpson

Note on payment of fees as Session Clerk

 

1800 Mr J. Simpson

Only a note on a payment due as 'late' schoolmaster. Again not a local name and

no record of him.

 

20May 1800 - 20 May 1806 John MacDonald

The schoolmaster we know most about as he kept a diary and it was published as 'Autobiographical Journal of John MacDonald Schoolmaster and soldier 1770-1830'

(1752 -1832) Introduction and notes by Rev Angus MacKay MA Published 1906

 

1812 William Ross

The final schoolmaster. He was also one of two precentors as well as being Session Clerk - he was only 16 at the time which perhaps reflects on the lack of educated men to hold this post or perhaps it was viewed as a duty of the  schoolmaster. He was precenting in the church as early a 1809. The Parish Accounts for the period ending 10th Dec 1812 were signed by William Ross, Schoolmaster.

 

On 10 August 1806 James Campbell signed the account as Session Clerk and on 7th June 1810 John Matheson did likewise - it's possible they were both schoolmasters.