Dollar Academy is a 5–18

private Private or privates may refer to: Music * "In Private", by Dusty Springfield from the 1990 album ''Reputation'' * Private (band), a Denmark-based band * "Private" (Ryōko Hirosue song), from the 1999 album ''Private'', written and also recorded ...

co-educational day and

boarding school A boarding school is a school where pupils live within premises while being given formal instruction. The word "boarding" is used in the sense of "room and board", i.e. lodging and meals. They have existed for many centuries, and now extend acr ...

for boys and girls in

Scotland Scotland is a Countries of the United Kingdom, country that is part of the United Kingdom. It contains nearly one-third of the United Kingdom's land area, consisting of the northern part of the island of Great Britain and more than 790 adjac ...

. The open campus occupies a site in the centre of

Dollar, Clackmannanshire Dollar () is a small town in Clackmannanshire, Scotland, with an estimated population of in . It is east of Stirling. Toponymy The name is unrelated to the dollar currency name. Possible interpretations are that Dollar is derived from ''Doi ...

, at the foot of the

Ochil Hills The Ochil Hills (; ) is a range of hills in Scotland north of the River Forth, Forth valley bordered by the cities of Stirling, Perth, Scotland, Perth and the towns of Alloa, Kinross, and Auchterarder . The only major roads crossing the hil ...

. The school was founded in 1818 by Captain John McNab and Scottish architect

William Henry Playfair William Henry Playfair Fellow of the Royal Society of Edinburgh, FRSE (15 July 1790 – 19 March 1857) was a prominent Scottish architect in the 19th century who designed the Eastern, or Third, New Town, Edinburgh, New Town and many of Edinb ...

was responsible for the design of the school building.

History

Establishment

Dollar was founded in 1818 following a bequest by Captain John McNab or McNabb. He captained, owned and leased out many ships over the decades and it is known that at least four voyages transported black slaves to the West Indies in 1789–91, less than twenty years before the

Slave Trade Act 1807 The Slave Trade Act 1807 ( 47 Geo. 3 Sess. 1. c. 36), or the Abolition of Slave Trade Act 1807, was an act of the Parliament of the United Kingdom prohibiting the Atlantic slave trade in the British Empire. Although it did not automatica ...

. In 2019, in order to understand the extent of John McNabb’s involvement in the slave trade, research was commissioned in collaboration with external advisors. The school had been "shamed" about this connection in 1998. The school also teaches about McNabb's links to the slave trade in several subjects. McNabb bequeathed part of his fortune – £65,000, – to provide "a charity or school for the poor of the parish of Dollar where I was born".

Architecture

William Playfair William Playfair (22 September 1759 – 11 February 1823) was a Scottish engineer and political economist. The founder of graphical methods of statistics, Playfair invented several types of diagrams: in 1786 he introduced the line, area and ...

was commissioned to design the building. The interior of the ''Playfair Building'' was gutted by a fire in 1961, but Playfair's Greek-style outer facades remained intact. The interior was rebuilt on a plan based on central corridors with equal-sized classrooms on both sides. An extra (second) floor was concealed, increasing the total available space. The school was re-opened in 1966 by former pupil Lord Heyworth, and the assembly hall was rebuilt after the fire. The school library is a " whispering gallery" because of its domed ceiling. Many other buildings have been added to the school over time- such as the ''Dewar Building'' for science and the ''Maguire Building'' for art and physical education. And in 2016 the ''Westwater Buildin''g was added, named after Private George Philip Westwater, an FP killed in the

First World War World War I or the First World War (28 July 1914 – 11 November 1918), also known as the Great War, was a World war, global conflict between two coalitions: the Allies of World War I, Allies (or Entente) and the Central Powers. Fighting to ...

at Gallipoli. This building contains the Modern Languages department and two Economics classrooms.

Recent history

In 1961, a fire broke out at the school which destroyed the interior of the Playfair Building, with all classrooms and the school library containing 12,000 books being destroyed. Following the outbreak of the fire, the local community and school staff provided assistance for the rebuilding and restructuring of the school whilst teaching continued for pupils within the Prep School facilities as well as within Harviestoun Castle, local halls and even in private houses. The inside of the Playfair Building was reconstructed on three floors instead of the original two and finally re-opened in 1966. During the 1970s, there was a change in legislation which ultimately resulted in the phasing out the "Direct Grant". The Central Regional Council decide to not continue with the long-standing agreement which was in place in regards to fees for Dollar Parish pupils which resulted in the school becoming an entirely independent school. In 2024, Dollar Academy was awarded ''

The Sunday Times ''The Sunday Times'' is a British Sunday newspaper whose circulation makes it the largest in Britain's quality press market category. It was founded in 1821 as ''The New Observer''. It is published by Times Newspapers Ltd, a subsidiary of N ...

'' "Scottish Independent School of the Year".

Overview

Coat of Arms

The school has its own coat of arms, which, in its present form, was devised by the

Lord Lyon King of Arms The Right Honourable the Lord Lyon King of Arms, the head of Lyon Court, is the most junior of the Great Officer of State, Great Officers of State in Scotland and is the Scotland, Scottish official with responsibility for regulating heraldry i ...

in 1918. The motifs which feature on the coat of arms are derived from the clan Campbell coat of arms, whilst Castle Campbell, dominant as part of both the town and the school, was the lowland seat of the earls and dukes of Argyll, chiefs of clan Campbell, from the 15th to the 19th century. The school crest features a ship motif which was lifted directly from the Campbell Coat of Arms and features as the centrepiece of the schools arms. Additionally, the school crest features an open book which is a symbolisation of knowledge and the lamp of learning and features the school motto – ''Juventutis Veho Fortunas'' which translates to “I bear the fortunes of youth”.

Enrolment and houses

As of 2020, there are over 1,200 pupils at Dollar Academy, making it the sixth largest independent school in Scotland. Day pupils are usually from the village of Dollar or the surrounding counties of Clackmannanshire, Stirlingshire, Perth and Kinross, and Fife. The remaining pupils are boarders. Almost 50% of the boarding pupils are from overseas, with the rest being British nationals. There are currently four school houses: * * * *

Traditions

Each year full colours and half colours are awarded to senior pupils for achievement in sporting or cultural pursuits. These awards merit piping on the school blazer (blue for cultural, white for sporting) and/or a distinctive blazer badge. Internationalists' Award ties are presented to pupils, prep, junior, and senior, who have represented their country in sporting or cultural activities.

Pipe Band

The school has two main pipe bands. The "A" band won the Scottish Schools CCF Pipes and Drums competition every year from 2000 to 2012 and 2014 and 2015, as well as winning the RSPBA

World Pipe Band Championships The World Pipe Band Championships is a pipe band competition held in Glasgow, Scotland. Overview The World Pipe Band Championships have been staged since 1947, although the Grade 1 Pipe Band Competition winners at the annual Cowal Highland Gat ...

in 2010, 2014, 2015, 2017, 2019, 2022 and 2023. In 2013, the band was placed first at the last "Major" of the season, the Cowal Gathering. In 2015, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2022 and 2023 the band won the Scottish, British, United Kingdom, European, and World Championships, leading to them being awarded the title "Champion of Champions". Additionally, the Novice A, or "B" band won the British, Scottish, and European Championships in 2015, and was crowned "Champion of Champions".

Rectors

*The Rev. Dr Andrew Mylne DD (1818–1850) *The Rev. Dr Thomas Burbidge (1850–1851) *The Dr John Milne LLD (1851–1868) *The Rev. Dr William Barrack (1868–1878) * George Thom (1878–1902) *Charles Dougall (1902–1923) *Hugh Martin (1923–1936) *Harry Bell OBE (1936–1960) *James Millar (1960–1962) – Acting Rector *Graham Richardson (1962–1975) *Ian Hendry (1975–1984) *Lloyd Harrison (1984–1994) *John Robertson (1994–2010) *David Knapman (2010–2019) *Ian Munro (current Rector)

Notable alumni

Academia and science

*John Thomas Irvine Boswell, botanist * John Macmillan Brown, university professor and administrator *Andrew Clark, Church of England clergyman, scholar, and diarist * Sir James Dewar, inventor of the

Vacuum flask A vacuum flask (also known as a Dewar flask, Dewar bottle or thermos) is an insulating storage vessel that slows the speed at which its contents change in temperature. It greatly lengthens the time over which its contents remain hotter or coo ...

* John Archibald Watt Dollar, veterinarian to four monarchs * George Alexander Gibson, physician and geologist * Sir David Gill,

astronomer An astronomer is a scientist in the field of astronomy who focuses on a specific question or field outside the scope of Earth. Astronomers observe astronomical objects, such as stars, planets, natural satellite, moons, comets and galaxy, galax ...

William Frederick Harvey Lieutenant-Colonel William Frederick Harvey CIE FRCPE FRSE (1873-11 September 1948) was a Scottish expert on public health, serving for many years improving conditions in India. Life Harvey, the son of Robert Harvey, attended Dollar Academy ...

, public health expert, Director of the Central Research Institute in India, Vice President of the

Royal Society of Edinburgh The Royal Society of Edinburgh (RSE) is Scotland's national academy of science and letters. It is a registered charity that operates on a wholly independent and non-partisan basis and provides public benefit throughout Scotland. It was establis ...

*Professor Sir Donald Mackay, economist * Matthew Hay, physician and forensic expert * John Robertson Henderson

FRSE Fellowship of the Royal Society of Edinburgh (FRSE) is an award granted to individuals that the Royal Society of Edinburgh, Scotland's national academy of science and Literature, letters, judged to be "eminently distinguished in their subject". ...

zoologist and antiquary *Sir Hector Hetherington, social philosopher * Henry Halcro Johnston botanist *

James MacRitchie James MacRitchie (26 September 1847 – 26 April 1895) was Municipal Engineer to the Singapore Municipal Commission from 1883 to 1895. Singapore, Singapore's oldest reservoir MacRitchie Reservoir was named after him in 1922. Early life and educ ...

, Municipal Engineer in Singapore 1883–95, Lighthouse Engineer in Japan * James Samuel Risien Russell Guyanese-British physician, neurologist, * Sir David Wallace, CMG, FRCSEd, Surgeon * Andrew Wilson

(1852-1912) zoologist and author

Politics

* Herbert Beresford, Canadian politician *Sir George Birdwood, colonial administrator in India * Lord Constable CBE, KC,

Conservative Conservatism is a cultural, social, and political philosophy and ideology that seeks to promote and preserve traditional institutions, customs, and values. The central tenets of conservatism may vary in relation to the culture and civiliza ...

politician and judge *

William Scott Fell William Scott Fell (20 July 1866 – 7 September 1930) was an Australian shipping merchant and politician. Fell was born at Elleray Villa, Rosneath, Dunbartonshire, Scotland and educated at Dollar Academy and Graham's Academy, Greenock, Scotlan ...

, Australian Liberal politician and businessman *Sir John Dunlop Imrie

CBE, City Chamberlain of

Edinburgh Edinburgh is the capital city of Scotland and one of its 32 Council areas of Scotland, council areas. The city is located in southeast Scotland and is bounded to the north by the Firth of Forth and to the south by the Pentland Hills. Edinburgh ...

1926–1951, First Government Commissioner of Trinidad and Tobago 1951–53 *Sir

George Reid Sir George Houston Reid (25 February 1845 – 12 September 1918) was a Scottish-born Australian and British politician, diplomat, and barrister who served as the fourth Prime Minister of Australia, prime minister of Australia from 1904 t ...

, Lord Lieutenant for Clackmannanshire and former Presiding Officer of the Scottish Parliament * Sir William Snadden Bt,

politician * Euphemia Gilchrist Somerville, social worker and local politician *Sir

Frank Swettenham Sir Frank Athelstane Swettenham (28 March 1850 – 11 June 1946) was a British colonial administrator who became the first Resident general of the Federated Malay States, which brought the Malay states of Selangor, Perak, Negeri Sembilan and ...

, first Resident-General of the

Federated Malay States The Federated Malay States (FMS, , Jawi script, Jawi: ) was a federation of four protectorate, protected states in the Malay Peninsula — Selangor, Perak, Negeri Sembilan and Pahang — established in 1895 by the British government, and whi ...

* Mandy Telford, former President of the National Union of Students * James Galloway Weir, Liberal MP and sewing machine entrepreneur *Rt Hon Lord Keen of Elie PC QC, Conservative Party politician lawyer

Media and arts

* Henry Clark Barlow, literary scholar *

Ian Hamilton Finlay Ian Hamilton Finlay (28 October 1925 – 27 March 2006) was a Scottish poet, writer, artist and gardener. Life Finlay was born in Nassau, Bahamas, to James Hamilton Finlay and his wife, Annie Pettigrew, both of Scots descent. He was educa ...

, poet, playwright, artist and experimental garden designer * Alasdair Hutton OBE TD, announcer, former journalist and politician * Alan Johnston,

BBC The British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) is a British public service broadcaster headquartered at Broadcasting House in London, England. Originally established in 1922 as the British Broadcasting Company, it evolved into its current sta ...

Gaza correspondent taken hostage in 2007 * Doreen Jones, casting director *

Fergus McCreadie Fergus McCreadie (born 12 July 1997) is a Scottish jazz pianist and composer. His style revolves around a fusion of contemporary jazz with Scottish folk music. He has released four albums as leader of a jazz trio, piano trio and two EPs to date. ...

, jazz musician and 2022 Mercury Prize nominee * Fraser Nelson, journalist * George Henry Paulin, sculptor * Jessie M. Soga, LRAM, contralto singer and suffragist * Jo L. Walton, poet * Harry Raymond Egerton Watt, film director * Andrew Whalley, architect * John McAslan, architect

Law

* Lord Brodie, judge * Andrew Constable, Lord Constable * Caroline Flanagan, President of the Law Society of Scotland 2005 * Richard Keen, Baron Keen of Elie, Advocate General and Justice Minister * James Avon Clyde, Lord Clyde, judge

Military

* Sir Charles Morton Forbes, naval officer *

Colin Mackenzie Colonel Colin Mackenzie (1754–8 May 1821) was a Scottish army officer in the British East India Company who later became the first Surveyor General of India. He was a collector of antiquities and an orientalist and an indologist. He sur ...

, army and political officer in India

Royal or noble

*The Master of Bruce (future 13th

Earl of Elgin Earl of Elgin ( ) is a title in the Peerage of Scotland, created in 1633 for Thomas Bruce, 1st Earl of Elgin, Thomas Bruce, 3rd Lord Kinloss. He was later created Baron Bruce, of Whorlton in the County of York, in the Peerage of England on 30 Ju ...

) *Various members of the Ethiopian Imperial Family including the nephews of

Haile Selassie Haile Selassie I (born Tafari Makonnen or ''Ethiopian aristocratic and court titles#Lij, Lij'' Tafari; 23 July 189227 August 1975) was Emperor of Ethiopia from 1930 to 1974. He rose to power as the Ethiopian aristocratic and court titles, Rege ...

*James MacArthur of Milton, Chief of Clan Arthur *The Master of Moncreiff (future 7th Baron Moncreiff) *Sir Arthur Bolt Nicolson, 9th Bt

Business

* Iain Anderson, automotive industry executive * David Greig, landowner * Lord Heyworth of Oxton, Chairman of Unilever and ICI *Sir Archibald Page, engineer and electricity supply manager * Sir William Reid - mining engineer and joint author of the "Reid Report" on the state of British mining *Sir Wei Yuk – nineteenth-century Hong Kong businessman and legislator

Sport

* Iain Anderson, first-class cricketer * Jim Thompson, Scottish 7s rugby player * John Barclay, Scottish rugby player *

Hamish Brown Hamish Brown Order of the British Empire, M.B.E. Royal Scottish Geographical Society, FRSGS is a professional writer, lecturer and photographer specialising in mountain and outdoor topics. He is best known for his walking exploits in the Scottish ...

mountaineer Mountaineering, mountain climbing, or alpinism is a set of outdoor activities that involves ascending mountains. Mountaineering-related activities include traditional outdoor climbing, skiing, and traversing via ferratas that have become sports ...

and writer *

Adam Kelso Fulton Adam Kelso Fulton (10 April 1929 – 27 August 1994) was a Scotland, Scottish rugby union internationalist. International career Positioned as Scrum-half (rugby union), scrum-half, he was capped twice playing both games against France a ...

, Scottish rugby player * Cameron Glasgow, Scottish rugby player * Rory Lawson, Scottish rugby player * Graeme Morrison, Scottish rugby player * Jennifer McIntosh, Rifle shooter, five times Commonwealth Games Medallist, double European Champion and two-time Olympian * Seonaid McIntosh, Rifle shooter, double Commonwealth Games Medallist, World Champion, double European Champion and Olympian * Shirley McIntosh, Rifle shooter, four times Commonwealth Games Medallist * Archibald MacLaren, gymnast, fencing master and author * Mike Adamson, former Scottish rugby player and referee * Hugh Stewart, cricketer and cricket administrator

Miscellaneous

* Sara Mendes da Costa, voice of the

speaking clock A speaking clock or talking clock is a live or recorded human voice service, usually accessed by telephone, that gives the correct time. The first telephone speaking clock service was introduced in France, in association with the Paris Observa ...

*Charles Maxwell Heddle, merchant *Sir Thomas Morison Legge, factory inspector * Tom Kitchin, chef * G. A. Frank Knight, minister, archaeological author, and

conchologist Conchology, from Ancient Greek κόγχος (''kónkhos''), meaning "cockle (bivalve), cockle", and -logy from λόγος (''lógos''), meaning "study", is the study of mollusc shells. Conchology is one aspect of malacology, the study of mollus ...

References

External links

*
Exam Results 2006Dollar Academy's page on Scottish Schools Online
{{authority control Educational institutions established in 1818 Category A listed buildings in Clackmannanshire Listed schools in Scotland Member schools of the Headmasters' and Headmistresses' Conference Boarding schools in Clackmannanshire Private schools in Clackmannanshire Dollar, Clackmannanshire