Gilnockie School

'Re-live your past'

Gilnockie School

According to the Ordnance Survey Map of 1862, a previous school is marked at the Tail. In the 1851 Census a Thomas Heard is listed as a Schoolmaster and is lodging in the house of Arthur Bell at Hex/Hecks. So obviously there was no schoolhouse for the Headmaster, so

Gilnockie School and schoolhouse were built c.1900, and at that time it would have been the centre point of the community. Children would come in from the many small Hamlets; Tarras, Thorniewhats, and Claygate, and off course from the many surrounding farms. Gilnockie School was a well-attended school until the numbers began to drop in the early sixties. At one point when the Schoolmistress fell ill and the children had to attend Canonbie for a few months. During this period the Education Authorities tried to close the school. However the parents of the children had other ideas and fought a successful battle to keep the school open and refused to send the children to school. A new teacher was appointed but eventually the doors finally closed in 1974.