The former Dalmonach School

Image: © Lairich Rig Taken: 15 Feb 2013

As compared with another contributor's photograph from a few years ago – Image (the school is located in Bonhill) – a few differences are apparent. It is also possible to see, on the end wall, the outline of a smaller adjacent structure that has been demolished. This former schoolhouse is the sole remnant of the Dalmonach Works, much of whose former site is now occupied by the Image housing development. Dalmonach School was founded in the 1830s by James Black & Co, proprietors of the Dalmonach Works, for the education of "half-timers", the children who were employed in the works. According to pages 46-47 of "Records and Reminiscences of Bonhill Parish" (John Neill, 1912), the school had a good reputation until the 1860s, and produced a number of capable pupils, including William Bilsland, who would become Sir William Bilsland, Lord Provost of Glasgow. Another of the school's pupils was Donald MacFarlane, who became assistant to William Thomson, Lord Kelvin. The book "Lord Kelvin: An Account of his Scientific Life and Work" (Andrew Gray, 1908) describes MacFarlane as "a kind of universal physical genius ...; an expert calculator and an exact and careful experimentalist". According to his memorial, Donald MacFarlane was "for many years Assistant Professor of Natural Philosophy in the University of Glasgow": Image To add one more example not discussed in "Records and Reminiscences ...", another Dalmonach School pupil was Andrew Paul (d. 24th June 1903), born in 1834 at Thornliebank (Image). Andrew was educated at Dalmonach School while his father, Matthew, was a mechanic at the Dalmonach Works. Matthew Paul (Image) founded the Levenford Engine Works in Dumbarton, and Andrew would eventually become Chairman of that firm. He was also J.P. for the County of Dumbarton, and President of the Dumbarton Liberal Association. [These details are from his obituary, which appears on pages 392-93 of "Transactions of the Institution of Engineers and Shipbuilders in Scotland (Incorporated)", Volume XLVI, Forty-Sixth Session, 1902-1903.] Incidentally, the "Records and Reminiscences ..." book cited above points out (p15) that Dalmonach School was built on what had previously been the site of "a smithy, the smith being considered a very skilful 'horse doctor'".

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