A History of the Building
The Rockfield Centre building has been at the heart of our community for generations.
Opening Ceremony 1877
The grand opening of Rockfield Primary School took place one Monday morning on the 19th May, 1877. It was known at that time as “The New Public School”. Parents had been asked to present their children “with clean faces and hands, and where possible, adequately clad.” (This was a time when food and clothing were scarce.) Local dignitaries, teachers, children and parents were present when various speeches were delivered. After joining in prayer the 100th psalm was sung. Imagine, at the end of the ceremony, the sheer delight for every child when presented with a bun and an orange before being told that the school was then closed for a holiday!
School Establishment 1875
In 1875 The School Burgh Board were appointed as governors of the school under the chairmanship of Peter Cumstie. The Burgh Board was required to find a suitable site, employ an architect, and arrange for a school to be built. The school was required to accommodate and educate approximately 400 children in Oban in response to the inception of the Education Act of 1872.
Controversy 1876
The building and completion of Rockfield Primary School was not without controversy. In 1876 a site was found, known locally as St Thomas’ Park. There were opposing opinions regarding the suitability of the site as sewage pipes ran through the park from houses higher up the hill.
The Rev. Hugh McFarlane wrote to the Oban Times stating that he had consulted with a sanitary specialist from Glasgow who declared that it was “utterly unwise” to consider the site since it would impose a health risk “I am fully persuaded that just such a verdict would be given by every medical man”. The site, however was secured regardless for the sum of £450, paid for by The School Burgh Board.
Glasgow architect, Alexander McQueen, was appointed to design the new school. Drawings were viewed by the Education Department but it was reported to the Board that the accommodation was too large and the tower “superfluous”.
Public Consultation 1876
The School Burgh Board argued that the tower needed to be in conformity with neighbouring buildings and that the cost of revising the plan would incur even more expense. Furthermore when the plans had been publicly exhibited for consultation the School Burgh Board was asked by local people to consider a more expensive structure. Despite pressure on the Board from both the public and the Education Dept, a plan was agreed to proceed and to accommodate 420 children.
The sum of £3300 loaned would be repaid by instalments annually over 50 years to the “Public Loans Commission”. The school was completed in 1877 incurring the following cost:
Site: £450
Architect’s Fee: £140
Building Cost: £3300
Total Cost: £3890
Extensions 1894
By 1894 the local population had increased and the school was short of accommodation. Local architect, Alexander Shairp, known for his design of two commanding local buildings (The Parish Church and Eader Glinn) was appointed to add more classrooms, play sheds and toilets. The design was sensitive to the existing school although less elaborate. Close observation of the building frontage reveals this change from the original to the extended section which was completed in 1901.
In 1954, a modern ‘block’ with more classrooms was constructed to the rear of the school and lastly in the 1960’s a further 4 classrooms in two modern huts were erected in the ‘boys” playground.
Listed Building Status 1995
In 1995 the school received its status as a ‘B’ listed building, recognized both by Historic Scotland and the local authority. Like McCaig’s Tower situated above the town, both structures have local and regional significance.
The Rockfield Centre is described in the listing detail by Historic Scotland as “an asymmetrical building with French Style detailing, built into the hillside” and “a very complete and little altered example of a Board School”. Also mentioned are the “polished pink granite colonettes” (bordering the arched windows on the front elevation) and “capped ashlar gate posts” as well as “hooped railings.”
Information: Oban Times, Hugh Sneddon, Historic Scotland, School Board Minutes, A&B Council – Archives
Compiled by Jane Terris for Oban Communities Trust