Clydebank High School

[Currie]

Hello Elizabeth,

I just read a description of the Clydebank Public School building that was built in 1888. It was standing “in the middle of a playground of two acres between Kilbowie Road and Miller Street.” I suppose that would be along Dumbarton Road. It had speaking tubes and bells connecting with all the departments enabling the headmaster to communicate with any department without leaving his seat. Probably installed by one of the shipyards.

Looking at a map Kilbowie Road seems to be about two miles long. Clydebank Public School, or a least part of it, became a High School in 1921. In the early days it was just a large public school catering for all ages. It seems that by the 1930s it was overflowing in all directions and a new school building was being built. Perhaps the overcrowding had forced them to open temporary accommodation for the younger children elsewhere on Kilbowie Road.

This site describes the history and accommodation problems etc.
http://www.clydebankhigh.org.uk/New%20C ... istory.htm

I hope that’s interesting, even if not much help.

All the best,
Alan

[joette]

My Grandfather was a pupil c1915-1919 at which time I'm sure it was in Miller St.
My memory is a bit hazy & that part of Clydebank has changed so much over the years but I do know there was a Primary School there which was always known as "Miller St School" I do believe it was part of the old High School building & the playground was on/visible from Kilbowie Rd near to Roseberry Place where the Council buildings now are.
The school was parralel to Dumbarton Rd not on it.
I thought the original High School was burned down or was it the Blitz that got it?

[Lizzie]

Thank you so much Currie, Looking at the Building it is exactly the one I remember. To a five year old it was very daunting. Starting school in England a year later was so very different. My mother had dressed me in a kilt, satin blouse etc. and the teacher stood me on her desk so the class could see what a wee scottish girl looked like. This was 1933.

Elizabeth

[bluebell]

Just seen your post CHS wasdemolished 4yrs ago and a new one was built where the pitches used to be hpe this helps

[shona.davie]

Hi Elizabeth!
I started school at Miller Street Primary in 1952 and vaguely remember standing outside the railings on Kilbowie Road waving as the Queen drove past around the time of the Coronation. It was a bit strange to me as I always used the Miller Street gate.
For some reason we were transferred to Whitecrook Street Primary School after a couple of years, where I passed the 'qualifying exam', ending up in the High School.

We still lived in the same place, so no idea why the transfer to Whitecrook School happened - does anyone know?
Regards
Shona

[Caspy]

The Toughs were indeed butchers in Clydebank I'm trying to remember their slogan-"Our name is Tough but our beef is not" or some such-a bit before my time but my Granny was a customer.I think they were on Kilbowie Road near to Singers???

The Toughs you are referring to in this post was my grandparents and their slogan was indeed " If its Tough's its Tender " Their shop was at the foot of Kilbowie Rd in the area of where iceland is now..

[joette]

Thanks Caspy and my condolences on your recent bereavement.