THE Arrochar community is being invited to help celebrate the village primary school’s 250th birthday.

Pupils have been busy organising a special celebration to make the milestone anniversary and they are hoping to involve the whole community.

Each class has been learning about what the school and surrounding areas were like during different times in history. Art displays of their findings will be shown in the main hall along with information about the school since its inception in 1767.

The community, parents, ex staff and ex pupils are invited along to the celebration on Friday, December 8.

Parents of children at the school are invited from 10am on December 8 for a tour around the school by the older pupils before some entertainment and refreshments.

The community is invited along to attend from 1pm onwards.

The primary seven pupils approached assistant manager, Kirsty Wyllie, at the Tarbet Hotel and she offered to help with the celebration by providing an afternoon tea.

The senior pupils have been spending time learning about the school during World War Two by studying old log books, interviewing a local resident, and carrying out research.

Heather Fiddes, of primary seven, said: “It’s hard to believe our school is so old but it has been very interesting finding out about the history of our school and the local area.

“Discovering that the school roll almost trebled when children were evacuated from Clydebank was very surprising!”

Mary Haggerty, chair of the Arrochar, Tarbet and Ardlui Heritage Group, a former pupil, was more than happy to help the children out with their research.

She said: “I have always been delighted to talk to the children on any aspect about to school.

“My father, myself and my two children all attended Arrochar Primary and I have very happy memories of my time there.

“I think it is important that the children learn about local history and where better to start than the school. The children are always very interested to ask questions and listen and they are such a lovely bunch of kids it is a privilege to be involved with them.

“On my recent visit to primary seven, I was intrigued at the research they had done themselves about the school’s past history, but pleased that they had used the local heritage website and it had been a good help to them.

“There is of course always the question ‘what was it like when you were here?’

“There was a great peal of laughter when I told them the classroom we were sitting in used to be the girls’ toilets.”

Headteacher Alison Palmer, said: “Everyone in the school is really looking forward to celebrating this amazing milestone.

“Arrochar Primary is one of the oldest schools in Argyll and Bute and we are looking to involve the community in our celebrations.

“The whole school has been involved in the organisation of the celebrations and finding out about the school’s past.

“There is a lack of documentation about the school but with the help of Mary Haggerty BEM the pupils were able to find out more about the school and were very interested to hear that the school roll almost trebled when children were evacuated.

“The children have loved researching the school, they were totally gripped by reading old log books and we can’t thank Mary enough for all her help.”

Councillor Yvonne McNeilly, Argyll and Bute Council's policy lead for education, said: “This is a very exciting time for everyone at Arrochar Primary School and we would like to wish them a very happy birthday.”

Anyone interested in heading along to the celebrations are asked to contact the school by calling 01301 702261 or by emailing enquiries-arrochar@argyll-bute.gov.uk