The Archivist’s Top Ten Treasures

Craig Marshall (Staff 2014–Present), College Archivist

Back in 1970, when the College was celebrating its centenary and girls were first admitted to Fettes, I would regularly walk our dog on the grassy fields where Broughton High School and the Police Headquarters now stand. I would look across with my parents (I was only six years old!) at the students in their stripey blazers and straw boaters, never imagining that I would ever end up working within the iconic and majestic College building.

On leaving school I studied Theology at Aberdeen University, returning there after two years in the Civil Service working for what was at the time the DHSS (Department of Health & Social Security), to study for an Arts degree in Religious Studies.

For the next twenty-five years I worked in two of Edinburgh’s most historic churches – Greyfriars Kirk and St Cuthbert’s Church, where I endeavoured to create an environment whereby the Church could have a greater relevance in society and was not seen merely as a “Sunday Club” for faithful worshippers. By developing the premises to increase accessibility for a large variety of groups and individuals, the churches became “spaces for all”, open seven days a week, with far greater footfall, and opportunities to engage with a wider constituency of people from all walks of life.

In 2014, I was delighted to have the opportunity to start work in the College Archives, supporting two amazing Fettes stalwarts – Andrew Murray OBE (Staff 1981–2014) and George Preston (CW 1944–1950, Staff 1955–1991). Over the past seven years it has been a pleasure and an undoubted privilege to build on the success of my predecessors to further raise the profile of the archives and showcase the rich history of the College. We have catalogued the majority of the contents of the archival collection, moved from dusty basement rooms to newly refurbished premises beneath the Old Music Room, and created a digital archive containing a searchable resource which hosts scanned copies of all issues of the Fettesian magazine, the Old Fettesian Newsletter, and a large collection of School, House, and Sports Team photographs dating back as far as 1870.

One major focus of our attention over the past three years has been to source material from the archives to enrich the 150th anniversary celebrations of the opening of Fettes College in 1870. This project, which included the publication of Fettes: Our Place, afforded us the opportunity to dig deeper into our archival collection and unearth some magnificent treasures.

From our rich and varied collection, and after much deliberation, I have selected my personal Top Ten Treasures as follows:

1. The letter written by William Fettes (junior) to his mother in April 1815 which outlines his travels as part of his Grand Tour of Europe, and casually mentions Napoleon’s escape from Elba. This is particularly poignant as having contracted typhoid on his journey, young William died in Berlin just one week before the Battle of Waterloo.

2. A notebook containing handwritten letters from Dr Potts (Staff 1870-1889), first Headmaster, to the Fettes Trustees following his appointment in 1868. These documents give a fascinating insight into his vision for the College, highlighting the importance of pastoral care, and outlining the educational environment he sought to create.

3. The handwritten version of Dr Potts’ last message, dictated to the College doctor one and a half hours before his death on 15th November 1889. This became a lasting testament to the man who showed unfailing dedication to those in his care, despite suffering the intense personal tragedy of the loss of his youngest son and his beloved wife in 1883, and continues to be seen by every Fettesian as they enter/leave Chapel.

4. An album belonging to J F Carruthers (SH 1871–1875) containing photographs taken in 1889 by William Skinner who was the College Porter from 1870 to 1915, before taking charge of the Swimming Baths from 1915 to 1922. He still holds the record as the longest serving member of staff – 52 years. Not only are these images remarkable in terms of their content, showing us various views of the College and grounds from the late 19th century, but also in terms of the quality, given that they were developed from glass slides.

5. A photograph of the Tug of War from the School Sports held on Saturday 30th March 1912. There is so much detail in this image – from the cupola on the roof of what is now the Concert Hall, to the amazing outfits worn by the spectators. The description of the event from the April 1912 edition of the Fettesian is brutally matter of fact with the losers (Glencorse) being “very disappointing”.

6. ‘A Book of Scraps concerning School Life at Fettes College by A.J. Allsebrook of School House.’ This book is without doubt an archivist’s dream. Antony Allsebrook was in Schoolhouse from 1932–1937 and throughout his time at Fettes he compiled what can best be described as an illustrated diary – pages filled with handwritten comments supported by original copies of letters, photographs, newspaper cuttings, match fixture cards, luggage labels, concert programmes, invitation cards, exam papers, and so much else besides. This is a phenomenally personal portrayal of daily life at Fettes in the 1930s through the eyes of a conscientious young man. What gives the book added poignancy is that Antony Allsebrook was killed at the age of 22, when the Royal Navy ship in which he served as a Sub Lieutenant was torpedoed by a German U-Boat and sunk on 25th November 1941.

7. The top hat, in its original carrying box, which belonged to K D H Cattenach (SH 1935–1941). It’s all very well reading accounts of how the boys at Fettes had to wear top hat and tails, particularly when attending church services in town on Sundays, right up until 1940, but to have a physical example in excellent condition is of paramount importance. This really brings the past to life, and it is enjoyed by our own M Form in the Prep School when they learn about the history of the College.

8. Registers of Applications – bound volumes spanning the years from 1864 to 1946. These handwritten papers make fascinating reading and give us an unparalleled insight into the lives and backgrounds of many of the applicants to the College. Particularly emotive in many cases are the comments noting the reasons for the applications, often citing the death of a parent or the collapse of a business.

9. Tony Bear – found in a cardboard box in the classroom of Rona MacVicar (Staff 1984–2019), he was the mascot who accompanied the girls on the Hockey & Lacrosse Tour to Japan and Australia in 1997. He proudly wore the newly commissioned Fettes tartan, and he even got his photo in the Edinburgh Evening News.

10. 150th Anniversary Sports Kit – just to prove that not all archival artefacts need to be old, this wonderful new kit, specially commissioned for the 150th anniversary year (and sponsored by Graham’s The Family Dairy), is set to become the latest addition to our collection. Interestingly the logo on the back of the shirt came from the College archives, having been discovered on the cover of a Fettes Concert Programme from Friday 4th April 1879. This shirt is a treasure which I hope our successors will put on display when the College celebrates its 200th anniversary in 2070!