Cousland School

The present Cousland Primary School was built in the late 1960's to replace the existing Village School (pictured) which was built around 1850, although we believe that a school may have existed in the village as early as 1800.

Cousland Old Schoolhouse - Circa 1930

In 1851 (from census figures) the headmaster of the school was Mr James Porteous (39yrs) who lived in the schoolhouse with his wife Helen and their 5 children: James aged 12, Marion aged 11, Anne S. aged 9, Margaret aged 5 and Catherine aged 3.

As many as 90 children attended up until WWII.

Cousland School - 1900

Inhabitants of Cousland at this time included Agricultural labourers, Coal Miners, Carters, Scholars, Blacksmith - Adam Reid, Spirits dealer Coal Grieve, Dressmaker - Rachel Allan, Grocery Victualler - William Gibson.

We have discovered that Jean Milligan, founder of The Scottish Country Dance Society spent holidays with a relative who lived in The Schoolhouse at Cousland, and there taught dances in the kitchen.

Cousland School in 1906

When the school moved to its new premises, the old school building supported some small industries including a fire extinguisher maker and a topographical model maker. Alastair and Elizabeth Buchanan have now lived in the Old Schoolhouse for 25 years and having met long time pupils of the school from as far away as Canada, The Caribbean and Australia, hope that the internet will introduce them to others and perhaps put old friends in touch.

Cousland School in 1932