Fort Augustus Abbey School – Old Boys Association

Fort Augustus Old Boys Association

The Old Boys Association serves to keep the spirit alive of The Fort Augustus Old Boys; the former pupils – boys and girls – who served at the Abbey School in Fort Augustus. Since the School closed in the 90s (and subsequently the Abbey itself), the Old Boys Association has maintained to provide a network amongst Old Boys and to organise an annual dinner for Old Boys and their partners. This website assists to maintain this contact and support. Please bear in mind that this website is run by Old Boys from the school who have nothing to do with the monastery, school nor Benedictine Order.

More information about the Old Boys Association and how to join and support us can be found here.

A rare photo of the Fort Augustus Community in 1900

Back Row (Brothers) L to R:: Ignatius (RIP), Edmund (left), Fintan (RIP), Philip (left), Nathalan (RIP), Francis (RIP), Liborius (Beuron), Henry (RIP), Aloysius, Anthony (Meinrad (RIP), Baptist (left), Stanislaus (left), B. Edward Staigin (?) (RIP), Mattheus (Ampleforth)

Middle Row: Hilde

Brand Luntock (?) (RIP), Cyril Dieckhoff, Basil Weld (RIP), Laurence Mann (RIP), Bernard Clifford (Carth: RIP), Jos McDonald (First Archbp), Andrew McDonnell, Anselm Spenser (Ramsgate RIP), 2 Alumni: John Lane Fox, Wulstan Knowles (Abb), Jerome Pollard Urquhart (RIP), Peter Conway (secular), Stephen Regan, Odo Blundell RIP), Robert Rooney (RIP), Lay Brother: Sebastian King (left); 3 Alumni: Ch. Cronin, Charles Evans, Beattie

Seated L to R: Maurus Caruana (RIP), Martin Wall (RIP), Paulinus Gorwood (RIP), Adrian Weld Blundell, Kentigern Milne (RIP), Leo Linse (Abb: RIP), Michael Barrett (RIP), Oswald Hunter Blair (Ab: RIP), Columba Edmunds (RIP), Aidan Palmer (Ramsgate RIP), Placid Corballis.

In front (Alumni) L to R: Harry Wall (left RIP), Joe Cronin (left), Gibson (left), James Morphy (?) (left), Ambrose Geoghegan, Cuthbert McDonald (left).

Vincent Staiger (here Edward, ? his baptismal name) professed 1899; Ambrose Geoghan (uncle of Gregory Brusey) professed 1902, John Lane Fox, Wulstan Knowles 1901, ie clothed 1900 – photo therefore taken mid-1900. Odo Blundell died 1945, Adrian Weld-Blundell died 1949 – therefore names added 1945-49

Due to the Covid-19 situation and the uncertainty and restrictions which accompany it, it is with regret that we will be cancelling this year’s AGM and dinner

Father Robert MacKenzie – request for character reference from OBs

Some of you may be aware that Father Robert MacKenzie is currently being held in custody in Inverness on charges of assault relating to his time at Fort Augustus and Carlekemp. Fr Robert, now in his eighties and in poor health, was a monk at Carlekemp until it closed when he moved to Fort Augustus and took over the Calder (Junior) housemaster position.

Fr Robert’s solicitors are asking if there any OBs who are willing to provide a character reference on his behalf. The events around Fort Augustus, which have appeared in the press and have been reported to the Scottish Child Abuse Enquiry, has disturbed many OBs. Yet there are many OBs whose memories and lives were not tainted by these allegations and events and who would be happy to report honestly their experiences at the schools. They are entitled to report on their positive experiences. This does not detract in any way from the memories and experiences of those who suffered at the hands of specific individuals and whose lives have subsequently suffered. Our legal system considers both sides fairly and those who have experiences on both sides of any argument are entitled to report honestly and without recrimination. It would be an unjust system which only allowed one party to provide their evidence.

Therefore, any OBs who wish to provide a character reference on behalf of Fr Robert is invited to contact his solicitors. When contacting the solicitors, please state which years you were at Carlekemp/Abbey;

John MacColl
Craig Wood Solicitors Ltd
23 Academy Street
Inverness IV1 1JN
01463 225544
Email: nicola@craigwood.co.uk

or to contact the corbie website directly at corbieweb@gmail.com.

Separately, if there are any OBs who have photographs of Father Francis Davidson and are willing to share them with Fr Robert’s solicitors, they are welcome to pass these on through the corbieweb email address above.

New Photo Gallery

A photo gallery is starting to be built up again using photos from the old photo gallery. These can be found in the photo gallery section in the top menu. As before, we welcome any photos relevant to the Abbey School and comments or names of the sports players. Please send to cbryce@gmail.com