Memories of Kinlochard

If you have memories of Kinlochard and perhaps some pictures you would like to share, please let us know.

Bill Davidson

My name is William Davidson, known as Bill. My connection with Kinlochard is through my late mother, Margaret Cuthill Baird Davidson. My great aunt was Lilias Black who married John Black, the Waterman who controlled the water supply flow from Loch Katrine to Glasgow.

I remember my mother telling me of the good times they had as young people in the 1920's and 1930's at aunt Lilias' at the Teapot and the Post Office. Auntie Lil as we called her, led a busy life. She was postmistress in Kinlochard and she was also the very first Youth Hostel Warden in the U.K. when the hostel was in a big black barn at the rear of the old post office.

Jill Vice

 I visited Kinlochard in March/April this year for the first time, although I have had a 'sense of connection' with the village my entire life, my grandmother having been born there (and would spend her days reminiscing') and my mother having visited on many occasions throughout her lifetime.

Grace (Ireland) Stevenson

I lived with my parents and sister at Dalveagh estate - now Forest Hills Hotel. I was born there in 1926 in the garage cottage and we lived there until 1934. The owners of the estate were Admiral of the fleet Sir Arthur Fanshawe and his family. My father was chauffeur and my mother was cook to them.

Linda Grant

I stayed at 4 Kinlochard Cottages with my parents Marion and Nigel Grant. The school was great.  I started in 1976 and was friends with Helen Carter, Helen Watt and Bryony Irwin. My teachers were Mrs Mcann and Mrs Jonstone.

I split my chin one day at the school on the steps in side and remember getting butterfly stitches.  I also remember playing at the rope swing over the river and in the water tank up the back from that. I Also spent a good few days at the Loch. I can truely say it was a brilliant place to live and go to school. I also remember the Dukes when they moved in and Mrs Moffet and her family .

Mary Waters

My name is Mary Waters (nee Wylie) and I live in Wiltshire. I wasn’t born in Kinlochard but I spent two wonderful years in Kinlochard and have brilliant memories of living and working there.

It was 1970; I was eighteen, straight out of school, rather timid and hoping to go to Teachers’ Training College in Ayr after the summer holidays. My friend, Isobel, and I found employment in Forest Hills Hotel and arrived on a cold, grey day only to be told off for using the main entrance.

‘Staff entrance at the back,’ said the rather stern receptionist and so we scurried around and were met at the back door by Mr Davies, who was manager at the time, or perhaps he was the owner; I don’t think we ever knew! He and his wife were not the easiest of employers and doted on Una, their golden Labrador