Canna Schooldays

Canna Schooldays

(1 customer review)
Sold by: Acair Books

Ever since Canna’s schoolhouse was built in 1878, pupils have walked the rough and sometimes dangerous path to sit within its walls for their school day. In this meticulously-researched account, author and former headteacher in Canna Kate Riley reveals to us a small world where teachers strive to impart knowledge despite scarce resources, rigorous inspections, wild weather and the daily demands of island crofting life.

£16.95

Readers say:

“This charming and informative book gives the reader a glimpse into, both school and indeed everyday life on a remote Scottish Island in the Inner Hebredes, tells the stories through generations of Island folk, who battled the elements on a daily basis to get there!
Beautifully written and researched this book is a “must read” for anyone who wants to be transported into the lives and times of bygone days and a world apart from the mainland. Full of interesting photographs and many tales of how life was in Canna all those years ago.”

“I love history and having a peek into what life is/was like for others. Canna Schooldays took me on a journey of approximately 150 years, through a life I would never even have imagined, growing up in Southern California as I did.
The treacherous bridge needing crossed to get to school. Arriving to school wet from the waist down in the middle of winter when the tide was high or the bridge out. The lack of coal to warm the class on many a fall and winter day.
The challenges of teaching such a wide age range of students. Having classes as small as 2 students one moment, then 20 students the next. All the unexpected absences when an epidemic such as the flu, or sheep shearing week came along.
I truly admire the perseverance of the teachers as they faced so many challenges with love and care for their students. Challenges that would have had most of us throw our hands up in despair and give up.
Life, especially in the early years of the school was rough, lonely, cold, and sometimes without support. Definitely not for the faint of heart.
As I think of my own school days in Los Angeles, attending a large school with many students and individual classes per student age, I really enjoyed reading what life was like for others in a different environment during the same time period.
The author does a tremendous job in taking us through what life was like. The book was not only enjoyable, detailed, and entertaining, but I felt I personally knew many of it’s key, real life characters, and had a friendship with them. I couldn’t put the book down for long, until the end, then had a hard time finishing it because I didn’t want to say good-bye to the teachers, the students, and to Canna Schooldays.”

“I really enjoyed this book and would highly recommend to all. I went to primary school in the Hebrides in the seventies and loved reading about the history of Canna school. You get a wonderful insight into the challenges of running a small island school over the past 130 years and the social history of the Island. There are some fascinating details and stories about the experiences of the children and the teachers. Great read!”

Shipping Countries: United Kingdom (UK)


1 review for Canna Schooldays

5.0 Rating
1-1 of 1 review
  1. Excellent service. Thank you!

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