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An dèidh a’ chogaidh aig àm an uair a bha sgoiltean anns a h-uile baile agus an uair a bha clasaichean na bu lugha, bha foghlam a’ ciallachadh slighe gu beatha na b’ fheàrr. 'S e dreuchd gu math sònraichte a bh’ aig maighstir-sgoile. Duine foghlamaichte, anns an robh earbsa aig daoine ’s aig an robh seasamh làidir anns a’ choimhearsnachd. Ach an dùil cò ris a bha e coltach nam b’ e d’ athair a bha a’ riaghladh na sgoile?

Tha an craoladair Cathy Nicdhòmhnaill a’ bruidhinn ri Clann an Taigh-sgoile ann an diofar cheàrnaidhean de na h-Eileanan an Iar gus faighinn a-mach cò ris a bha e dha rìribh coltach a bhith a’ fàs suas ann an taigh-sgoile. A-measg eile, tha i a’ faighinn facal air Ailean Dòmhnallach, a chaidh a thogail ann an taigh-sgoile Èirisgeigh, àite a bh’ ann am meadhan an eilein, ach a bha mar chridhe na coimhearsnachd, far an robh foghlam air leth cudromach, ach far an robh dannsaichean agus bainnsean a’ gabhail àite cuideachd.

Tha Cathy fiù ’s a’ faighinn cothrom a dhol air ais chun na bun-sgoile aice fhèin ann am baile brèagha Bheàrnaraigh, far a bheil i a’ bruidhinn ri Catrìona Stiùbhart, nighean a’ mhaighstir-sgoile agus tè air an robh i gu math eòlach ann a làithean a sgoile, mu na cuimhneachain prìseil aice-se air an seòrsa togail a fhuair i agus an càirdeas làidir a bh’ eadar i fhèin agus a h-athair.

Tha i cuideachd a’ còmhradh ri dithis bhràithrean, Ailean agus Murchadh Turner, a chaidh an togail anns na taighean-sgoile ann an Loch Portain ann an Uibhist agus Drinisiadar anns na Hearadh mu na cuimhneachain aca air an athair agus na sgoiltean ris an robh e an urra. Tha iad a’ bruidhinn air mar a thug an togail a fhuair iad buaidh air an cùrsa beatha, leis an dithis aca, nan lannsairean gun a leig iad dhiubh an dreuchd.

Prògram làn chuimhneachain mu taghadh de sgoiltean eadar Leòdhas agus Barraigh, a’ cuimhneachadh air na maighstirean-sgoile, na sgoilearan agus a’ choimhearsnachd a bha timcheall orra aig an àm tro shùilean chlann an taigh-sgoile.

After the war, when there was a school in every village and when class sizes were much smaller, education represented a route to a better life. A headteacher had a very special and important role - a person who people trusted, was knowledgeable and well-educated, and held a strong position in the community. But what was life really like with your father as headteacher?

Broadcaster Cathy Macdonald talks to children throughout the Western Isles about their memories of what it was really like to be brought up in a schoolhouse. Allan MacDonald was raised in Eriskay, where the schoolhouse was located at the centre of the island, but was also at the very heart of the community. Education was a priority but dances and weddings also took place.

Cathy takes a trip down memory lane to visit her old primary school in the village of Bernera, where she speaks to Catriona Stewart, daughter of the headteacher and who she knows well from schooldays. They recall precious memories of her upbringing and the strong bond she held with her father.

Cathy also chats with two brothers, Allan and Murdo Turner, who were brought up in schoolhouses in Loch Portain in Uist and Drinishader in Harris about their memories of their father and about the schools he was in charge of. As retired surgeons, they both reflect on how their upbringing impacted their lives.

A programme full of nostalgia about a selection of schools between Lewis and Barra, remembering the headteachers, the pupils and the community around them, through the eyes of children of the schoolhouse.

In Gaelic with English subtitles

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