ancestral
home of the Earls of Sutherland, is to become an independent boardin school for boys. Its owner, the Countess of Sutherland, stated that she believes its magnificent situation provides an ideal setting for a school of “distinctive character”, Some idea of what is meant by this is given by a press hand-out issued by the private company which owns Dunrobin Castle. The school will aim to give a Christian education relevant to today, concentrated on training for personal responsibility and service to community, it says. Put another way, it could be read as preparing sons of the rich for their future role as members of the ruling class. Special emphasis will be given to modern languages, history, geography and science, and to activities springing from the environment. Whether the latter includes grouse shooting, we are not told. The new public school, which will open in September with 60 13year-old boys, is cheap as schools go, costing only £450 per year. It appears that its sponsors arenot put off by the Government’s pledge to integrate such schools into the state educational system.