World War II evacuee recalls 'the time of our lives'

Anna Magnusson used her journalistic skills to prompt Dr Joyce Deans into recounting numerous stories of her five years away from her family and home.

Joyce was a pupil in Glasgow’s Laurel Bank school when, apart from a few who chose to stay at home, 170 girls of primary and secondary ages were moved up to Auchterarder for the entire War. 

The primary section was housed in Strathallan Castle, while the secondary girls, including Joyce, were allowed to take over Auchterarder House.

Once the girls had become used to a rural setting, they realised how lucky they were to enjoy a certain amount of freedom with plenty of outdoor activities, away from the restrictions of life in the city. 

The headmistress and staff continued to conduct lessons and school discipline was strictly maintained.  Cooks managed to feed pupils on reduced rations, helped by local farmers delivering rabbits and eggs to the door. Each pupil was responsible for making their 2oz of butter last a week and 1lb jar of jam for two months.

History society members and guests were entertained by many amusing anecdotes, including how some classes were held in bathrooms, others on the stairways, and the thrill of illicit skating on the ice at night.

The senior students were expected to play their part in the war work, sent out to the fields “tattie howking” and growing vegetables.