I remember... Not sure about the exact dates. I was there with my twin brother. We were Keenan 1 and Keenan 2. I remember the cricket, rugby. Queuing for chapped legs cream (we only wore shorts, boys only school then)Breaking the ice on the little outdoor swimming pool and plunging in. Tending a little patch of alloted garden and growing "lambs lugs". Dorms, prep, writing home, morning assembly, porridge for breakfast containing big balls of uncooked oats (which you had to eat. No food however bad was wasted)Every meal started with a benedictus. Occasional trips to watch Scotland play rugby. Bars of toffee from the tuck shop. Getting a "stripe" and waiting in fear outside the headmaster’s office at lunchtime for judgment. 9 year olds only got the slipper. He seemed about 7 foot high.
We were only at the school for 18 months but I remember it fondly.

I am currently... I joined the Royal Navy at 18 as an electrician. Spent 22 years in the Submarine service. Retired to Portugal at 40. I now own/run a successful swimming pool maintenance business. No breaking the ice necessary !! I'm 52 yrs old, fit and happy.

I remember... Sitting at the top of the stairs down to Yard, a very home-sick 8 year-old (and 2 days!). Having the school number "1", which made the cobbler's job easy! Latin with Mr Mathewson, Maths with Mr Edwards, Geography with Mr Newton, all of which stuck, and Divinity (was it with Mr Harkness?) (it sadly didn't). Singing the treble solo in "Once in Royal David's City" in Kirkliston parish church. Mad tobogganing in the fields in the Almond valley beyond the canal aqueduct in the winter of 1962. Sitting Winchester College entrance exams in the flat beyond the Green Room ... and then having the whole Common Entrance week off! Captaining the cricket team in 1964 (the least auspicious year on record!). Trying to work out the relevance of running the "250" yards race when everyone else ran metric! Being read John Buchan's "Prester John" by Mr Mathewson in his study during Sunday summer evenings in my last term. Above all, enjoying myself tremendously for (almost) 5 years in a great place with great company. I may have learned something too!

I am currently... I retired from the Queen's Own Highlanders in 1990, lived in Cyprus, returned to work in 1995 and am currently working as a Civil Servant for the MoD in Tidworth.

I remember... Performing in Gilbert and Sullivan operettas, with George Mathewson, the enormously tall headmaster, conducting. He sat on a child's chair in front of the stage constructed in the Green Room,and his baton was a knitting needle. The orchestra consisted of the school pianist (Miss Rose, for much of my time) and a violinist. I was chosen to be the Pirate King one year, but Richard Borrie's voice changed, so, figuring a Pirate King who could sing in a man's register would be better than in a squeaky boy's register, the part was given to Borrie. I became a policeman--in the operetta, not in real life.

I am currently... In the U.S., conducting research with young children with disabilities and living in Nashville and Chattanooga (Tennessee). After Fettes, I went to the University of North Carolina and eventually got my Ph.D. there. I worked at UNC and Vanderbilt University before coming to Siskin Children's Institute to start up the research center. (More than you wanted to know... sorry!)

I remember... I came to Clifton Hall in August 1968 during a break in my university studies to set up the new science laboratory as science was being introduced into the curriculum for the first time. Having been to Prep and Public school (Merchiston Castle) myself, I still used to get that strange homesick feeling at the start of every term even as a member of staff! George Mathewson was headmaster and Mrs Mathewson ran the domestic side with Miss Skinner in charge of the kitchens. I stayed in the flat off the Green Room to begin with and then moved over to the one at the end of the (then) senior dormitory up the stairs from the yard. I enjoyed my time very much and the boys were all very purposeful and hard working. I remember looking out for the Green Lady while walking round the darkened house after being on duty for lights-out which could be a little scary! I remember so much more when I look back at photographs I have and if any CHOPS reading this should remember me then I will certainly remember you!

I am currently... Retired now after a career in the Electricity Supply Industry with SSEB/Scottish Power as I returned to Edinburgh University to finish my B.Sc degree after leaving Clifton Hall. After living in the Glasgow area for over 32 years, I am now back near Carlisle being my home town and place of birth.

I remember... The best times of my education with wonderful teachers - although not appreciated at the time - such as Mr Rowlands and Pete Kier. The guys that were there were fantastic. We were the most dominant prep school rugby team in Scotland and won everything we played. Set me up for life and Loretto followed such a similar theme. So many people seem to have hated their school days but I would go back and do them all again!

I am currently... Running my own business on the south coast of England

I remember... I came to Clifton Hall straight from A levels at Bradfield as what I guess might be termed a student teacher. In those days many prep schools were the private fiefdoms of their owners and heads, and I guess Clifton Hall was lucky that an enlightened character like Mr Killick, with his lovely family, was in control. I have many fond memories (although mostly pretty faded by now!) of my time learning how to be a teacher, together with some fairly embarrassing ones, including trying to race some of the boys down the 100 yards track on my motorbike! I note a former pupil from the early 50's recalls Mr Mitchell - a lovely man who taught me a lot. I have just emailed Mr Grant a couple of photos I have found of Mitch on one of his summer holiday trips to Belgium, Germany and Denmark with 3 boys and me in his car.

I am currently... Retired and acting as a parish clerk in some small parishes near Sherborne in Dorset. After Clifton Hall I went to train as a teacher, and get a degree, at College of S Mark & S John in Chelsea, and ended my career as Head of English at Beanfield Comprehensive School in Corby, Northants.

I remember... Playing "you’re it" (or "hit" to you Lothian kids)around the entire school and grounds, yes even the little curly spiral stairs and the woods, those funky old school swing open desks, "6 form V" in the "yard", sliding down the hand rail of the back staircase in a unique ingenious way that built up so much speed it was dangerous, crisp pie at lunch as I was "off milk", bread and milk at break, getting locked inside the art room for a good 20 mins, writing out Mr Adams' flight manuals for a punishment for starting a home made darts championship at prep, roller skating in the games hall, British Bulldogs, Matron’s sick bay, small or normal at lunch, having to go to Mrs Collie for extra learning! the green lady... could go on and on... great times, great memories.

I am currently... Back in Fife after a lengthy 18 months just north of London, just qualified as an airline pilot and seeking a first officer position, working at Knockhill as a racing instructor in the meantime - would love to hear from any of my old pals

I remember... miss kell my favourite teacher teaching me in p1 and p2

I am currently... at watsons

I remember... I remember being one of very few Girls who boarded.. Also 134 was my school number and Dobson 2 was what I was known by.
Going down dell and getting into serious trouble for it, I spent the next year cleaning the chicken coop.. Which brings me to another antic but perhaps not for this.lol.. Swimming in the pool and racing the boys and winning.. Nettles and Doc leafs over the wall behind the pool. Watching my older brother play rugby in the freezing weather.. Oh and my worst memory of CHS was being forced to watch Jaws on Saturday night by Mr Rowland Sr, scarred me for life,however, I will say that it was a fabulous time in my life and thanks to the school gave me the confidence to carry on in life. I went onto St Denis and Cranley which is now closed which is sad but there you go.. Swinging on the pipes and having to recite hymns as punishment.. All the sports you could possibly want to play and the privilege of wearing your own jeans on the weekend...

I am currently... Living in Florida with my husband and two young boys.

I remember... ... all the fun of Clifton Hall, specifically, dropping an egg off the tower in a badly-made parachute as part of our Science lesson with Mr Franssen, then killing ourselves laughing when another group's egg splattered all over a teacher's car. I also remember all the great sports we played, the fun style of teaching and the beautiful grounds.

I still to this day remember all the details of Clifton Hall and I have some fantastic memories which I will keep forever.

~ Conor Boland

I am currently... ... in Methodist College Belfast, Second Form (S2).