Photos

This picture I took today for two reasons. Firstly, this is a photograph I promised Bev (glint) that I would take next time I was in Dundee: secondly, this is my Alma Mater - where I was at secondary school from 1959 until 1965.

The "Morgan Hospital" was opened in 1868 as a charitable institution providing accommodation and education for "sons of tradesmen and persons of the working class generally whose parents stand in the need of assistance".

From www.morganacademyfp.co.uk:

"Its benefactor was John Morgan, the son of a Dundee maltman, who emigrated to India at the age of 20 where, with his brother, he became a wealthy indigo farmer. After a lengthy retirement in Edinburgh, he died, aged 90, in 1850. His will was very confusing and was contested so it was not until 1861 that the House of Lords determined that Morgan's wish had been to bequeath the bulk of his fortune (£73 500) to establish a residential institution in Dundee for the education of boys, similar in character to George Heriot's in Edinburgh.

"The Governors were determined to have a monumental building. The setting chosen sits high above the city, commanding the north east quarter of Dundee and its style is an impressive form of baronial architecture, derived from French chateaux and Flemish guild halls. It is one of Peddie and Kinnear's finest buildings and it is of international significance, being only comparable in design to Edinburgh's Fettes College, which was designed by David Bryce and also built in the 1860s.

"The early design for the school was not impressive enough for the Governors, so the turreted central tower was heightened to some 120 feet and elaborate dormer window heads with carved pinnacles and gargoyles were added to the frontage. The building's decorative details are exceptional, with traceried windows and a delightful variety of Gothic motifs, attenuated chimney stacks and slender lanterns. The roof was decorated with cast iron ridge cresting and ornate wrought iron finials to the many turrets and towers."

By 1889, the school had been acquired by Dundee School Board and it became the "Morgan Academy", one of the secondary schools of Dundee. It was later classed as an A-listed building. Unfortunately, on the evening of 21st March, 2001, it was severely gutted by fire after which its future became uncertain. However, it has since been restored to its former glory and, in the process of restoration, many improvements to the interior of the school have been made.

Converted from RAW with RawShooter Essentials, adjusted in Photoshop Elements 2, resized, sharpened and framed.

Note that in this area, GoogleEarth works well and the pointer is at exactly the place from which I took this picture.

P.S. For Peter (graffer) - This clock is wrong too! I clearly recall that I took this picture just after 1 p.m.! Maybe nobody winds it up during the school holidays?