I think I must have been very lucky in my choice of teachers (Balfron High School, 1963-67). "Herr" Coupar our head of modern languages commonly greeted each class with "Good morning, loons and queans (quines)", asserting his Aberdeen background in his adopted Stirlingshire home, while at the same time introducing us to German folk ballads and student drinking songs. Nan MacFarlane introduced us to Border Ballads in English classes, Mr Primrose (Latin) started a couple of folk-song groups during lunch-hours and got a few of us started on a path that hasn't ended yet. Mrs Jessiman's music department managed to produce a Gilbert and Sullivan epic nearly every year, and between them all they got me singing "John Grumlie" as introduction to a school production of the play of the same name. Still singing the odd bothy ballad when the occasion arises.

Ross