Aberlour Children's Charity

• Reference:GB 559 ACCT
• Dates of Creation:1875-2018
• Language of Material:English
• Physical Description:
  27 linear metres

• Scope and Content

  The records date from 1875 with the establishment of an orphanage in the village of Aberlour, Morayshire. The majority of the collection dates from 1875 to 1980, covering the management of the original Orphanage and administration of the surrounding estate until its closure in 1967, as well as later services operated through the Trust.

  This collection contains references and language relating to disabilities and mental health, reflecting attitudes of the period in which it was created. Such views are no longer acceptable and will be upsetting to some researchers. They do not align with the views of the University of Stirling, nor of Aberlour Childrens Charity. The collection also contains references to abuse towards children having taken place. Content warnings have been put in place to notify users of language and terms within the records which will cause offense and that can be upsetting to read. We are aware that some references may have been missed during the cataloguing of the collection. Please make staff aware of any material consulted containing offensive references not previously disclosed.

• Administrative / Biographical History

  The history of Aberlour dates to 1875 when an orphanage was founded by Canon Charles Jupp, a clergyman of the Scottish Episcopal Church. He had been asked by Miss Margaret Macpherson Grant of Aberlour to become her personal Chaplin, which he accepted on the condition that she fund the construction of an orphanage, rectory, and school.

  Burnside Cottage, on the banks of the Lour Burn, Speyside, was where Canon Jupp and his wife lived, with it also becoming the first home for the orphanage, with the Jupps taking in four "mitherless bairns" in 1875.

  Construction of a permanent building started with the building of a church, designed by Alexander Ross, and dedicated to St Margaret. However, Miss Macpherson died unexpectedly in 1877, slowing the development of the orphanage and putting its future at risk. The legacy made by Mr W Grant of Wester Elchies in 1882 came to the orphanage's aid, with £8,000 left to purchase land and construct a larger orphanage at Campbell's Park, Aberlour. By 1885, Aberlour Orphanage could accommodate up to 100 children.

  As the Orphanage went from strength to strength, children would arrive not just from across Scotland, but also from England and Wales. When it was first established, it set out to support children only from Episcopalian families, however, over the years it broadened its scope to accommodate children from all religious denominations.

  Dependent on a family's circumstances, a child could be placed at Aberlour for free, or with part of full financial support being provided by the family or a charitable body representing the child. Whilst at the Orphanage, children were given an education and training to gain employment once they left the Orphanage, with girls generally going into domestic service, and boys going into apprenticeships or farm work, all placed with employers that had been vetted and approved by staff at Aberlour. Those who showed strong academic skills were put forward for further education.

  The Orphanage suffered from two fires, one in 1931 when almost all the east-block was destroyed, and another in 1937, when the west-block being destroyed by the blaze, meaning 200 boys had to temporarily take up residence in the school rooms. Amazingly, on both occasions, there were no casualties, with the effects of these being recorded in the administrative accounts of Aberlour, which are held with the archive.

  The Orphanage closed in 1967 and was replaced with a series of services across Scotland. These small 'family group' homes were located across Scotland, including homes in Aberdeen, Stirling, Aberlour and Kirkcaldy. The original home was demolished, with all that remains of the original building being the clock tower and the church.

  In 1969, the charity relocated its headquarters to Stirling, where they still operate today. The role of Warden, which had originally held by Canon Wolfe and who was responsible for the management of the Orphanage and day-to-day management of finances, was replaced by the Aberlour Trust Director.

  Aberlour Child Care Trust remains to be the largest solely Scottish children's charity, providing support and resources for vulnerable children, young people, and their families.

  The cataloguing of the collection was made possible through the 'Archives Revealed' funding scheme, which was jointly awarded by The National Archives, The Pilgrim Trust and the Wolfson Foundation in 2021. This funding scheme is for archive services to make significant collections accessible that otherwise would be difficult to catalogue using existing resources.

• Access Information

  Open

  Some records are closed to preserve resident or staff confidentiality. For further information on access restrictions please contact the University Archivist

• Note

  Wardens of Aberlour Orphanage were:

  Canon Charles Jupp 1875-1911;

  Rev Walter Jenks 1911-1928;

  Rev Clarence Albert Wolfe (known as "Wolfie") 1928-1958;

  Rev C W Leslie 1958-1967.

  The role of Warden was replaced by the Aberlour Trust Director, when the governing body was constituted.

  The organisation's name has changed over time:

  Aberlour Orphanage (1875-1934)

  Aberlour Orphanage Trust (1934-1969)

  The Aberlour Trust (1969-1978)

  Aberlour Child Care Trust (1976-2006)

  Aberlour Childrens Charity (2006-present)

• Other Finding Aids

  Catalogue is available on the Archives and Special Collections webpage and on ArchivesHub.

• Physical Characteristics and/or Technical Requirements

  Volumes; files; photographs; magazines;

• Conditions Governing Use

  For further details please contact the University Archivist

• Custodial History

  The collection was transferred to the University of Stirling from Aberlour Child Care Trust in June 2021