“The Hall of the Clans,” Royal Caledonian Schools, Bushley Hertfordshire

When the Royal Caledonian Schools, anxious to raise money for a new assembly hall, threw their appeal open as a challenge to the Scottish clans, its success may be said to have been assured. In the event 120 clans, spurred on by national pride, clan loyalty, and long-standing rivalry, contributed; £37,365. Next Wednesday the new building. bearing the impressive title of The Hall of the Clans and adorned by the arms of 112 Scottish chieftains, will be officially opened by Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother. The appeal to the clans was launched in December 1959. and. within a month a start was made with the work. …  Lighting around the walls throws into relief the colourful insignia which are guaranteed to be artistically and historically accurate by the office of the Lord Lyon King of Arms and the Standing Council of Scottish Chiefs. The discrepancy between the 120 clans who have subscribed, and the 112 coats of arms is because nine of the clan chiefs do not bear arms. Their names, however, will be recorded in a tablet to be erected in the building. In a place of honour above the proscenium the old Royal Arms of Scotland have been erected with the consent and approval of the Queen. The hall replaces a previous building which was burnt out during the last war. It is designed by Mr. J. B. F. Cowper, architect to the schools, who is a Scot. and the main building contractors were Messrs. E. S. Reid, of Northwood. The arms of the chiefs were designed by Mr. Don Potinger, of Edinburgh, and carved by Mr. Stewart-Blacker, of Blairgowrie. The Royal Caledonian Schools were started for the children of Scottish soldiers and sailors who had died or been disabled in the Napoleonic wars. The children in the schools today, and there are more than 100 of them, are mainly those whose fathers were Scottish members of the Armed Forces. [The Times 19 July 1963 page 8]