The Little family moved from Dumfriesshire to Falkirk where the sisters established a girls’ school in Chapel Lane in the 1870s. The building was too small for the 40-50 pupils attending and so in 1888 they took on Dr Espie’s old house in Bank Street. The Misses Little included Annie, Lillie, Ella and Minnie, as well as their mother, Helen Scott. They were aided by Monsieur L Soleil, teacher of Modern Languages at Blair Lodge, who visited Orchard House twice weekly. As members of the family married, they took on Mademoiselle Villoing as a resident governess.
Each year an exhibition of the students’ work was staged in the Christian Institute. As well as art and needlework there were musical performances, recitals and plays. Drawing an audience from the influential middle-class parents they provided a showcase for the school. An annual picnic was also introduced, taking the students to interesting historic sites throughout central Scotland. Examination results were excellent and many of the pupils went on to university. The school also undertook to raise funds for the fledgling local hospital, leading the way in social responsibility.
Orchard House School closed around 1906 and the premises were then used by a visiting dentist from Glasgow, Dr Waterhouse. Phillipe Ruff, Professor of the Music College in Chicago, USA, ran a ladies’ choir there, and CF Kenmure held practical wood carving lessons. The following year, 1907, the rooms were let out as “comfortable parlour-bedrooms” by Mrs Heatlie as the building slowly morphed into a hotel.
Sites and Monuments Record
| Orchard House, Bank St | SMR 940 | NS 8896 8000 |
Falkirk Local History Society 