Morton Gilfillan

(1934 – 1971)

If you were fortunate to attend Calderhead High School in the late sixties then you will no doubt have very fond memories of Morton Gilfillan history teacher , (wee Monty as he was often called).

Morton was indeed a remarkable person who died tragically at the age of only 37. Born in Shotts, and locally educated, he then attended Glasgow University, obtaining an MA in history and also winning the History Medal.

After his graduation and qualifying as a teacher at Moray House, he spent some time teaching history in Canada’s Northern Territories and during his stay there he learned Gaelic and learned how to play the bagpipes he also learned to play the bagpipes and played  for one of the pipe band there. On returning to Scotland, he taught in the island of Benbecula,

Apart from being a clever man he was also extremely interesting, his hobbies were very varied, including gardening, archaeology, attending archaeological digs and he was an accomplished artist. He also had a keen interest in country and highland dancing and  taught both. Another interesting and unusual pastime was calligraphy; he compiled a book of his work and bound it himself – literally a work of art.

His other main interest was his love of photography and he was often seen snapping old landmarks that were in danger of disappearing, a very small selection we have here on display.

A truly remarkable Shottsonian

Adam Watson cpl Miller Helen Gavin James Gunn Janis Steel Local figures Miss Isa Arthur Morton Gilfillan
Sammy Lee THE TWIN McLAYS William Morton