Backing for new book on Nicolson Institute history

The Trust is providing financial support for the research phase of the book, which is to be published by Acair ahead of the anniversary in January 2023.

The book is being written by, among many others, retired educationalist Iain Smith, who has Point and Sandwick connections.

The new book will tell the story of the school’s development and also the stories of some of its most famous alumni.

As well as helping the authors to write the book, the money also helps Acair keep its production line running, as small publishers have been hit, along with so many business, by the Coronavirus pandemic.

Acair manager Agnes Rennie said they had been discussing the idea for the book “for a number of years” and stressed: “This is the kind of book that’s a long time in the making.”

The grant will help Iain Smith, who lives in Glasgow, continue his research locally.

However, Agnes said it was also helpful for Acair “to know the support is there to enable the book to go ahead.”

She said: “For a small publisher like Acair, it’s a real challenge to keep production, to keep working on books at the moment, while there is a greatly reduced income through book sales.

“We are really, really encouraged by the support of Point and Sandwick Trust to enable this project to progress – because it’s only for this project, it’s not for anything else.

Donald John MacSween, general manager of Point and Sandwick Trust, said they were happy to support a book that would promote social, educational and cultural wellbeing.