Callander’s McLaren High School is getting set to celebrate a very special anniversary.

This August it will be 50 years since the school moved from its previous location at what is now Callander Primary School to the Trossachs town’s Mollands Road. It officially opened in September 1965.

A programme of events has now been organised for Saturday 5 September to mark the occasion, including sports matches between former and current pupils, school tours, an exhibition and a ceilidh.

Headteacher Marc Fleming said: “There was no way we could let an anniversary like this go unmarked and I hope as many people as possible turn out for what should be a great fun day.

“There have been a lot of changes at McLaren High School over the years – not least the major refurbishment that took place between 2006 and 2008 and saw the school interior completely transformed – but it has always been important throughout that the school remains a central part of community life, which is why we’re inviting everybody in to celebrate this milestone with us.” Among those helping to organise the anniversary celebrations are former pupils Allan Jack and Duncan Strathdee who clearly remember the day of the move itself when the entire school paraded through Callander from the old premises to the new.

Allan said of the day: “There was a sense of excitement. Some of us had been into the building site (as the new school was being built), but getting the whole school arranged in order to march up the hill was something special.” Originally from Dunblane, Duncan travelled to Callander by train every day on the line that still existed for at least some of his time at school.

He added: “The new building was awesome. All new equipment – new desks and chairs, revolving blackboards which were attached to the walls, technical drawing tables that flipped over to reveal a drawing board with a sliding T-square.” An immediate fan of technical education classes Duncan went on to become a teacher of the subject himself, as retired geologist Allan added that he also has “nothing but great memories” of the school.

Duncan said: “If teachers had given up on me while I was at McLaren High School I would never have had the opportunities I have had in my life.

“They knew I was not the ‘finished article’ and continued to deposit things into my life during my time there. Doors opened because of that.

“I am so grateful to all of them and count it a privilege to have attended as a pupil.” A former versus current pupils rugby match will be held at the Callander Primary School pitch from 10am on Saturday 5 September, with football and hockey games on the pitches at McLaren Leisure Centre from noon.

Tours of the current school and the exhibition of McLaren through the years can be enjoyed from noon-3pm and then the ceilidh takes place in the school from 7-11pm with tickets priced £5 each or £15 for a family (two adults and two children).

To take part in the sports matches or to purchase ceilidh tickets, email mclarenhighfp@stirling.gov.uk or call 01877 330156.

Tickets can also be bought at the school reception.