‘Kaiser’ Aly Mackay sets up school reunion for former pupils of Nairn Academy
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A former lecturer has put out a call for one-time pupils of Nairn Academy to get in touch with a view to having a reunion at the town’s Newton Hotel.
Aly Mackay (68) lectured in accountancy at Robert Gordon University and spent many years travelling overseas attracting students to the Aberdeen institution.
“I’m conscious with the passage of time there are not going to be too many opportunities going forward for such reunions,” said Mr Mackay, who lives with his wife Kathleen, a retired consultant psychiatrist, near Oldmeldrum in Aberdeen-shire.
“I was known as ‘Kaiser’ to all my school pals and my wife and I recently bought a flat at the Marine apartments in Nairn. It was while walking along the beach at Nairn I thought it would be a good idea to get some of my year groups together from Nairn Academy.
“The good thing is we have all lived our lives, done the family thing, careers and hopefully most of us feel content with our lot and it’s a good point for a catch up.”
He added: “It was on the beach I met a former school pal, Gordon Main, who was out running. He has hardly changed a bit and after speaking to him we contacted some other school pals of that era including Richard Konczak, Drew Wilson, Ian MacRae, Meg and Hugh Robertson, who were all up for a get together.
“It’s planned for October 1. Although there are a lot of reunions on Nairn Games Day, because of Covid they have had to be cancelled for two years. Many exiles will be wanting to spend time with their families if they come home for the Games this year.”
In his earlier years Mr Mackay was an active member of the 1st Nairn Scouts and a supervisor at the Nairn swimming pool.
“One of the ideas is to have a map at the reunion where we can stick a pin to the different places we have lived during our lives. I’m sure it will be quite interesting,” he added.
A graduate of Aberdeen University, he said many of his peers followed a path into the oil industry.
“It was a time of great opportunities for young people locally and many chose that path rather than going into further education,” he said.
His career in accountancy eventually led him to the Court Office at Glasgow University followed by a spell with KPMG. “Then I was asked to lecture RGU students in accountancy and I loved it,” he added.
Pupils who left Nairn Academy in 1971 or 1972 and are interested in the reunion should contact 07854 696357 or email alex@kingsburnconsulting.co.uk
