Death of Carrick Academy teacher Robert Allanach
(From the Ayrshire Post - August 9th 2002)

 IT was with deep sadness that many people learned of the death of Robert Allanach recently. Robert had spent all of his teaching career at Carrick Academy, retiring after 27 years due to his illness. He was also a former member of Maybole Community Council and a director of local training company May-Tag Ltd. There was a large turnout of family and friends at Ayr Crematorium last week for the funeral service, conducted by Rev David Ness, of a well respected and admired man who will be remembered for his many gifts. Born on August 15 1951 in Edinburgh it was a teaching job for his father, in Patna and Dalmellington, that saw the family move to Ayrshire and Robert attended Heathfield Primary and then moved on to Ayr Academy. 

That was where his lifelong love of music was established. At this time he began playing the guitar, preferring this to the piano he had learned earlier.

Photo taken about 1987

 Heavily influenced by the Beatles and other groups of the day, he and his friends set about establishing their own band and this was to become a life long interest. His musical hero was Paul McCartney and Robert was to develop his skills as “a bass player of some repute” as former pals referred to him in their recent search for him on the internet.

After graduating at Glasgow University with an MA (Hons), Robert completed his teaching qualification at Jordanhill in 1974 and then moved to his first teaching post at Carrick Academy teaching History and Modern Studies. He soon became Assistant Principal Teacher of Guidance and in 1983 was appointed to Head of Department. As well as being responsible for work experience, he was the EIS union rep and took an active role in the Ayrshire branch for many years as well as being chairman of various committees and working parties. He set up an Archaeology Club and organised many trips, especially to Hadrian’s Wall. Robert was instrumental in setting up the Ayrshire Teachers’ Association and was seconded to develop Standard Grade History packs. He worked on summer schools teaching English and French and still found time to teach guitar and take pupils on horse-riding trips.

Out of school, Robert played electric bass in a series of bands and was familiar face at hotels and halls throughout Ayrshire. He lived in Maybole from 1983 where he and Rhona set up home and they were active members of the community, joining the local musical society, the Town Twinning Association and Carrick Speakers Social Club. Robert was a community councillor and a director of May-Tag Ltd for several years; he also became chairman of the Carrick 800 Committee which planned and organised the celebrations to mark the octocentenary of Carrick being created, in 1186, including a pageant at Culzean Castle. He was also invited to join the Knights Templar. An avid reader, Robert was also interested in tracing his ancestors, archaeology, hillwalking and snooker. In 1998 he and wife Rhona began building their own house at St Quivox which will be his final resting place. He had fought his disease bravely and joined a committee at the Beatson Oncology Centre to help improve procedures and facilities for patients. Robert is survived by his mother Eleanor, wife Rhona, son Jamie and his daughters Ruth, Madeleine, Rachel and Rebecca from his first marriage.