Headstone Marykirk Napier David 1885¹

• (Headstone) Memorial Inscription*: Headstone Marykirk Napier David 1885 was erected after 13 September 1885 at Marykirk Kirkyard, Aberdeenshire, Scotland. Inscription reads Son of James Napier, weaver & Margaret Sutor
  Founder of the Napier Educational Trust
  
  David Napier served an apprenticeship in his village as a joiner, he went to London when he became unwell and became a Grocer at home. He was unmarried and concerned about local school children walking to school in the cold weather.
  In his will he set up funding for a new school, the total amount was 3,500 pounds that was raised for a mixed school in a closer location, as many of the students lived at least 3 miles away from public school. Initially David Napier allocated funds for a school with a male teacher, however additional funds were sourced to cover the full amount and a female teacher was installed.
  The school opened on a sunny Saturday in 1898 with the royal standard and other flags flying out the front, presented by David Napier's nephew Theodore Napier. A temporary platform was installed at the west end of the school where the many trustees of the school, (who included Theodore Napier were seated)
  
  Mr W C Carnegie of Marykirk was the architect, Chipping Norton of Marykirk prepared the plans. Mr William Greig was the builder, Alexander Dunbar was the Carpenter, Charles Brand the Slater, Mr Hood the Plasterer and Colin Wood and Co., the plumber.
  The Chairman gave a speech and presented to Theodore Napier a silver trowel as a momento of their meeting. The inscription read;
  Presented to Theodore Napier Esq., on the occasion of his laying the foundation stone of the 'Napier Memorial School', Marykirk on the 9th July, 1898.
  As a part of his reply Theodore Napier announced that it had been his personal fortune or misfortune to have been born in the British Colony of Australia, however every drop of his blood was Scottish. He would never forget his happy days in Marykirk. He lamented with affection on David Napiers' love of children.
  The memorial stone is at the front of the main entrance to the school.
  
  Napier Memorial School was opened in 1898 and was erected by the Trustees of David Napier. It was leased to the Education Authority of Kincardine in 1920 and transferred to them in 1935. The school became known as Napier Primary School and closed in 1968 with the pupils transferring to Marykirk School.¹