The Galloway Bursary

The Galloway Bursary (1876)

In 1876, Sam won the Galloway Bursary. The award made university study possible and changed the course of his life.

The Examination

The examination took place at the Douglas Arms Hotel in Castle Douglas in September. Crockett later fictionalised the experience in Kit Kennedy, where the tension and anticipation of the two-day test appear in vivid detail.

For Sam, the bursary was the only realistic path to Edinburgh University. Cowper's School had prepared him academically, but without financial support, further study would have been out of reach.

What Winning Meant

Winning the bursary transformed Sam's prospects. The £20 annual award—£11 of which went to university fees—did not cover all expenses, but it made attendance possible.

News travelled quickly. Sam's cousin William recorded the moment in his diary, noting simply: 'He told me Sam had got the bursary.' It was a turning point for the family. The bursary opened the door to Edinburgh University and a wider world of possibilities.