Latest news with #AmpleforthCollege
Press and Journal
21-05-2025
- General
- Press and Journal
Rory MacDonald: Highland publican and whisky pioneer who 'wouldn't sell a dram to a Campbell', dies age 91
Donald Roderick MacDonald, known affectionately and reverently as Rory, died peacefully on May 20, 2025, aged 91. A Highland publican of rare flair, creator of Glencoe whisky, and fiercely proud descendant of the Chiefs of Keppoch, Rory lived a life deeply rooted in tradition yet riotously alive with character, contradiction and conviction. Born in Jesmond in September 1933—a fact that he regarded as a lifelong irritation—Rory believed he ought to have been born in 1620 and slain nobly in battle. The 20th century, for all its chaos and modernity, seemed too tame for him. Yet despite this temporal misplacement, he devoted his life to upholding, reviving, and celebrating the Highland spirit, in all its wildness and hospitality. Rory was the son of Andrew MacDonald, known as The Major, who worked managing lumber yards across Newcastle, Boston and Liverpool. Family mattered enormously to him—not just his immediate kin but the whole expanse of MacDonalds whose stories he carried with precision and pride. His early years followed his father's work, with holidays at Blarour, near Spean Bridge, giving him his first love of Lochaber. With the outbreak of war, Rory's mother Hilda moved the family south to Surrey. At the age of six, Rory was sent to Gilling Castle, the Benedictine-run prep school for Ampleforth College. There began a lifetime wariness of authority: he did not take kindly to being 'telt', and this resistance became a defining feature of his character. Twelve years later, Rory left school with a scholarship to Oxford—and, reportedly, the most beaten backside of his generation, according to family friend Fr Anthony Ainscough. Oxford, like school, proved a difficult fit. After National Service with the Queen's Own Cameron Highlanders, during which he skied in Austria and developed a fondness for Highland camaraderie, he returned to university life. But Oxford could not compete with his appetite for mischief and high society. After a brush with the college's Master, Hugh Trevor-Roper, Rory was sent down alongside his friend John Gaynor. Stints at Harrods, in the packing department, and the Distillers Company followed. It was during his time with Distillers that Rory began to find his métier: whisky. After training in Craigellachie and Edinburgh, he was sent to Montreal and then New York, where his job was to know every barman in Manhattan. He started drinking at 11am, finished at 2pm with a 'cinema nap', and resumed at 6pm. Always immaculately turned out with a raven mane and widow's peak, Rory was a striking figure. In New York, he met Nancy Hill, a 24-year-old Ivy Leaguer with red hair and composure to match his fire. They married in the US and took the first boat back to Europe. As Rory put it, there was no way his children were going to be raised as Americans. Working in advertising in London, he abruptly announced one day to his wife and two young sons that he had purchased a pub in the Highlands. The pub was the Clachaig Inn in Glencoe, which he would transform into one of Scotland's best-loved hostelries and his true spiritual home. At the Clachaig, Rory thrived. He welcomed climbers, hippies, folk musicians, Billy Connolly and all Glaswegians in search of air, conversation and ale. He banned Campbells from the premises—an infamous move—but simultaneously cultivated a famously warm and eclectic atmosphere. The Clachaig became a cultural and communal institution. He joined the mountain rescue team. He reinvigorated the Ballachulish Shinty Club, acted with the Kinlochleven amateur dramatics group, ran for Parliament as a Tory in West Dumbarton in 1974 and drove a Territorial Army truck up Ben Nevis to prepare for nuclear attack. Rory banned music that wasn't Gaelic, hosted ceilidhs, and wrote a book about Coll of the Cows. He once bought a cider press for Glencoe cider, then sold it after realising apples were hard to come by. He and Nancy somehow brought up four young in the house they built by the pub. Among his lasting achievements was the creation of Glencoe whisky, a robust 100 proof vatted malt which he marketed with elegance and belief in provenance. Initially sold only at the pub, he scaled it across the Highlands from the boot of his car. He refused a £500,000 offer from PepsiCo when they proposed altering the label. In the late 1970s, he sold the Clachaig with a three-day lock-in. In 1980, the family was joined by daughter Charlotte, and soon moved Texas, where Rory ran the World Trade Center – a marketplace in Houston. A high-profile job, he was known in the Houston Society. From Houston, the family moved to Philadelphia, Nancy's hometown, where Rory worked in executive roles. Angus and Peter remained in the UK, but his love and pride for them continued—even if it was more often expressed to others than to them directly. In 1990, he returned alone to Lochaber, declaring it the place his soul required. He started a nursery, selling heathers and berating tourists for overwatering his baskets. He met Marion, who became his second wife and anchor for the remainder of his life. With Marion, Rory softened. He welcomed his children's spouses and adored his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Ever the historian, Rory amassed a trove of knowledge about the West Highlands and the MacDonalds of Keppoch. Even as his health declined, his mind remained razor-sharp and his wit intact. He continued to recite poetry by heart, particularly the 19th-Century verse he had loved since youth. Rory was, always, a man of his time—and a man entirely of another He is survived by his wife Marion, his children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and the countless friends and strangers who found welcome, laughter and fierce hospitality in his presence. A burial service was held at Collie Choirill. Mourners were invited to join the family to raise a glass and share stories. Rory would have wanted a good party.
BBC News
19-05-2025
- BBC News
Ampleforth College monk found guilty of abusing pupils
A monk who admitted having crushes on adolescent boys has been found guilty of sexually abusing two pupils at a North Yorkshire public housemaster Michael James Callaghan, 71, worked at Ampleforth College, a prestigious private Catholic boarding school which charges about £40,000 a year for Crown Court heard his offences took place between 1994 and of Moortown, Leeds, was found guilty of one count of sexual assault related to a 17-year-old pupil and 12 charges of indecent assault connected to a pupil aged between 14 and 18. The court heard how Callaghan, who was known as Father James, groomed and repeatedly indecently assaulted one boy over three years in the 1990s. He sexually assaulted a 17-year-old in 2013 by squeezing his bottom during a were told he "ingratiated himself" with the first victim by giving him cigarettes and buying him gifts. 'It wasn't right' The complainant told police the "sexual bit" of their relationship had started when he was under 16, with Callaghan kissing said Callaghan would ask to meet him at different locations, including guest rooms at the complainant said in his police interview that Callaghan would "take on the role of a boy I had a crush on" and they would kiss and simulate sex, telling officers he "hated the sexual bit of it" and realised as an adult it "wasn't right".He told police: "He had been grooming me for three years. There's a difference between welcoming someone's affections and the other things that were going on in that room."The defendant admitted having some sexual contact with the boy but claimed it was consensual and only after he turned 16, telling jurors the relationship was "unusual but not criminal".But the prosecution said it "was not consent given freely by someone who had a real choice". In his closing speech to jurors, prosecutor Mark McKone KC said: "The defendant is massively watering down what he did."He is trying to put a gentle gloss on something very sinister indeed."Mr McKone said both victims were "still struggling now" with what he trial heard that Callaghan had confessed to a doctor in 1990 that he had crushes on "a number of boys" at a previous school, but "by and large had managed to control himself".A letter from the doctor said: "When I first saw him he was rushing after adolescent boys he saw in the street."The court was told Callaghan went to see the same doctor again in 1993 and said he was having "more difficulty in controlling the sexual side of his life". In 2018, the Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse found there had been a "culture of acceptance of abusive behaviour" at Ampleforth watchdog Ofsted graded the college as "good" in an inspection in late 2024, a Charity Commission inquiry concluded children had been exposed to the risk of sexual commission started an inquiry into the two trusts responsible for the running of Catholic private school Ampleforth College and neighbouring Ampleforth report found, external "significant weaknesses" in the safeguarding, governance and management of the St Laurence Educational Trust (SLET) and the Ampleforth Abbey Trust (AAT).Judge Richard Clews bailed Callaghan until his sentencing in June, and told him: "These are serious offences involving a considerable breach of trust."It is highly likely the only realistic sentence available to me will be immediate imprisonment." Listen to highlights from North Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North.
ITV News
19-05-2025
- ITV News
‘Sinister' monk guilty of sexually abusing boys at Catholic boarding school in North Yorkshire
A 'sinister' monk who admitted having 'crushes' on adolescent boys has been found guilty of sexually abusing two pupils at a prestigious Catholic boarding school. Michael James Callaghan, known as Father James, preyed on teenage boys who were 'isolated from their families' while he was a teacher and housemaster at Ampleforth College in North Yorkshire. Teesside Crown Court heard that Callaghan, now 71, groomed and repeatedly indecently assaulted one boy over three years in the 1990s, and sexually assaulted a 17-year-old in 2013 by squeezing his bottom during a hug. Jurors were told he 'ingratiated himself' with the first complainant by giving him cigarettes, buying him gifts and taking him out shopping and for pub lunches in the North York Moors. The complainant told police the 'sexual bit' of their relationship had started when he was under 16, with Callaghan kissing him. He said Callaghan would ask to meet him after Mass on Saturday evenings at different locations, including guest rooms, and sometimes a room at the school that was used for homeless people. The complainant said in his police interview that Callaghan would 'take on the role of a boy I had a crush on' and they would kiss and simulate sex, telling officers he 'hated the sexual bit of it' and realised as an adult it 'wasn't right'. He told police: 'He had been grooming me for three years. There's a difference between welcoming someone's affections and the other things that were going on in that room.' The defendant admitted having some sexual contact with the boy but claimed it was consensual and only after he turned 16, telling jurors the relationship was 'unusual but not criminal'. But the prosecution said it 'was not consent given freely by someone who had a real choice'. In his closing speech to jurors, prosecutors Mark McKone KC said: 'The defendant is massively watering down what he did. 'He is trying to put a gentle gloss on something very sinister indeed.' Mr McKone said Callaghan had targeted boys with 'serious vulnerabilities' and that both were 'still struggling now' with what he did. He told jurors Callaghan 'sought to justify contact with (the first complainant) on the basis of trying to make a troubled boy feel better about himself' but that he was 'thinking only about himself and his own sexual urges'. The trial heard that Callaghan had confessed to a doctor in 1990 that he had 'crushes' on 'a number of boys' at a previous school, but 'by and large had managed to control himself'. A letter from the doctor said: 'When I first saw him he was rushing after adolescent boys he saw in the street.' The court was told Callaghan went to see the same doctor again in 1993 and said he was having 'more difficulty in controlling the sexual side of his life'. Callaghan, of Moortown, Leeds, was found guilty 12 counts of indecently assaulting the first complainant, including four when he was under 16, and one count of sexual assault on the second complainant. The jury deliberated for just over six hours and 30 minutes before finding him guilty of 13 charges. Twelve of these were unanimous verdicts, and one – making the first complainant perform mouth-to-mouth resuscitation on him after he pretended to have a heart attack on at least three occasions – was by a majority of 11 to one. Judge Richard Clews bailed Callaghan until his sentencing in June, and told him: 'These are serious offences involving a considerable breach of trust. 'It is highly likely the only realistic sentence available to me will be immediate imprisonment.'
Daily Mail
15-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
James Norton reveals he regularly goes on Buddhist retreats in France as he explains how travelling South Asia aged 18 'was the making of him' after unhappy and 'angsty' school years
James Norton has revealed he goes on regular Buddhist retreats to a quiet monastery in France in a bid to stay sane amid life in the spotlight. The actor, 39, has also confessed that travelling as a young man 'was the making of him' after his confidence was ripped to shreds during unhappy student years at £57,615-a-year Ampleforth College. Appearing on the latest episode of the Travel Secrets podcast, the Happy Valley star explained: 'I go to a Buddhist retreat in the South of France and I study a lot of Buddhism. 'I go to a retreat called Plum Village, which I love. I've been for the last few years. It's in the Dordogne region and it's an amazing experience. I know the community there now and I know the abbot and it's a very special place. 'Thich Nhat Hanh set up this incredible movement - it's a very friendly, very accessible form of buddhism if you're someone like me who is interested in and knows the value in it but life just always [gets in the way]. It's buddhist-lite.' James, who also starred in TV series McMafia and Grantchester, explained how travelling has played a pivotal role in his life. He recalled: 'The most important year for me was my gap year. It was huge because I'd had a strange time at school. 'I went to one of these old, big boarding schools and I loved theatre and music and I wasn't so good at rugby and I went through puberty really late so it wasn't the most rewarding period for me. 'Ampleforth was rugby-orientated, lots of testosterone, lots of one-upmanship. It's quite competitive. I did well there, I knuckled down and worked hard, and I did later find my footing in the theatre, but it wasn't the happiest few years. 'And then when I travelled... I realise in hindsight how much I just needed to get away from everything - be on my own. It really was the making of me. I came back and felt like I'd arrived in adult life.' He went on: 'When I left school, I decided to take a year in between then and university. I really gung-ho about it. 'I did three months working multiple bar jobs - one in a golf club, one in a hotel... earned about three and a half thousand pounds, and then I just packed a bag and went on a trip for eight months around South Asia on my own - at 18. It was crazy. 'I can't quite believe how brazen I was. I went to Nepal, Tibet, India - I didn't see a single person I knew for eight months. It was mad. 'But I realise now how important that trip was for me, in so many ways: my relationship with the world and travel and myself - mostly myself.' James said that the experience allowed him to let go of his 'angsty' teen years, but admitted there were times on the trip he was left 'crying my eyes out'. He explained: 'It just gave me confidence. Teenage years are complicated for lots of people, and they were really complicated for me. I didn't have the greatest time. I really needed to shed that period in my life. It was an angsty period. 'The trip was a challenge for me because I was on my own, and I had some really confronting moments where I was crying my eyes out. 'It was pre-smartphones. I had a Nokia at the bottom of my bag, I didn't call anyone - I had a weekly internet café chat with my parents.' Reflecting on how he liked to travel these days, he said: 'I use travel now as a time to see the world and to learn. I also use it to challenge myself and spend time on my own, which isn't natural for me. 'And it's not always that easy. Some of the places I go now, when I travel on my own, are challenging and confronting in all the right ways.' James is currently one of the favourites to be the next James Bond amid the fervent speculation over who will take on the coveted role after Daniel Craig's departure. With the next instalment still years away names keep being added to the mix, from Aaron Taylor-Johnson and Theo James to Harris Dickinson and Callum Turner. James still remains a frontrunner, despite doing his best to distance himself from the rumours in recent years. The Playing Nice star previously said it was 'crazy and quite flattering' to be considered to play 007, but insisted it was 'pure speculation'. He told The Times in 2020 being in the running is: 'Crazy... It's bizarre and quite flattering to be even considered in that world, but beyond that? Pure speculation.' James added: 'I love the franchise and hope Barbara Broccoli continues to make it relevant. Going into the heart of Bond's private world, as opposed to one-liners, is already progress.' In an interview with GQ in 2021, he insisted that while having a 'Bond of colour' is important, executives should focus on 'treating the cause rather than the symptom'. The TV star said: 'That, I think, is more important. Obviously, casting a Bond of colour is important if handled in a sensitive way, but there's a bigger picture: we need to treat the cause rather than the symptom. 'There is an argument, that, rather than make Bond a person of colour, why not create a new story that is authentically representative and isn't repurposed? 'But, then, you're never going to create a franchise that will compete with the power of Bond from the off. It has to be a bit of everything, doesn't it? I realise I'm talking in platitudes.' =
Yahoo
14-05-2025
- Yahoo
Monk tells court pupil relationship was consensual
A monk accused of sexually abusing two boys at a Catholic boarding school told a court his relationship with one pupil had been consensual. Michael James Callaghan, 71, is on trial for alleged sexual offences between 1994 and 2013 while he was a housemaster at Ampleforth College in North Yorkshire. Mr Callaghan, of Moortown, Leeds, is accused of repeatedly indecently assaulting one boy and one count of sexual assault against a 17-year-old boy. He denies the charges but told Teesside Crown Court he had been attracted to one of the teenagers and had some sexual contact with him. The first complainant told police Mr Callaghan first kissed him when he was under 16, the court heard, with the housemaster asking to meet him after mass at different locations. He told officers Mr Callaghan would "take on the role of a boy I had a crush on" and they would kiss and simulate sex, the jury was told. He said he "hated the sexual bit of it", the court heard, and realised as an adult it "wasn't right". Giving evidence, Mr Callaghan admitted he and the complainant engaged in "roleplay" but denied simulating sex. The defendant said any sexual contact only started when the boy was "about 17", adding: "By the time he was in sixth form I realised there was certainly an element of attraction that had entered my perception of him." Opening the prosecution case earlier in the week, Mark McKone KC said: "Whatever [the complainant's] age, this was not true consent - this was not consent given freely by someone who had a real choice." Asked about the alleged sexual assault on the second complainant, Mr Callaghan said he hugged him but did not touch him inappropriately. Mr Callaghan denies a charge of sexual assault related to a 17-year-old pupil and 12 charges of indecent assault connected to a pupil aged between 14 and 18. The trial continues. Listen to highlights from North Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North. Monk accused of abusing college pupils HM Courts & Tribunals Service
