There was no doubt about the number of establishments contesting the 1916 inter-scholastics – the ‘Glasgow Herald’ told us it was eleven, and even named them. From Glasgow there were Allan Glen’s, Bellahouston Academy, Hutchesons Grammar, with other schools from the west being Ayr Academy and Dumbarton Academy; from Edinburgh there came Edinburgh Institution, George Heriots School, Royal High School, Stewart’s College and Watson’s College with Kirkcaldy High being the only other school from the East. Maybe the Edinburgh venue for the event on 20th May was part of the reason but regardless the number, for such an event to be held in wartime, was gratifying.
The view from Edinburgh as reported in the ‘Scotsman’ was slightly different, pointing out the return to the festivities of Watson’s college, and read
The winners are summarised with their schools in these tables.
OPEN EVENTS
| EVENT | WINNER | SCHOOL | PERFORMANCE |
| 100 Yards | JM Reid | Allan Glen’s High School | 11.2 seconds |
| 440 Yards | AR Stark | Watson’s College | 56.6 seconds |
| One Mile | EW Cormack | Watson’s College | 5:06 |
| 120 Yards Hurdles | F Stewart | Watson’s College | 16.8 seconds |
| High Jump | GE Govan | Royal High School | 5′ 3″ |
| Broad Jump | GE Govan | Royal High School | 20′ 7 1/2″ |
| Throwing the Cricket Ball | G Main | Watson’s College | 89 Yards 0 feet 3 inches |
| Putting the Weight | J Nicholl | Watson’s College | 28′ 9 1/2″ |
UNDER 16
| EVENT | WINNER | SCHOOL | PERFORMANCE |
| 100 Yards | JB Bell | Dumbarton Academy | 11.4 seconds |
| 880 Yards | W Watson | Royal High School | 2:20.6 |
| 120 Yards Hurdles | JB Bell | Dumbarton Academy | 20 seconds |
| High Jump | J Watson | Watson’s College | 5′ 0″ |
| Broad Jump | JB Bell | Dumbarton Academy | 18′ 2″ |
UNDER 14
| EVENT | WINNER | SCHOOL | PERFORMANCE |
| 100 Yards | J Gibson | Ayr Academy | 12.8 seconds |
| 300 Yards | E McLaren | Royal High School | 43 seconds |
| High Jump | G Somerville
E McLaren J Barr |
George Heriot’s High School Royal High School Hutchesons Grammar School
|
4′ 01″ |
| Broad Jump. | E McLaren | Royal High School | 15′ 0 1/2″ |
Some of the athletes who had been competing in these events matured into SAAA champions and internationalists. eg JB Bell of Dumbarton Academy who who in 1919 was 1st in 220 yards and also in 440 yards; in 1920 he was 2nd in the 440 yards; and in 1921, 3rd 220 yards, 2nd 440 yards. That is one athlete from the 1916 athletics season.
The War continued, coverage was extensive and there were lists of casualties on land (mainly) sea and in the air.