From the Northern Times, 25, 50 and 100 years ago
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25 YEARS AGO
From the newspaper of March 8, 1996
Historic Kildonan Church, centrepiece of some of the worst memories of last century's Sutherland Clearances, is to revert to estate owner Mr Edward Reeves of Suisgill, exercising his right of pre-emption as proprietor from the General Trustees of the Church of Scotland. The redundant church, which has not been used for several years, had attracted the interest of Helmsdale Heritage Society. Their council wished to preserve it for posterity along with the graveyard which contains the remains of the parish minister, father of the Clearances historian the Rev Donald Sage. Heritage Society chairman Mrs Mary Dudgeon confessed they were "disappointed" on learning the news of the acquisition.
More information should be available next week on the bid by Sutherland Parents Action Group (SPAG) to obtain a judicial review of Scottish Secretary Michael Forsyth's decision to upgrade Dornoch Academy from two-year to six-year status. The group are seeking legal advice to find out whether there is a case for a review.
50 YEARS AGO
From the newspaper of March 5, 1971
A FATAL accident inquiry at Dornoch Sheriff Court last Tuesday heard how a young Sutherland man, Donald Ross Mackay, (24), 14 Talmine, Melness, was electrocuted when he was working beside a mobile crane last November. The jib of the crane had come in contact with an overhead 11,000-volt power cable. The jury's unanimous verdict was that Donald "died about 10.30am on November 20 last, at the west Kyle of Tongue crossing. At the time he was employed as a machine operator with his father, William Mackay, a contractor on the bridging construction work.
Mr Hugh Mackay, of Banscol, Rogart, who rescued an angling friend and his dog from drowning, is to receive an award from the Royal Humane Society. Hugh (22), rowed out in a boat from the shore of Loch Beannach, Lairg water supply reservoir, when Frances Mackenzie, a Lairg post office sorter, was in difficulties after he had swam out to rescue his black poodle Jet. Hugh hauled him into the boat and gave him the kiss of life.
100 YEARS AGO
From the newspaper of March 3, 1921
A VERY interesting ceremony took place in the Drill Hall, Bonar-Bridge on the evening of Tuesday last week, when the Memorial Tablet, erected to the memory of the fallen heroes belonging to the district, who were members of the gallant 5th Seaforths during the Great European War, was unveiled with solemn ceremony by Dr Murray Robertson of Blandfield. The Rev. R. L. Ritchie, The Manse, in his capacity as parish minister . Afterwards beautiful hymns were sung by a powerful choir.
In the absence of Sheriff Campbell, Hon Sheriff-Substitute James Maclachlan, occupied the bench in Dornoch Sheriff Court on Tuesday. The only case of importance was a contravention of the Lighting Order. The accused, Donald Mackenzie, Skelbo, was fined £1 or six days in prison for failing to have the necessary lights affixed to his bicycle. Mr Peters, procurator-fiscal, pointed out that the practice of riding bicycles without lights was now becoming very prevalent.
