From the Northern Times 25, 50 and 100 years ago
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25 YEARS AGO
Crofters on the 32,000 acre Hope and Melness estate on Sutherland's north coast intend to accept the offer by proprietor Michael Foljambe of the gift of the crofting portion of the estate – 10,700 acres in and around Melness. And, speaking from his Nottinghamshire estate, Mr Foljambe confirmed to the Northern Times on Monday that mineral rights are included in the offer and sporting rights may be. He is considering handing over the sporting rights to the crofters with a lease-back arrangement, he said.
An opposition group has been set up as a protest against possible wind farm developments on the east coast of Sutherland. AIRWARS (Action into Rejecting Wind Farm Applications for Rural Sutherland) are to host a public meeting in Helmsdale Community Centre, which they hope will inform people about the 'horrors' of windfarms. An AIRWARS poster states: "You've heard the hype, now hear the horrors at a public meeting with guest speakers."
50 YEARS AGO
WHEN work on the replacement of the trunk road bridge at Bonar began, a nearby house would have to be demolished. This was stated at a meeting of Sutherland Housing Committee when they were asked if they could provide housing for the two people to be displaced. Col. Allan Gilmour said the family were living in their own property at the moment and they should have something of their own in place of it. To offer a council house was quite unacceptable. Chairman John Mackay responded that it was up to the occupants to negotiate compensation with the department.
Mr Stephen MacGruer, Sutherland-born artist and former pupil of Lairg School and Golspie High School, "just about fell through the floor" when he was told he had received a £1000 award from a Canadian foundation. Now he is planning to visit art galleries in European capitals, starting at Christmas. The award is from the Elizabeth T. Greenshields Foundation, based in Montreal.
100 YEARS AGO
At a committee meeting held last week it was agreed to call a general meeting of subscribers to a war memorial for Dornoch to consider and fix upon a site for it and transact other business. It is hoped that there will be a large attendance of subscribers as the matter of fixing a site is important. We understand that opinion is divided over the three sites namely, the Hotel Square, the Cathedral Square, and the green at the top of the Receiving House Brae.
A RATHER novel sight in the erstwhile quiet village of Bonar Bridge, was the hovering of great seaplanes above them on several occasions lately. This is the first time the inhabitants have had a good view of them although they heard the sound of them on several former occasions. The aerodrome is at Delny in Ross-shire.
An interesting lantern lecture was delivered in the council chambers on Wednesday, 8th inst., on mission work amongst lepers.
