From the Northern Times 25, 50 and 100 years ago
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25 YEARS AGO
From the newspaper of November 17, 1995
The Royal National Mod, held in East Sutherland last month, brought an economic windfall of £3 million to the area, according to a monthly report by Caithness and Sutherland Enterprise. CASE chief executive Bob Ballantine said that approximately 12,000 people visited the area to attend the hugely successful Gaelic event which ran over eight days. He said that, although its economic impact was very difficult to determine, each person spending an average of £30 per day on food and accommodation over the eight day would result in a £3 million spend.
Borgie resident Mike Roper, who has a printing qualification and experience in computers, has set up North Coast Graphics offering a range of services including computer training, sales and repairs. Originally from Cheshire, Mr Roper wrote his university thesis on the Highland Clearances, a task which brought him to Sutherland. He fell in love with the area and decided to move with his wife to Borgie.
50 YEARS AGO
From the newspaper of November 20, 1970
An indication of how Brora would look in 10 years' time with the completion of the redevelopment plan for the village was given last Monday by Mr J. J. McMillan, planning officer. He pictured a new vista being opened up with belts of trees planted at strategic points; a 16-acre site for industry; substantial sites for new housing developments, both council and private; a central car park and a servicing area for motorists using the new line of the trunk road which would bypass the village. This new route would relieve the traffic congestion on the existing trunk road through the village.
Two more members of Golspie Fire Brigade were, last Friday night, in the Sutherland Arms Hotel, awarded medals for 20 years' service. They were Mr Jackie Mackay, well known as Golspie's singing fireman, and Leading Fireman Bertie Macdonald, noted for his expert driving of the fire engine to many outbreaks in the remoter parts of the county. Firemaster Mr Eric Macintyre made the presentations.
100 YEARS AGO
From the newspaper of November 18, 1920
During the severe storm of wind and rain that passed over Scotland on Monday, Brora did not escape. Quite a number of stacks were blown away and minor damages done to houses, sheds, fences, etc. Lower Brora, however, seems to have suffered most, for the roof of the dwelling houses occupied by Widow Peter Sutherland ("King") was blown clean away. At the time of the occurrence, Mrs Sutherland was attending a service in the Free Church. She had left her adopted girl at home. The little girl left the door open and it is surmised that during the height of the gale, this was the chief cause for the damage.
The German gun presented to Invergordon has found a watery grave in the sea outside the west pier at Invergordon harbour. Despite the fact that one of the wheels had been taken off and the gun and carriage housed in the mortuary, some youths forced an entrance and placed the wheel in position and quietly wheeled the gun down the street and flung it over the pier.
