From the Northern Times, 25, 50 and 100 years ago
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25 YEARS AGO
From the newspaper of December 1, 1995
The decision on Tuesday by Melness crofters to accept the gift of their land from laird Michael Foljambe may stimulate others to “look down the same road”, it is hoped. The 60 crofters working the 10,700 acres of land handed over to them will now set up their own Trust similar to the historic one formed in Assynt three years ago, and hope to be “in circulation” in the New Year. Mr Foljambe, who lives on the family estate in Nottinghamshire and has no heirs, feels that it is better that the crofters manage Melness themselves.
Links between the district of Sutherland and a Royal Navy frigate of the same name were strengthened this week at a ceremony held in Dornoch. High-ranking naval officers and local district councillors exchanged gifts at their first face to face meeting since the Royal Navy agreed to affiliate an anti-submarine frigate to the district. It was expected that the frigate would be affiliated to Dover or Swansea, but this scenario led local councillors to ask for it to be affiliated to Sutherland.
50 YEARS AGO
From the newspaper of December 4, 1970
The body of Donald Roderick Mackenzie (24), a crofter-fisherman of Unapool, was taken out of the water near Kylesku ferry jetty last Tuesday morning. It was recovered by a Londoner, Mr Jeremy Daily, who has been living at Unapool and skin-diving in the area for about two months. He volunteered to make an underwater search. Mr Mackenzie disappeared last weekend after visiting the fishing boat the Girl Anne. The Shetland fishing boat has been fishing from Kylesku.
A GRAVEDIGGER has been sacked after a grave at Brora burial ground was not prepared in time for a funeral last Monday. Clerk Mr D. G. MacBeath said Kildonan, Loth and Clyne District Council had been deeply distressed that the work had not been undertaken, despite six hours' notice being given. He said: "In consequence, the gravedigger was dismissed". The gravedigger in question said that he was "sorry about it all". He had had back trouble and went home to bed. He had "slipped up" by not asking for help.
100 YEARS AGO
From the newspaper of December 2, 1920
Andy Macdonald, the Brora Ranger's and Sutherland's outside left, left Brora on Tuesday for a situation in Glasgow. His departure came as a great surprise to the community, as it was only on Monday night it became generally known that he was to leave on the following day. The Rangers have thus lost a player whose place will be difficult to fill, for enthusiasts of our national game in Sutherland all admit that he was the best outside left in the county at present and, by his displays in the inter-county games, made himself a favourite.
It is with deep regret that we have to record the death of Mr Peter Cowie, West End, Golspie, an ex-soldier. Deceased had been in indifferent health since being demobilised from the Forces. He had a long sojourn of service in France and Mesopotamia. On one occasion he was shipwrecked while on his way to the far east, and with the trying experience he must have had it is thought that this had more than anything else to do with his prolonged illness.
