From the Northern Times 25, 50 and 100 years ago

25 YEARS AGO

From the newspaper of April 12, 1996

Marine safety inspectors have joined police in the investigation into the death of Alistair MacIver (43), at Loch Cairnbawn, Kylesku, on Monday afternoon. A fatal accident inquiry is likely to be ordered by procurator fiscal David Hingston once he examines reports of the incident, in which a steel walkway fell on Mr MacIver, who was skipper of the Glasgow registered motor coaster St Oran. He and his crew were helping to unload the walkway, which forms part of a fish cage, at the Loch Cairnbawn fish farm when it fell and killed him.

A REQUEST from the Countess of Sutherland's son Martin Janson for permission to demolish a derelict laundry building on Uppat House Estate, Brora, has been turned down by Sutherland planning committee, in the hope that an alternative use can be found for it. Although not in itself a listed building, the former laundry lies within the curtilage of the B-listed Uppat House and is therefore protected. The council's conservation architect said the building had been derelict for many years.

50 YEARS AGO

From the newspaper of April 9, 1971

Miss Megan Boyd, of Kintradwell, Brora, who was awarded the BEM in the Queen's New Year Honours, was, last Tuesday night, presented with her medal by the Queen's representative, Lord Migdale, Lord Lieutenant of Sutherland. Miss Boyd is one of the world's most expert salmon fly tiers and for many years she has been meeting orders for her lures from all over the world. It was for this reason that she received her award and the presentation ceremony took place in the Burghfield Hotel, Dornoch.

Rogart livestock market has been accepted by the Department of Agriculture as the first brucellosis accredited centre in the north of Scotland. That was what Mr George McCallum, managing director, told shareholders at the annual general meeting of Reith and Anderson, Ltd., Dingwall. While this would probably mean they would lose a certain number of cattle at the outset, within a few years, as all herds went accredited, they should score handsomely. Mr Alec Oag, chairman of directors, said that turnover was up by £110,000 on the previous year.

100 YEARS AGO

From the newspaper of April 7, 1921

While Mr Kenneth Macleod, grocer, Bonar Bridge was proceeding home after his rounds with his horse and van the other night, he heard a motor car approaching from a distance, but owing to a rise in the road, he was unable to see it. He sprang down out of his van to lead the horse by the head on the correct side of the road when the car came speeding along. Mr Macleod had barely time to escape when the car collided with the horse and van. The great miracle was that the car lifted the horse on its hind legs, the forefeet of the horse resting on the bonnet of the car when it came to a standstill. The horse escaped with only a few bruises. The harnass and part of the van were broken.

Mr Peter Haig Thomas, proprietor of Kilcalmkill Estate, has been fishing the river Brora from the Sutherland Arms Hotel, accompanied by his wife, the Lady Alexandra, and had excellent sport, landing almost 100 fish for the month of March. General Haig, DSO also spent 10 days as their guest.

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