From the Northern Times 25, 50 and 100 years ago
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25 YEARS AGO
From the newspaper of August 8, 1996
Helmsdale’s Highland councillor Ron McDonald looks set to vote in favour of a third wind farm for the East Sutherland hills at today’s special meeting of the planning committee in Brora. The community councils of Helmsdale and Brora are vehemently opposed to the plan for eight wind turbines on the summit of Creag Riasgain, on Crakaig Estate, in addition to the 37 already approved at West Garty and Gartymore. Planning officials have strongly recommended refusal of the application by Border Wind Farms Ltd, pointing out it contravenes the council’s own policy guidelines. There have been more than 200 objections to the plan compared with 19 letters of support. But Councillor McDonald insists the silent majority of locals is not opposed to the wind farm.
The latest computer technology has been harnessed to give visitors to Assynt a clearer picture of the area and what it has to offer. Information in four languages, including Gaelic. is now available on a computer CD-ROM at Lochinver tourist information centre.
50 YEARS AGO
From the newspaper of August 6, 1971
Work was begun on the Golspie High School £148,000 extension last Monday. It is intended to start the concrete foundations this Monday. The extension will include five science laboratories, three commercial rooms, two music rooms, four language rooms (including a language laboratory), a technical drawing and applied mechanics room and a small careers centre, with a library. The contract includes alteration to the existing school.
The changes mean that commercial courses will no longer be held at the annexe (the old Sutherland Technical School) outside the village.
One of the highlights of what was a very successful Holiday Week in Brora was the immaculate display by Mr Hugh Coghill’s Majorettes – 20 schoolgirls dressed in red and white, the local Rangers’ colours, and led by Anne Wood. The Majorettes followed the Dornoch Pipe Band and behind them came the fancy dress parade and decorated lorries and floats in procession from the car park to Dudgeon Park last Saturday.
100 YEARS AGO
From the newspaper of August 4, 1921
What is now looked upon as the annual sports at Halladale came off on Friday last, 29th July, in a field kindly granted by Mr Hector Mackay, Dalhalvaig. The morning, although showery and dull, cleared up nicely, and by two o'clock, quite a large number of spectators filed through the gate. The opening events consisted chiefly of the children's sports, which were keenly contested and closely watched by the spectators. In fact all competitions were well contested, and clearly demonstrated that with a little more practice, Halladale could produce a very fine class of athletes.
Mr Macgregor, burgh officer at Dornoch, was waited upon last week by a deputation representative of the inhabitants of the burgh and made the recipient of a well-filled purse of Treasury notes in recognition of the valuable services he has rendered as burgh officer. Mr Macgregor always carried out his work in a most careful and conscientious manner. His recognition by the inhabitants of Dornoch was well merited.
