From the Northern Times 25, 50 and 100 years ago
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25 YEARS AGO
From the newspaper of December 13, 1996
Forty-one Russian children, victims of the Chernobyl disaster, are to spend Christmas and New Year in Sutherland, staying in the luxurious former hunting lodge of millionaire philanthropist, Andrew Carnegie.
The youngsters, aged eight to 12, many orphans and all suffering from thyroid problems as a result of the world's worst nuclear explosion, will be guests of Glasgow based religious charity Scottish Gospel Outreach, who took over Aultnagar Lodge in Lairg two and a half years ago.
Plans to redevelop the old mill site when Hunters of Brora move to their new premises on the edge of the village, and the public's reaction to the proposals will be discussed at a public meeting next week. The meeting has been called by Brora Community Council, which wants to gauge the public's reaction to the £8 million project before deciding how it will respond to the planning application lodged by Inverness-based developers, the Tulloch Construction Group. They want to build houses, flats, six shops and a nursing home.
50 YEARS AGO
From the newspaper of December 10, 1971
A LAIRG boy, 2nd Lt. John Morrison, serving in Belfast with the Queen's Own Highlanders, was responsible recently for the capture of one of three wanted I.R.A. men and the discovery of an ammunition hoard. John, the son of Mr and Mrs Hugh Morrison, 4 Main Street, Lairg, achieved his distinction within 48 hours of being on duty in Belfast with the 1st Battalion, flown out from Osnabruck, West Germany, on an emergency four-month tour. Lieut. Morrison was R.S.M. of the north area Army Cadet Force before going to Sandhurst.
Mrs Catherine B. Mackay, of Tongue, wants Sutherland County Council to plan Christmas entertainments for old people who are not provided for by voluntary bodies. The old folk in her own parish had thoroughly appreciated the council's laying on transport for them and tea at the official opening of the Kyle of Tongue crossing. They had been able to have a talk with all their friends. She was not suggesting anything elaborate, she told the council last week.
100 YEARS AGO
From the newspaper of December 8, 1971
The Melvich and Portskerra people have erected a most beautiful Memorial to the memory of their dear ones who went out to fight our battles and returned not. The Memorial is erected on an eminence opposite the elbow of the road where both districts meet. It commands a most beautiful and far-reaching prospect, and overlooks each district. It takes the form of an obelisk surrounded by an urn.
The H.M. Inspector, during his recent visit of inspection to the parish of Eddrachillis, reported that all the schools lacked fuel and that those responsible for such a state of things were deserving of censure. The Executive Officer said he had written to the clerks of all the committees and told them to make immediate arrangements for the delivery of wood. Rev J Macaskill, Kinlochbervie, a member of Sutherland Education Authority, repudiated any blame being attached to them in Eddrachillis. As soon as the coal strike was over immediate steps were taken to procure coal.
