From the Northern Times 25, 50 and 100 years ago
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25 YEARS AGO
From the newspaper of June 6, 1997
A DURNESS man has been given the go-ahead to build a new unit in the village to accommodate his tourism business, despite local concern over the siting of the development on a large open green area between Durness Visitor Centre car park and the Sango Sands Oasis Hotel and to the rear of Mather's shop. Ronnie Langley plans to build a new house along with premises for candle-making, wine production, fabric and film processing and a shop. Some local residents are opposed to the development, saying the site is one of the most attractive features of Durness and often used as a spot for picnics.
The 958-acre Clynemilton Farm, just north of Brora, is up for sale – one of the few independent farms in the north to come on the market in recent years. Agents Finlayson Hughes are asking in excess of £180,000 for the property which is currently owned by Mrs Amyee Thorne who, with her husband Kenneth, moved there in 1969, having previously run a farm in Perthshire. Mr Thorne died in 1991.
50 YEARS AGO
From the newspaper of June 2, 1972
The Sutherland Tourist Association Council have decided to “reject completely” the proposal by the Ministry of Defence to establish an experimental gunnery firing range at Morrich Moor, near Tain. In a press statement issued yesterday, Mr Bill Livingstone, the area tourist officer, said: “None of the suggested advantages of such a range will benefit Sutherland but there is little doubt that the adverse effect will be felt not only by the local population in East Sutherland but by the all-important visitors who contribute to the one and only major industry in the area – tourism.
Two holidaymakers, a father and son, hanging on to their swamped sailing dinghy 80 yards from the beach at Dornoch, were rescued from their plight, last Monday afternoon, by 46-year-old P.C. John Cameron of the local forces.
A DEPUTATION from Sutherland County Council has held talks with an oil exploration company in a bid to attract some type of oil development in the Loch Eriboll area.
100 YEARS AGO
From the newspaper of June 1, 1922
The parish of Rogart has recorded the names of her sons who fell in the late war by the erection of an uncommonly handsome cross memorial wrought in grey granite. Placed in a prominent and central site of the village, where the various roads radiate from, it is enhanced by being placed upon a rustic basement of local gray granite. Carved in bold relief on the face of the cross is the ornament of Celtic design and on the raised boss of head, the word "Sith". The shaft below bears the double handed Highland claymore entwined by the laurel wreath of victory.
Medical officer Dr Bremner, in connection with his medical inspection of the pupils of the different schools, told a meeting of Sutherland Education Authority that smoking amongst pupils was becoming a far too common habit, and he found the health of quite a number of the pupils injured thereby. This habit was most prevalent amongst some of the Assynt pupils and he had spoken to teachers, parents and the local policeman about the matter.
