From the Northern Times 25, 50 and 100 years ago

25 YEARS AGO

From the newspaper of July 18, 1997

FORMER Golspie High School pupil was the inspiration behind Glenmorangie Distillery's new visitor centre at Tain which was officially opened on Monday by the Duke of York. The interior design of the new centre was the first major project undertaken by 21st Century Design, a new company set up by John Slorach and his business partner. Mr Slorach (31) is the son of retired Sutherland community dentist Jack and his wife Ann, Ben Bhraggie Drive, Golspie. He graduated from the Central School of Art, London in 1989.

WITH the news that HMS Sutherland has just been commissioned and that she will visit the county later this year, visitors to Lochinver may like to be reminded of another, though smaller item of local pride for Assynt. Some years ago, the flag of the destroyer Enard Bay - named after the bay lying between Lochinver and Achiltibuie - was offered to the Rev Frederick Hurst, Assynt Minister of the church of Scotland, and now hangs behind the altar and under the west window of the church

50 YEARS AGO

From the newspaper of July 14, 1972

Between 1834 and 1946 there were 12 schools and side schools operating in the parish of Rogart and in 1834 there was a population of over 1800. In the 1850-1863 period there were 316 pupils in the church schools. Today the population of the parish is 432 and there is only one school with 33 pupils.

These figures were revealed in his annual report by the Rogart School head teacher, Mr G. Nelson, in which he described the work done by the pupils with the celebration of the centenary of the Education Act.

Detective Chief Superintendent Tom Morrison, a native of Melness and former pupils of the old Sutherland Technical School at Golspie, was recently highly commended by the late Commissioner for the Metropolitan Police, Sir John Waldron for "outstanding courage and devotion to duty in detaining a dangerous criminal who has escaped from a top security wing of a prison". Mr Morrison is 53 and lives with his family in Middlesex. His mother, Mrs Jane Morrison, still lives in Melness.

100 YEARS AGO

From the newspaper of July 13, 1922

Skibo School closed for the summer holidays on Thursday afternoon. This year's closing ceremony was of more than usual interest. All the pupils were present and quite a number of their parents.

Mr J F Hardie, a member of the Education Authority presided. He complimented Miss Mackenzie and her pupils on the excellent work done in the school as evidenced by His Majesty's Inspectors' reports. There was never known to be any disagreement between her and any of the parents and her relationship with them was on the very best of terms.

Now that she was about to leave them to take up house for herself, he desired to convey to her both from himself and the whole community the very best wishes for a long and happy married life.

Miss Mackenzie received a beautiful silver tea service from pupils. Following the presentation, pupils and parents were entertained to tea. Before parting the children entertained the visitors to a few songs.

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