From the Northern Times 25, 50 and 100 years ago

25 YEARS AGO

From the newspaper of November 7, 1997

Rogart man Alick Campbell was yesterday named as Crofter of the Year for 1997. His success marks the second major crofting award to come to Sutherland in as many weeks, the north coast community of Skerray declared Crofting Township of the Year only a fortnight ago.

The Church of Scotland minister at Durness and Kinlochbervie for the past six years, the Rev Donnie MacSween, is set to leave the area for a new parish. Steps are now in motion for his move to Kiltearn Parish Church in Evanton.

Brora Community Council's hopes of acquiring the old doctor's surgery in the village as an office for their 95-year-old registrar were dashed this week. Sutherland County Council felt acquiring and upgrading the centre, which has lain empty for some time and become a target for vandals, would be too expensive.

There was an excellent turnout for the annual Halloween party in Bettyhill Hall.

50 YEARS AGO

From the newspaper of November 3, 1972

Mr Alastair Munro, Tarbet, warden of Handa Island bird sanctuary, was drowned last Saturday after he had gone out to bring in his lobster pots. He was 65. The tragedy was all the greater because 14 years ago his schoolboy sons, John and Don, and his brother, Donald Ian Munro, of Scourie, lost their lives when they too, went out to bring in lobster creels. The bodies of the two boys were never recovered, but their uncle's body was found, six weeks later, near Stoer Point. Alastair's body was washed ashore on an island, near the sound of Handa, near his home.

The £150,000 new trunk road diversion bridge at Helmsdale, which was opened to traffic in the middle of September, was officially opened by Mrs C. P. Rutherford, vice-convener of Sutherland County Council, at a ceremony last Monday.

Sutherland Finance Committee agreed last week that the County Council should provide a small reception room for people using the air strip at Dornoch.

100 YEARS AGO

From the newspaper of November 2, 1922

Constable Robert G. McBeath, late of Kinlochbervie, Sutherland's V.C., and of the Vancouver Constabulary, was foully murdered in Vancouver on Monday 9th October, by a crazed man. In the death of Constable McBeath, there passed away one of the youngest soldiers in the imperial service to win the coveted Victoria Cross.

For some time past Sutherland Education Authority have had under consideration the advisability of appointing a fully qualified dentist so that the pupils could receive dental treatment. It will be recollected that Dr Bremner, medical officer, in his reports, frequently pointed out the urgency of a dentist being appointed as many of the pupils' teeth required immediate attention if their health was not to suffer.

The authority decided to appoint a dentist, and at Wednesday's meeting the matter was brought to a head after careful consideration. Mr J Appleyard, dentist, Invergordon, was appointed. He will be allowed a fee of two guineas a day.

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