From the Northern Times 25, 50 and 100 years ago
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25 YEARS AGO
From the newspaper of January 2, 1998
Relieved Rogart residents learned this week that their local hotel would not be closing down but had instead been sold to a new owner who has pledged to expand the business. There had been fears the hotel, situated opposite the local shop and forming the heart of the village, was to shut its door until Easter. But earlier this week hotelier Scott Montgomerie, owner of the Sutherland Arms in Lairg, announced he would be taking over the Rogart Hotel from January 1.
Retired Sutherland nurse Margaret (Meg) Irving of Rogart has been awarded an MBE in the New Year's Honours list for her services to nursing.
Hamish Macbeth star Robert Carlyle married fiancee Anastasia Shirley at Peter de Savary's exclusive Skibo Castle on Monday night. He had hoped to marry at Dornoch Cathedral, but interim minister Alan Watt feared that a pre-wedding function could have led to guests arriving at the cathedral in "a mode of celebration". Instead the ceremony was at the castle.
50 YEARS AGO
From the newspaper of December 29, 1972
The annual Christmas party given by Anne Duchess of Westminster and Lady Mary Grosvenor was held in Achfary Hall which was beautifully decorated. A Christmas tree glistened and shone, and outside was like fairyland with coloured lights. Present also were the children from Kylestrome. After tea the highlight was the arrival of Santa Claus who presented each child with a toy.
Golspie's 10-man Fire Brigade carried on their traditional good work at Christmas by entertaining no fewer than 220 youngsters of the parish to three parties in the Stag's Head Hotel and about 60 old folk to dinner in the Sutherland Arms Hotel. The total cost was around £350.
The materials were on the site for the building of the recption rooms at Dornoch's air strip, Bailie W. J. Manson was told at Sutherland Finance committee meeting at Golspie last week. the hold-up in construction had been because of the weather.
100 YEARS AGO
From the newspaper of December 28, 1922
The handsome War Memorial erected by the parish of Clyne to perpetuate the memory of their gallant dead who fell in the Great War of 1914-18, was unveiled and dedicated at Brora on Christmas Day, 25th December, 1922. The day was an ideal one for the ceremony and in consequence there was a large and representative gathering of people, estimated at over two thousand, assembled to witness and take part in one of the most solemn and impressive ceremonies that has ever taken place in Brora.
The unveiling ceremony was performed by Mrs Matheson, wife of Mr Thomas Matheson, Dalchalm, a mother who has bravely born her sad bereavements caused by the Great War, and who was unanimously chosen as a fit representative of the relatives of the fallen to perform this sad ceremony – that of unveiling the tablet with the names of the gallant heroes of the parish who gave their all for the cause of freedom. A procession marched from the Drill Hall to the Memorial, with the Pipe Band playing "The Flowers of the Forest".
