From the Northern Times 25, 50 and 100 years ago
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25 YEARS AGO
From the newspaper of January 16, 1998
Formal discussions are to commence between Dornoch Academy and the Highland Council to bring the school "back into the fold" of education authority control – but not until Scottish Education Minister Brian Wilson has been asked whether he plans to repeal the opting-out legislation which allowed it to become Scotland's first self-governing school nearly four years ago.
North MPs Jim Wallace, Robert Maclennan, Charles Kennedy and David Stewart are being urged to campaign vigorously to help make 1998 a "year of action" for the Dornoch Firth rail bridge project. The plea was made in a letter to the four MPs from Ken Sutherland, research officer of the Railway Development Society.
After an absence of some years, the Lochinver pantomime was up and running again this Christmas and New Year under the more than able direction of Ian Macleod. The first showing of Cinderella took place on December 29 to a full house.
50 YEARS AGO
From the newspaper of January 12, 1973
Brora Rangers will tomorrow make their first-ever bid for Scottish Cup glory on their own trim Dudgeon Park, when they challenge Second Division side, Hamilton Academicals, from Lanarkshire, for the right to go forward to the third round of this national competition. Fans will gather from every part of the county for the event.
Subject to borrowing consent, the county council are planning to build a simple type of jetty for the fishermen working out of Culkein. The harbours committee had been told that the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries were still of the opinion that grant aid was not justified because of the small amount of fishing being done there.
Regarding the proposed access to Armadale beach, Sutherland Planning committee agreed that the Countryside Commission should be asked for their support in getting an agreement with the farmer and grazings committee on whose land the path would be.
100 YEARS AGO
From the newspaper of January 11, 1923
The Helmsdale company of Territorials were in festive mood last week when they held their annual ball. The large hall, which has been lately redecorated, with a number of petrol lamps installed, looked its best, and pipers Rapson and Ross welcomed the many guests with stirring tunes on the bagpipes. Dancing and fox-trotting was carried well into daylight.
Mr and Mrs J. D. Cameron, Kirkton, at the hands of their daughter, Miss Sheila Cameron, a few days ago, made the deserving poor of the parish of Golspie gifts of meat etc. The gifts were much appreciated, the recipients being loud in their praise of Mr and Mrs Cameron's generosity.
The fishermen of Brora are advancing with the times. A few of them proceeded, per motor lorry, to the Little Ferry, Golspie, recently for their mussels for bait. Their usual method was by cart or boat. They said their was nothing to beat this method.
