From the Northern Times 25, 50 and 100 years ago
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25 YEARS AGO
From the newspaper of February 20, 1998
Little Eileen Grant, the sole pupil at closure-threatened Loch Choire School in Sutherland – one of the smallest and most remote in the country – now looks likely to be able to finish her primary education there after all. The Highland Council has reviewed its original plan to close the school, situated 17 miles from Kinbrace, in August. It costs £26,000 a year to run.
A BID for European Regional Development funding to turn a former school hostel in Dornoch into a golfing centre has been knocked back. The application for around £250,000 to help fund the conversion of Ross House Hostel was rejected by the programme's management committee. The decision has infuriated local councillors.
Kinlochbervie harbour is set to become a "border inspection point" under new EC rules. Ports supervisor Bob Massie explained this related to European hygiene regulations and food safety. Inspection would be done by Highland Council's protective services department in Dornoch.
50 YEARS AGO
From the newspaper of February 16, 1973
Mr Donald Macleod, Strathnaver, told Sutherland Development Committee last week about the need to have a pedestrian bridge across the river to get access to the sands at Naver. "I feel this would attract tourists," he said. Col. Allan Gilmour, Creich West, said that when he was in Edinburgh recently, he had seen a photograph of a very attractive looking swing bridge which Army engineers had built. He had asked about a footbridge below Bettyhill hotel.
A long-established general merchant's business in Skerray, run by Miss Catherine Mackay and her brother, William, has now ceased operations. Miss Mackay is now helping her sister, Mrs Elizabeth Mackay, to run the local post office.
Sutherland is to launch its first ever Learn to Swim campaign in April, Sutherland Accident Prevention Committee were told at Dornoch last Monday. Such a campaign has been made possible due to the opening of the indoor public pool in Golspie.
100 YEARS AGO
From the newspaper of February 15, 1923
Quite a gloom was cast over Melness and surrounding districts when it became known on Friday evening, 9th inst., that Mr William Gow, blacksmith, had met with his death under most tragic circumstances. From available information, it appears that Mr Gow was driving home with his horse and spring-cart when the fatal accident happened. It is stated the horse shied at a certain dangerous corner and in a moment, Mr Gow, horse and spring-cart were precipitated over the high precipice into the river below and when helpers arrived at the scene, life was extinct.
The members of the Dunrobin Fire Brigade, estate workmen (architect's department) and their wives met Mr George Murray, architect, Golspie, and M. Murray, in a social capacity at Dunrobin last Wednesday and made them the recipients of handsome gifts on the occasion of their marriage and as a mark of the high esteem in which they are held. Mr Robert Moore, mason contractor, presided over the homely gathering.
