From the Northern Times 25, 50 and 100 years ago

25 YEARS AGO

From the newspaper of May 29, 1988

Kinlochbervie's new health centre was officially opened last week by former Sutherland District Council convener Leila MacKenzie. The building also contains a day centre for local pensioners. Chairman of Caithness and Sutherland NHS Trust George Bruce said it was unique in the Highlands to have health and day care facilities under the one roof.

Crofters in the north-west this week demanded immediate action over pollution of a once famous trout loch which has turned the colour of carrot soup. Loch nam Brac near Scourie has been plagued by a blue-green algae bloom for almost a year – but now it has turned orange. Worried about the public health implications and for the welfare of their livestock, the crofters fired off a letter this week to the Scottish Environment Protection Agency demanding the removal of salmon smolt cages from the loch.

A Trout Angling Group is being set up in Caithness and Sutherland.

50 YEARS AGO

From the newspaper of May 25, 1973

More than 260 members of county youth organisations took part in Sutherland's first-ever Commonwealth Youth Sunday parade at Dornoch last weekend. There was a service afterwards in the cathedral, conducted by the Rev. Frederick Fulton.

Helmsdale Secondary School janitor Mr Donald Proncy Sutherland, Rose Cottage, has retired after 41 years' service. At a ceremony in the Bridge Hotel, Mr Sutherland was presented with a clock by the school staff. Mrs Sutherland also received a gift. Earlier pupils presented Mr Sutherland with six crystal glasses.

Mr Harry Clunie, Dornoch's last Provost before the re-organisation of local government, is to be made a freeman of the royal burgh at a ceremony in Dornoch Academy a week tomorrow. There is no surviving previous recipient, the last, in 1964, being the late Rev. William MacLeod, Provost of Dornoch and former county convener.

100 YEARS AGO

From the newspaper of May 24, 1923

Now that they have got the use of the Hall Park, it is hoped that the Brora Quoit Club will be resuscitated. There are quite a number of young men who do not care for golf, and if some of the older quoit players were to come forward and form a club again, Brora would be able to hold their own with any club or players in the district.

With the prevailing unsettled weather, fishermen at Helmsdale are not getting to sea very often, and when they do get, the catch of fish landed is not up to the mark of former years. It is quite evident the Firth is in urgent need of protection. The safeguarding of the fishing interests of the line fisherman is an imperative necessity.

Fishing out of Embo is still exceptionally bad, the catches amounting to little or nothing – in keeping with the prices obtained. A good few of the girls in the village have left for Lerwick, and it is to be hoped the herring fishing there will be good this year.

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