From the Northern Times 25, 50 and 100 years ago
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25 YEARS AGO
From the newspaper of October 23, 1998
What must surely be one of Britain's most remote bespoke tailoring businesses is being set up in the Strath of Kildonan with help from the local enterprise company. Talented seamstress Tracy Dawkins of Forsinard is launching a made to measure clothing and tailoring business with the emphasis on outfits for stalkers and fishers. She already has orders from members of the River Halladale Partnership and from ghillies on the river.
Also in receipt of business start-up funding is William Mackintosh of Skerray who is offering a new service in the north – a mobile timber mill, manufacturing fence posts, gate rails and similar items on site.
Scotland's latest "no names, no files" drop-in centre for people with mental illness problems was officially opened at Golspie on Wednesday of last week. Run by the National Schizophrenia Fellowship, with help from Highland Council's social work department and Caithness and Sutherland NHS Trust, the project is centred at the gatehouse at the Lawson Memorial Hospital.
50 YEARS AGO
From the newspaper of October 19, 1973
Sutherland Roads Committee agreed, at Dornoch last week, to accept a new 20-car ferry boat for Kylesku. But they want the county council to press for a road bridge to replace the existing free ferry service. They consider that the fast increasing traffic congestion at the ferry in the tourist season can only be dealt with adequately by a bridge.
Sutherland Planning Committee are looking for a central site in Lairg village for an adequate block of public conveniences. The present conveniences, near the entrance to the school, are considered to be too small and hopeless in summer with the many visitors to the village.
Sutherland's baby beef were selling at record prices at the Lairg and Rogart store cattle sales last week. The weaned calves on show were in grand condition and a great credit to their breeders, in most cases crofters and shepherds. James Macleod, head shepherd at Invercassley Farm, gained the top price at Lairg of £205.
100 YEARS AGO
From the newspaper of October 11, 1923
After discussion (at Sutherland County Council), it was carried by 14 votes to 4 that passing places be constructed at specified points on the county roads provided a grant could be got to go towards the costs thereof. The convener was dead against the spending of the money as he said, even though a grant was procured, it was but heaping up the rates as they would have to spend so much before they got the grant. The other side of the question was that it was better to spend this money and provide work rather than men drawing Government doles and giving no work in return. This latter opinion held sway, as the voting indicates.
The purchase of a boat for the Meikleferry was under consideration, Sutherland County Council was told. Councillors decided after some discussion to remit the matter back to the relevant committee to confer with the ferryman to see if he would build a boat. Mr Robert Mackay said any kind of boat would not suit the ferry. A deep keel boat would not do.
