From the Northern Times 25, 50 and 100 years ago

25 YEARS AGO

From the newspaper of January 15, 1999

Plans to convert a former ladieswear shop in Dornoch's conservation area to a Chinese take-away have attracted both opposition and support from local residents and neighbouring businesses. Seven objections and four letters of support have been received by the planning department to the application for alterations and change of use of the premises know as Finesse on Castle Street. The local authority's conservation architect has expressed concern over the proposed changes to the outside of the flat-roofed, one-storey building.

Dornoch Academy, Scotland's first self-governing secondary school, should be brought back under local authority control, members of the Highland Council's education committee agreed in Inverness on Wednesday. The move is in line with the wishes of the school's Board of Management which has already made it clear it is happy to return to council management. It is now anticipated that the 158-pupil school will return by August.

50 YEARS AGO

From the newspaper of January 18, 1974

With the aim of improving the quality and range of cattle breed in East Sutherland, an artificial insemination centre has been opened in Bonar Bridge, under Mr Ronald Adlar, who was previously at Nairn. The centre is backed by the Aberdeen Milk Marketing Board, and is the result of 18 months' negotiations. The area which Mr Adlar will supervise is from Ardgay to Portgower and includes Rogart, Lairg and Invercassley.

An approach is to be made to the Army authorities concerned to see what their position is regarding the bridging of the river Oykel. The object is to open up the Ross-shire side where the crofters are living in what is in reality a dead end. If the Army come in, the cost for the county council could be reduced to something like £20,000.

The primary department of Golspie High School is now to be a school in its own right, with its own headmaster, Sutherland Education Committee has decided.

100 YEARS AGO

From the newspaper of January 17, 1924

Mrs Carnegie, Skibo, has once again shown that thoughtful generosity to her employees that has endeared her to all. As in former years, the employees on the Skibo Estate were made the recipients of handsome gifts. On behalf of Mrs Carnegie, cheques were handed over by Mr Hardie to the employees, while the wives of the employees received gifts in kind. Mrs Carnegie's continued kindness is highly appreciated by all, and Mr Hardie was asked to convey to Mrs Carnegie their grateful thanks.

The children of the employees and all those attending Mrs Hardie's Sunday School, to the number of 60, were entertained in the Carnegie Hall, Clashmore. In keeping with the festive spirit of the season, the hall was specially decorated for the occasion, and combined with a real Christmas snow storm outside, and the animated and festive scene inside the hall, one got the impression of a real old-fashioned Christmas, such as the old folks experienced in their youth when Christmas was always "white".

Do you want to respond to this article? If so, click here to submit your thoughts and they may be published in print.