From the Northern Times 25, 50 and 100 years ago
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25 YEARS AGO
From the newspaper of January 22, 1999
The Prince of Wales is to open Hunters of Brora's £8.5 million new woollen mill, it was confirmed this week. Prince Charles has indicated he has a gap in his diary of engagements and will be able to attend an opening ceremony on April 6. Approaches were made to him last year by Hunters' management in the hope that he might be available.
Former Lairg Primary and Golspie High School pupil Derrick Thomson (35) has been appointed the new station controller of Grampian Television in Aberdeeen.
Golspie Community Council has been awarded £19,322 in the latest round of local enterprise company grants towards the renewal of Ben Bhraggie footpath. The reconstruction work is expected to cost in total around £37,000.
Plans for a Chinese takeaway in Dornoch's conservation area got the go-ahead on Monday at a meeting of Sutherland County Committee.
50 YEARS AGO
From the newspaper of January 25, 1974
Although the distance was inside the statutory two miles, Sutherland Education Committee agreed at Golspie last week to provide transport to take children from the crafts village at Balnakeil to the primary school at Durness. The committee was told this was the "worst road in the county". It is dangerous because it is so narrow and there is little room for children to get out of the way of vehicular traffic.
What was believed to be the carcase of a pilot whale – it measured 19ft in length – was washed onto Golspie beach during a recent storm. It was found high and dry by Mrs Ian Colquhoun, of Brora, about three-quarters of a mile west of the beach skirting the holiday caravan park on the links.
At the Boat Show in London recently, Mr Edward Heath, the Prime Minister, visited the Highland Development Board stand where he was presented with a pewter tankard made by Mr Charles Fountain, of Fountain of Dornoch Ltd, The tankard is specially designed for use on boats.
100 YEARS AGO
From the newspaper of January 24, 1924
The parents of Kinlochbervie petitioned for a side-school for their children who at present attend Badcall-Inchard Public School. The roads were bad, and in the cold, wet and stormy weather it was a trying ordeal for the children to attend school. Their clothes got wet and they had to sit in school in that condition, which could not be good for their health. Fifteen children are in attendance at Badcall-Inchard School. Members of Sutherland Education Authority decided there was no need for a side-school.
The executive officer intimated (to Sutherland Education Authority) that the new proprietor, Mr Beldrum, was willing to give the Authority any site they wished for the erection of a new school at Shinness.
Two small boats that ventured to sea on Friday were unable to enter Helmsdale harbour on their return owing to the stormy nature of the bar. The lifeboat put out to render assistance, but the boats ran over to Portmahomack and landed safely.
