From the Northern Times 25, 50 and 100 years ago
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25 YEARS AGO
From the newspaper of January 29 1999.
A SMALL-scale hydro-electric scheme seen as vital for the future development of Assynt Crofters' Trust and their North Assynt Estate, was finally and unanimously given the go-ahead by the Highland Council's planning committee this week. The long-awaited scheme, which could bring in £400,000 a year to the trust and its partners through the sale of electricity to the national grid, had been held up for five years by objections from environmental bodies and others.
Hunters of Brora this week refused to discuss local speculation that employees of its state-of-the-art woollen mill may be put on short-time working. It has been suggested that due to a lack of orders, the management were considering a three or four day working week.
Sutherland County Committee convener Francis Keith has hit out at the Highland Council's refusal to allow its bin men to pick up refuse not contained in wheelie bins. He labelled the ban as "absolutely pathetic".
50 YEARS AGO
From the newspaper of February 1, 1974
There should soon be an instructional indoor swimming pool at Bettyhill, if local enthusiasm for the project is a guide. The committee, headed by county councillor Alistair Fraser and with Tongue and Farr district clerk, Mr H. W. Mackay, as secretary, have still £7000 to raise and they are mounting a door-to-door collection at the beginning of next month. The total cost is upwards of £23,000. The site of the proposed pool is at Farr Secondary School and positioned so that advantage can be taken of the present showers and changing rooms.
Mr Edward Heath, the Prime Minister, reiterated to Mr Robert Maclennan, M.P. for Caithness and Sutherland, in a letter, that the return to normal work depended upon the suspension of industrial action by the miners. Mr Maclennan had asked Mr Heath to exempt the Highlands and Islands from the three-day week and argued why, in his opinion, they should be a special case. Mr Heath said that he "noted and sympathised" with Mr Maclennan's concern.
100 YEARS AGO
From the newspaper of January 31, 1934
The Duke of Sutherland, Lord Lieutenant of Sutherland, is appealing for funds to relieve distress in the rural parts of the Highlands, brought about principally, through the failure of the harvest. The Lord Lieutenant's appeal is directed to the people of Sutherland. The Duke of Sutherland has contributed in many ways already towards the relief of the distress of the people, but notwithstanding, along with the Duchess of Sutherland, he has intimated a subscription of £50 to augment the Distress Fund. The generosity and thoughtfulness of the Duke and Duchess of Sutherland are very much appreciated and it is hoped there will be a liberal response to the Lord Lieutenant's appeal.
The concert being organised in aid of the funds of the League of Pity by Mrs J. S. Donald, "The Welcome", Golspie, promises to be a most pleasant affair. It is to be held in the Y.M.C.A. Hall, Golspie. It promises to be an enjoyable evening and will help a worthy cause.
