From the Northern Times 25, 50 and 100 years ago
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25 YEARS AGO
From the newspaper of February 19, 1999
Vandals ran amok in the Sutherland Arms Hotel in Lairg at the weekend, causing thousands of pounds worth of damage. The 28-bedroom, village-centre hotel, which has lain empty for over a year, was broken into on Saturday afternoon. Over 30 windows and skylights were smashed along with hundreds of panes of glass from interior doors and display cabinets, including showcases of butterflies and moths. All the fire extinguishers in the hotel were let off.
A LOCHINVER hotel is being re-marketed in two lots in the hope it will prove more attractive to buyers. The Culag hotel was first offered for sale by its present owners over 18 months ago, but failed to raise serious interest. Offers of over £250,000 are being asked for the original hotel. A 14-bedroom wing and function suite at the rear can be purchased separately with an asking prices of £50,000. The hotel, sited on the harbour front, is still available as a whole. Sellers said that the current market appeared to be for smaller properties.
50 YEARS AGO
From the newspaper of February 22, 1974
The marriage took place, on Thursday of last week, at St Michael's, Chester Square, London, of the Hon. Martin Sutherland Janson, second son of Mr Charles Janson and the Countess of Sutherland, Uppat House, Brora, and the Hon. Mary Ann Balfour, daughter of Lord and Lady Balfour of Inchrye, Tressady, Rogart. Lord Strathnaver, the groom's brother was best man. The reception was held at Claridge's and the honeymoon was being spent abroad.
Sutherland County Council are to be asked to engage consultants with the task of showing how the problem of Lower Brora, presently scarred by derelict buildings and an eyesore to this seaside community, can be tackled adequately. This was agreed by the planning committee at Brora last Monday.
Two Golspie High School girls, Lorna Addison, Dornoch, and Jane Mackay, Bettyhill, both aged 17 are in the regional finals of a Scottish schools debating contest.
100 YEARS AGO
From the newspaper of February 21, 1924
No time has been wasted in allocating the contract in connection with the Embo water supply scheme. There were eleven offers, varying from £1,386 to £3,000 or so. The cheapest offer, that of Messrs H. MacVinish & Sons, contractors, Inverness, was accepted. The estimated cost was £1,300 so that the accepted offer does not exceed the estimate by much. The local offerers were a good bit out of the "hunt". It is most gratifying that the undertaking is being hurried on, as it will provide much-needed employment for the unemployed of Embo.
The River Helmsdale has been recently opened for salmon fishing, but as yet few fish have been landed. Col. Horne landed one very nice fish during the weekend.
Entries for Golspie F. C.'s beauty competition, to be held at a fancy dress dance, are not so numerous as was expected, but it is hoped this competition will not have to be abandoned. The date of the dance is fast approaching.
