From the Northern Times 25, 50 and 100 years ago
25 YEARS AGO
From the newspaper of November 19, 1999
Sutherland received a huge economic boost this week with the news that funding is finally in place to establish a £794,000 community learning centre at the former school hostel Ross House in Dornoch. The award of EU Objective One money totalling £291,895 completes an already agreed funding package and enables the project now to go ahead.
A leaked Highland Council internal audit report which uncovers an astonishing range of poor practice in the financial administration of Kinlochbervie and Lochinver Harbours, resulting in a massive waste of taxpayers money, has been welcomed by local councillor Francis Keith.
Council officials have been asked to look at the potential for using Golspie’s redundant Drummuie Farm and technical school as a crofting training centre for the Highlands. Local councillor Ian Ross believes the farm and technical school, declared surplus to requirements, would make an ideal centre for agricultural training.
Crofters at Laid have given a cool reception to plans for a granite quarry at Ceannabeinne as part of a deal to buy the 9400-acre Durness Estate from its absentee landlords. Laid Grazings Committee fear it could scupper their recent efforts to breathe new life into the community.
50 YEARS AGO
From the newspaper of November 22, 1974
Investigations have shown that there is no longer a need to prove that it is in the interests of pupils living in hostels and lodgings on the east coast to be able to make regular visits home. This was reported to Sutherland Education Committee at Melvich last Wednesday when it was formally agreed that all such pupils should visit their homes at fortnightly intervals under existing travel arrangements, but that this should not preclude parents from making their own arrangements for other weekends.
The new building of Melvich Primary School was officially declared open last Wednesday by Mr Alistair Fraser, county councillor for Strathy and regional councillor for Tongue, Farr and Reay under the new regionalisation which takes effect in May, 1975.
Lochinver parents are to meet the Sutherland Education Committee to discuss whether they would be willing to send their children to an upgraded secondary school at Ullapool. At present the Ullapool school takes secondary pupils for two years and Ross-shire is investigating the possibility of a four-year secondary.
It is hoped that the ‘Maid of Kylesku,’ the small car and passenger ferry at present operating at the Kylesku crossing, will be replaced by a new £250,000, 16-car ferry, in July next year.
100 YEARS AGO
From the newspaper of November 20, 1924
Strath Halladale, which is fast becoming a “colony of bachelors” is now commonly known as the “Sanctuary of that Grand Order”. The young ladies of the strath resolved upon having a “flare-up” which might waken the somnolent attitude of the bachelors of the glen. Consequently a few of their number sat in council and arranged a most enjoyable dance which was largely patronised. Rumour has it that the “Arctic regions of bachelorism” were so severely bombarded with the sunny smiles, the cheerful and pleasing demeanour of the ladies, that matrimonial chimes will soon be heard all over the strath.
The prizes for the best kept stations on the London Midland and Scottish Railway have been given out, and it is pleasing to note that Dornoch station participates in the honours. It is included in the third class, and the award is £2. Mr Wm. Munro, stationmaster, Skelbo, must feel proud that his little wayside station has been singled out for award in the list of best kept stations on the L.M.S system. It is graded fourth class and the award is £1.
