What was happening in Sutherland, 25, 50 and 100 years ago
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25 YEARS AGO
Organic postassium quarried near Loch Awe in Assynt could be used to neutralise ground in the Ukraine contaminated by the Chernobyl nuclear power station disaster of 1986. Mr Ross Aitken, a qualified geologist and former European Union adviser, plans to mine the "green" fertiliser product from the quarry alongside the Ledmore/Lochinver road – an enterprise which has also attracted interest from Prince Charles's organic gardening enterprise at Highgrove House.
Farr Secondary School in Bettyhill has been listed by a national Sunday newspaper as one of the top 120 state schools in Britain, and one of only 15 in Scotland. A supplement entitled Parent Power judged the schools on their academic achievements, selected from a list of more than 4000 nationwide. Examination results showed that 56 per cent of Farr pupils last year obtained three or more Standard Grades at grades 1-2 and 100 per cent at grades 1-4. Twenty-five per cent achieved three or more Higher Grades.
50 YEARS AGO
Unconscious, his body upright and with his head two feet below the surface of Loch Beannach, reservoir for the Lairg water supply – that was the alarming and seemingly hopeless position of 43-year-old Mr Francis R. Mackenzie, a post office sorter, after he had swum out from the shore to rescue his black poodle Jet and suddenly found himself in difficulties.
But to the rescue, in a boat, went his 21-year-old non-swimmer friend, Mr Hugh Mackay of Banscol, Rogart. He managed to grab Mr Mackenzie by the hair and with very considerable effort to pull him aboard – all 12st of him – and applied the 'kiss of life', was successful, and then went on to rescue Jet as well.
But Mr Mackay was then faced with a two-mile walk over heather to their car with Mr Mackenzie completely exhausted. Fortunately, Two other anglers present provided hot coffee as well as dry clothing and then helped Mr Mackay carry Mr Mackenzie over the rough hill ground. The dramatic rescue took place on Tuesday of last week.
100 YEARS AGO
On Monday last the General Committee in connection with the Clyne War Memorial had a meeting with the parents and other representatives of those who fell in the Great War for the purpose of adopting plans and selecting a suitable site for the memorial.
A design submitted by Mr Hosie, Brora, was accepted as the most appropriate. It is somewhat on the lines of the Hector Macdonald Memorial, Dingwall, a square tower about 40 feet high, to be built of Clynelish stone, with a red granite slab on one side for inscription and list of names.
The rock site, on the right bank of the river, recommended by the General Committee, was submitted to the parents and representatives and adopted unanimously.
The Duke of Sutherland, shooting over his Sutherland Moors on the 12th, along with Dr Simpson, bagged 41 brace of grouse, two snipe and one hare. On the 14th, the Duke accounted for 16 brace of grouse and one hare. Both occasions were short days.
