Community councillors highlight 'disgraceful condition' of blue plaque street in Dornoch
Dornoch community councillors have slammed the "disgraceful" condition of a Dornoch street where a legendary golf course architect grew up and to which hundreds of golfers from America make a pilgrimage every year.
Donald Ross, a one-time club professional and greenkeeper at Royal Dornoch, grew up in his family home at St Gilbert Street. Ross emigrated to America in 1899 where he went on to design more than 400 golf courses.
A blue plaque is fixed to his former home on which are the words: "The birthplace of Donald Ross 1872-1948 Golf Architect."
RELATED: Flag event to celebrate 150 year anniversary of Dornoch golf course architect
The poor condition of the road surface at St Gilbert Street was highlighted by community councillor Jimmy Melville at the group's monthly meeting last night.
He said: "The street is in a state - it needs resurfacing - and this is the street we are promoting to get people to visit Donald Ross's house.
Fellow community councillor Genevieve Duhigg, whose Dornoch Stores hardware and delicatessen business backs on to St Gilbert Street, agreed.
She said the street was "never gritted" and that snow and ice had destroyed the road surface. Trees along the street were also never cut back.
Highland councillor Jim McGillivray, who represents the East Sutherland and Edderton ward said he would raise the community council's concerns with the roads department.
But he said: "The roads throughout the county are a disgrace. We had a roads official at our recent ward meeting and she was quite desolate about the current situation. She is dealing with a third of the machinery and a third of that staff that she had 15 years ago.
"It is a thankless task and officials are doing the best they can."
