From our March 28th 2014 edition
25 YEARS AGO
(March 24th, 1989)
A NEW currency note was launched on an unsuspecting world money market last week – the “Cuddie” (value 50p sterling) from the independent Sutherland state of Embo.
The cash was released from the Clynelish vaults just in time for the state opening of the Embo Parliament at noon tomorrow at Grannie’s Hielan Hame.
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THE Scottish Office has come up with cash to help Sutherland District Council put out the “welcome mat” to the Hapimag holiday complex project which is hoped to be based at Dunrobin Castle, Golspie.
Mr Malcolm Rifkind, Secretary of State, has positively responded to a letter from district chief executive Mr Derek Martin on the council’s possible involvement with the development.
From next month, the Scottish Office will provide the sum of £150,000 – the maximum likely to be spent on the project in this upcoming financial year – while awaiting a formal agreement with the various parties involved.
The remainder of the expenditure of about £1 million in later years to lay on leisure facilities to be associated with the £9 million project is likely to be accepted by Hapimag as an indication of the local authority’s desire to welcome the project which was first announced almost five years ago.
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A SPECIAL Easter Sunday evening service is to be held in Dornoch Cathedral this weekend when the new floodlighting system will be switched on. Provided by the Highland Regional Council, the floodlights will be an attractive feature, not only highlighting the cathedral itself but also illuminating the whole square.
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SCOURIE Lodge, which has what is thought to be the most northerly palm trees in the world, is for sale. Dating back to 1830, the house was built for a Sutherland Estate factor. It has recently undergone a refurbishment with full central heating and double glazing.
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A GOLDFINCH was sighted in Golspie’s Duke Street last week. This beautiful little bird is not often seen in the far north but is growing in numbers, says Dornoch naturalist Mr Donnie Macdonald.
50 YEARS AGO
(March 27th, 1964)
THE Scottish Transport Users’ Consultative Committee, sitting at a public inquiry in Inverness recently, were told about the many cases of hardship that would follow a closure of the rail passenger services in the north. The committee said at the close that they would report to the Minister of Transport as quickly as possible.
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SUTHERLAND Finance Committee was told at Dornoch last Monday that shellfish processing was being started in temporary premises in an outbuilding at the Clyne Old School, Brora.
The use of the building until 15 June has been approved because of the employment which would be created, especially at Tongue and Melness and in the hope that it would lead to a thriving permanent industry giving much needed employment in remote areas.
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SUTHERLAND Education Committee is to send a deputation to Lochinver next Tuesday to discuss with parents whether the local school is to retain its junior secondary status.
The committee had proposed that a new primary school should be built in the village and that such should contain a community centre. These plans were sent to the Scottish Education Department who refused to pass them until the question of the school’s status was resolved.
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BRORA colliery continues to operate profitably and provide employment for 27 men, it is stated in the annual report of the Highland Fund.
The report reads: “The success of the colliery is undoubtedly due to the magnificent leadership of Mr John B. Hume, managing director and colliery manager, and his two working directors, Mr W. Dunn and Mr C. Mackay, along with the efforts of the miners.
The report also stated that Brora brickworks, which has also been assisted by the fund, had also developed considerably under the guidance of Mr W. R. Sutherland and Mr W. Stuart Sutherland, who were to be congratulated on the success of this venture which directly employed 26 people.
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MISS Hannah Mackay, senior sister at the Lawson Memorial Hospital, Golspie, is retiring next Tuesday after 25 years’ service.
75 YEARS AGO
(March 30th, 1939)
TO mark the inauguration of the new water supply to the Doll, a concert and dance was held in the Recreation Hall on Wednesday, immediately after Mrs T. Adam, Tower Lodge, Golspie, wife of their respected factor, had turned on their new water supply in the absence of Her Grace the Duchess of Sutherland.
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THE education department has approved the erection of a new school at Skibo, to be erected through the generosity of Mrs Carnegie of Skibo.
The school architect has recommended the provision of a new grate in the dining-room of Lairg Schoolhouse. This is to be provided.
Nine applications were received for the post of teacher of classics at Golspie Secondary School. After discussion, it was decided to appoint Mr John N. Macleod, M.A. (Hons). Glasgow.
An application by Mrs Reid, school cleaner, Rogart, for an increase in salary, was turned down. Miss R. Boucher, teacher of music, made application to be placed on the graduate scale of salaries for teachers. After considerable discussion, it was decided in favour by eight votes to three.
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ARRANGED by the Northern Regional Fitness Committee, Inverness, two fitness films were shown in the Drill Hall, Golspie, on Friday night. In addition, displays were given by local Girl Guides in the charge of Miss E. Sutherland and Miss C. Horne, and by the Brora fitness class conducted by Mr Charles Mackay, physical training instructor in Sutherland schools.
The nine films depicted fitness activity at the Empire Exhibition and at the summer school at Guisichan, Inverness, and were eagerly witnessed by a large attendance of the public.
The practical displays by the Girl Guides and Brora class showed how pupils can enjoy themselves while making themselves physically fit.
Mr D. K. Macrae, Burnside, presided, and during the evening Mr Macdonald, northern organiser, gave an interesting address on the aims and objects of the movement.
100 YEARS AGO
(March 26th, 1914)
PROVOST Moore had before him on Friday morning two cases of malicious mischief, one of which has aroused considerable indignation in the town.
For the past year the amenities of Dornoch are being improved by the formation of tennis courts and a bowling green on that part of the links on the way leading up to the Golf House, the property of the town.
On a recent morning it was found that some wickedly-disposed persons climbed over the enclosure and willfully kicked out large holes in the bowling green.
Fortunately the foot prints left behind gave the police a clue and a smart piece of detection was made by Sergeant Polson the following day at a football match.
Had this not been so, innocent people might have been blamed for this outrage which the whole community was unanimous in condemning.
Three boys, all about 15 years of age were involved, and all admitted the offence. They were Donald and Angus Sutherland and Robert Grant. Their parents were present in court and expressed regret to the bench for their children’s wickedness.
Provost Moore, in deferring sentence for six months, severely commented on the type of mischief perpetrated and wished it to be known that he had regarded the case so serious as to confer with his brother magistrates as to how he should dispose of such a contemptible and defenceless piece of mischief. It would depend entirely on the boys’ behaviour during the next six months what he would do.
The second case was against one of the three boys above named – Donald Sutherland. He was charged with throwing stone at and damaging the brass water tap at the 7th green on the golf course, the property of the golf club, on a recent Sunday morning. He pleaded guilty and the sentence in the above case was repeated.
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THE infants at Dornoch School did remarkably well in their religious knowledge examination for 1913. Many of the older pupils answered the Catechism questions with great accuracy. The answers to the questions on the life of Christ showed that the subject had been taught in an interesting and accurate fashion.
