From the Northern Times 25, 50 and 100 years ago
25 YEARS AGO
From the newspaper of December 3, 1999
After years of campaigning, Durness residents have finally succeeded in persuading a bank to install a cash dispenser in their village. The Bank of Scotland autoteller machine was placed into the wall of Richard Mackay’s Mace store last Thursday.
It has been officially acknowledged that the £200,000 heritage centre opened two years ago by Highland Council at Fascally Park has been a failure. In its first year, when the centre was open for only three months, it attracted just 572 visitors. This year the four-month season from June to September drew in 1091 folk, an average of only one and a half visitors an hour. At a meeting of Sutherland County Committee, it was agreed to speak to community groups to see if there was any other way to use the resource.
Tommy and Margaret Traill have retired after 28 years behind the counter at the “Wee Shop “ in Helmsdale. A party was held for the couple who were given a marble bowl.
50 YEARS AGO
From the newspaper of December 6, 1974
Before bowing out of office next May, when local government reorganisation will be fully implemented, Dornoch Town Council have taken the necessary steps to ensure the royal burgh’s traditions and historical records are being properly preserved. At a special meeting the council decided that one of these steps should be for Provost Harry Clunie to make a personal approach to the Countess of Sutherland “for the surrender of the burgh’s royal charter in order that it may be offered to the Keeper of the Records for safekeeping at Register House, Edinburgh.
Provost Clunie said he understood the charter was in Dunrobin Castle. The Earls of Sutherland had by hereditary right been Provosts of Dornoch and this was continued for a time after Dornoch was given royal burgh status -then they were elected to the office automatically. The third Duke of Sutherland was the last member of his family to be Provost from 1861 to 1868, and as there was no proper council chamber at the time, it was probable that the charter had been taken to the castle for safekeeping.
100 YEARS AGO
From the newspaper of December 4, 1924
In connection with the outbreak of epidemics, closing orders had been received for Rearquhar, Drumbeg, and Forsinard schools, Sutherland Education Authority was told. In connection with Unapool school, there was an outbreak of measles with the result, apparently through nervousness, not one child was in attendance. No closing order was applied for, as the medical officer was of the opinion, in the circumstances that prevail, to take such a step would in no way retard the disease.
Mr Geo. Sinclair, Brora, proprietor of the recently burnt Station Hotel, Brora, applied for sanction to open a temporary bar on the site of the hotel. Plans were submitted and it was stated that the chief constable had no objection to the proposal. Mr Lindsay, looking at the chief constable’s report anent the matter, said the chief constable pointedly stated a danger did exist as regards the falling of the damaged building. On a statement being made by the applicant’s agent to the effect that this matter would be remedied before the bar was erected, Sutherland Licensing Court granted the application.
