From the Northern Times 25, 50 and 100 years ago
25 YEARS AGO
From the newspaper of September 13, 1996
Work on the long-awaited new textile mill for Hunters of Brora is to start a week on Monday, it has been announced. Inverness-based construction firm Tulloch have won the contract to build the new mill on the south-west approach to the village. It is part of a redevelopment by the company, now estimated to cost about £8.5 million, designed to safeguard the future of the firm and its existing workforce of 70 as well as creating 30 new jobs. Hunters is the biggest private employer in Sutherland.
A REQUEST by Kildonan and Kinbrace Amenities Association to purchase Kildonan Village Hall has been given the green light by Sutherland councillors. They are now to recommend to the Highland Council's education committee – owners of the hall – that the building be sold at a rock bottom price. A report in front of councillors at a meeting in Golspie on Monday indicated that the hall was in need of upgrading and the association felt that it could access funding not available to the education service.
50 YEARS AGO
From the newspaper of September 10, 1971
The official opening of the Kyle of Tongue bridge and causeways, last Friday – "a dream come true after 100 years"– was blessed with fine weather, and a large crowd assembled to watch the ceremony. Mrs Catherine B. Mackay, the local county councillor, had the honour of declaring the £500,000 crossing open, and age and youth in the shape of Mr George Gow (87) of Melness and Mrs Mackay's eight-year-old son, Graham, had the honour of cutting a ribbon of their own tartan to set the seal on the occasion.
Edrachilles and Durness District Council want to know whether the Countryside Commission would be prepared to meet the cost of repairing just over one mile of road to Sandwood Bay, one of the finest stretches of beach in the county and a great tourist attraction. The road concerned is from the Balchrick junction to the north-east end of Loch na Gainimh. The district council want a car park at the north-east end of the loch. It was agreed that all the committee could do was pass on the request to the commission.
100 YEARS AGO
From the newspaper of September 8, 1921
The great day – the event of the north of Scotland – draws nigh and preparations on a lavish scale have been made to give the Prince of Wales and the Duke of York a real, warm, sincere and loyal welcome. No one must miss Saturday's historic event. Such a memorable gathering as Saturday's will be, might not occur again in our lifetime, and for any person to deny themselves the privilege of being present, would be laying up cause for regret in the future, for who amongst the people in after years but would delight to recall the visit of Royalty to Dunrobin and the historic gathering of distinguished personages.
On Sunday, a two-light stained-glass window and tablet were dedicated in Creich Parish Church by the Right Rev. J. A. MacClymont, Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland. The church was crowded and visitors had difficulty in finding seats. Dr MacClymont, attired in his Moderator's robes, preached a powerful and impressive sermon.
