From the Northern Times 25, 50 and 100 years ago
25 YEARS AGO
From the newspaper of January 7, 2000
The bridge at Bonar, one of the main routes between Sutherland and the south, will be closed for much of next weekend to allow new bearings to be fitted to the structure. The original bearings gave way in September, causing the roadway to fall an alarming six inches. Temporary bearings were installed, but traffic was restricted to single file and, for a while, the bridge was subject to a 7.5-tonne weight restriction.
A medieval gold brooch found by a treasure-hunter on holiday in north-west Sutherland is causing quite a stir among archaeologists. Dated 1600 with blue, white and green enamelling, it is regarded as a particularly unusual and valuable find. Highland archaeologists are keeping the precise location secret, while the brooch is examined by experts at the National Museum in Edinburgh. It was found by a male holidaymaker using a metal detector.
A north Sutherland nonagenarian is entering the new millennium having lived all his days in the same house. Retired crofter Donald MacDonald (93) has lived at Millburn, Strath Halladale, since he was born there in 1906. Locals believe it could be the longest unbroken tenure of any home in the country.
50 YEARS AGO
From the newspaper of January 10, 1975
The new Sutherland District Council are to draw up a scheme for the establishment of community councils in their area and submit this for approval to the Scottish Secretary, Mr William Ross, not later than May 16 next year, unless there are special circumstances. The basic role of the community councils will be to represent the views and needs of the community to Sutherland District Council, the Highland Regional Council and other public bodies.
Highland Fabricators, of Nigg, have won the contract (thought to be worth £40 million) to build a steel pile supported drilling and production platform for the Ninian Field of Shetland. The work will mean continued employment for all the local men at Nigg. The present workforce is 2000 and an extra 500 men will be recruited as soon as work on B.P.’s Highland Two reaches a peak.
Sutherland County Council have applied for outline planning permission for residential development - an old folks home - on land at the glebe, at the east end of Golspie village. It is intended to replace the existing Rhives House Home at the other end of the village.
100 YEARS AGO
From the newspaper of January 8, 1925
Through the generosity of Mrs Carnegie, the children of Skibo, Clashmore and the surrounding district are year after year presented with handsome gifts at Christmas. This year a treat was given to them in the Carnegie Hall. Much interest centred round the opening of two huge snowballs which were placed at the foot of two Christmas trees and contained numbered parcels for which the children had previously drawn tickets, and as the number of each parcel was called, the joy of the fortunate holder of the corresponding number was great. Each child was thereafter presented by Mrs Hardie with a gift off the tree On Christmas Day Mr Hardie had the pleasure of handing to the employees on the estate their usual Christmas cheques, whilst the wives received gifts in kind.
On Christmas Day the inmates of the Sutherland Combination Poorhouse were entertained to an excellent tea through the kindness of the late Mrs Hadwin of Balblair, per Rev. R. L. Ritchie. They were again hospitably treated on New Year’s Day to a seasonable dinner kindly given by Mrs Carnegie of Skibo, per Mr J. F. Hardie, factor. Both these annual treats are much appreciated and looked forward to with keen interest by the occupants of the house.
