Returned unopposed in the Fortrose Burgh Election were: Dickson F Fleming, Rosemarkie; Thomas Matheson, Fortrose; James Fraser, banker; Archibald Thom, Ashcroft; and Major John Stuart, Fortrose.
Mr W M Munro, Bank of Scotland, Ardgay, has been promoted and appointed to a branch in Aberdeen. He has been in Ardgay over the past three years, and was an enthusiastic member of the golf club.
A weakened Dingwall Victoria United FC lost by six goals to one to Nelson in a league match in Inverness. Fortrose Union were 3-1 winners over the Cameron Highlanders.
Returned unopposed in the Fortrose Burgh Election were: Dickson F Fleming, Rosemarkie; Thomas Matheson, Fortrose; James Fraser, banker; Archibald Thom, Ashcroft; and Major John Stuart, Fortrose.
There was no Municipal Election in Dingwall, the retiring Councillors being returned unopposed: Bailie J G Russell, Dean of Guild O T Wassell, Treasurer TSH Burns and Councillors J F Hunter and John Macrae.
Mr F Scott presided at the weekly meeting of Cromarty Literary Society, when a debate took place on the subject "Is it better to travel happily than to arrive?" Miss M Grant led for the motion and Miss D R Walker for the amendment. Both sides of the question were ably treated.
l At the finish of a very successful season, Mr Eastman Bell of Dundonnell, entertained about fifty couples to a supper and dance. Mr Cameron, gamekeeper, made an efficient Master of Ceremonies. Piper Maclennan and Mr Macleod, Badluarach, supplied the music on bagpipes and melodeon respectively.
The first dance of the season took place in the Drill Hall, Ullapool on Friday. Music was supplied by Messrs Rintoul, Ross and Macleod. Tea was served by Misses R Robertson, Gordon and L Macleod, Messrs G Maciver and J Munro. Mr W Mackenzie was MC.
Mr Alexander Naughty, JP, Provincial Grand Master of Ross and Cromarty, attended Fingal Lodge, Dingwall, and in the name of Mrs Davidson of Tulloch, presented the Lodge with the Regalia of the late Bro Duncan Davidson of Tulloch. Mr Naughty suggested it might be used on appropriate occasions in the working of the Lodge. In accepting the gift, Mr J F Hunter, RWM, said it was typical of Mrs Davidson's kindly interest in the community at all times.
Friday, 2nd November, 1923
OBITUARIES: Margaret Douglas, daughter of the late Mr and Mrs David Douglas, 13 Hartfield Street, Tain. At Berryden, 30 Novar Road, Alness, John Alick Fraser, retired stationmaster, husband of Annie Christie. Dorothy June Geddie, 5 Hillside Street, Edinburgh, youngest daughter of the late Mr and Mrs Geddie, Fortrose. Janet Gordon Macleod, 13 Murray Road, Invergordon, wife of the late John Walter Mackenzie, formerly of Dalmore Farm, Alness. At Craighead, Cromarty, Annie Milne, wife of the late Kenneth Logan Moir. Alexander Maclaren Ferries, Ivy Cottage, Edderton, husband of late Jessie Ann Mackenzie.
Principal results in the County Council Gardens Competition: Alness: 1 J Macdonald, 10 Perrins Road; 2 Mrs Macleod, 6 Perrins Road. Avoch: 1 A Reid, 10 Toll Road; 2 equal Mrs A Sutherland, 6 Toll Road and R Macleod, 35 Ormonde Terrace. Balintore / Hilton: 1 G Smith, 15 Ross Crescent; 2 J F Ross, 19 Ross Crescent. Conon Bridge:1 Miss MS Mackenzie, 17 Fraser Street; 2 Donald Robertson, 13 Fraser Street. Evanton: 1 F G Binnie, 14 Novar Crescent; 2 William Manson, 1 Assynt Road. Kyle and Plockton: 1 D Johnson, 5 Frithard Road, Plockton; 2 D Mackinnon 21 Heathmount, Place. Maryburgh: 1 A Calder, 35 Seaforth Place; 2 F Beaton, 3 Hood Street. Muir of Ord: 1 A Shand, 9b Corrie Terrace; 2 H Gray, 7 Castlehill. Strathpeffer: 1 W J Urquhart, 20 Park Terrace; 2 J P MacJimpsey, 33 Park Terrace. Munlochy / North Kessock: 1 J Beaton, 3 Oakleigh Road; 2 D J Mackenzie, 8 Oakleigh Road. Ardgay / Edderton: D Macleod,15 Carron Place, Ardgay; 2 D Christie, 11 Carrieblair, Edderton.
The History of Nigg, compiled by Nigg WRI, which won first prize in the SWRI Golden Jubilee competition, is now available to the public, at 13s 6d plus postage 1s 6d, from either Mrs Scott, Nigg House, or Mrs Gordon, Pitcalzean Mains, Nigg. The authors have drawn from many sources and produced in full, and facile manner a first class history of Nigg past and present.
Among those who received the insignia of their Birthday Honours from HM The Queen at an Investiture in the Palace of Holyroodhouse was Vice Admiral John Osler Chattock Hayes, CB, CBE, Royal Navy, Flag Officer Scotland and Northern Ireland, Arabella House, Nigg, who was made a Knight Commander (GCB). During the War he served in the Atlantic, Singapore, and on the Convoys to Russia and Malta. Lady Hayes is a granddaughter of the late Viscount Finlay of Nairn, Lord Chancellor of England.
Mr James David Martin, Dingwall, area engineer with the North of Scotland Hydro Electric Board in Dingwall, was made a Member of the British Empire at the same ceremony.
At the annual general meeting of the Dornie Parents' Association office-bearers were appointed as follows: President, Mrs W D Macrae, Bundalloch; secretary, Mrs Iain Wingfield, Brookside, Dornie; treasurer, Mrs Donald Maclennan, Francis Street, Dornie. Plans were made for the Christmas Treat for children under 12, of whom there are sixty.
South West Ross in company with many parts of the country had an abnormally heavy rainfall during the first half of October. No fewer than 8.21 inches of rain was recorded at Balmacara in the first 13 days of the month. Friday (the 13th!) was the wettest day with 1.83 inches. In Plockton over 1.50 inches fell on the 30th of the month, and 6.50 inches for the month up to October 14. Harvesting and potato lifting are being held up.
Miss Mary Isabel, Mackenzie, Torridon, only daughter of Mr D J Mackenzie, Barnfield, Annat, and the late Mrs Mackenzie, graduated BSc with Honours in Botany at Aberdeen University in 1964. With the aid of a grant from the Potato Marketing Board she carried out research on "Factors influencing the infection of Potato Tubers by Phonaz Solanicola" for which she received her PhD. Dr Mackenzie has taken up an appointment under Dr Elizabeth Gray of the North of Scotland College of Agriculture, Aberdeen.
Saturday's display by Ross County Football Club against Inverness Thistle was more like their performances last season. They accounted for Thistle by five goals to nil. Scorers were: Jack Lornie (2), Thom, Peter Borley and Callum Grant.
On their first visit to Aberdeen this season, Ross Sutherland Rugby Club defeated Aberdeen Wanderers 16-6.
Tries were scored by D Bannerman, D Mackenzie, S Mackenzie and D Fraser, two were converted by D Fraser. The Ross Sutherland second team lost 11-0 to Moray at Invergordon.
Caberfeidh Shinty Club had a none-too-happy opening to their 1967-68 MacGillivray League season, when they lost by six goals to nil to Lovat at Castle Leod.
Twenty youngsters took part in a Monster Walk from Cromarty to Avoch organised by Avoch Tennis Club on Saturday.
In anything but kind weather conditions the participants gathered at Cromarty and were set-off on their 12-mile journey to Avoch by Provost D R Mackenzie. Everyone finished the course at the tennis court in Avoch.
Two of those taking part were Patricia Doherty, a clerkess with the "Ross-shire Journal" and Frances Mackenzie, a clerkess with Messrs Macrae and Dick Inverness, who were sponsored by the Ross-shire Journal.
A good pace was set in the weather conditions prevailing - sleet, rain and high winds were encountered. However, youthful enthusiasm made light of everything despite the fact hands were blue with the cold and blisters were making their presence felt. The first three boys to reach Avoch completed the journey in a time of two hours and 10 minutes. Winners were: Under-15 Boys: 1 Ian Leggatt, Avoch (12 years); 2 Brian Mackintosh (11); 3 Allan Mackintosh (8), Avoch. Adults: 1 Kay Patience, who donated her prize to the tennis club); 2 equal Lorna Wilson and Margaret Reid. In all the sum of £20 was raised in aid of the Avoch Tennis Club Renovation Fund. Mr Maurice Brown was in charge of the arrangements for the walk.
The contract for the Stromeferry Bye-pass is expected to be approved shortly by the Scottish Development Department.
Mr James Dunlop, County Clerk, said the delay was caused as a result of the tenders submitted being in excess of the estimate prepared by the consulting engineers.
Some cuts had been made and the revised tenders had been submitted to the Scottish Development Department.
Richard Hart (Balintore), a pupil in Tain Royal Academy, has been chosen for the final Under-18 Scottish Schools Football Trial in Glasgow.
Miss Flora Ross, daughter of Mrs Ross, Rossal, Invergordon, and the late Mr A W Ross, has completed her studies for the Degree of Bachelor of Letters at the University of Oxford. She has graduated with First Class Honours in English at the University of Aberdeen, and is presently a lecturer in English there.
A deputation from Urray Free Church, Muir of Ord, called upon Mr and Mrs C Urquhart at their home in Fairmuir Road, to present a wallet of notes from the congregation in appreciation of their services as Church Officers over the past eighteen years.
The Rev M J Nicolson presided and spoke in appreciative terms of their long and faithful service.
Mr Kenneth Bisset, Balloch, Culloden, has been appointed to succeed Mr Donald Bruce, Strathpeffer as plant manager to Ross and Cromarty Highways Committee. Mr Bisset was a foreman with the Forestry Commission, and before he left his former post he was presented with a silver tea service.
Friday, 3d November, 1967
TWO HISTORIC PHOTOGRAPHS from the Strathpeffer Highland Games of Saturday, August 24, 1912, marked a historic occasion for the Highlands, for they marked the first flight of an aeroplane in the North Highlands. In one photograph, the pilot Mr G C Hucks is seen after the flight with local personalities beside his aircraft a "Daily Mail," Firefly. The other photograph is of the aircraft flying low over Achterneed. Both photographs were the work of Mr F W Urquhart, photographer, Dingwall.
Gairloch Heritage Museum has won a Glenfiddich Living Scotland award for an archaeological project to record and protect existing remains, which have survived intensive agricultural operations and afforestation, but are under threat. The president, Sheriff Murdoch, Gairloch, was presented with the award by Mr A Grant Gordon, chairman of William Grant and Sons, Glenfiddich Distillery, Dufftown. This is the fifth year of the awards scheme set up by William Grant and Sons to promote and conserve Scottish history, heritage and traditions. Previous winning projects were as diverse as the foundation of a plasterwork museum in Peebles to establishing an otter haven in Deeside.
Plans for a Black Isle community's "Windows of the Past" to highlight its history, traditions, folklore and way of life in a series of exhibitions on various themes took a major step forward at a public meeting organised by the committee of the Avoch Heritage Association, which has been set-up to run the project. The chairwoman, Mrs Kathleen Macleman, Gallowhill, Avoch, said there had been an encouraging response. The attendance at the meeting would have been greater had the meeting not clashed with the launch in Campbeltown of a new vessel for the Avoch fishing fleet. Circulars are to be distributed asking local residents if they were prepared to lend items for exhibition. Already offered were a bone grinding mill, fishing nets and equipment, old quart milk bottles bearing the name of Muiralehouse Farm, and a pre-war programme of a Black Isle Farmers' Society Dance. The unveiling of the War Memorial is recalled in a programme for the ceremony in September, 1923. It is proposed each exhibition would have a different theme. Subjects suggested included the Old Blanket Mill, fishing, farming, village life, Avoch dialect. Tapes of memories of bygone days would be invaluable. Major concerns, however, were fundraising and finding suitable premises. About £900 has been raised towards a target of £2,000. Mr Graham Watson, Ross and Cromarty Museums Officer, is providing much help and guidance in the project.
It has been another week of woe for Ross County FC - Fort William knocked them out of a second cup competition in midweek, and Peterhead got the better of them in a Highland League encounter at Victoria Park. Since their exit from the Qualifying Cup competition in the semifinal stages to Elgin City, the club has had the unenviable record of having lost five matches - two cup and three league. Against Fort William in the cup competition, Ross County had the greatest percentage of pressure but lost by four goals to two. On Saturday, Peterhead, with two goals in each half, were comfortable winners.
At Braeview Park, Beauly, in the MacAulay Cup competition, Beauly and Caberfeidh Shinty Clubs served up an exciting game, full of good, exciting shinty, the tie ending in a 4-4 draw. In the first minute Sandy Mackay converted a penalty hit for Beauly to open the scoring. A further goal followed. No heads went down in the Cabers' ranks as the Strathpeffer club stormed back to equality before half-time only to lose a third goal. Once more Cabers equalised, but back came Beauly for a fourth counter. "Peachy" Macdonald did a great job holding Sandy Mackay in check while fellow clansman "Tumba" who has been having one of his most successful seasons practices aggressive defence most effectively. Billy Maclennan, restored to full centre, conceded nothing to Stephen Maclean, while behind him at spare-back his brother Stewart effectively cut off attacks down the centre. Caberfeidh scorers were Martin Maclean (2), Neil Urquhart and Ronald MacArthur. At Cannich, the Caberfeidh second team maintained their challenge for the Division Four title with a 6-2 win over Strathglass. Cabers scorers were: James Maclean (4), Lewis Ross and Donald Mellis.
The new purpose-built library area in the refurbished Kyle Community Hall has been officially opened. Mrs Jo Allan, Kyle, is the Librarian.
Mr A Kerr Yule, younger son of Dr and Mrs Kerr Yule, Heights of Docharty, Dingwall, is spending two months in Strasbourg, carrying out Census Work in the Mayor's Office. Earlier this year, Kerr graduated in Media Studies in Edinburgh University, and has been contributing articles of a varying nature to the columns of local newspapers. Always keen on foreign languages, he sees his latest work as a means of improving his linguistic ability.
Earlier this year a party of twenty from Dingwall Academy were guests of the Soviet Union.
They had been invited to visit the devastated earthquake zone in Armenia as a result of having organised and raised a relief fund of £23,000 from schools throughout Scotland on Moray Firth Radio, the rector, Mr Alexander Glass, and four of the pupils - Ann Penwright, Heather Taylor, Steven Mackay and David Macdonald were interviewed by Mr Arthur Brocklebank, and told him of their memorable, heartening and, at times, bitter experiences.
Friday, 3d November, 1989
