22 years ago
Friday, 27th January, 1990
• The management of Highlands Fabricators Oil Construction Yard at Nigg dismissed claims that they were to shed 1,800 jobs in the next few weeks, describing speculation on impending job cuts as "Nonsense". The situation at Nigg, as reported on radio, television and in the press on Monday and Tuesday, has caused concern in Easter Ross, especially the effect any breakdown in relations between management and workforce might have on the future of the yard, and their ability to win further contracts. At present the management are endeavouring to resolve a pay dispute with more than 2,000 hourly-paid workers, which has led to a ban on overtime. There is to be a scheduled rundown of a section of the workforce in March following the completion of the Shell Sole Pit contract, but it is understood this will mainly involve skilled travelling workers brought in from outside the area, which, according to management, is normal for the industry. The other major contract at Nigg – a jacket and module for BP's Miller Field – is scheduled for completion in the summer of 1991, and is considered to guarantee employment for the bulk of the local workforce. Work at the yard is continuing normally following the distribution to employees of a letter from the management outlining their position in the current pay dispute.
• Once again a very successful indoor bowling tournament was organised by the Evanton Indoor Bowling Club and produced excellent play in a keenly contested Open Triples. The losing semifinalists were E Macdonald, I Bell and J Swanson, Tain, and D Maxwell, W Bell, and G Reid Muir of Ord. The winner of the final were again the Mackenzie family from Rosemarkie, who defeated Jimmy Steel, Johnny and Billy Bremner of Dingwall Legion.
• In the semifinal of the North of Scotland Schools Cup Football Cup competition, Invergordon Academy's senior team was drawn against Milne's High School, Fochabers, at Invergordon. The game was closely contested with very few clear chances at either end. One goal could have proved to be the winner, and so when Milne's scored from the penalty spot midway through the second half, things looked bleak for Invergordon.
However, they pressed hard for an equaliser and their perseverance paid off with a last-minute saver from Norman Ross. Extra time was played with no further scoring. As in the previous round Invergordon were involved in a penalty shoot-out, which they won 4-3. In the final the Ross-shire academy team is to play Ellon Academy.
• Ross Sutherland Rugby Club roared back into league action with a superb comprehensive 45-6 victory over Aberdeen Wanderers at Invergordon. In the course of the game the home club scored two fine tries, the first coming from Blundell, who collected he ball on the halfway line and completely wrong-footed the defence to race away and score under the posts. In the dying moments of the game Ross were awarded a penalty in their own "22".
They opted to run it. The ball passed through several pairs of hands before Gavin Maclean gave the scoring pass to Dave Whiteford, who made the touchdown.
44 years ago
Friday, 26th January, 1968
• Obituaries: Margaret Elaine, the younger child of Helen and John Bowie, sister of James, 128 Brickhill Drive, Bedford, aged three years eight months. Roderick Cameron, former caretaker of the County Buildings, Dingwall, latterly of Whin Cottage, Kinlochewe, husband of the late Mary Clark, and father of Roderick, Killin Hotel, Perthshire. Helen Fraser, sister of Walter, Easter Ross. At The Lodge, Edderton, Neil M Henderson, husband of Bella Manson. At Calshot, Fawley, Southampton, Chrissie, wife of Jimmie Mackenzie, late of Clunal, Lairg. Elizabeth A Irvine, wife of John Patience, 33 Ormonde Terrace, Avoch. At Broomhill Cottages, Muir of Ord, Margaret Fraser, aged 86 years. At Achindounie Farm, Alness, Mary Downie, wife of William Shearer. Mary, youngest daughter of Mr and Mrs Thomas Mackenzie, Corry, Muir of Ord.
• The only real entertainment in the Fraserburgh v Ross County Highland Football League match at Fraserburgh came midway through the second half when play was held up as a man ran on to the field and kicked the ball away. He was forcibly restrained. The referee, a linesman, players and club officials intervened, and the man was escorted off the field. The trouble had come to a head, when the referee turned down what appeared to Fraserburgh supporters as a penalty award. As it was Ross County won the game by two goals to nil, their counters coming from Jim Hosie (penalty) and an own-goal.
• At Balgate Park, Kiltarlity, Lovat and Caberfeidh Shinty Clubs drew 1-1 in a MacGillivray Senior League match. Cabers took the lead in the fifth minute when Billy Bartlett went through on his own and shot the ball over the keeper's head into the net. Lovat replied with strong but ineffective attacks, which were snapped up by Cabers' stout defence, in which Ian Macdonald and former Lovat player Sandy Gunn were outstanding. J Hinton equalised when he was taken down in a tackle, but in falling he scooped the ball over the head of the young Cabers' keeper.
• The Achnasheen-Lochcarron Road is likely to be closed over a period of six weeks while the Dearg Bridge is being replaced. Ross and Cromarty County Council has taken this action since a landslide damaged the bridge, which is a Telford structure, and the road was closed for a week while a Bailey bridge was moved into position. Earth at one end of the Bridge had been loosened by blasting, which had taken place, and part of the road had slipped. At a meeting of the County Council it was reported the road would be closed for six weeks at least while the contractors, Messrs RJ Macleod, proceeded with the main bridge scheme.
• Although no Government announcement has yet been made about a decision as to the site of the proposed aluminium smelter at Invergordon, which it is hoped to establish in the United Kingdom by 1970, Alcan (UK) Ltd, one of the companies negotiating for the smelter, have certainly shown by their actions that Invergordon is the place for them. On Friday it was intimated that they had negotiated a 25-year agreement with the National Coal Board for the supply of a million tons of coal a year for a purpose-built power station at Invergordon. The power station would be built alongside the smelter plant on Ord Farm, Invergordon. Four test bores are being carried out by Alcan on the proposed site. If Government approval is received Alcan hope to start construction work about the end of March or beginning of April.
88 years ago
Friday, 25th January, 1924
• Miss Isabel Mackenzie, Laburnum, Maryburgh, has been appointed assistant teacher in Gledfield School, Ardgay.
• Following the practice of years, Mr Peter Macdonald, Carlton House, Glasgow, who has made over a large collection of curios and trophies to Dingwall Museum, was fishing on Loch Ness on the opening day of the season and landed a salmon weighing 25lbs.
• Mr John S Nairne, who has been a clerk for many years in the Rosehaugh Estate Office, has been appointed to the Rosehaugh Office in London. He is the only son of Mr and Mrs Nairne, Burnfarm, and was secretary of Rosehaugh Lodge of Freemasons.
• Brora Rangers FC defeated Tain St Duthus 5-1 at Tain; and Munlochy FC were 1-0 winners over North Kessock.
• Mr John Macrae, third son of Mr Ken Macrae, merchant, Melvaig, Gairloch, has sailed from Tilbury Docks, London, bound for Queensland, Australia, to join his brother, who has been there for the past three years. A skilled mechanic and careful driver, he is always courteous and obliging.
