DINGWALL RATES were set at 4s 7d in the £, being 1s 5d on owners and 3s 2d on occupiers.
The electric lighting system in Cromarty has been extended to the point of the harbour.
Captain John MacGillivray of Calrossie has returned from the Argentine, where he had been judging the Shorthorn cattle at the Palermo Show.
Mr John Watson, Seabank House, Cromarty, has secured the contract for the carriage of mail between Cromarty and Invergordon.
German marks were on sale in Dingwall on Wednesday. They represented notes to the value of 100,000 marks and were realising 2d and 3d each. There was not a large demand, but curiosity led to a few purchases.
At a largely attended meeting of members of Muir of Ord Golf Club, Mr Tom Mackenzie, captain, presiding, the questions of a new clubhouse and improvements to the course were discussed. The club decided to aim at raising £600 to £1,000 for the purpose.
A most interesting lecture was given in the Fortrose Ex-Servicemen's Hut by Mrs Rutherford, Meadowbank, on Egypt, specially relating to the discovery of Tutankhumen's Tomb. She showed herself thoroughly versed as an Egyptologist, and gave a lucid history of Egypt, tracing back to 4,000 BC.
The Rev George W K MacPherson, BD, assistant in St Cuthbert's Parish Church, Edinburgh, youngest son of the late Rev J R Macpherson, Minister of Dingwall Parish Church, and of Mrs MacPherson, Edinburgh, has been elected Parish Minister of Carstairs. During the War he served as a Combatant Officer with the 4th Seaforths.
The opening meeting of Dingwall Literary Society was held in the Established Church Hall on Monday, when a musical programme was arranged by Mr D W Baxter. Captain D Finlayson, Chief Constable, presided and taking part were Mrs Mackenzie, the Misses Strachan, Menzies and Robertson, Messrs Treasurer, MacGillivray and Strachan, and members of the Parish Church Choir.
The Freemasons Concert in Avoch was a great success. Col A F Mackenzie of Ord was chairman, and Miss Kerr was the able pianist. At the dance, music was supplied by Mrs Matheson, Gollanhead, Rosemarkie and Mr Allan Strachan, Dingwall. Contributing to the concert programme were Allan Strachan, Ken Ross (Dingwall), William Campbell (Conon), Miss R Maciver (Inverness); Miss Mary Fraser (Dingwall), Mr Lee Fraser (Inverness), Mrs Mackenzie and Mr Alex Henderson (Dingwall).
The annual Presentation of Certificates gained by the pupils of the Dingwall Centre of the Trinity College of Music, London, took place in the Carnegie Hall, Dingwall before a large representation of parents and others. Sir Frederick Bridge, chairman of the board presided, and in his remarks commented on the fact that 52 pupils had gained certificates compared to 37 the previous year. These were presented by the Countess of Cromartie. The local teachers involved were: Miss Clark, Cromarty; Miss Chrystine Frew, Dingwall; Mrs and Miss Munro, Dingwall; and Mr A Dinsdale, Dingwall. Taking part in a programme of pianoforte and violin music were Miss Helen Mackenzie, Alness; Miss Morag Urquhart, Dingwall; Miss Isobel Malcolm, Cromarty; Miss Ivy Mackenzie, Alness; Miss Christina Seex, Evanton; Colin Mackenzie, Cromarty and James and Donald Maclennan, Dingwall.
Friday, 19th October, 1923
OBITUARIES: In her 90th year, Jane Ann Clark, formerly of Hilton, Strathcarron, Ross-shire, daughter of the late Mr and Mrs William Clark. At Slioch,10 Craigton Avenue, Ayr, George Gilbert, husband of Ina Mackenzie, late of Ardville, Conon Bridge. James Campbell MacGregor, aged 63 years, 3 Fraser Street, Conon Bridge, husband of Williamina Macdonald, father of Arlene, Swaney and Billy. Williamina MacGregor, aged 72 years, wife of William Ross, Hillton, Strathcarron, Ardgay, mother of Billy. At 47 Henrietta Street, Avoch, Alexander Duncan Russell, husband of Annie Macleman, father of Ann, Margaret and Lewis. At Fern Cottage, Bridge Street, Rosemarkie, William Stronach, late of Hopeman, husband of Violet Cruickshank, father of Anna.
Tain Town Council is inviting local authorities in Easter Ross to a meeting in Tain to discuss a proposal in the Grant Report on Sheriff Courts that the Tain Court be closed. The Council is strongly opposed to such a closure for it would increase travelling costs to other courts and cause considerable inconvenience.
Invergordon Town Council members decided they should be represented at such a meeting by Bailie Benjamin Dalgarno and treasurer J S Ross.
Stage One Group Certificates, comprising crop and animal husbandry and farm machinery, have been gained by the following pupils of Balmacara House School in the City and Guild examinations: A MacGregor, Spean Bridge; J Burnett, Ardgay; A Bain, Portree; and C Mackintosh, Craig, Plockton. Crop and animal husbandry certificates: A MacIsaac, Glenuig; and A Ross, Ardgay; and farm machinery: A Ross, Ardgay and A MacQueen, Glenelg.
Members of the South West Ross Association of the Educational Institute for Scotland honoured a colleague, Mr K J Mackenzie, Plockton High School, for his long service as secretary of the association, a service of almost forty years duration, unbroken except for the War years, when as a Lieutenant Commander RNVR he had a distinguished record and had been awarded the Distinguished Service Order. The president of the local association, Mr M K Macleod, headmaster of Kyle School, presided. Mr Mackenzie was presented with a handsome chiming clock, suitably inscribed, by Mrs E Davidson, former head teacher of Achmore School. Mrs Mackenzie was also honoured and received a gift from Mrs J Matheson, Duncraig Castle College.
Ross County FC's latest signing Hugh Thom from Forres Mechanics, was one of the club's scorers in their 4-0 victory over Buckie Thistle at Buckie. Other scorers were Grant, Lornie and an own-goal from Cowie.
Ross Sutherland Rugby Club had mixed fortunes in their opening matches of the season. At Invergordon they defeated Dounreay 33-3, and were narrowly defeated 17-14 by Highland.
Ross County FC Supporters' Club is proposing to establish a licensed social club in premises previously occupied by Messrs Macdonald and Fraser, plumbers, Tulloch Street, Dingwall. If there are no snags it is hoped the club will be in operation by Christmas.
A start has been made by the contractors Messrs Alex Hall and Son, on the second phase of forty houses in the Dingwall Town Council Burnside Housing Scheme. Work has also started on the fourteen houses in the West Burnside Development.
"A marvellous weekend!" With this simple phrase two Easter Ross First World War veterans summed-up their three-day trip from Tain to Grantham in Lincolnshire for the dedication of a Memorial Tablet and Banner to the Machine Gun Corps, a unit formed in 1915 with which they had served. The men, Mr Thomas Munro (73), Rhynie, Fearn, and Mr John Ross (70), The Plaids, Tain, enjoyed excellent hospitality, the whole trip being arranged by Tain Branch of the British Legion.
Dingwall Town Council is seeking a meeting with Ross County Football Club to discuss their future plans for the Victoria Park - Jubilee Park area. As far as the field on the hospital side of Victoria Park is concerned the Council have been informed the Northern Regional Hospital Board had acquired an area of land they required for an extension. The Council agreed to take steps to obtain an area which could be developed for sporting activities. Bailie Robert Macleod suggested a rugby pitch might be provided because of the developing nature of the game at present.
The Rev Gordon G M R Bennett, MA, BD, has been inducted to the charge of Alness Parish Church in succession to the Rev Malcolm Laing, MA, who has retired. A native of Stirling, Mr Bennett's early training for the Ministry was at the Old Church of Alloa as assistant to the Rev Dr Pitt Watson. At the outbreak of the Second World War, Mr Bennett became an army chaplain and was taken prisoner of war in the Far East. After hostilities he served at various stations at home and abroad. He had been appointed Assistant Chaplain General of Scottish Command, Edinburgh, which office he has relinquished to take up the charge at Alness. Following the induction, a Congregational Social was held in the assembly room of Bridgend School, presided over by the Rev Charles Robertson, Kiltearn.
Mrs Helen Ann Bissett, Artafallie, North Kessock, has been honoured by Her Majesty the Queen, and invested with the British Empire Medal for her work in fostering children sent to her by the children's department of the Corporation of Glasgow, a task she has undertaken since 1932 and continues to the present day. Over that period she has given eighteen children a home and brought them up in a happy family atmosphere, at the same time nurturing her own children. Mrs Bissett and her husband were mother and father to the children from Glasgow. On Saturday afternoon in the Public Hall at North Kessock, a large crowd gathered to honour Mrs Bissett. Major Allan Cameron, Allangrange, presided and expressed regret that the Lord Lieutenant, Sir John Stirling of Fairburn was unable to be present. However, Captain A F Matheson, Brahan, Depute Lord Lieutenant, was a first-class substitute. Captain Matheson said the award was being made in recognition of Mrs Bissett's good work and meritorious service. It gave him great pleasure to make the presentation of a well-earned medal. Mrs Bissett, who is 62 years of age, has a grown-up son and daughter of her own. Four of "her adopted family" were living with her, and two sisters had married locally. Mrs Bissett remarked that there had been nothing special in what she had done.
The lightning change in this week's weather has brought wintry conditions earlier this year. On Monday, a local holiday, the weather was summer-like, next day the area had been catapulted into a spell of wintry weather with snow and bitterly cold east winds. Ben Wyvis and the Tulloch uplands had been clothed in a mantle of white. However conditions did improve the following day.
The Caberfeidh Junior Choir from Contin and Tarradale Schools were in great form at the National Mod in Glasgow. The children gained the following individual awards: Unison Singing (Under 17), the Rona MacVicar Trophy for highest marks in Music and the DC Cowan (Oban) Trophy for highest marks in Gaelic in the same class.
In the Oral competitions, the awards were: Learners' Conversation (Under 13): 1 Diane Maclean; 2 Marion Dingwall; 3 Sandra Ross. Unseen Reading (Under 13): 1 Lorna Forsyth; 2 equal Diane Maclean and Maureen Dingwall. Unseen Reading (Under 13): 1 Lorna` Forsyth; 2 equal Diane Maclean and Maureen Dingwall.
A donation of £5 from the Dingwall and District Amateur Football League brings the total of the Ross County FC Appeal Fund to £553.
Mr and Mrs Albert Brett, Dingwall, were the judges at the Rosemarkie heat of the Miss Ross County Beauty Queen competition. Their choice fell to Miss Maureen Young, 30 Gowan Brae, Rosemarkie.
Friday, 20th October, 1967
STRANGE ARMADA lands at Invergordon - The tranquil foreshore at Invergordon attracted a strange armada of weird vessels and incredible crewmen and women at the weekend. Crowds gathered to watch the seafarers as they floundered in the shallows of the unfamiliar landing ground. Prominent among the craft was the "A Team" in full sail, sporting sinister camouflage and deadly automatic weapons!. The crowd were just about to flee in terror, when a bystander was heard to shout "That's not the A-Team - yon's Angie Ross the joiner and his boys!" The A Team was one of the fourteen entries, which took part in a raft race organised by the Invergordon Community Association as part of their programme of activities in support of the town's non-alcoholic bar and youth centre. The rafts came in all shapes and sizes. Congratulations are due to the crews and their sponsors for the imaginative fancy dress. BP Exploration's "Oil Spot" took first prize of £450, while Danny Coutt's entry "Neer Enuff" was second, and Rhind's Supermarket won the Most Sponsorship Award. The compere was Mr J MacNeillage, and the event was sponsored by CFPA. A photograph of the A Team entry was spread over four columns of this particular issue of the "Ross-shire".
Craftsman Ian Crow (21) REME is attached to the 3rd Regiment Royal Horse Artillery stationed at Paderborn, North Germany, and has taken part in Exercise Potent Gauntlet, a 20 Armoured Brigade Exercise to practice defensive operations. Ian, whose parents Mr and Mrs J Crow live in Invergordon, is a former pupil of the academy, and is following in his father's footsteps in REME, joining up in 1987, and serving in Germany and Cyprus.
His wife Nicola and son Jamie live in army quarters at Paderborn.
Pictured during a visit to Kishorn Salmon and Shellfish Farming operations at Kinloch Damph Ltd were members of a special USA President's party who visited Scotland on a trip organised by the Scottish Salmon Board.
The visit included a tour of Kinloch Damph's extensive hatchery and fresh water sites at Couldoran and Loch Damph.
In the past fortnight since their memorable win over Keith in the quarterfinal of the Scottish Qualifying Cup competition at Dingwall, Ross County FC's performances have not been exactly out of the top-drawer in the league competition. In midweek, Caley were 3-0 winners over the Dingwall club, although they gained a 3-0 win on Saturday over Deveronvale with goals from George Stewart, Robbie Williamson and Barry Wilson.
Gordon Connelly, Ross County FC, is the Tennent Player of the Month of September.
n the Marine Harvest Shinty League Division One at Castle Leod, Skye were 7-2 winners over Caberfeidh. In Division Two, Lochcarron defeated Kincraig 3-0; and in Division Three, Boleskine defeated Caberfeidh 4-2; and Kinlochshiel were 6-3 winners over Strathglass.
The Fortrose Academy Golf Team, consisting of Michael Macdonald, Colin Harrison, and Paul Graizier were fifth in the Golf Foundation Team Championship for Schools at Elgin Golf Course. Seventeen teams took part.
Dingwall Leisure Centre's team in the Cadbury Mini Championship won through to the fifth round of a UK-wide multisport event, when they defeated Montrose at Dingwall.
They are now one of the three teams left in Scotland.
The Dingwall team has already travelled to win events in Lossiemouth and Fauldhouse. Team members are: Alice Noble, Emily Grant, Tracey Young, Fiona Taylor, Lorna Bennie, Alan Matheson, Steven Matheson, Conor Campbell, Adam Riding and Christopher Mackay.
The vacancy at Alness Parish Church has been resolved and the congregation look forward to the Induction of the Rev William Wallace Niven, BTh.
For a period of 33 years Mr Niven had been employed by the Department of Health and Social Security at Dingwall and later as manager at their Inverness office.
While resident in Achany Road he was a member of the Kirk Session of Castle Street Church of Scotland and Sunday School Superintendent.
On Tuesday, two young Dingwall footballers left on the first leg of their journey to Australia, where they are to spend a year.
First destination is Perth in West Australia where several Ross-shire natives are resident. Stuart Lemmon, Churchill Drive, Dingwall, and Sandy Macleod, Maryburgh, are former members of Ross County FC, Sandy having made a number of first team appearances.
Both have played for Dingwall Thistle and Maryburgh and are popular personalities in footballing and other sporting circles.
Friday, 20th October, 1989
