Ross-shire Journal front page review of 2024: February
WE’RE taking a look back at some of the front page stories carried by the Ross-shire Journal over the course of 2024.
In February the Ross-shire Journal backed a campaign fronted by four parent councils demanding better for pupils in Wester Ross and parts of north-west Sutherland.
The month also brought a feelgood story 50 years on from a miraculous escape after a mountain fall and revealed plans for a revamp of an important Black Isle community hub.
February 2
An 11-year-old girl who plunged 200ft over cliffs in Wester Ross surprised her rescuers with a 5000 cheque some 50 years after the traumatic incident.
Rosie McCusker (nee Horder) missed death on surrounding rocks by only a few feet when she slipped at the Falls of Glomach in Kintail while her brother Robin recalled watching in horror as the soles of her wellies disappeared over the cliff.
Miraculously, she landed in a pool of water and only injured her hand.
The modern-day Kintail Mountain Rescue Team thanked her family, originally from Ayr, after they sent a cheque in memory of the brave people who venture out in all weathers to help others.
More than 40 team members were involved in a nine-hour operation to reach her. During that summer of 1973, a division had opened within the Kintail team resulting in the formation of a separate Glenelg MRT. But the two communities worked together that Sunday to rescue Rosie. A share of the donation was passed to Glenelg in recognition of their important contribution then.
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February 9
A number of Wester Ross secondary schools were “on their knees” despite the heroic efforts of staff with chronic underfunding potentially limiting the life chances of pupils.
The sobering assessment which kickstarted a Ross-shire Journal campaign came in an open letter sent to politicians and decision-makers appealing for better.
The voices of over-stretched staff, anxious parents and “let-down” pupils resonated in the letter to Education Secterary Jenny Gilruth and Highland Council leader, Raymond Bremner.
It came amidst fears of course choice cutbacks which resulted in some schools struggling. One parent council leader said: “Who will move here if we can’t even offer the basics?”.
February 16
Ross-shire parents determined to improve the lot of children denied opportunities routinely available to their peers elsewhere in the Highlands sent a clear message to decision-makers at Highland Council and Scottish Government level.
The Scottish Education secretary was asked if she would meet with parents pressing for a better deal for children. We were told Highland Council had responsibility for recruitment and deployment of staff and that extra funding had been provided to protect teacher numbers.
Local MSP Marie Todd meanwhile said she would “work with anyone to resolve the issues affecting schools in my constituency”.
The co-chair pf Gairloch Parent Council though said that after years of writing letters, petitioning and considerately requesting deep-rooted issues be addressed “we are left with no choice but to start shouting very loudly”.
February 23
Work to ensure a Ross-shire venue which has played a key role in the life of a community for generations is fit for purpose for the 21st century reached a major milestone.
Tore Hall on the Black Isle was dubbed “the only remaining gathering place” in the area, having played a part in Christenings, Sunday schools, parties, toddler groups, concerts, protest gatherings, badminton sessions and as a polling station.
Tore Primary School was as keen as anyone to see the facility future-proofed as without it there was no suitable facility to deliver indoor gym sessions.
Design options were being flagged to the public with hall trustees urging locals to have their say and get involved. Plans for a free-standing timber building in the grounds of the hall were included.
Our front page also told the story of a senior Wester Ross pupil who spoke of the “detrimental” reality of virtual learning courses for some pupils denied access via any other route.
Her testimony made clear virtual learning is far from the fix-all solution some of its supporters claimed amidst concerns about an eroding curriculum offered pupils in a number of school.
While you’re here…
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