LOOKING BACK: A dip into the Ross-shire Journal files from 100, 50 and 25 years ago
Register for free to read more of the latest local news. It's easy and will only take a moment.
25 Years Ago
From the edition of August 15, 1997
All's well that ends well...
A Balintore pensioner stepped out in style along a footpath to an ancient well which has has maintained for the past eight years.
Alastair Ross (72) was inspecting the newly repaired mile-long route leading to the historic well at Shandwick Bay, following the completion of works by the Ross and Cromarty Footpath Trust.
Earlier this year Mr Ross feared the path leading to Tobar na Slainte, Gaelic for the Well of Health, would be lost to the sea.
The high tides were steadily eroding the bank below the footpath and his advancing years meant he was no longer able to carry out much-needed repairs.
After his plight was raised with the Ross-shire Journal, the Dingwall-based footpath trust stepped in to help Mr Ross.
Local contractor Neil MacDonald and a footpath trust team completed the work to Mr ross-s satisfaction. Vegetation was strimmed back and the path widened and resurfaced in some areas. A stile was erected along the route. He said: "They did a very good job indeed."
50 Years Ago
From the edition of August 11, 1972
Jobs on the go in Ross-shire back in 1972 – and what they were paying
A wide variety of jobs were up for grabs in the Ross-shire area 50 years ago.
Ross and Cromarty County Council were on the hunt for a headtypist to work in the County Clerk's department in Dingwall with a salary in the range of £1416 to £1578.
Brown and Root _ Wimpey Highland Fabricators Ltd were looking for local men to train as welders, riggers and fabrication assistants at a rate of £28 per week and an additional shift allowance on evening training.
No previous experience was necessary and free transport was offered to and from the training school to Muir of Ord, Edderton "and all points in between" as well as ferry from Cromarty.
The enticement was: "Learn a new skills in 3-10 weeks and ensure a secure future for yourself."
The British Aluminium Company was also recruiting unskilled men to train as process workers at the Invergordon Smelter. Up to £37.50 a week was offered on three shift patterns working round the clock.
100 years ago
From the edition of August 11, 1922
Black Isle Show a century ago
A highly satisfactory list of entries, a very large crowd and ideal summer of weather at the Black Isle Show held at the Receration Grounds in Fortrose was cause for delight.
For a purely local show, the Black Isle musters well and farmers and others in the district help splendidly by liberal entries, some of them indeed taking infinite pains in this way to encourage the deep interest which is taken by the agricultural community in general – so finely expressed in the case of Black Isle people.
The Black Isle was building up a great Clydesdale record, the paper went on. The judging was expeditiously carried out and Mr Mann's secretarial arrangements "as usual lacked no particular".
The silver cup by the late Mr C.M. Cameron, Balnakyle, for best yearly in cattle classes went to James W. Pirie, Kilcoy.
The Highland and Agricultural Society's prize for best male shorthorn went to Captain James Cameron, Balnakyle. He also took the top accolade for best female shorthorn.
