PICTURES: Ross-shire review of the year – flooding in Tain, an unexpected bomb in Invergordon...and the Stoltman pizza in Cromarty
Register for free to read more of the latest local news. It's easy and will only take a moment.
THE cusp of a new year is a good time to look back and reflect on the 12 months which have (almost) gone by.
Here we dip into the files and take a quick look at some of the stories that found their online and into print.
We'll touch on the second half of the year in a couple of days.
Meantime, thank you for being with us this year and we look forward to your company in 2024.
January
Residents living near the new school campus still being erected in Tain sought assurances over flooding after some witnessed water pouring into their gardens around the Craighill site.
Contractor Kier Construction said then the source of the problem was an old field drain which was then capped off. The concerns would continue to trickle for the rest of the year.
Dr Malcolm Steven, one of the founders of the Puffin Hydrotherapy Pool project in Dingwall, said his award of the MBE for services to the community in the Highlands and Islands "came out of the blue". The retired consultant rheumatologist admitted to feeling "awkward" being singled out for the accolade and that fundraising for the well-used facility had involved a huge number of people.
Cromarty Firth councillor Tamala Collier (36) dispensed with maternity leave from her local authority duties and was pictured with son Jayden who, at four months old, is by some distance the youngest regular attendee of Highland Council meetings. She said she had managed to keep up with the responsibilities of being a mum and councillor. She said she hoped to have given others the confidence to do the same.
Speculation was mounting over the Cromarty Firth freeport bid amid speculation an announcement was imminent. Local MP Jamie Stone was amongst those queuing up to welcome the prospect saying he felt his words in Westminster in support of the project "had not been wasted".
Eagerly awaited new schools in Ross-shire – amongst them St Clement's in Dingwall and Park Primary in Invergordon – hung in the balance over uncertainty about Scottish Government funding, we reported. In the event, no schools in the Highlands benefited from the latest tranche of the Learning Estate Improvement Programme (LEIP).
- WATCH: Tain flooding shocks locals as silt pours into gardens
- Puffin Pool founder receives MBE from Princess Anne
February
Ryan Junor was stunned to discover he had dug up a bomb when metal detecting with pals at the recreational fields in Invergordon near the town's Academy.
The discovery of an old mortar bomb triggered a precautionary evacuation of the school and its later safe removal by an Explosive Ordnance Disposal team. "We couldn't believe we had handled it," said offshore worker Mr Junor (39). "It's a feeling of relief now."
The Alness community united to offer immediate earthquake relief after disaster struck in Turkey and Syria. Community stalwarts at The Place – amongst them Serhat Yavuz from Turkey – launched a local appeal which saw donations shipped out to the worst hit areas. One said: "It makes me proud to be part of this community."
Hector Mackenzie went to Cromarty to check out The Stoltman, a pizza crafted by Invergordon's strongman brothers Tom and Luke at Sutor Creek. It had space for black pudding, pork, chicken, bacon, venison, salami and buffalo mozzarella. Our intrepid reporter gave it the big thumbs up declaring it well worth the £16.95 asking price.
- Tried and tasted: The Stoltman pizza in Cromarty
- Former Alness Academy teacher ready for fresh challenge
March
Black Isle residents banded together to declare the peninsula's pothole situation "catastrophic" as fed-up drivers testified to expensive repairs to rut-hit vehicles.
Highland Council told us repairs are never carried in winter with only emergency patch-up work done then. The Ross-shire Journal's spotlight on our roads continued throughout the year with some success in having highlighted stretches dealt with.
Campaigners in Strathpeffer and Contin were pictured on our front page appealing for cooperation by SSEN over plans for a new mega powerline between Caithness and Beauly, running through a swathe of Ross-shire. One concern was that costs in terms of loss of scenery and tourist impact would be borne locally by those standing to gain nothing from the project. It was a story that has run and run throughout the year.
A Dingwall heritage trail was officially opened throwing a spotlight on the county town's rich history. Former Lord Lieutenant and community stalwart Janet Bowen said she hoped it would prove a matter of pride for local people and give visitors a reason to stay longer.
- Save Loch Kinellan and Contin Woods petition is launched
- Dingwall's thousand year classic under the spotlight at new book group
April
We threw the spotlight on the shock closure of Mo Dhachaidh care home in Ullapool by highlighting the impact on one local family who had hoped a loved one would eventually take up a place there. They had meantime opted for a place at a home in Thurso but admitted the grandmother concerned had tearfully begged them to be back in Ullapool. Parklands Care said the costs of providing a suitably high standard of care to the residents "was simply not sustainable" and a stark reminder of the economic climate homes were facing.
The Foulis Castle daffodil tea to benefit the Archie Foundation yielded a lovely page of photographs and over £5000 for the cause.
A new team took over The Mallard in Dingwall with big plans
Diogo Montiero and Raffael Santos didn't have far to go to cast an eye over the landmark business having previously taken over The National Hotel. Plans for a later weekend licence and live music were revealed.
- Bombshell announcement flags impending closure of Ullapool care home
- Why Mallard has 'concentration camp' like fencing behind it
May
Mowi Scotland Ltd was fined £860,000 over health and safety failings which could have contributed to the death of Clive Hendry (58) who slipped out of his flotation jacket in freezing waters at Loch Alsh, nar Kyle, in a workplace accident on February 18, 2020.
The fine imposed by Sheriff Sara Matheson was reduced from £1.2m because of an early admission of responsibility.
Groam House Museum volunteers expressed anger over the sentencing of an embezzler who had bought the acclaimed Celtic and Pictish art visitor attraction to its knees.
Bill Bound (75) of Ballyskelly House, Poyntzfield escaped a jail term and must only pay a fraction of the £19,000 he admitted stealing from the Rosemarkie attraction over three years from November 2013. His defence agent said he felt "ashamed" and "embarrassed" but accepted responsibility.
Chairman Doug Maclean said trustees were "deeply disappointed" in sentencing of the former chair and treasurer adding it showed "crime against charities does pay".
- 'It has been a real struggle but I am one to keep going'
- Black Isle audience 'captivated' as artists combine to back museum
June
Could the ScotRail Inverness to Tain 'party train' get back on track?
It was a question being asked by MSP Kate Forbes amid lobbying for the former 11.33pm Friday and Saturday night service withdrawn during the Covid pandemic. ScotRail promised it would keep the matter under review.
Ross County Football Club's last-gasp play-off victory to secure Premiership status against the odds after a penalty shoot-out victory against Patrick Thistle was cause for celebration for Staggies' fans.The heroics of goalkeeper Ross Laidlaw sent fans into raptures. Highland economic consultant Tony Mackay meanwhile said the unexpected turn of events would also spell good news for the local economy noting many businesses benefit from spending by visiting fans. He reckoned the difference between staying up and going down could be as much as £2.6 million.
Pupils at Dingwall Primary achieved a feat the Beatles hadn't managed and packed out the Town Hall.
Pupils had researched the history of the landmark building and noted the Fab Four played their on the cusp of global success to just 19 people – amongst them local councillor Margaret Paterson. Head teacher Sara Macaskill hailed the "lovely buzz" around the Beatles inspired concert.
- MSP presses case to get party train back on track
- Dingwall kids succeed where Beatles flopped - pictures
See next week's printed edition for the second half of the year.
