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Reflections from Ross-shire – a look back 100, 50 and 25 years ago


By Hector MacKenzie

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Whipping features in crime statistics

From the newspaper of March 18, 1921

An annual report on crimes and offences within the county was given by Captain Duncan Finlayson, chief constable of Ross and Cromarty.

He said 964 were reported – down 96 on the year before. Figures since 1915 were all above the pre-war level.

Twelve were crimes against the person, 40 against property committed with violence, and three related to forgery and crimes against currency.

A total of 685 people were apprehended or cited. Of these, 11 were sentenced to imprisonment, 414 fined, three cautioned and one whipped.

Forty-nine were admonished. Eleven young people were dealt with in the Juvenile Courts.

Forty-nine people were fined in sums

from 5/ and under to £20. Fines for summary offences took in a total of £689 10s 10d.

Roadside rats mystery is solved

From the newspaper of March 19, 1971

The Nature Notes column contained an intriguing piece headed “Rats beside the highway”.

Since travelling early to Inverness one morning in mid-February, we have been wondering how many people are aware of the large rat population living close to the A9, wrote the correspondent.

We saw the first of the many at the new lay-by between Dingwall and Maryburgh, and thought then that the rats were attracted to the litter bin where the door had been open for a few weeks. Several rats were running around at the bends approaching Muir of Ord, far removed from the litter bins. It was not until we noticed them in the beam of the headlamps at a road junction at Muir of Ord that we realised the rodents were feeding on the barley spilled from the bulk carriers. Should the supply of barley disappear, “the animals will doubtless move into the nearest farm buildings and cottages”.

Drab Easter Ross site set for revamp

From the newspaper of March 13, 1996

Work on a £300,000 project to attract new jobs and companies to Easter Ross by upgrading a neglected industrial site was due to get under way.

The multi-agency project at Tain’s Blarliath Industrial Estate brought to together Ross and Cromarty Enterprise, Highland Regional Council and Ross and Cromarty District Council to improve the “somewhat drab” site.

A new 1.6-acre site was to be opened up with enhancement of the present 38-acre estate also planned. The new extension would create five sites for sale or lease.

RACE chief executive Sandy Cumming said: “This development will help us attract new companies to the area, to assist local people to start up their own businesses and give existing firms the room they need to grow.”

The agencies committed £160,000 and some £93,000 was leveraged from European Objective One funding.

Related:

Into the archives

Reflections from the Ross-shire Journal


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