A step back in time – reflections from Ross-shire 100, 50 and 25 years ago
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100 Years Ago
Death of a fine citizen
From the newspaper of April 15, 1921
John C Mackenzie died at his residence, Athole, House, Dingwall, following an operation at the Ross Memorial after a period of ill health.
He came to Dingwall early in the war period after retirement as headmaster at Lybster Higher Grade Public School in Caithness.
His family belonged to the Maryburgh area, residing at Tollie, though he was born at Fort George, where his father served with the old Ross-shire Militia. He was educated at Maryburgh Public School and the West School, Dingwall and proceeded to the Free Church Normal Training College in Glasgow.
On retiring to Dingwall, he got involved in Red Cross work helping workers at Dingwall Station during the war.
Surviving family included a son and three daughters.
In Dingwall there is much regret at the death of Mr Mackenzie who was an excellent type of citizen.
Smelter visit plan revealed
50 Years Ago
Invergordon smelter visit
From the newspaper of April 9, 1971
MP Gordon Campbell, secretary of state for Scotland, is to visit Invergordon on April 15.
This will be the third personal visit to the British Aluminium Company’s smelter since the project started. He also made a tour of the installations early last summer.
He will first view progress in the building of the large reduction
plant complex from the air. From Dalcross, near his home in Nairnshire, he will fly by helicopter to Alness where a model of the Alness Community Centre will be set up in Bridgend School.
Mr Campbell will also see some of the housing that has been built at Alness before visiting the smelter.
Mr Campbell’s programme and timetable are: 11.15am depart by car for Invergordon and tour of British Aluminium Company’s smelter; 12.45pm press conference; 1pm lunch with British Aluminium Company. The secretary of state will leave Invergordon about 2.30pm.
Beef back on school menu
25 Years Ago
Beef scare triggered school menu shake-up
From the newspaper of April 5, 1996
Beef will be returned to menus in Highland schools after the Easter break “and it will be quality beef that is served to pupils”.
Education chairman Val MacIver ordered a temporary withdrawal of beef last week because, in light of recent information relating to the BSE scare, she could not guarantee the current source was free from contamination.
Scottish beef would be specified in the renewal contract.
She said she had been lobbied by parents anxious that all of the beef supplied was not Highland or even Scottish. She said she had taken soundings from people intimately connected with farming and the NFU.
She said: “I would not expect the children in our schools to be offered any less quality that I would be prepared to allow my children or indeed grandchildren to eat.”
Staff would be identifying sources of quality Scottish beef to place on menus when schools returned after the break.
