Reflections from Ross-shire - A dip into the old files from 100, 50 and 25 years ago
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Masonic activity in county
From the newspaper of March 4, 1921
Since the latter part of the war years and ever since the Armistice, free masonry has made enormous strides across the country, with the northern Highlands sharing in the great renaissance of a speculative masonry, and Ross-shire with its small and scattered population, proportionate to its size, participating to a striking degree both in masonic fervency and zeal, and in numerical accretion.
The number of lodges has been added to within the Province of Ross and Cromarty. Sir Arthur G R Mackenzie of Coul, Provincial Grand Master, Alexander Naughty J P in Dingwall, P G M depute, had in recent months helped constitute two new lodges, St Martins, Ullapool, No.1217, and at Avoch, Lodge Rosehaugh, No.1216, the latter a recent addition.
Ancient landmarks of the order could be found across the county, the paper reported, from Fortrose Cathedral in the east, to remains found at Isle Martin in the west.
Girl’s new lease of life
From the newspaper of March 5, 1971
Seven-year-old Caroline Macdonald, Park Street, Balintore, has been given the chance to live a full life for the first time thanks to the skill of Donald Ross, the surgeon who performed Britain’s first heart transplant operation.
Mr Ross operated on Caroline at the National Heart Hospital, London, to correct a faulty heart valve, which was preventing an adequate supply of blood reaching her lungs. Her condition was first noticed when she was three and had a cold. The doctor attending called in a specialist, and she then attended regular clinics at the Ross Memorial in Dingwall.
The plucky spirit of the girl was noted, though her development suffered while she was unwell.
Caroline’s parents were able to visit her daily, and it was said a new life opened up to her following the surgery, with encouragement from her elder sister and brother, Elaine (14) and Andrew (12).
Lottery joy in Dingwall
From the newspaper of March 1, 1996
It looks like holidays all round for staff at a Dingwall dentist who scooped £144,000 on the National Lottery.
The bombshell is the second result of the week for Eilertsen and Raymond Private Dental Practice in Tulloch Street, after coming top in a prestigious national competition, lifting the “best in UK” crown ahead of 4000 rivals practices.
Eilert Eilertsen said the cash was won by a syndicate, which included the partners. “Someone has got their finger pointing at us,” he joked after the double success. “We are delighted.”
He said all sorts of rumours had been going around Dingwall about the sum won. The winning ticket was bought at the Somerfield supermarket in the town. One of the nurses had been watching the draw on TV and then phoned her workmates with the good news.
The eight-way split for the £1 a week syndicate worked out at £18,000 apiece.
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