Reflections from Ross-shire - Friday, 21st May, 1915
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100 Years Ago
Friday, 21st May, 1915
A FARM building at Inverbreakie was burnt down early on Wednesday morning, with the loss of eleven fat cattle and one pony. The alarm was given by the grieve, who was wakened by a dog barking furiously, and in a very short time assistance speedily arrived from the camps of the Buteshire Artillery and the 3rd Camerons. Owing to the scarcity of water, it was seen from the first that the entire farm buildings were doomed owing to the direction of the wind, and the soldiers assisted in saving what was moveable. The farm horses were got out by the grieve, and five minutes afterwards the stable and hay loft were ablaze. In a very short time the steading, which was quite modern, was a heap of ruins. My sympathy is expressed for Mrs Mackenzie, who has been carrying on the farm since the death of her late husband, Colonel Mackenzie. Great credit is due to the military for the assistance they rendered. The loss is considerable, but we understand is covered by insurance. The origin of the fire is unknown. A regrettable incident occurred after the fire. Shortly after returning to the Artillery Camp, Gunner Law, a member of the Corps, belonging to Tarbat, Lochfyne, was found dead, death being due to heart failure, no doubt accelerated by excitement at the fire. His remains were conveyed to the station this morning with full military honours, and were sent to his home.
• AN Alness man, wounded on Sunday, 9th inst., writing from an English hospital, says: – “Since last writing to you we went through a fearful time. We lost a lot of our chaps, either killed or wounded. I don’t know for certain who they all are. Wounded in the back, I lay beside several, but was unable to help them, although I tried to do so. I could not move. I would wounded on Sunday morning between the German lines and our own, and had to lie there for a while. My clothes were all torn, and I had a bullet through my bonnet.”
50 Years Ago
Friday, 21st May, 1965
AT last week’s meeting of Dingwall Town Council consideration was given to the County Council’s proposal to put a Tree Preservation Order on the Tulloch area under their proposed development scheme.
A letter was submitted from the County Clerk stating that the County Council had proposed an order covering the whole area, but it was decided to defer making the Order until the views of the Town Council had been obtained. The opportunity would be taken by the Planning Officer to discuss with the Architect details of the housing lay-out in relation to the trees, etc. Some of the trees were over 100 years old and might not have to be retained, but others were young and vigorous, and might be retained to the benefit of the amenity of the housing site.
Ex-Provost Alex Macrae stated that this matter was fought out at the County Council the previous week. If the Order as put into operation it would mean that the Town Council would be prevented from building in the area. that it was not carried out was due to the fact that the County wished it put before the Town Council for their views.
• Polish national day celebrations were held for the first time in Invergordon on Sunday, 9th May, where many service men were stationed at the end of the last War. There was a large gathering of ex-Service men and women, their wives and families and friends from as far south as Buckie to Brora in the north. National Day celebrations originated in 1791, which was the start of the new Constitution for all people of Poland.
• Elgin City won this season’s Highland League championship, with Nairn County once again runners-up.
Ross County’s final position will not be known until this weekend, but in all probability they will be fourth or fifth.
On Wednesday in their final game of the season, County drew with Caley 1-1, at Inverness.
25 Years Ago
Friday, 18th, May 1990
WITH only a few weeks to go before the opening of their two month exhibition on the bygone way of life of their Black Isle fishing community, and its neighbourhood, the recently launched Avoch Heritage Association have netted a fascinating catch of local artefacts, with the hope of more to come.
A poster advertising the project fittingly features a woman member of the fishing community, who was a familiar figure on her rounds in Fortrose about the turn of the century. She is depicted wearing a dark shawl with her large creel slung over her shoulders.
The main themes of the ‘Exhibition of Times Past’, which will be on view in the Old Post Office Buildings in Bridge Street, Avoch, from June 18 to August 18 (Monday to Saturdays), the fishing industry, the life of Sir Alexander Mackenzie, explorer of the Canadian river which bears his name, and the former tweed and blanket mill, which once employed a workforce of 200 people in the village.
• Maryburgh Amenities Association is organising what they call a “Huff ‘n’ Puff Paddle Rivers Race” for their Gala Week on Saturday, June 9 at 2pm. The race will be an interesting variation on previous raft races with more emphasis on fun on the course designed so as the whole “paddle” can be seen by everyone coming along to spectate. Rafts must be constructed from nothing other than inflatable objects and rope, and this includes old inner tubes, “lilos” etc. Wood, plastic or metal can be used for the paddles or sail masts, but on the main body of the craft. All crew members must be prepared to run the gauntlet of flour bombs and other obstacles. There will be awards for the best-dressed crew and craft, and for the race itself.
10 Years Ago
Friday, 20th May, 2005
ALNESS suffered a major jobs blow this week as it is understood that 150 people are to be made unemployed at the O2 call centre in the town.
Staff at the call centre on the Teaninich Industrial Estate, some who have worked there for as long as seven years, have been notified that their jobs are to go this summer.
The workers are employed by recruitment agency Manpower plc, on behalf of the mobile phone operator O2.
They have been offered to transfer to O2’s call centre in Glasgow, while some might be offered jobs in Manpower’s other call centre’s in Alness.
Staff are still awaiting details of when exactly their contracts will end.
• An apparent infestation of millipedes in areas of Ross-shire has set householders’ nerves on edge.
Residents in parts of Dingwall, Muir of Ord and Ullapool are reporting thousands of the blighters climbing house and garden walls. Sweeping them off at night-time with brushes by torch-light has become the norm for some folks in recent weeks.
One woman even had them in her bath, stuck under the bathmat, and not seen til they went swirling down the plug-hole with the bath-water.
According to one expert, the phenomenon may be down to global warming and climate change.
• Invergordon Social Club won their first Ross-shire Welfare trophy in three years when they defeated Tain Thistle 2-1 in the League Cup final at the Recreation Grounds last Saturday.
Man of the match Scott Wilde scored both Social Club goals in a highly competitive final that was in doubt until the final minute.
