Reflections from our Ross-shire Journal files 100, 50 and 25 years ago
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100 Years Ago
Friday, January 30, 1920
WET weather makes a good deal of difference to the week-end trade of Dingwall. This was the usual experience on Saturday when rain, sleety rain, fell in heavy showers at intervals. There was little of the usual Saturday stir on the streets and shopkeepers were relatively very slack.
It has also been remarked that the reduction of the Dockyard staff at Invergordon has considerably and adversely affected shopping interests in the county town, habitually resorted. Taken all over the shop keeping trade in Dingwall has not in the last month maintained the level of last year, although, on the whole, there is not much of which to complain.
“A most enjoyable function” as the general opinion of those who attended the dance, organised by the Dingwall Lawn Tennis Club, and which was held in the Carnegie Hall, Dingwall, on Thursday evening. This is a well-earned compliment to the members of the Committee who spared no effort to make the dance a success. The hall was prettily decorated; the floor was in perfect condition, while the music could not have been improved upon.
Alness and district celebrated the Burns' Anniversary on Monday in the Ardross-Alness Club when about a hundred sat down to supper – Mr Johnstone, factor, Novar, presided, and the Immortal Memory was proposed by the Rev. A. F. Black, Kiltearn, in an able analytical and critical address.
50 Years Ago
Friday, January 30, 1970
THE new extension to Duncraig Castle College is to be officially opened in May, and it is understood from last week's meeting of the Schools and General Purposes Sub-Committee of the Education Committee that a V.I.P., whose name was not disclosed, but who will be in the area at that period, is to be invited to perform the ceremony.
A telephone call from their son Billy, in Rhodesia, was a surprise present for Mr and Mrs R. Rattray, 22 Kendal Crescent, Alness, as they celebrated their golden wedding anniversary in the Balnagown Hotel, Tain, on Friday, January 9. Robert Rattray, Braes, Glenlivet,
Banffshire, married Cathleen Margaret Munro, Old Town, Ardgay, in the Balnagown Hotel, Tain, on January 9, 1920, the service being conducted by the Rev. K. Macleod, Ardgay. The couple, have five children, 12 grandchildren, and two great-grand children.
Mr Sammy Wilson, the former Ross County F.C. player-coach, is considering establishing an outdoor sports centre at Kincraig House, Invergordon, and has approached Ross and Cromarty Education Committee for assistance is the project.
25 Years Ago
Friday, January 27, 1995
A SHIP at Invergordon was targeted by Customs men searching for illegal drugs from South America it has emerged.
Sniffer dogs were used in the search of the Polish ship Lodz 11, which was in port early this month.
A Customs and Excise spokesman in Glasgow described the search as routine. No illegal drugs were found aboard the vessel.
As well as Columbia, the spokesman continued, the Lodz 11 had also called into some other South American ports.
By looking through the Customs and Excise computer information system, and because Columbia was one of the prime sources of high-grade cocaine, the vessel was a likely candidate for a check-out, the spokesman added.
A major push to reverse Highland Regional Council's decision to introduce car parking charges in seven town across the Highland,
including two in Ross-shire (Dingwall and Tain), takes place today.
Tain regional councillor Alasdair Rhind, who has spearheaded opposition to the move, said yesterday he was hopeful that “common sense would prevail” at the full council meeting in Inverness.
