Reflections from Ross-shire's old files 100, 50 and 25 years ago

100 Years Ago

Friday, April 25, 1919

MONDAY was Spring Holiday in Dingwall, and all places of business and shops were closed for the day. The weather, though dull in the morning, promised well with the result that many people were induced to leave town on pleasure bent. Not since the war have so many people taken advantage of this holiday. Inverness claimed the large majority of the trippers, but a goodly number journeyed to Invergordon, Alness and Tain.

Others left by road, and Strathpeffer proved a pleasant resort for many, the golf course particularly proving a great attraction. The town itself was very quiet until evening when the holiday makers returned.

The Ross-shire Peat and Porridge Club are resuming their meetings at Achilty on the first Thursday of May. The party will leave Dingwall at

6.30 a.m. And drive to Strathpeffer, walking over the moor and returning by the road.

Dingwall Post Office is again open daily between 1 and 3 p.m. The renewed facilities are much appreciated.

Invergordon Football Club went to Buckie by steam drifter on Saturday and engaged the local club in a friendly game. Buckie scored in the first half and Invergordon replied with four goals in the second period, It was a most interesting game throughout.

50 Years Ago

Friday, April 25, 1969

THE pile of pennies in the Invergordon British Legion Clubrooms was broken down last week, and the total amounted to £25 8s 6d, which together with £7 4s 6d from a sweep to estimate how many pennies were in the pile, is being sent to the Longhope Lifeboat Disaster Fund. The pile was broken by Mr Jimmy Sinclair, The Croft, Delny, who lost two sons in Orcadian waters. The idea was suggested by First Steward Philip Hendry.

The final of the Tain and District Singles Knock-out competition was played in the Star Inn on Friday, when representatives from Fearn, Inver, St Duthus, Royal Hotel, Star Inn, R.N. Range and the Balnagown Hotel took part. The winner was Albert G. Tongue, R.N. Range, and the runner-up, Ian Mackenzie, Royal Hotel.

Rock blasting by contractors building the Stromeferry by-pass road has caused recurrent delays to trains on the Dingwall-Kyle of Lochalsh line during the past few months.

25 Years Ago

Friday, April 22, 1994

A LEADING district councillor has criticised the welcome which visiting cruise liners receive at Invergordon.

Instead of a little notice board at the head of the pier, there should be individualised banners welcoming each liner, planters and hanging baskets on the central columns, says Invergordon councillor Isobel Rhind.

Urging action, Councillor Rhind told a meeting of Ross and Cromarty District Council's development services committee this week that something had to be done.

All the cruise liner passengers got was a small pipe band, funded by the port authority, playing as they came in and then playing as they went out again. Something needed to be done about the port which was their entry to the Highlands.

Avoch Heritage Association have received an encouraging response to their appeal for material for their annual exhibition from June in September, which will be called 'Pastimes and Playtimes', and will focus on flashbacks of the community at play going back to pre-TV days.

Do you want to respond to this article? If so, click here to submit your thoughts and they may be published in print.