Looking Back: Ross-shire Journal from 100, 50 and 25 Years Ago
100 Years Ago
Friday, July 18, 1919
MR John Watson is retiring from the post of ferryman between Cromarty and Nigg. During the last five years he has taken a quarter of a million men of both services across the ferry with never an accident, doing 30 miles a day on an average. Mr Watson is a strong swimmer, and he saved 22 persons from drowning. For this heroism he has received several certificates from the Royal Humane Society and a certificate award of £20 from the Carnegie Fund.
On Sunday a monster whale was observed disporting itself at Fort George and Chanonry Ferry, but the passengers, who crossed the narrow strip of water had no occasion to be duly alarmed by the appearance of the whale. It was really quite harmless, and in the opinion of “old salts” was in pursuit of the smaller fry of the herring genus, with which the firth at present abounds.
Mr Hastie, of the Black Isle Motor Bus Company, has resumed the bus service between Cromarty and Kessock Ferry, which, during his absence on business of national importance in German East Africa, was unavoidably suspended.
Bowling is becoming very popular in Invergordon. Much interest is displayed on the green, and in time bowling is likely to become the all absorbing interest and pastime these fine summer evenings. However, golfing stands a good deal of credit, and the Alness course is very often frequented by inhabitants.
50 Years Ago
Friday, July 18, 1969
FOR the first time in their history, Plockton Football Club have won the Macdonald Cup. This trophy was presented to the Wester Ross Football
Association in 1965 by Mr Alex. Macdonald of the Cedars Restaurant, Kyle.
Plockton won it in a thrilling mid-week final, when they defeated Kyleakin 2-1. The most efficient referee for the game was Mr Macmillan, Warden of Plockton High School Hostel. The trophy was presented to Plockton captain, C. G. Macrae, by Mr Nick Thomas, Tourist Officer for Wester Ross. Mr Thomas was introduced to the gathering by Mr C. M. Macrae, secretary and treasurer of the Association.
Mr Donald Urquhart, Greenfield Road, Munlochy, who has retired from the Post Office after 48 years' service, was met at his home by members of the staff and presented with the handsome gift of two garden chairs. Mrs Chisholm, Postmistress, and Mrs Jack made the presentation.
25 Years Ago
Friday, July 15, 1994
WORK has restarted on a controversial road near Lochcarron, eighteen months after being halted following criticism from the community.
Local people were concerned about the amount of rock infill used to construct the 100-yard stretch of road between Dail a' Chladaich and the
main road to Ardaneaskan.
Twelve thousand tonnes of rock were transported from around Kyle, leading to claims that an area of great natural beauty was being spoilt.
With the start of the season fast approaching, work over the past week at Victoria Park has continued at a tremendous rate.
Since last Wednesday, the South Enclosure has seen rapid progress, with the concrete steps and crash barriers installed in half of the end. At the same end of the ground, the old turnstiles have been partially demolished in preparation for their replacement and the construction looks set to meet the timescale.
At the Jubilee End, progress is slower, but day by day you can see significant changes.
