What was happening in Ross-shire 100, 50 and 25 years ago?

100 YEARS AGO

Friday, March 5, 1920

MR Alexander Campbell, Burn Place, Dingwall, passed away on Saturday. He was a very old man, probably about 86 years. A native of the Black Isle he had old connections to Jemmimaville, he had been for many years in Dingwall.

He was in the employment of Dingwall Town Council, working on the cleansing staff, and people recall him many years ago the only outside employee charged with keeping the streets clean, a work he performed with great punctiliousness, at small remuneration, alone and unaided, without horse and cart but only a hand barrow for a long time.

His immortal heroes were Gladstone , the politician and Burns, the Poet, he was familiar with the works of both. Deceased is survived by a widow, two sons, highly skilled carpenters, and two or three daughters, one of whom is the wife of Mr John Macmillan, painter, Burnside.

Interest in shinty in Ross-shire is reviving after a lapse of six years, principally due to the war. At present teams are know to exist at Strathpeffer, Contin, Garve, Kinlochewe, Strathcarron, and Strathconon, while Dingwall proposed to start one. To give the game a much needed fillip an Association has been formed and is to run a competition for a handsome cup which has been presented for the purpose by Mr David Harrow, Harrowdale, Strathpeffer, an old and enthusiastic follower of shinty.

50 YEARS AGO

Friday, March 6, 1970

IN war and in peace, the old Ross-shire fishing village of Avoch has given much in men and service to the sea; a hardy breed of men who make light of the dangers ever present in their calling.

This week there is thanksgiving far beyond the boundaries of “Auch”, for the safe deliverance from the perils of the deep of the six-man crew of the Avoch

fishing boat Monadhliath, who were picked up by another fishing vessel in the gale-lashed Minch on Monday night after taking to their life raft when their vessel blew up.

The crew of the Monadhliath are – Skipper Alastair Jack, Holmwood, Henrietta Street, his cousin John Jack, engineer, Pierhead; Donald Patience, 55 Henrietta Street; Denis Hossack, 13 Dock Street; Sandy Jack, George Street (all Avoch); and Uisdean Maclean, Council Houses, Fortrose). Mr Hossack and Mr Maclean are the only single men of the six.

25 YEARS AGO

Friday, March 3, 1995

A TALENTED young artist from Invergordon Academy could see her work displayed on notice boards and walls throughout Ross and Cromarty after being off a host of high quality entries in a poster design competition.

Lucy MacKay, aged 15, took first place in the Ross and Cromarty Enterprise competition to design a new poster to help the local enterprise company promote its Skillseekers training initiative for young people.

Lucy has won a £25 prize for herself and £150 for her school's art

department.

RACE training and business advisor Suzanne Stewart said: “It was a difficult task to select the winner but, at the end of the day, Lucy's use of bright colours in a very eye catching design won through.

It will be a first for Dingwall a visit by Giant Haystacks, the world's heaviest wrestler.

Giant Haystacks (38), from Manchester, who weights an incredible 44 stones, will be appearing at Dingwall Town Hall on March 15.

He's defeated Hulk Hogan and other leading wrestling stars to become the super heavyweight champion of the world.

More reflections from Ross-shire

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