Reflections from Ross-shire: A dip into our old files from 100, 50 and 25 years ago
100 Years Ago
Friday, January 16, 1920
DINGWALL Town Council had before it on Monday the subject of gas supply of the town, the importance of which to domestic and industrial users was emphasised. Complaint was made that neither in quantity nor quality was the supply satisfactory and public lighting had never been so disappointing.
The Council remitted the whole matter to the Lighting Committee. It is understood that the Gas Management is quite alive to the state of matters, and that a general survey of the town accompanied by special measures to attain a fuller supply and greater purity are in process of being taken by the gas manager, who is highly qualified for the work.
At Avoch on Thursday ,the tides were exceptionally high, the water sweeping over the new quay but fortunately the fishing fleet escaped any injury and proceeded that afternoon to the fishing grounds.
The sea was not too rough in the Firth but a strong gale prevailed along the coast.
The Coal Controller's office has sent out informing all Metropolitan Coal Controllers that in the price of household coal on January 15th in other parts of the country there will be a rise of from sixpence to two shilling per ton, according to the distance of the locality from the coal pits. The extra cost is due to the increased rail freight charges.
50 Years Ago
Friday, January 16, 1970
BAILIE Mrs C. S. Brown was congratulated by Provost Macleod and her colleagues on Dingwall Town Council on receiving the O.B.E. In the New Year's Honours. The Provost said she truly deserved the honour if any woman in the whole country did. She was doing marvellous work and was continuing to do it, and he did now know how she could find the time to fit in everything.
Fifteen of the new houses on the Tulloch housing site, Dngwall, should be ready for handing over to the Town Council in two weeks time if weather permits of harling and completion of site preparation. Fourteen of these houses are completed internally. Progress on the site has been held up by weather conditions during the last few weeks.
Tomorrow , some eighty guests will assemble in the Village Hall, Fearn, to celebrate the Golden Wedding anniversary of Mr and Mrs David Ross, Ross View, Fearn, who were married fifty years ago at Morayston Farm House, Petty, Inverness-shire. Among guests will be the couple's five sons, three daughters and twenty-four grandchildren.
25 Years Ago
Friday, January 13, 1995
HIGHLAND Regional Council has been urged to once and for all prepare accurate costings for the various options to solve the dilemma of the Stromeferry by-pass.
Mindful of public scepticism of the figures released by the council to date Lochalsh councillor John Farquhar Munro this week said it was vital to enable the public to distinguish between financial fact and fantasy.
A final decision was delayed by the roads and transport committee last month, after a poll organised by the local community council revealed a bridge across Loch Carron was the public's preferred option.
Ross, Cromarty and Skye MP Charles Kennedy has crossed swords in the Commons with Employment Secretary Michael Portillo over long-terms unemployment in the Highlands.
The Ross MP asked if Mr Portillo was aware of the deep-rooted long-term unemployment in the Highlands caused by a narrow jobs market and concentration of dependence on oil and oil-related industries.
