Reflections from our Ross-shire Journal's Old Files
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100 Years Ago
Friday, March 28, 1919
A SERIOUS fire broke at at Dalmore Distillery, Alness, on Monday evening. Shortly after 8 p.m. the outbreak was discovered and soon willing helpers were endeavouring to cope with the flames. The firemen from the Invergordon Dockyard, and the Ardross Fire Brigade were soon on the scene and a copious supply of water was poured into the blazing furnace. The older part of the distillery, including the malt barn, and kiln and offices, were totally destroyed and it was only through the strenuous efforts of the firemen that the new section of the distillery was saved. The damage is estimated at about £8000. The premises have been disused as a distillery for the past four years and have been occupied by tan American Naval unit for the past 15 months. Recently valuators have been at work with a view, it is stated, to the whole premises being definitely taken over by the Government.
On Saturday a football match was played at Ullapool, between a team drawn from the Canadian Forestry Corps and Seaforths stationed at Braemore, and the Ullapool team which was mainly composed of 1914 veterans of the 4th Seaforth. A keenly contested game resulted in the visitors winning by 1-0. Mr Coventry manager, Lochbroom Woollen Mills, acted as referee.
50 Years Ago
Friday, March 28, 1969
FOR three days this week, drivers are being asked to help Ross and Cromarty County Council assess whether or not it will be worthwhile building a ring road round Dingwall. Census teams will be in action on roads approaching Dingwall from the north, south and from Starthpeffer and 40 per cent of drivers going into town will be interviewed.
“We are investigating the demands on traffic in the Dingwall area as part of a general A9 improvement scheme,” said a County Council spokesperson on Tuesday, “and we want to find out what proportion of traffic would by-pass the town.”
Among members of the Metropolitan Police Force seconded for duty on the West Indian Island of Anguilla is Constable Sandy Maclean, only son of Mr and Mrs Willie Maclean, Cluny Road, Dingwall.
Newhall Amenities Council and Newhall School Parent-Teacher Association are proposing to provide a small swimming pool in the School area, and the Council Education Committee are granting their request for a lease of part of the School playground for the purpose.
25 Years Ago
Friday, March 25, 1994
THE loss of the latest contract will see the workforce at Highlands Fabricators continue its drastic slide – which was previously predicted would reach a low of 50 hourly paid workers by May.
The latest failed bid by the Easter Ross yard, for the Danish 3000-tonne Maersk Tyra West module, went to Amec, Tyneside, and destroyed any hope of temporarily reversing the current trend.
A Fort William on Saturday, Ross County were a goal down at half-time, and were not playing as well as they could, the Fort standing out well.
Came the second half, and Alan Duff secured a hat-trick, and Sandy Macleod rounded off the scoring in their 4-1 victory. Seemingly Robbie Williamson was given credit for Sandy's goal, because he was in possession of the ball as he ran to the centre-line – a case of mistaken identity! Saturdays team was; Hutcheson; Somerville, Reid, Williamson, Bellshaw, Sandy Macleod, Andrew Macleod (Drummond), Grant (Ross), Duff, Connelly and Wilson.
