Reflections from Ross-shire
Register for free to read more of the latest local news. It's easy and will only take a moment.
100 years ago
Friday, 28th July, 1916
MUNLOCHY – In the Dingwall Sheriff Court on Tuesday before Sheriff Harvey, George Macleod, farm grieve, Belmaduthy, was charged with having on 15th July, on the road at the farm servants’ house, discharged in a reckless manner a shotgun in the direction of Alex Ross and Donald Fletcher, and hit one of them with one of the pellets.
He pleaded guilty, and it was explained the accused intended to shoot a puppy, about which he had received several complaints. He saw it lying between Ross and Fletcher and, within a distance of a foot and a half, and he shot at the dog. Sheriff Harvey said it was a very dangerous thing to do, and he could not do less than impose a fine of £2. It was explained that neither of the men were seriously hurt.
Ross-shire Constabulary have been very busy this week issuing local passes to people within the county, who have occasion to proceed to Inverness, or beyond, and return. Without such permit – although temporarily the National Registration card may be accepted – residents in the North Military Restriction Area will have much inconvenience before being permitted to return to their homes. The barriers at Inverness station, at the Canal Bridge, and at the Kessock Ferry, are in charge of military guards, who are not permitted to allow anyone to proceed without a pass or other satisfactory identification.
50 years ago
Friday, 29th July, 1966
DINGWALL Gala – A set-back to arrangements was the non-appearance of the British Legion Pipe Band at the appointed time. However, a hurried call, and five pipers turned up to lead the procession to the Jubilee Park. The “Royal” party were driven along High Street by Mr Ian Gilbert, Heriot Mount, Greenhill Street, in a red Mercedes Benz car, and were cheered all the way. There was some congestion among spectators waiting to get into the park, but that was soon cleared up as the Queen waited in the car before taking her place on a platform in the centre of the field. Her “throne” was the Provost’s chair from the Council Chambers and one could not have wished for a more dignified seat.
At a meeting of the Highland League Management Committee at Elgin on Saturday, it was decided to recommend to the S.F.A. that one player should be substituted if necessary during a match.
The committee criticised the S.F.A. headquarters in Glasgow for their failure to form a quorum to hear Ross County’s case against a £25 fine, imposed for failing to fulfil their Highland League game with Keith at the end of last season. It was agreed to support Ross County is their claim for expenses.
Freddie Bartlett, Contin, won the half-mile, mile and two mile cycle races at the Dunbeath Highland Games on Friday. Kenny Ross, Alness, was also a prominent winner. Next day at the Peterhead Games, Graham Ross, Tain, won the 880 yards sprint and the three mile handicap.
25 years ago
Friday, 26th July, 1991
STAFF of Highland Regional Council’s roads and transport department have taken to the road over the past week to conduct a traffic survey aimed at giving them a clearer picture of the number of foreign motorists visiting the area.
They know that there were 316 reported accidents involving foreign motorists in 1990 and that the figure represented eight per cent of all accidents in the region last year.
But now they want to establish the percentage
content of foreign motorist to gauge the extent of the difficulty that the visitors encounter on driving on the left side of the road.
10 years ago
Friday, 28th July, 2006
IT’s not every day you’ll see a group of respectable Black Isle women strip off in front of a packed public hall.
But that is exactly what doughty members of Rosemarkie WRI did this week, proving there’s much more to the movement than knitting and making jam.
In Ross-shire’s very own take on the famous British film, Calendar Girls – inspired by the true life story of a women’s institute in North Yorkshire whose members posed naked for a charity calendar – the feisty Black Isle women took to the stage.
Just like the original calendar girls, a few strategically placed cakes and well thought out poses ensured their modesty remained intact.
Invergordon is drafting in the help of an international artist and marketing maverick in a bid to paint itself onto the map.
The town could soon find itself at the cultural heart of Easter Ross with plans for a heritage mural trail – which is hoped will become the area’s next big tourist draw.
