THE ARCHIVES

100 years ago

A telegram was received by Provost Mungall, Crieff, from Major Mackenna, A. and S. Highlanders Depot, Paisley, stating that Lieutenant Bisset, 6th A. and S. Highlanders, had been awarded the Victoria Cross for conspicuous bravery during an action on October 25 last in France, details of which have not yet been received. Lt. Bisset, who is 25 years of age, is a son of Mr John Bisset, plumber with Messrs Mark Aitken & Sons, Crieff, and had spent the greater part of his life in Crieff.

50 years ago

The American Apollo-8 astronauts became the first men to cross the “great divide” in space where the earth’s sphere of influence became secondary to that of another celestial body – the moon. This happened about 55 hours and 38 minutes from lift-off. They were more than about 202,700 miles from earth and 30,000 miles from the moon. The spacecraft was travelling at 2,223mph – the slowest velocity since shortly after lift-off. In reference to the moon, it was travelling at 2,719 mph.

25 years ago

Scotland’s track queen Liz McColgan has had another shock setback as she fights to regain fitness after a seven-month lay-off. Earlier this month the Dundee runner had a secret operation in England – and twice since then she has been back in hospital elsewhere. It looks as if the future of Britain’s finest female distance runner is again in doubt. The woman who said she was ready to take on the mighty Chinese will not be able to resume training until at least next month.

One year ago

Fife train users have slammed ScotRail after the firm admitted trains have been deliberately skipping stops throughout the region. Commuters were left incensed yesterday as the 07.09 Dundee to Edinburgh service bypassed a number of scheduled stations, as it had done previously in the week. A ScotRail spokesman said the practice was rare and only done to limit disruption elsewhere on the network, but critics believe stops are being missed to hit punctuality targets.