THE ARCHIVES

100 years ago

Under anaesthetic at a general hospital, Birmingham, the Scot who turned up with his memory blank said: “Donaldson” and “Falkirk”. The police acted on his clue and soon the man’s sister-inlaw Mrs Donaldson reached the station. The man was told he would meet someone who knew him, but recognised nobody. A meeting at the police station was planned to give him a shock. When the lady walked in, he recognised her and swooned. On recovery he was in full possession of his memory.

50 years ago

of the shooting parties out on the Perthshire moors for the first day of the grouse season on Saturday enjoyed excellent sport. The bags were better than expected and it was reported that the birds were more plentiful than last year. One of the biggest bags of the day was taken at Drumour, when Mr Stephen Conway, chairman of the National Cash register Co and his party of nine guns had 103½ brace. They also bagged 38 hares and two snipe. The sport was better than last year.

25 years ago

The SSPCA’s Animal Welfare Centre at Middlebank, near Dunfermline, will be able to carry out extensive improvements to its seal treatment unit thanks to the folk who like “a drop of the cratur”. Derek Seddon, marketing manager of Ballantine’s Whisky, yesterday presented £10,000 to the centre as part of a sponsorship deal between the company and the SSPCA. Presentation tins of Ballantine’s Whisky on sale show illustrations of endangered Scottish wildlife.

One year ago

Five million 50p coins supporting Team GB Olympic athletes will start turning up in people’s loose change, the Royal Mint has said. Bearing the figure of a swimmer, the coins have been struck for distribution to banks and cash centres. The 50p pieces will now start making their way into the nation’s pockets. The design of the 50p coin has been unveiled previously, and swimmer Jazz Carlin made a trip to the Mint to strike a commemorative precious metal 50p.