THE ARCHIVES

100 years ago Though for the present the censorship does not permit units being named, it can be said that Scottish Highland and Lowland troops have played a glorious part in the new British “push” reported by Sir Douglas Haig on Thursday last. A graphic story of the fighting and the part played therein by the Highlanders is told by LanceCorporal J. Stuart Leslie of Kirkcaldy, who is attached to the Machine Gun Corps. “Scotland has every reason to be proud of her share in the latest victory,” he said. 50 years ago The canvas township which has sprung up this week at the North Inch, Perth, today becomes the destination of thousands of “old soldiers” and their families attending the 51st Highland Division reunion. There have been two other such reunions since the Second World War, in 1963 and 1965, but today’s gathering has particular significance in that it falls on the 25th anniversary of the Battle of Alamein and has as guest of honour Field-Marshal Viscount Montgomery. 25 years ago A blaze which ripped through the science block of a Dundee secondary school yesterday afternoon, causing thousands of pounds worth of damage and creating a toxic chemical fumes scare over a wide area of the city, was almost certainly started by children. A full turnout of firefighters, quickly on the scene to tackle the major outbreak, were greeted by flames shooting through the roof of Linlathen High in Forfar Road, which is closed for the October holidays. One year ago A pilot scheme to ban parking outside certain primary schools is being seriously considered in Fife. Fife Council transport officers will evaluate a trial in Edinburgh – which led to a fall in the number of cars around participating schools, an increase in the number of pupils walking to school and slower vehicle speeds on nearby roads – with a view to replicating the initiative on this side of the Forth. It is understood a blanket ban has all but been ruled out, as each school has its own context.