THE ARCHIVES

100 years ago

August Bank Holiday this year will be known as “Mackintosh Monday.” Dull and chilly early hours such as one expects on Easter Monday were followed by intermittent rainfalls. Despite this, many stout-hearted persons set out in mackintoshes, raincoats and umbrellas to enjoy themselves at all costs and they thronged all the indoor places of interest and amusement. Before the rain began, hundreds of motor charabancs set out for distant spots and crowds formed waiting for buses, but there was a lack of the usual jollity.

50 years ago

One Carnoustie caravan family probably went supperless to bed last night. Shortly after seven o’clock smoke was seen coming from the windows of a caravan on the Carnoustie House site. It was spotted by Mrs Margaret Carr from Ardler, Dundee, who had moved into the adjoining caravan only the previous evening. As the residents of the affected vehicle had gone out for the evening no one could gain immediate entrance. When the fire unit arrived it was found that a pot had been left on the stove and this had boiled dry.

25 years ago

Yesterday’s glorious weather was marred for thousands of Dundonians by a strange smell hanging over much of the city and surrounding areas. Many people complained about the odour, which lingered all day due to the high temperatures and light breeze. The cause of the stink, reminiscent of the “West End Smell” of a few years ago, was not known for certain, but most people blamed the city’s drains festering in the heat. Another theory was that the smell of fertilizers was being blown across the Tay.

One year ago

Drivers have been taking to the hard shoulder in a dangerous bid to avoid lengthy tailbacks approaching the Queensferry Crossing. As the curtain rises on the Edinburgh Festival and traffic builds, motorists are being warned police are watching. Drivers have been caught up in long queues from Halbeath to the flagship bridge during recent high profile events in the capital. The problem has been exacerbated by lane hopping, “rat running” over slip roads and queue-skipping by using the hard shoulder.