THE ARCHIVES

100 years ago

Fire broke out yesterday morning in a two-storey warehouse in Garden Street, Arbroath. The building, which belongs to the Yule Trustees, was at the time well filled with baled Italian and Russian hemp and manilla, the property of Messrs Robb Bros, merchants. Dense columns of smoke issuing from the roof and apertures attracted attention and the alarm was raised. It appears that the fire had originated in the lower storey. The damage, which is considerably more than £1,000, is covered by insurance.

50 years ago

Police were called to Balwearie Golf Club. Kirkcaldy after a man’s body had been found by golfers in a burn which cuts across the course. The discovery was made just before 7pm near the ninth hole, which is skirted by the Tiel Burn. The water cuts across the course and passes through the west side of Kirkcaldy before opening into the Forth. Five golfers were in the vicinity when the discovery was made. The man was later identified as Charles Philp (59) and it is not thought there were any suspicious circumstances.

25 years ago

A Forfar firm whose business is based on an ancient Scottish culture is celebrating a Hollywood glitz and glamour success. The tartan manufacturing Strathmore Woollen Company yesterday sent two bales of Wallace cloth on the short trip to Stirling Castle, where it will be used in the creation of a stunning backdrop for the premiere evening of the Mel Gibson film Braveheart. The Stirling event next month is expected to be a night of movieland extravagance and the Forfar firm was delighted to have its product selected.

One year ago

A major Perth store could be bulldozed after fire gutted the premises . The city’s B&M unit was left a blackened shell after the blaze and investigations will now be carried out to see if it can be saved. More than 50 firefighters turned out to tackle the flames and try to prevent the worst of the damage spreading to other shops. The neighbouring Pets at Home store was filled with smoke, but firefighters were able to evacuate all the animals inside to safety and the firm has since rehoused them at other stores.