THE ARCHIVES

100 years ago

Mrs Ann Morrison, Strath, Gairloch, yesterday had the unique distinction of celebrating her 103rd birthday, in good health and in the enjoyment of all her faculties, with the exception of being rather dull in hearing. Mrs Morrison is a native of the beautiful district in which she resides and was only once in a train – 50 years ago – when she journeyed between Inverness and Nairn. In her youth she often travelled, in company with other girls, on foot from Gairloch to Forfarshire and back, to assist the harvest, using a sickle for cutting.

50 years ago

Cupar Sheriff Court was told yesterday of the night a group of youths ran through St Andrews shouting, swearing, sliding down car bonnets and jostling passers-by. And during the disturbance a visitor was struck on the head with a partly-full beer can. The 19-year-old youth, from Dundee, who was alleged to have thrown the can, denied a charge of breach of the peace. Constable James Josie said there had been considerable trouble at dances held in the Town Hall. The youth was found guilty as charged.

25 years ago

Scores of custom car enthusiasts were not put off by the changeable weather when they attended Scotland’s largest custom car rally at Monifieth’s Riverside Park yesterday. More than 1,000 people of all ages took a pit-stop to marvel at around 150 vehicles on display to the public on the second day of the rally. Cars and vans as individual as their owners put on a “show ‘n’ shine” competition with prizes given to the top 10 vehicles. First prize went to a 1940s Ford Popular in silver and blue. Roadsters from across the country attended.

One year ago

A second multi-million-pound school could be built at Bertha Park, it has emerged. Education chiefs want a new primary to help cope with a predicted influx of new families to the area. A housing audit has revealed that more than 2,500 homes will be built around the city over the next 12 years. And that means an extra 700 primaryage children. Councillors will be asked next week to set the ball rolling on plans for a new £14.3 million primary, near the new Bertha Park High School.