THE ARCHIVES

100 years ago

An unfortunate occurrence took place when an aeroplane collided yesterday afternoon with the chimney of a dwelling-house in Bents Road, Montrose and remained fast on the roof. The petrol tank caught fire following the impact and the body of the pilot Lieutenant Fowler, Royal Flying Corps, was terribly burned. It is not certain, however, whether Lieutenant Fowler’s death was due to the flames or whether the deceased had been killed outright when his machine crashed into the chimney.

50 years ago

Dundee United delighted 28,000 fans at Tannadice Park last night by whipping Barcelona for the second time to enter the third round of the Fair Cities Cup. Despite a gusty north-west wind and a heavy pitch, it was a fast, entertaining game. Police and ambulance men reported no untoward incidents during or after the game. The happy crowd dispersed quickly. Only the red-hot enthusiasts lingered on in the cold to greet their heroes. Barcelona were first out to sympathetic cheers.

25 years ago

Scotland faces economic blight once the Channel Tunnel is opened unless urgent measures are taken now, the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities has warned a Commons Inquiry. The Highlands and Islands would suffer more acutely than the central belt areas. COSLA blames British Rail’s inadequate tunnel services plan for the UK and Government cash restrictions. The danger was that industrial investment would be more attracted to Calais because of the superior infrastructure.

One year ago

The skyline has been changed by the latest addition on the construction site of the £10 million Dunfermline Carnegie Library and Galleries. A tower crane will be in the heritage quarter for 23 weeks. Progress has included the partial demolition of the town house next to the library. A structural steel frame has been erected along with floor slabs and a roof behind the town house’s historic facade. The project is funded by Fife Council, the Heritage Lottery Fund and the Carnegie Dunfermline Trust.