THE ARCHIVES

100 years ago

An opportunity of studying the scientific methods applied by Mr Archibald Findlay, the renowned potato raiser, in producing his world-famous varieties was afforded visitors at his fine farm at Mairsland, Auchtermuchty. The party, which included several of Fife’s agriculturists and competent judges of the various kinds of potato, had been specially invited to inspect certain of Mr Findlay’s new varieties. He is bordering on his eighties, but the veteran potato-raiser conducted the party over his plots and fields.

50 years ago

The boys of the Ben Macdhui Venture Scout unit have a tough job on their hands at the City of Dundee Scout Association training and camping ground at Douglaswood, north of Monikie. Right in the middle of the former radar station is a building known as the block-house which contains a kitchen, canteen and troop room and, surrounding it is a 20-foot high blast wall. This prevented daylight from getting in, but the boys are aiming to change that. They have been using brute strength to knock down parts of the wall.

25 years ago

Several hundred pounds worth of rings and watches were stolen from a Dundee jeweller yesterday in three separate raids. Police are investigating the incidents at H. Samuel at the corner of Reform Street and High Street. The first incident in mid-afternoon involved the theft of a tray of rings after a glass cabinet had been forced open. The value of the missing rings is put at more than £1,000. Later, a smash-and grab style theft of watches took place and then later still, three men passed and grabbed a handful of watches. Matters Local

One year ago

Part of Perth High Street will be shut for more than a year when work on a new community venue finally gets under way. Traders around St Paul’s Church fear for their futures after an announcement that the area around the crumbling building will be closed to traffic for 60 weeks. Perth and Kinross Council is turning the church into a walled public space for markets, shows and exhibitions. Peter Caban, whose Bandwagon music store is behind the church, said: “We’ve already been badly affected.”