THE ARCHIVES

100 years ago

Mr William Kidd, the senior partner of Messrs William Kidd & Sons, booksellers and manufacturing stationers, Dundee, died at his residence, 4 West Somerville Place. The deceased, who was one of the oldest and best-known businessmen in the city, was laid aside three weeks ago with influenza. Despite his wonderful vitality and notwithstanding the weight of years, Mr Kidd was unable to shake off the attack. He was 80. He had been identified with the business life of Dundee for almost 50 years.

50 years ago

A missile dropped by an RAF jet fighter had the St Andrews golfing fraternity puzzled yesterday. The mysterious new hazard appeared on the fairway of the short seventh on the Jubilee Golf Course. It was early closing day in St Andrews and the course was busy with half-holiday golfers. When the players came to the seventh, they were amazed to see a cylindrical object, a foot of which was visible above the turf. At first it was thought it was a student prank, but a dummy missile had been dropped.

25 years ago

A Perthshire businessman whose financial know-how saved the 113-year-old Fort Augustus Abbey School from closure yesterday became a Knight of St Gregory – the papal equivalent of a royal knighthood. The rarely-bestowed honour was made made to Mr Ralph Giulianotti (49), of Kinnoull Hill Place, Perth, who is active in the property and licensed trade. A former pupil, he was a founder member of the advisory board set up six years ago to save the historic private school from debts.

One year ago

They have become synonymous with Glenrothes and last night the artist responsible for the famous hippos returned to the town to talk about his work. Former town artist Stanley Bonnar was at the Rothes Halls as part of a special event organised by members of the Glenrothes Art Club. Part of the club’s diamond jubilee celebrations, Mr Bonnar hosted his lecture, titled A Quest for Public Art. Lilian Sloan, president of the club, said that she had been inspired by Mr Bonnar’s work in Glenrothes.