THE ARCHIVES

100 years ago

Viscount Bryce, in the Lords, asked whether arrangements could be made by which British soldiers who were now prisoners of war and interned in neutral countries could be examined as to the circumstances in which they were made prisoners, so that recognition of bravery might be given to such as might appear to have deserved it, many of these prisoners having formed part of the first British Expeditionary Force. The Earl of Derby said he was unable to fall in with the suggestion.

50 years ago

Perth is to lose its transport cafe in 1969. And unless there is another one by that time, hundreds of lorry drivers will be deprived of a service they have enjoyed for 20 years. Mr Robert Donaldson, who runs the cafe, said: “Everything is in the air at the moment and I’m not in a position to speculate about the outcome. But one thing is certain, if the city is left without a transport cafe there will be an almighty hue and cry.” The cafe stands at the junction of Edinburgh Road and Marshall Place.

25 years ago

In the field of culinary zeniths, the Dundee “peh” has a carved a place for itself in the higher echelons. Now a new delicacy from the city is captivating palates throughout the UK – cheese. For what may be the first time in the city’s 801 year history, there is commercial cheese production on a significant scale. Dundee-made brie, Ettrick, camembert and Langskaill cheeses have been leaving the factory of Howgate Dairy Foods on one of the industrial estates. They also make Casanova ice cream.

One year ago

Scotland’s “most beautiful” garden – lost to the wilderness for more than 60 years – needs a new owner to restore it to its former glory. Dunira Estate has come on the market for £750,000 but will only be sold to a buyer who promises to restore the grounds. The Perthshire property was bought in 1784 by Henry Dundas, the 1st Viscount Melville, as a refuge from his life as a controversial Edinburgh politician. After a fire destroyed the estate mansion in 1947 the garden fell into disrepair.