From our archives
5 years ago
Two of Orkney’s famous “Churchill Barriers”, built after one of Britain’s worst naval disasters, have been listed by Historic Environment Scotland. The concrete causeways were built during the Second World War to stop enemy ships and submarines entering Scapa Flow, where the bulk of our naval fleet was based. Churchill ordered their construction after a German U-boat sank the battleship HMS Royal Oak in 1939.
10 years ago
A pensioner discovered 150-yearold Handel manuscripts printed for Dunfermline Choral Union by Andrew Carnegie, one of the world’s most famous entrepreneurs – in her attic. Margaret Nairn, 75, was clearing her Dunfermline loft with daughter Elspeth, 43, when they found two pieces of music. “My late husband Andrew must have collected them and put them there but I had no idea we even had them,” she said.
25 years ago
A major campaign to bring the Royal Yacht Britannia (pictured) back to the Clyde when she is decommissioned next year gathered steam yesterday. The ambitious project, which is being backed by The Herald, would see the luxury ship permanently docked at the centre-piece Clyde Maritime Heritage Park at Govan dry docks, opposite the SECC and beside the site which housed the Garden Festival. The park would also include a maritime museum.
50 years ago
Judy, a four-year-old sea lion which escaped from Blair Drummond Safari Park more than a month ago, yesterday foiled attempts by an Army team to recapture her after she was seen in the river Forth in Stirling. Judy has escaped four times in the 18 months she has been at the park but this has been her longest spell of freedom. Mr David Dewley, the warden of the lion reserve, saw the sea lion eating eels yesterday by the Old Bridge in the river
100 years ago
Questions arising out of the relief of distress caused by unemployment were prominent in the deliberations of Govan Parish Council. Mr John Gillespie, referring to the monthly statistical statement of admissions, discharges and deaths at Merryflatts for the month ended November 8, asked about the capacity of the institution and observed that from month to month substantial addition was being made to its population.