100 YEARS AGO Saturday March 3, 1923
and to the Lochaber Crofters Union, who are supporting the affected crofters in their fight.
A meeting of the Lochaber Crofters Union was held this week and after a thorough discussion of the whole position with the people of the township they have decided to appeal to the Court of Session.
Mr Murdo Stewart, Drimarben, secretary, said after the meeting that it would be a hard fight and an expensive one.
“If we win our appeal it will be well worth it because there are tremendous issues at stake. If we lose it is not merely a question of a few crofters at Caol losing their land, but it will be the end of security of tenure for crofters all over the country, because what is happening here could happen anywhere.
“The forbears of these crofters fought hard for their rights and worked and slaved to reclaim their land from the bogs. It would be a terrible thing if one individual were to have the power to take away the fruits of victory of that well fought fight.”
Lithuanian European Volunteer workers who came to work in the British Aluminium Lochaber factory five months ago celebrated the 30th anniversary of the liberation of Lithuania in February 1918 at a gathering in Inverlochy Village Hall on Sunday.
The 50 Lithuanians present were addressed by the Reverend Joseph Gutauskas, who said it seems paradoxical to speak of the independence of Lithuania, which had been destroyed by an act of unprovoked aggression by the Soviet government of Russia in June 1940.
He said: “We are determined more than ever not to give up the fight against the forces of evil.”
Mr Hugh Woodhouse, welfare officer at the Lochaber works, said that in Fort William and Kinlochleven where the factories are situated they had absorbed about 130 EVWs.
“They have already established themselves in the affections of the local inhabitants and have 1948: It was amazing just what you could buy in our classified advertisements, including war surplus fishing boats from the Royal Navy. Can anyone recall if one of these boats ended up in West Highland waters? Let us know. become very much a part of the social life of the district,” he said.
Mr Murdo Stewart, former secretary of the Transport Workers Union, said he hoped the Lithuanians would soon be able to celebrate their Independence Day in their own free country.
A saving of about 24 hours is affected by the new mail service inaugurated on Monday between Renfrew and North Uist.
The mail is flown to Benbecula and is taken by road and ferry from there to Lochmaddy, North Uist. An extension of air mail facilities to the islands of Barra and Tiree is planned for the early summer.
On Saturday of last week there passed away at her home in Tominie, Corpach, Miss Kate McKinnon - Kate Bheag, as she was locally known.
She had reached the patriarchal age of 104 years, having been born in 1819, the same year as the late Queen Victoria.
She has lived in the reigns of George III, and IV, of William IV, Queen Victoria, Edward VII, and the present George V.
She was a Lochaber woman by birth where she spent her young years.
For a long number of years she was in domestic service in Glasgow, and she would recall the time when corn fields were in the neighbourhood of Hope Street.
She had many interesting reminiscences of the days of the Crimea, and could recall stories she heard in her girlhood about the stirring times of Waterloo.
Miss McKinnon was active during her whole lifetime and remained hale and hearty until the last.
Up till a recent date she was able to walk between Corpach and Fort William and to carry out shopping for the household.
The death of this vulnerable lady breaks a link with the distant past, and many mourn her passing.
On Saturday evening a slight fire occurred at Dolphinstone House, Achintore, but was quickly got under control. It originated high up in the eastern eaves, the cause being something of a mystery, and by the prompt application of the town’s hose, only a small part of the sarking was burned.