A new library near Wick, claims of aeroplane invention in Thurso and the lambasting of pub poets
LOOKING BACK: From the archives of the Caithness Courier and John O’Groat Journal.
Thurso aeroplane invention claim
From the Groat of October 16, 1925
A Thurso man who had served “in various capacities in the public life” of the town had presented an enlarged photographic portrait of himself to the Thurso Town Council to mark what he claimed was his role in inventing the aeroplane.
In a letter, Daniel Swanson, of Clarence Cottage, stated that his portrait should be “placed in a prominent place to prove that I have given to the world the first idea of the aeroplane… My invention had been so improved that Captain Amundsen can now travel from Pole to Pole besides the sweep over the desert places of the earth.
“Britain can now claim territory in all parts of the world for our unemployed.”
Accepting the portrait, it was suggested to Mr Swanson that he sign the photograph “so that people in after years would know who it was”.
In turn, Mr Swanson suggested upgrading the frame, so that it was “more in keeping with that of Robert Dick and other portraits in the council chambers”, but the council intimated that a change in framing was “inadvisable”.
Provost Anderson told Mr Swanson that the portrait would remind them of the “years that you have served as a councillor”, adding that “although the record of achievement which you claim has not yet been recognised by the government, it has been published in the press and everyone is cognisant of it”.
Pub poets lambasted from pulpit
From the Groat of October 17, 1975
Librarian and local magazine editor David Morrison had written to the Rev James S Cormack calling for him to retract statements made from Wick Central Church’s pulpit.
The statements concerned poetry readings which Mr Morrison had organised in the town. In his sermon, Mr Cormack objected to the events being held in the pub and “inferred an abuse of public money”.
In a tape recording of the sermon made available to Mr Morrison by Mr Cormack, the minister could be heard criticising the librarian.
“You know, he puts us to shame, absolute shame,” said the minister, who told the congregation that this was being done “with the aid of the Scottish Arts Council. Your money, public money, your money. What are you doing about it?”
Mr Morrison retaliated that the minister should “get his facts straight”.
He said the poetry events had been held in the function room of the Mercury Motor Inn outwith licensing hours and that the Scottish Arts Council was “fully informed on all details of expenses”.
And he added: “I can assure Mr Cormack, and anyone who may have been misled by him, that not one penny of it goes on drink.”
Sinclair centre plan at Noss
From the Groat of October 20, 2000
A unique study centre and library being developed on the outskirts of Wick was set to open early the following year and be fully operational by the summer.
That was the aim of the man behind the Sinclair Study Centre and Niven Sinclair Library at two former lighthouse keepers’ cottages at Noss Head.
Ian Sinclair, who owned the properties, also wanted to see restoration carried out at the nearby Sinclair and Girnigoe castles over the coming five to seven years.
The project, which would require approval from Historic Scotland, was estimated to cost around £5 million.
Mr Sinclair hoped that the centre and library would become a focal point not only for the Sinclair clan but also for people interested in history, geography and genealogy.
In the meantime, the Earl of Caithness, Malcolm Sinclair, had been travelling to the USA, Canada, Australia and New Zealand to raise money for the castle restoration project as part of an appeal launched by the Clan Sinclair Trust, which owned Sinclair and Girnigoe.
It was hoped that work would start in 2001 to stabilise the buildings using skilled stonemasons, the Royal Engineers and “around 12 unemployed people who would learn valuable skills”.
Ian Sinclair said that “people may think there is nothing much going on but there is a lot happening in the background”.