Looking Back – news from the John O'Groat Journal of yesteryear
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Strong support for Sir Archibald Sinclair
From the Groat of November 17, 1922
Wickers made their feelings known when it came to the attendance of eve-of-poll meetings in the town.
The Rifle Drill Hall was packed out with electors to hear an address from Sir Archibald Sinclair of Ulbster, who was vying to become an MP against Sir R Leicester Harmsworth.
"Long before the advertised time the large building was packed to its utmost capacity, and even standing room was not available at 7.15. The stairs of the hall were thronged with people unable to get further and hundreds had to turn away."
By contrast, in the Breadalbane Hall few had turned up to hear the opposition candidate and those who did were not very welcoming. It was reported that Sir Leicester was "none too well received and after speaking a few minutes retired from the meeting".
Elsewhere, great alarm was caused by an outbreak of fire in the St Clair Hotel buildings in Thurso.
The blaze originated from a spark from one of the vents catching the woodwork of the roof and was first observed from the volumes of smoke coming through the tiles.
A large crowd assembled at the scene and willing help was given to fight the fire, which was eventually brought under control, but not before considerable damage had been done.
Concern over far north line future
From the Groat of November 17, 1972
The future of the rail link to Caithness was "by no means secure", according to the Scottish Association for Public Transport.
The group had made a study of the far north line and had presented its findings at a conference in Wick Assembly Rooms, attended by representatives of the northern counties.
Delegates heard that the line had never made much money. Over the years, four feeder lines – to Dornoch, Lybster, Strathpeffer and Fortrose – had been closed and dozens of stations on the main route had been shut. It was only thanks to a long campaign that Dr Beeching's proposal to close the line completely had been quashed.
The study also noted that among the changes to make savings was a cut in signalling staff. Many level crossings had had their gates removed and trains had to slow down to 10 or 20 mph, with the result that "the present service was slower now than in 1964".
At the close of the conference it was agreed unanimously to recommend the appointment of a steering committee "to establish a permanent body, representative of local authorities and other interested parties, to review the services provided by the north line, press for improvements where possible and promote its long-term development".
Ambitious plans for village harbour
From the Groat of November 21, 1997
Ambitious plans to inject new life into Lybster harbour had been endorsed at a public meeting in the village.
The £200,000-plus project was designed to capitalise on the pulling power of the picturesque setting of the once-thriving port.
A fledgling trust was given a mandate to go ahead with the development, designed to serve as a hub for tourists and visiting yachtsmen.
The plans centred on semi-derelict buildings at the harbour which the trust aimed to transform into a boatbuilding workshop, café and small visitor centre.
The plans were approved by 52 people at the meeting, with just two against.
As a result of the approval, the trust intended to make a bid to buy the two privately owned buildings. It would then set about restoring the B-listed building by reinstating the original slate roof and other traditional features.
The trust's plans were complemented by moves by Lybster Harbour Society to provide more berths for yachts and carry out dredging work.
Trust chairman Iain Gunn said: "Everyone we've spoken to so far has been very positive, but we wanted to make sure people at the meeting thought it was a good idea before we take the plunge."
