Inverness Courier from 60's tells of Lord Lovat's concern that ski resort would only benefit tourists
Inverness’s rapid growth of recent decades is relatively taken for granted – but little more than half a century ago Highland councillors were concerned about depopulation.
While Inverness-shire County Council was setting up a taskforce to stimulate jobs, Inverness Town Council was engaged in what the Courier headline called: War Against Pigeons. Wonder what luck they had with that…
When workmen were altering the Crown Church Hall they found that the only insulation behind an upstairs wall was two issues of the Courier, from June 9, 1964, and December 9, 1966. I’m grateful as they give an intriguing glimpse into the past – particularly the shops and what they were advertising in that era.
It was Lord Lovat who moved the successful motion that the county council launch a development study “to consider ways and means of adjusting depopulation”.
Lord Macdonald, Skye, wanted “only the most dynamic people on the new committee for the situation is becoming desperate”. Lovat was appointed chairman with Brigadier Garner-Smith, Inverness, as vice-chairman.
Ironically, Lovat disapproved of spending for a ski road in the Cairngorms, pointing out it would cost the county £1.75 million “and would serve nobody but tourists”.
Local councillors retorted that tourism was creating 400 jobs in the village area, rising to 700 if the area from Kingussie to Grantown was included. They said the road was in the national interest and the council would gain a return on its investment.
The town council’s Common Good committee was upset about the pigeons. Market hall superintendent JA MacBean said they were nesting in large numbers in the burnt-out Methodist Church in Union Street and had become a real problem.
Council officer Charles MacRae said they were also plaguing Inverness Town House, adding: “We should have a blitz there too.” Councillors agreed “to take whatever measures necessary”. Tough – but, as we see today, unsuccessful!
The showhouse opened at the Muirtown private development where, Bingham Hughes and MacPherson advertised, there were “three different types of houses” at prices from £3600. Wimpey Homes offered mortgages available and a 10-year guarantee on their Culcabock development.
The Inter School Sports saw 32 schools take part at Bught Park. Ian Allanach, Inverness Royal Academy, set a new senior 110 yards hurdles mark of 15.4 seconds.
Harry Shore and his Orchestra were at the Caledonian Hotel Ballroom that summer while the Full Moon, Inverness’s first Chinese restaurant, in the High Street, offered a three-course business lunch for five shillings.
Buses ran from Farraline Park to Drumnadrochit’s Blairbeg Hall to see The Flock, that great Inverness band, appearing for Inverness Students Charities Campaign.
In the run-up to Christmas, the Empire Theatre advertised a wrestling bill.
Jimmy Shand’s Christmas Show starred Alastair Gillies, Ivy Carey and Robbie Shepherd while December 23 and 24 saw Calum Kennedy’s Christmas Ceilidh.
Nairn’s Ballerina Ballroom was where, its advert stated, “the purr-etty sophisti-cats come and wildly plumaged night owls fly high”. Ouch! Their Three In One attraction featured The Beatstalkers supported by Garry and the Highlanders and the T-Set.
In Beauly, ‘the big band sound’ of the Maurice Lynch Irish Showband was at Phipps Hall.
Fraser and McColl offered to solve “all your Christmas present problems”. They offered a Pifco drinks mixer for 12s/2d, china piggy banks at 21/4d, leather writing cases at 34/11 and hair dryers from £13 7s 6d.
Ironmongers Gilbert Ross, in Academy Street, advertised a selection that was “new, affordable and different”, while Halfords flagged up Toddler Trikes at 55 shillings.
In Union Street, Marie Gordon offered underwear in ‘wool, silken wool and rayon’, dressing gowns, cashmere jumpers, stockings and hand embroidered handkerchiefs.
William Grigor and Son, whisky blenders, Hamilton Street, advertised Inverness cream whisky, “created and bottled in the Highland Capital”.
Woolworths, in the High Street, sold 7lb turkeys for 26s/6d with 11lb ones at 42s 4d rising to 16-pounders at 61s 4d, or just over £3 today. Woolies also offered prime Scotch rolled silverside at 5s 6d a pound.
WJ Hepburn, the Beauly newsagent, announced: “Come and see Santa Claus personally” on December 10. Quite an ambitious offer, really!
n Sponsored by Ness Castle Lodges.
INVERNESS’S rapid growth of recent decades is relatively taken for granted – but little more than half a century ago Highland councillors were concerned about depopulation.
While Inverness-shire County Council was setting up a taskforce to stimulate jobs, Inverness Town Council was engaged in what the Courier headline called: War Against Pigeons. Wonder what luck they had with that…
When workmen were altering the Crown Church Hall they found that the only insulation behind an upstairs wall was two issues of the Courier, from June 9, 1964, and December 9, 1966. I’m grateful as they give an intriguing glimpse into the past – particularly the shops and what they were advertising in that era.
It was Lord Lovat who moved the successful motion that the county council launch a development study “to consider ways and means of adjusting depopulation”.
Lord Macdonald, Skye, wanted “only the most dynamic people on the new committee for the situation is becoming desperate”. Lovat was appointed chairman with Brigadier Garner-Smith, Inverness, as vice-chairman.
Ironically, Lovat disapproved of spending for a ski road in the Cairngorms, pointing out it would cost the county £1.75 million “and would serve nobody but tourists”.
Local councillors retorted that tourism was creating 400 jobs in the village area, rising to 700 if the area from Kingussie to Grantown was included. They said the road was in the national interest and the council would gain a return on its investment.
The town council’s Common Good committee was upset about the pigeons. Market hall superintendent JA MacBean said they were nesting in large numbers in the burnt-out Methodist Church in Union Street and had become a real problem.
Council officer Charles MacRae said they were also plaguing Inverness Town House, adding: “We should have a blitz there too.” Councillors agreed “to take whatever measures necessary”. Tough – but, as we see today, unsuccessful!
The showhouse opened at the Muirtown private development where, Bingham Hughes and MacPherson advertised, there were “three different types of houses” at prices from £3600. Wimpey Homes offered mortgages available and a 10-year guarantee on their Culcabock development.
The Inter School Sports saw 32 schools take part at Bught Park. Ian Allanach, Inverness Royal Academy, set a new senior 110 yards hurdles mark of 15.4 seconds.
Harry Shore and his Orchestra were at the Caledonian Hotel Ballroom that summer while the Full Moon, Inverness’s first Chinese restaurant, in the High Street, offered a three-course business lunch for five shillings.
Buses ran from Farraline Park to Drumnadrochit’s Blairbeg Hall to see The Flock, that great Inverness band, appearing for Inverness Students Charities Campaign.
In the run-up to Christmas, the Empire Theatre advertised a wrestling bill.
Jimmy Shand’s Christmas Show starred Alastair Gillies, Ivy Carey and Robbie Shepherd while December 23 and 24 saw Calum Kennedy’s Christmas Ceilidh.
Nairn’s Ballerina Ballroom was where, its advert stated, “the purr-etty sophisti-cats come and wildly plumaged night owls fly high”. Ouch! Their Three In One attraction featured The Beatstalkers supported by Garry and the Highlanders and the T-Set.
In Beauly, ‘the big band sound’ of the Maurice Lynch Irish Showband was at Phipps Hall.
Fraser and McColl offered to solve “all your Christmas present problems”. They offered a Pifco drinks mixer for 12s/2d, china piggy banks at 21/4d, leather writing cases at 34/11 and hair dryers from £13 7s 6d.
Ironmongers Gilbert Ross, in Academy Street, advertised a selection that was “new, affordable and different”, while Halfords flagged up Toddler Trikes at 55 shillings.
In Union Street, Marie Gordon offered underwear in ‘wool, silken wool and rayon’, dressing gowns, cashmere jumpers, stockings and hand embroidered handkerchiefs.
William Grigor and Son, whisky blenders, Hamilton Street, advertised Inverness cream whisky, “created and bottled in the Highland Capital”.
Woolworths, in the High Street, sold 7lb turkeys for 26s/6d with 11lb ones at 42s 4d rising to 16-pounders at 61s 4d, or just over £3 today. Woolies also offered prime Scotch rolled silverside at 5s 6d a pound.
WJ Hepburn, the Beauly newsagent, announced: “Come and see Santa Claus personally” on December 10. Quite an ambitious offer, really!
Sponsored by Ness Castle Lodges.
