Lochaber Times From our Files - Thursday March 20

TWENTY FIVE YEARS AGO
Thursday March 23 2000

 

Morvern residents battle for better phone service

 

Residents of Morvern have been having trouble communicating lately.

 

The problem stems from an antiquated exchange but there is good news on the horizon.

 

BT announced on Tuesday that it hopes to have a new microwave radio link up and running by the end of next week. It will double the capacity of the existing exchange and provide a better service. Phone calls to and from Movern are sometimes cut off in the middle of conversations.

 

During some calls, lines have been known to crash repeatedly. A 10-minute call can be interrupted three or four times.

 

Callers from the peninsula are often greeted by the message: "Lines are busy, please try later."

 

One resident was so annoyed he complained to BT 15 times by phone and twice in writing.

 

Hugh Raven of Ardtornish told The Lochaber Times: "It has made my working life a misery. Calls are constantly interrupted and lines are inoperative for days at a time.

 

"There are insufficient lines to make a call at certain times of the day. I have missed important conference calls because I could not get through."

 

He was unhappy with the response, or lack of it, he received from BT.

 

"Whenever I phoned to complain I had to speak to someone different," he said. "The service from BT has been appalling. It has been the bane of my life lately."

 

Highlands and Islands MSP Peter Peacock wrote to BT’s chairman about the problems. He said: "It is unacceptable that BT discriminates against rural areas in the Highlands and Islands."

 

A BT spokesman said the new system should resolve most of the problems Morvern residents have encountered.

 

"We are aware of the problems and are doing all we can to resolve them," he said.

 

A second Field of Hope in Lochaber

 

Lochaber’s second Marie Curie Cancer Care Field of Hope opened in Caol on Saturday.

 

The ceremony coincided with Marie Curie’s fundraising daffodil day.

 

Sir Nicholas Fenn, the charity’s chief executive, unveiled a sign to identify the site, next to the junction of Broom Drive and Kilmallie Road.

 

One area is carpeted by thousands of yellow daffodils. Other flowers and shrubs have been planted nearby. Fencing and seats are planned.

 

The area will soon be awash with colour to rival a Field of Hope at Claggan.

 

Sir Nicholas thanked Lochaber fund raisers and the diggers and planters who helped.

 

"They have all worked jolly hard," he said.

 

Lochaber folk responded well to a daffodil day street collection in Fort William’s High Street. It raised £1,000.

 

Lochaber fund-raiser Margaret Clelland and her team have raised £11,000 in six months.

FIFTY YEARS AGO
Thursday, March 20 1975

 

Rhum course for stalkers

 

The British Field Sports Society with the co-operation of the Nature Conservancy and Red Deer Commission is holding its eighth annual stalking course on Rhum from July 28 to August 2.

 

The programme is designed to assist young men who are professionally engaged in stalking.

 

In addition applications from older men who have had some experience in stalking are considered. Within the limits of the time available all aspects of stalking are considered. Instruction in the care of ponies’ feet and emergency shoeing is also given.

 

Museum may open in Skye castle

 

A small wing of Armadale Castle in south Skye could be restored to house Clan MacDonald relics. But the main building, which is listed of being of architectural interest, is not affected by the proposal, which is being advertised for representations by Inverness County Council.

 

The castle has stood empty for more than 50 years and is now owned by Clan Donald Lands Trust.

 

Lord Macdonald of MacDonald, Ostaig House, is a clan trustee. Until recently his family owned the building which his father wanted to demolish eight years ago, but his application for a demolition consent order was turned down following an objection.

 

After his death, most of Macdonald Estates and the derelict castle were taken over by the clan trust which obtained an American donation exceeding £70,000 to close the deal.

 

Lord Macdonald said the original staff quarters were being considered for restoration as a clan and showpiece.

 

Trust director Major John Hills, Upper Ostaig House, said that because a survey of the building’s fabric was to be carried out, it had been decided to apply for planning consent for certain projects the trust had in mind.

 

He added: "Although there are no immediate plans for the future of the castle, it is generally felt by members of the clan at home and abroad, that it should not be allowed to deteriorate further."

ONE HUNDRED YEARS AGO
Saturday, March 21, 1925

 

Concerning pickled eggs

 

From time to time notes have appeared in this column on that very useful institution (for so it has become) the preserved egg.

 

Of recent years it has become the fashion for numbers of people outside the ranks of poultry keepers to preserve some eggs, they of course purchasing them when they are cheap and pickling them for use at times when eggs are common if not really unobtainable.

 

It is quite a good thing to do so long as one is sure of getting the eggs fresh.

 

There is always the danger of getting the somewhat ancient foreigner unless the eggs are bought from a poultry-keeper. Even then it is as well if the habit of that poultry keeper is to keep separate a nest of a dozen so which he or she may come up on laid away by some contrary hen.

 

Such a windfall is not uncommon in the country where hens have some liberty. Both such eggs and the ancient foreigner, if put in pickle, will prove to be a fly in the ointment.

 

Some people like to do their eggs in the old-fashioned way with lime water. If so, I noticed the latest approved formula is full parts (by measure) of finally slaked lime to 20 of water, and one part of salt. Mix the lime and water a week before using, add the salt on the fourth day; stir the lot daily and at the end of the week pour off the clear liquid for the pickle.

 

Those who prefer the waterglass method must take care that they do not let the pickle flavour the eggs. Waterglass method is open to doubt as the stuff might penetrate the shell unless the shell is very thick, and this causes digestive troubles.

 

● Ancient foreigner means an egg found in a random spot away from the chickens’ usual laying places; there is no idea how long it has been there, but waste not want not, pop in the basket and take your chance. A bit like Russian roulette but with botulism, not bullets.