Lochaber Times, From our Files: April 30 2026

TWENTY-FIVE YEARS AGO
Thursday May 3 2001

Army spans River Lochy

Soldiers have built bridges in Lochaber by refurbishing a pedestrian walkway the army created 26 years ago.

Soldier’s Bridge, known locally as the "Green Bridge" over the River Lochy at Lochyside cuts a mile off the walk between Caol and Fort William.

Safety had been a cause for concern on the crossing, which also serves as a water pipe for the Arjo Wiggins’ paper mill.

However, members of the 38 Royal Engineer Regiment have rebuilt the bridge with a passing bay in the centre, new ramps at the end and special protective coating.

Caol Councillor Olwyn Macdonald said: "I am delighted the army has come back to build this vital link between communities.

"It is so well used. I am over the moon and a big thank-you is due to the army!"

The £80,000 bridge will become part of the planned Great Glen Way which is due to open in 2002.

FIFTY YEARS AGO
Thursday May 6 1976

Firms will provide 70 jobs

The three firms who are to occupy new factory units built at Claggan, Fort William, will provide jobs for something like 70 people, it was reported this week.

Greenwood Clothing Manufacturers, Tulloch Mountaincraft, and the Black and White Shop, will take up occupancy on May 15.

The decision to let the units at a rental fixed by the district valuer was taken at a meeting of Lochaber District Council Development Committee in Fort William on Monday.

Some concern was expressed that the district valuer’s price represented only one third of what it had cost to build the units, and Councillor James MacKay wanted to know how this could be justified to rate-payers.

The chief executive, Mr Jas Ballantyne, said this merely represented the normal selling price if the units were put on the open market.

Out-and-about banking in Skye

Now travelling the highways and byways of Skye is a Clydesdale Bank mobile service based on Portree. It is a mobile bank with a difference: for customers, the van has a separate interview room to ensure privacy; for the bank staff there is a kitchen to prepare lunch.

Uist freight costs probed

In view of the recent increased freight charges announced by Caledonian-MacBrayne, the secretary of the Uist Council of Social Service is to investigate the cost of hiring a puffer from Glasgow to bring items to the islands.

This was revealed at the April meeting of the council and the meeting was told once this was done national press coverage and political representation will be sought at the highest level.

The secretary, Peter Campbell, is also to make a study comparing freight costs in Uist with areas like the Shetlands and the Faroes.

Mr Uisdean Robertson stressed the importance of the importance of packaging in freight costs. As an example, he quoted the transportation of milk, which, depending on the packaging by the North of Scotland Milk Marketing Board, cost 1p per pint to 3p per pint for transportation.

Mr Robertson then claimed that through MacBrayne Haulage the rate for Glasgow-Uist was dearer than Glasgow-Stornoway although the Stornoway run was longer.

ONE HUNDRED YEARS AGO
Saturday May 1 1926

Fort William news

At a sitting of the Dean of Guild Court held on Monday night, warrants were granted for the erection of the new houses at Inverlochy Place, and also for a garage for the Highland Hotel.

Accident: Thomas Foy, employed by the contractors for the Lochaber Water Power Scheme, has been admitted to the Belford Hospital, suffering from a severe scalp wound.

Apparently, he was engaged at drilling operations in one of the adits where part of the apparatus slipped and struck him on the head. It is understood that the injured man is now progressing favourably.

"Wipers": Lochaber Cinema for three nights showed the great war film "Ypres". This epic story, with its blend of pathos, valour, and trench humour made special appeal to those who witnessed the film display, and the executive are to be congratulated upon their enterprise in bringing forward the historic picture.

Appropriate music accompanied the exhibition, and one recalled the strenuous days when listening to the refrain of "Tipperary", "Keep the Home Fires Burning", and "Old Soldiers Never Die."