News - Current
(please see news archive pages for news prior to 2023)

On Friday 10 November Vice Lord-Lieutenant Kim Tulloch was privileged to be invited to the Dornoch Firth Campus Act of Remembrance and felt that it was one of the most moving services she has ever attended. The service was held in Dornoch Cathedral and was organised by the pupils from Dornoch Academy, Dornoch Primary School and Bonar Bridge Primary School.

The pupils did a huge amount of research into the names on the war memorial and had obtained photographs of some of those whose names appear on the memorial. These were projected onto a screen during the service allowing those attending to relate to the young people from the area who served and who lost their lives. Head Teacher Norman Ross supervised the service and Dornoch Academy French teacher, Danny Parkin from Brora, was the piper. A wreath was laid both in the Cathedral and afterwards at the war memorial.

A tree to commemorate the Coronation of King Charles III and Queen Camilla was planted in Dornoch and formally presented to Ms Catherine Macangus, the new Provost of Dornoch (and Chair of the Dornoch Community Council) by the Lord-Lieutenant. Around 200 pupils from Dornoch Academy and Primary School attended, singing a song to mark the moment. They also buried “goodwill messages” at the foot of the tree, linking them to the planting in years to come.

Both the Lord-Lieutenant and Provost spoke to thank everyone for attending, especially the pupils, and for those who had helped with both the tree and the plinth, which is placed beside the tree. The costs of the plinth were kindly covered by Skibo Castle. The event was organised by the Vice Lord-Lieutenant, Mrs Kim Tulloch who is also a resident of Dornoch. The tree is a flowering cherry (Fragrant Cloud).

The Lord-Lieutenant and one of his deputies, Catriona Whitfield, visited the Kildonan Parish war memorial at Helmsdale and met the chair of Helmsdale branch of the RBLS, Mike Ellis. Mr Ellis briefed General Marriott on the history of the war memorial (the 100th anniversary of the dedication of the memorial will be next year), it's restoration in 2018, and also explained the story behind the crosses that have been set out each year since 2014 at the war memorials in Helmsdale and Loth.

Many of those named on the memorials are buried away from the area, the crosses were made by the Helmsdale Woodlanders to give a physical focus for those who died. A cross was made for each person named on the memorials, as well as a cross marked for those 'Known unto God'. The original poppies on the crosses were made by the children of Helmsdale Primary School. The crosses go out each year at the start of November and remain at the memorials until the end of the month.

Margaret Haslam celebrated her 100th birthday today at the Bradbury Centre. The youngest of 11 children, she was born in Wrexham in Wales on 27 October 1923 before moving to Nottinghamshire when she was 8. After 88 years, she moved to Sutherland to be with her son, Simon Haslam. She jokes that she has lived in “Wales, England and Scotland”. The Lord-Lieutenant presented her with a birthday card from The King and Queen and he helped Margaret cut her birthday cake with his sword. The party was a huge success and much enjoyed - special plaudits as always to Ms’ Lorraine Askew, Lippy Ross and the team at The Bradbury Centre.

The Bradbury Centre continues to rely on fund-raising and donations: https://bradburycentre.co.uk

Deputy Lieutenant Christine Mackay was invited to attend the recent reunion of former Culrain School pupils as guest speaker and she also said grace and gave the vote of thanks.

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Former Geldfield teacher Mary Campbell, who lives just outside Culrain, decided to  arrange a reunion of pupils who had attended Culrain School prior to its closure around 30 years ago. The reunion took place over afternoon tea at Nanny's tea room, thereafter those attending had their photo taken in front of the old school. The afternoon was a great success, with some guests not having seen each other for around 60 years.

A specially commissioned silver kilt pin was presented to Deputy Lieutenant David Grant of Lochinver to mark his retirement from the Lieutenancy after 24 years. Flowers were also presented to David's wife, Norah, to thank her for the support that she has given to David's appointment over the years. Members of the Lieutenancy team, past and present, gathered for lunch to thank David for his service.

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David was brought up in Achfary from birth to age 11, then educated at Golspie High School. He graduated from the Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art, Dundee where he also spent his post graduate year before spending three years at the Royal College of Art, London, specialist subject Ceramics. David founded Highland Stoneware Ltd in 1974, successfully making Creative Pottery in Lochinver and Ullapool and employing 25-30 people for each of the years since then.

Deputy Lieutenant Christine Mackay had the pleasure of cutting the ribbon to open the Kyle of Sutherland Development Trust's new Learning Shelter (behind the Community Polytunnel) during the "Big Picnic" plants and seed swap in Drover's Square. the Big Picnic was an opportunity for the community to explore the new space, enjoy some food, spend some time in the polytunnel, chat to others and swap plants/seeds. 

This event was part of the Highlands and Islands Climate Festival funded by the Highlands & Islands Climate Hub.

The Lord-Lieutenant has invited Mr Ewan Mackay, Treasurer of the Sutherland Branch of the Royal Naval Association, to be the new “liaison officer” with HMS Sutherland. HMS Sutherland is due to complete a refit next year and Mr Mackay’s appointment will renew the traditional links the county and the ship. Mr Mackay joined the RN as a Marine Engineering Artificer at the age of 17, and went on to have a 20 year career which included 5 promotions, service in 9 different ships, 8 Operational deployments and visits to 42 different countries. Mr Mackay said, “I was lucky enough to serve with some fantastic people, and if I could do it all again I absolutely would. I grew up in Golspie, but was made in the Royal Navy.”

The Sutherland Branch of the Royal Naval Association meets at Golspie Heritage at 7-30pm on the second Wednesday of the month. New members are always welcome. 

The Lord-Lieutenant has recently visited the Dornoch Firth Group’s Men's Shed. The Shed provides a harbour for folk who may be retired or in part time work, those recovering from illness, or those who just want to get out of the house and need more than a walk on their own. The Shed, which serves all of East Sutherland is an especially welcome place. It is a proper haven for those living alone too. Company is a great healer. 

There are no fees, no obligations. Transport can often be found to help those who find travel difficult. Someone will be at the Shed to welcome new visitors between 10:30 and 12:00 every Thursday morning. If you want to enquire either for yourself or someone you might know who could benefit from a visit to the Shed, please email charles@dfgcommunity.com or call / text 07533 518 399.

A Service to mark the 80th anniversary of the attack on the German battleship Tirpitz on 22 September 1943 by midget submarines of the XII Submarine Flotilla was held at the Flotilla Memorial at Kylesku. It was attended by the Lord-Lieutenant, Royal Navy service personnel from Faslane and by members of the Sutherland Branch of the Royal Naval Association, the Scottish and West of Scotland Submariners’ Association, “We Remember Submariners” and the RN Submarine Association - together with relatives and friends of those who took part, and others from across the county.

The event was arranged by the Sutherland Lieutenancy with many thanks to Reay Forest Estate, Piper Andrew Barnes, Jonathan Brett-Young, Cdr Tim Honnor RN (Retd), the Reverend Canon Laurence Gunner RNVR and many others who helped with the event.

250 years after the brig 'Nancy' set sail from Dornoch carrying 280 emigrants bound for North America, a commemoration was held on Dornoch beach to mark the death of over 80 of those on board during the passage to New York, including 6 of 7 mothers who gave birth aboard and all their new borns. The deaths were caused by a combination of disease, starvation and injury; attributable to insufficient food, bad weather and the brutality of the captain and crew. (Photograph credit: Ashley Rose)

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The Provost of Dornoch, Paddy Murray, introduced Professor David Bell who told the story of those who sailed on the Nancy, Rev Graeme Muckart led the service of commemoration, Kaya Mackay recited a Gaelic poem and sang Fear a Bhata, and Pipe Major Willie Fraser piped beautifully throughout the service. Deputy Lieutenant Catriona Whitfield handed over a sheaf of flowers, grown in Sutherland, to the ESRA lifeboat crew who went out into the Dornoch Firth to lay the flowers in memory of those who died.

Honours and awards are awarded to recognise and reward those who have made special contributions to society, or for extraordinary achievements. In Sutherland we are proud to be able to celebrate many who have given so much to our communities. A new Sutherland Honours and Awards Board has been created seeking “to improve the likelihood of honours and awards for the people of Sutherland in order to reflect better their contribution to our communities”. Nominations go to a national committee for a decision.

The Board aims to help anyone who wants to put forward names for recognition. Board members will be able to advise discreetly on the process, help with compilation of citations and generally ease the making of a nomination. The Board is keen to hear from anyone who knows of individuals in Sutherland who might merit recognition. The board can be contacted by email at sutherlandlieutenancy@gmail.com. 

Leo Lannon, a pupil at Golspie Primary School, was the overall winner of the Sutherland Primary Schools’ Coronation Art Competition held in May.

A copy of his winning entry was seen by the King who wrote to the Lord-Lieutenant with directions that His “congratulations and warmest wishes” be conveyed to Leo. The Lord-Lieutenant, having passed this on to Leo, gave him the original letter from the King’s Private Secretary in Golspie.

The Bradbury Centre at Bonar Bridge celebrated its 25th anniversary on 23 August, and hosted a celebratory lunch. The Lord-Lieutenant attended and thanked first, all those who had so tirelessly (and with such vision) to set up the centre in 1998; second, he thanked all those who have worked, and continue to work there; third, he thanked in advance all those whom he knows will strive to continue the good work there in the future.

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The lunch was a huge success and much enjoyed - a special tribute to Lorraine Askew and Elizabeth Ross who have worked there since the centre began. The Bradbury Centre continues to rely on fund-raising and donations and all donations are welcome - www.bradburycentre.co.uk

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Photo: L-L with the staff, to his right Elizabeth Ross and to his left Lorraine Askew.

The new East Sutherland Rescue Association (ESRA) lifeboat was named on Sunday 20 August at a ceremony in Dornoch. The “Wildland” is a whole new capability for ESRA and, together with considerable ancillary equipment, has been generously funded by Anders Povlson. 

The boat was named by Kim Tulloch DL with the Lord-Lieutenant in attendance. Prayers were led by the Revd John Chambers OBE who chairs the Friends of ESRA. A blessing was conducted by the Revd Simon Scott with the help of local children who anointed both boat and crew, Mr Michael Fraser piped Highland Cathedral. The Lord-Lieutenant thanked Neil Dalton and his team for the successful ceremony. He then spoke of Sir Francis Drake’s prayer which reminds us that “….in any great venture….it is not the beginning but the continuing to the end which yields the true glory” and highlighted the vital need for support for ESRA both financially and in finding volunteers to crew and support the boat. www.esra.uk

The Lord-Lieutenant attended the inauguration of Aeneas Mackay, the Lord Reay, as Chief of Clan Mackay at Farr on 23 August. The ceremony took place in rain, sun and a strong winds and was attended by around 150 people from across Sutherland and well beyond. Internationally, Mackays from the USA, Australia, Canada, the Netherlands and Germany and many other countries were present. 

The Lord-Lieutenant read the original letters patent which raised the first Chief, Sir Donald Mackay, to the Peerage in 1628 during the reign of Charles I. Christopher Mackie presided at the event which was arranged by the Clan Mackay Society and in particular, Sandra and Lisa Mackay. The Benediction was delivered by the Rev Mary Stobo and Jennifer Port played the clarsach. 

The Lord-Lieutenant recently made a presentation, on behalf of the Princess Royal, of an Honorary Fellowship of the University of the Highlands & Islands (UHI) to artist Sue Jane Taylor (pictured with the Lord-Lieutenant and Professor David Worthington, Centre for Highland History, UHI). The Fellowship is recognition of an artist whose contribution - locally, nationally, internationally, and to UHI - is helping ensure the transformative impact on our region that UHI is committed to.

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Sue Jane Taylor grew up on the Black Isle, and studied at Gray’s School of Art, the Slade School of Fine Art and the Konst Academie, Stockholm.  She is renowned for her work documenting the North Sea energy industry and continues to capture its transition towards decommissioning and renewables. Her work raises questions about the relationship between art, environment and industry; developing ideas about labour, industry and their place in the natural world. Sue Jane Taylor's work currently forms part of a group exhibition 'Beatrice: Transition Under Petrocapitalism' at Timespan in Helmsdale.

The four annual Highland Games in Sutherland began with the Durness Highland Gathering. As always it was a welcoming, generous and lively event - and, quite rightly, attracted a big crowd. These events take months of thought, preparation, hard work and time, and the Lieutenancy would like to thank the President, Mr David Morrison; Chairman, Mr Alastair Morrison and all committee members for such a successful event enjoyed by so many - Scottish Highland hospitality and kindness at its best. 

Congratulations to the Rev Andrea Boyce for being this year’s Chieftain - richly deserved. Frances Gunn DL as an ex-Chieftain herself, took part and kindly welcomed the Lord-Lieutenant as well as Christine Mackay DL from Ardgay.  Dates for the next three Highland Games in Sutherland: Dornoch - 4 August; Assynt - 11 August; Helmsdale - 19 August.

The Lord-Lieutenant attended the National Service of Thanksgiving and Dedication that was held on Tuesday 5 July at St Giles’ Cathedral in Edinburgh. The service saw the presentation of the Honours of Scotland to King Charles III.

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“It was a very Scottish ceremony in every way. There was a sense of history everywhere: the Honours were used as coronation regalia for Mary, Queen of Scots, James VI, Charles I and Charles III. The music was superb with pieces by Peter Maxwell Davies, Jay Capperauld and Dougie MacLean amongst other Scottish composers. Robert Lovie and Joy Dunlop sang perfectly. It was a privilege to be there in every way.”

On the day before the National Service of Thanksgiving and Dedication, His Majesty held the first Palace of Holyrood Garden Party of his reign. The themes which the palace sought to promote were youth, community, diversity and sustainability.

There were many guests from across Sutherland nominated for the work that they have done in support of their communities. Amongst those attending were two of the the Lieutenancy teams' newer Deputy Lieutenants Christine Mackay and Dawn McKenzie - undaunted by the somewhat unseasonal weather.