Aberdeen Press and Journal
20 March 1880
Awkward train detention at Oldmeldrum
On Friday afternoon, while the 5.15 train from Oldmeldrum was at Lethenty station on the way to Inverurie, some goods waggons were being shunted on to a siding, when one of them got off the metals. Unfortunately, this waggon was between the engine and the carriages, and to save detention on the main line the passengers were all put into an open goods truck, and conveyed in this way to Inverurie. Amongst the passengers were a number of young ladies bound for a ball at Inverurie, and as the night was damp their condition in an open waggon, exposed to rain, and smoke from the engine, was not a very enviable one, and to make matters worse, it turned out that the ladies' ball dresses, which had been sent to the railway station some time before the departure of the train had been left behind. The consternation among the fair ones when this discovery was made may be more easily imagined than described. On the engine returning to Lethenty station the waggon was got upon the rails again with some little trouble, and Oldmeldrum reached about eight o'clock instead of six.

Stonehaven Journal
20 March 1849
An ox of the olden time
As some men were last week employed in cutting a drain about 17 feet deep, on the estate of Middletoun, in Forfarshire, they turned up a portion of the skeleton of a gigantic ox. The teeth of the animal and the flints of its horns had exactly the same shape, and both were of an extraordinary size. The flints of the horns measured two feet eight inches in length, and their girth at the skull was fifteen inches. The teeth were of an enormous size. The sloughs of the horns were decayed, and only a portion of the bones of the animal remained. To all appearance it must have lain many years in the earth, and is perhaps 'antediluvian'. Filberts [hazelnuts], in a perfect state of preservation, also oak leaves well preserved, and sea shells, in great variety, were turned up at the same time. These lands are about seven miles from the sea.

Perthshire Advertiser
21 March 1833
Emigration
The tide of emigration is again on the swell. Among others who are about to try their fortune on the other side of the Atlantic, is one of our citizens, who, not wishing to harrow the feelings of his friends and neighbours by a formal adieu, took French leave. Some of these friends and neighbours, however, being more ceremonious, followed him, and having overtaken him at Kinross, forced him to settle matters in another shape. Other friends, it is said, will await him at Leith, to part with him in a regular way. In the hurry of preparing for such a voyage, people are sometimes apt to forget trifles.

Peeblesshire Advertiser
22 March 1879
Hiring fair: Penicuik
The March feeing market fell to be held yesterday. There was a large attendance of both masters and servants, but in the early part of the day hiring was very backward, the wages offered not appearing satisfactory to the servants. The heavy storm of the early part of the week having left its traces on the streets in the form of half-melted heaps of snow. As the day advanced the streets became most disagreeable, and caused many of those who had accomplished their business to leave for their homes by the forenoon trains. A fresh influx by some of these trains however made the fair the largest seen for some years. Owing to the shooting galleries, merry-go-rounds, and temporary places of amusement having to take up a position in the Royal Hotel Park, to those that remained all day the street presented few attractions, and became later on comparatively deserted.

Motherwell Times
22 March 1884
Our hotels and Sabbath desecration
Sir – The delightful weather of last Sabbath brought in an extra strong detachment of bona fide travellers and gave striking proof of how convenient and obliging our hotels are, and judging from results, they must have done a roaring trade. Any one wishing to enjoy the cool of the evening by a turn down Hamilton Road and had a little respect left for the blessed rest and quiet of the Sabbath would have been rudely shocked by the sights to be seen. At about half-past five o'clock, and still daylight, there were at least two dozen drunks between the Clyde Bridge and the Cross of Motherwell, going from Motherwell, and a free fight about midway in full swing.

Now, sir, am I right in supposing that the hotel licence merely gives the right to supply a refreshment to tired travellers, and does not allow them to be refreshed till intoxicated? If so, there is an evident breach of licence here, and if our active police cannot get convictions against the hotel-keeper, they should at least 'run in' every person showing signs of intoxication. A fine next day would soon help to clear our streets of this increasing nuisance on Sabbaths which is a foul blot on our town. Is this disgraceful state of matters to continue? The reply in the negative seems to lie in the hands of our police, if they would only wake up in right earnest. Yours &c, Vigilance

Aberdeen Herald
23 March 1844
An example to landlords
We understand that Lady Keith Murray, at the collection of the rents of her estate of Dunnottar last week, caused the very handsome sum of 15 per cent to be abated to her tenants from their rents, in consequence of the great depression of all kinds of farm stock and produce. This is giving most substantial evidence of the great interest which her ladyship takes in the prosperity and welfare of her tenantry.

Kirkintilloch Gazette
25 March 1899
A native of Kirkintilloch, Mr John A Craigie, last week celebrated his semi-jubilee as clerk to Govan School Board. At a conversazione and dance, held in honour of the event, Mr Craigie was presented with a silver tray, two standard lamps, and silver entree dishes, with a diamond ring for Mrs Craigie.