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NEWTONMORE
AFTER THE WAR
| Not only did the two world wars decimate the male
population, but the lack of employment opportunities afterwards gave impetus to the
gravitation of the younger inhabitants to leave the village and seek work in the bigger
centres of population. Following a long tradition of Highlands and Islands men, many
enrolled in the Police forces of the larger towns and cities
- indeed, the Shinty team of Glasgow Police, drawn almost entirely from
ex-patriate
Highlanders still survives today, although a much lesser force in the game than it was at
that time. |
Mining and steel working were
also a source of employment, though these industries were soon to show signs of recession.
Car building and the burgeoning light industries also gave
further hope.
During this time of de-population, whilst the housing market in the more prosperous parts
of England and Scotland was buoyant, here in the Highlands many properties became empty,
and some fell into disrepair, leading to a wide disparity in house prices and the growth
of the 'holiday home' on a new and different scale from that
of Edwardian days. Where in those days the wealthy gentry came and built large houses,
bringing with them employment - albeit part time or lowly paid 'below stairs', after the
war it became the fashion of the simply 'comfortably off' to buy a wee 'hame in the
heilands' and 'do it up'. To be fair, many of these
holiday homes went on to be let to the growing self catering market, bringing new visitors
to the area.Continuing efforts to create local employment are helping to slow the
movement of young men and women from the area, though it is still continuing today. |
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