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21 June 2019

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Building Your Own Home Is Easier Than You May Think!
Today we begin a series of articles written by Peter Body of Thermohaus Ltd , a Caithness based timber frame kit home company. Why Self-Build? For decades the British have bought new homes as standard speculatively built products from national and regional house builders. In most cases you must take what the builder offers, meaning there is always compromise. Add to this the high value of land and developers' obligations to their shareholders and the buyer has generally got a poor deal. Self-build is a credible and viable alternative.
         Self-build expert in Caithness launches new eco home concept

20 June 2019

Subsea7 Donate £1000 To Caithness Health Action Team (CHAT)
Mikie Aitken , Quality Control Inspector for Subsea7 Wester Site, recently won a thousand pounds for a safety award while working on the Equinor Snorre project to be given to a charity of his choice. He chose to donate to Caithness Health Action Team 100mile helper kits which are given to Caithness General Hospital , Community Maternity Unit who give the kits to local women that have to be quickly transferred to Raigmore maternity hospital in an emergency situation. The kit has essentials a mother needs such as sanitary products, toiletries, water, energy bars, head rest, key for the disabled toilet, baby blanket and nappies.

18 June 2019

Mount Pleasant Primary School - Public Meeting Regarding Creation Of Gaelic Medium Area
A public meeting will be held at Mount Pleasant Primary School on Tuesday 25 June 2019 starting at 7.30pm, to discuss the creation of a Gaelic Medium catchment area for Mount Pleasant Primary.   Community Index

16 June 2019

Wick Harbour Day 2019







Halkirk Gala 2019  - Floats, Crowning, Children's Fancy Dress

14 June 2019

Obituary on Jimmy Simpson, Laird of Stroma Born 5 April 1928 Died 2nd June 2019
Jimmy Simpson, the Laird of Stroma, died at the age of 91 on June 2nd, 2019 at the Town & County Hospital, in Wick, Caithness, after a lengthy illness. Mr Simpson, who was born at the fourth of a family of six in Stroma Mains Farm, had owned the now uninhabited island in the middle of the Pentland Firth since 1961. He operated its near-one thousand usually wind-swept acres as a sheep-farm, servicing the two miles long by one mile broad island it with workboats based on little piers & harbours on the North Caithness coast. Jimmy became best-known to visitors as the genial Stroma boatman, ferrying hundreds of visitors each summer to the isle just off John O'Groats.

5 June 2019

Budding Engineers Crowdfunding to To Increase Children's Access to 3D Design and Architecture
Budding engineers are currently in the process of trying to raise enough money through crowdfunding for a 3D Community printer here in Caithness. In addition we are also looking to purchase several Architectural Modelling Kits to introduce into Primary Education, some of these are available for children as young as 4 years.

4 June 2019

North Highland College No Plans Yet In Place To Deal With Serious Financial Problems
Colleges' financial challenges increase. The Audit Scotland report published today (4th June 2019) shows North Highland college is only one of several colleges not to have any financial plan in place to deal with a growing deficit. The auditor highlighted the need for more detailed interaction between the college and UHI as savings plans are developed. The college has once began a curriculum review, with a view to achieving savings for the 2019-20 budget. However, the college anticipates that it may require financial support from UHI, in the form of cash advances, for 2019-20. The college has loans of £1.3 million and in 2017-18 relied on waivers from its bank to avoid breaching loan covenants. The college has previously required cash advances from its regional body, the University of the Highlands and Islands (UHI). It is forecasting a cumulative underlying deficit of £2.5 million by 2022-23.

2 June 2019

Have You Got The Skills To Assist The Caithness Broch Project Reach Its Goals
Volunteers with project and contract management skills and enthusiasm to join management committee of the Caithness Broch Project.
The Project Aims

29 May 2019

Proposal To Establish A Gaelic Medium Catchment Area For Mount Pleasant Primary School, Thurso
Moladh Sgìre-Sgoile airson Foghlam tron Ghàidhlig a Stèidheachadh airson Bun-Sgoil Mount Pleasant
Highland Council is to seek the views of local communities on a proposal to establish a Gaelic Medium catchment area for Mount Pleasant Primary School. The change is being proposed in line with Statutory Guidance on Gaelic Medium Education.
Tha Comhairle na Gàidhealtachd gus beachdan choimhearsnachdan ionadail a shireadh mu mholadh gus sgìre-sgoile airson Foghlam tron Ghàidhlig a stèidheachadh airson Bun-Sgoil Mount Pleasant. Thathar a' moladh an atharrachaidh a rèir Stiùireadh Reachdail air Foghlam tron Ghàidhlig.

Wick Town Centre Getting A Huge Clean Up
Wick town centre is set to sparkle following a deep clean of the High Street area. The deep clean started on Monday morning and will be completed on Friday 31st May 2019. There are 5 staff involved daily in the cleansing operation, which is essentially a pressure wash which includes a detergent being fed through the tank of a mechanical street sweeping vehicle. Litter collection takes place daily anyway, so the deep clean will focus on the cleansing of pedestrian areas. The aim is to clean and remove any stains such as residual marks caused by liquid spillage and the clean will also remove any existing bird mess. Community groups and members of the public are warmly invited to attend a town centre regeneration meeting on Monday 10 June at 7.30pm in the Mackays Hotel.

Highland Council Rescue Plan For Caithness Horizons Approved
Re- opening on the horizon for Caithness. Highland Council's Care Learning and Housing Committee today agreed a package of revenue and capital funding which is a major milestone towards the re-opening of Caithness Horizons, Thurso. The Council agreed to commit revenue funding of £75k p.a. for 3 years, and capital funding of up to £204k to allow the most immediate building works to be addressed over the coming months.   The plan includes a contract with Highlife Highland the successful arms length organisation that already runs a range of leisure services for the council across Highland.

The Highland Council Apprentice Mechanics Class Of 2016-2019
Apprentices Mechanics excel with Moray Firth Training. Seven of our apprentices studying with Moray Firth Training have reached the end of their third year in style! The team have taken 11 exams each over the last 2 years with 79 distinctions (over 80%), 9 merits and 3 passes in total between them. Scott Matheson and Alick Elrick achieved 11 distinctions, with Elliot Geddes, Jon Hutchison and Gregor Rose all getting 10 distinctions.


Highland on track to meet ELC expansion requirements by 2020
The national expansion of funded Early Learning and Childcare (ELC) hours will see entitlement for three and four-year-olds and eligible two-year-olds increased from 600 to 1,140 hours per year from August 2020. Every setting in Highland is being considered and assessed in preparation for full roll out in August 2020. The funding from the Scottish Government means that we are able to adopt a phased approach with approximately 70 sites already identified to move to 1140 hours from August 2019, with further sites expected to be identified into January 2020 before the statutory requirement in August 2020.

26 May 2019

Local Entrepreneur Peter Body Starts New Caithness Business With A National Outlook
Peter Body, one of the most successful business people in Caithness has launched another new company.  Thermohaus aims to make it easier for people to get the home they want using eco principles but with modern design. The Thermohaus design concept comprises just five primary building blocks. Two different height accommodation blocks, two roof forms and a link/porch unit. Together they may be arranged in a multitude of different formations to provide maximum design flexibility. The accommodation blocks do not require internal load-bearing walls meaning the internal layout is also very flexible and ideal for open plan living. Whilst Thermohaus recommend separate blocks for living and sleeping, customers may have the layout which suits them best.  The new business has launched a web site and Facebook page and will also have a stand at Homebuilding and Rennovation show on Saturday 1 and Sunday 2 June 2019 SEC, Exhibition Way, Glasgow.

23 May 2019

A Walk Around Thurso On A Dreich Day
Yesterday was a kind of damp drizzly day but not wet enough to stop going for a wander around Thurso.
An earlier walk September 2017 was a much brighter day.
   Thurso Streets Index          A to Z Index



Pentland Music In Thurso Offering Lessons To Pupils Anywhere Online
Pentland Music Shop in Thurso has branched out to offer online music lessons.  With a growing number of people keen to learn to play but unable to reach a music teacher the numbers are expanding who get lessons from a distance.  The popularity of the Ukulele has been building and the shop has a great stock of instruments.  Lessons are offered on several other insturments and you can buy one or get advice.  So if you are wanting guitar, ukulele, fiddle, accordion, or keyboard lessons then check out Pentland Music.  Distance is now no barrier to learning to play an instrument in Thurso or any place.

Another Miller Academy Photo from 1962
Jim Christie has sent in this latest photo of his class from 1962 at Miller Academy.  We have many of the photos from that centernary year already on the site and thought wehad gotten them all but you never know.  If anyone has a listof names please send them in to bill@caithness.org
The school photo section has not had new items for some time but if you have an old class photo you would like to share then send it to bill@caithness.org
  Miller Acadmy School Photos Index       Other Caithness Schools Early Class Photos Index

9 May 2019

Wick Councillors Announce Follow-up Meetings In Town Centre Regeneration Plan
Plans for a town centre regeneration in Wick have taken another step forward with the announcement of two further stakeholder meetings. On Tuesday 28 May2019, town centre retailers are invited to join Ward 3 councillors and Highland Council officers for a workshop exploring some of the key themes identified during the first round of engagement, which took place on 16 May.
Meanwhile, councillors have also set a date for a meeting with wider stakeholders and the general public. This meeting has been set for Monday 10 June at 7.30pm in the Mackays Hotel. It will provide an opportunity for councillors to share their draft regeneration plans while seeking views, feedback and ideas from the community.

4 May 2019

McIvor and Allen Wood Chip Carvers of Castletown Exhibition







The exhibition is now on at Castletown Heritage Centre, Harbour road, Castlehill, Castletown.
A short history of chip carving in Castletown by James Dunster.
Photos from the 2001 exhibition can be seen HERE
Castletown Heritage Society           Castlehill Heritage Centre opened in Novermber 2007

3 May 2019

US and UK complete project to remove highly enriched uranium from Dounreay
The Nuclear Decommissioning Authority and US Department of Energy's National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) have completed the transfer of around 700kg of highly enriched uranium (HEU) from Dounreay, in the north of Scotland, to the US. The HEU transfer, from Dounreay to the United States, was announced by the UK Government as part of its commitment to the 2016 Nuclear Security Summit held in Washington DC.

2 May 2019

Olrig House Castletown - Bluebell walks
Enjoy a walking tour with the Head Gardener, Graham around the grounds of Olrig House, see the stunning bluebells and learn about some of the history and stories related to Olrig. Tours will run throughout May on Friday and Saturday at the following times. 10.30am and 12noon.






Help Find Missing Tabby Cat From Keiss
Recently moved to Keiss and this tabby has gone missing.  If you see it get in touch.  Name and phone number inside.

   Cat Came Home.








The Flow Country - Peatland Partnership's World Heritage Site's Project Open Days
The Peatlands Partnership is announcing the start of an extensive community consultation over a proposed World Heritage Site for The Flow Country, the vast area of peatlands in Sutherland and Caithness that is now widely recognised as being the best peatland of its type in the world. Joe Perry, the Peatland Partnership's World Heritage Site's Project Coordinator said: "A Flow Country World Heritage Site would not only be an enormous accolade for the area and the many organisations, land managers, crofters and farmers who have maintained this land for generations but it could also bring many positive development opportunities and undoubtedly some challenges too.

Glamping, Distilling And Farm Fitness - A New Guide For Farming Diversification
Glamping, distilling, adventure tourism and even outdoor farm fitness are among the novel opportunities open to rural businesses looking for "diversification inspiration". A new guide created by Scotland's Rural College (SRUC) as part of its Rural Brexit Hub highlights successful examples from around the UK and includes advice on how to get new projects off the ground.
Guide author Calum Johnston says that, with current Brexit uncertainty and the onset of reductions in farm subsidy payments after 2021, diversification will become increasingly important for farmers and rural businesses to ensure long-term sustainability.

Labour Party Visit To Caithness Hears About Third Sector and Health Issues From CHAT
A visit of the Labour Party Leader in Scotland Richard Leonard MSP accompanied by Rhoda Grant MSP heard from the third sector and Caithness Health Action Team (CHAT) about problems arising to the community from changes to health provision and wide range of topics. Roger Saxon the local Labour party organiser and Alan Tait from Caithness Voluntary Group facilitated the meeting at the Pulteney Centre in Wick. Bill Fernie CHAT chairman and Ron Gunn, CHAR vice-chairman set out some of the problems for people in the county in respect of health issues while Catherine Patterson spoke about Befrienders and the need for assistance.


BT offers communities the chance to ‘adopt' their local phone box for just £1
BT is offering communities across Scotland the opportunity to adopt their local phone box for just £1 to turn them into something inspirational for their local area. More than 740 traditional red boxes are available for adoption across Scotland and BT will also consider adoption requests to house defibrillators in more modern kiosks. BT is encouraging community groups to seize the opportunity to do something wonderful with phone boxes that have little or no usage. Already, more than 370 payphones have been adopted by communities in Scotland since 2008.
   
      Photos of Telephone Boxes in Caithness  - Some  Now Gone

27 April 2019

Caithness Health Action Team Raised The Huge Mileages By Caithness Patients Going to Raigmore
Press and Journal Today Saturday 27th April 2019
Bill Fernie Chairman of Caithness Health Action Team (CHAT) at the Annual NHS Highland review 25 April 2019 open to the public asked the top table of Jeane Freeman MSP, Cabinet Secretary for Health and Sport, recently appointed chief executive Iain Stewart and chairman Boyd Robertson of NHS Highland if they were aware of how changes over the years had increased patient travel to Riagmore to very high levels. A rough calculation showed it was in excess of 3 million miles each year now creating hardship for some families and huge inconvenience compared to to a time when more clinics were held in Caithness.
Story in Press and Journal 27 April on mileage piles up by patients form Caithness to Raigmore

Editorial in Press and Journal 27 April 2019 on the huge travel from Caithness to Raigmore

Caithness Health Action Team Facebook Page for comments on this situation.

Community Index

22 April 2019

Thurso's Got Talent  - Entries Now Being Accepted
Join us for an evening of entertainment from Thurso's finest talent! We're hosting Thurso's Got Talent as a fundraiser for our Trust. We're a grass roots, not for profit organisation which works on behalf of the residents and businesses in the town in the hope to develop and improve the place we call home. We're a registered charity and all funds raised help us progress with our projects and continue the work we've started since we formed in January 2018. We believe Thurso is home to fantastic people, businesses and talent so, how could we not organise a talent show?

Wick Players Announcments For Kids And Panto Dates
Open evenings for juniors being held by Wick Players on Monday evenings from 7pm to 9pm. These evenings will begin on(Monday 22nd April 2019). Children must be 12 years or over.

Note - These are two separate events.  The open evenings are not related directly to the panto.

18 April 2019

Wick Businesses Talk With Councillors About How To Improve The Town Centre
Wick Town Hall packed as businesses and councillors gather to discuss ambitious town centre regeneration vision. More than 50 retailers and business owners attend presentation and discussion session in Wick Town Hall, hosted by all four ward councillors. Councillors unveil three-part draft strategy to tackle derelict buildings, deliver flagship development, improve built environment.

16 April 2019

Green Health Week 22nd-29th April 2019 with NHS Highland - Photo Competition With Moray Firth Radio
Things are gearing up for Green Health Week. Moray Firth Radio will be running a radio campaign starting on the 22nd April so listen out for it! Either side of that MFR are running a photography competition. It will run for 4 weeks and is hosted on the MFR webpage.  MFR have a few suggestion and ideas for outdoor places to go.  So get cracking with some Caithness places and enter the competiton. Anyone can enter by sending a photo online a favourite outdoor space for 4 weeks.

15 April 2019

Francis Street Bowlers, Wick Supports 3 Local Groups
On Saturday 13th April 2019 Francis Street Bowlers made three generous donation to local groups. A day spent playing bowls at the opening day of the season at Thurso Bowling Club was followed by a buffet tea after which they presented the cheques.
The three groups were -
Wick Youth Club £200
Laurandy Day Centre £250
League of Friends of Caithness General Hospital £200.

12 April 2019

Berriedale Braes Road Project Starting Soon  - Spring Newsletter Issued
The apointed contractor for the upgrade of the Berriedale sectionof the road is R J McLeod and they have issued the first in a series of newsletters as the main works are to begin very soon. Berriedale Braes is located north of Helmsdale and south of Dunbeath on the A9 trunk road in Caithness and forms part of the strategic roads network north of Inverness. The existing A9 at Berriedale Braes includes a tight hairpin bend northeast of Berriedale in order to negotiate steeply sloping topography. The existing hairpin bend on the A9 at Berriedale Braes entails that two HGVs travelling in opposite directions cannot pass on the hairpin bend, as one vehicle requires the use of most of the carriageway to successfully negotiate the bend. This existing substandard geometry is a safety concern and accident records indicate a near miss where an athletics bus collided with the barrier. 

Become a Volunteer with Home-Start Caithness and help local families
Come on the next Volunteer Preparation Course.
Wednesdays - 10am - 2.30pm May 22nd, 29th and June 5th, 12th, 19th, 26th.
Wednesdays - 6pm - 8.30pm May 22nd, 29th and June 5th, 12th, 19th, 26th and 3rd July

11 April 2019

Jobs Jobs Jobs - Vacancies - Full-time - Part-time - Bank work
The most vacancies ever in our jobs section with many positions currently available in Caithness and Sutherland.
The holiday season has begun and hotels and catering places are looking for staff.  The health service and care sectors along with many others are advertising.  Many indivuals positions with a wide range of employers so check them out if you are looking for work.  For employers it is free to advertise in our forum - just join the forum and post your vacancies.  Free for all to see.

Caithness Community Planning Partnership - Next Meeting
Wednesday 17th of April 2019 The Pentland Hotel, Thurso 11:00am - 1:00pm  - Open To The Public

The Rev. Deacon Jacques Cooke - Obituary
The Reverend Deacon Jacques Cooke born 16 December 1924, Roubaix, Northern France: died 25th March 2019, Inverness. James Cooke was the second of five children born to British father (John) and a Belgian mother (Marie-Louise nee Hollebecq), who met on the evening of the 11th November 1918 and married in June 1921. Jacques was born on the 16th December 1924 in Roubaix in northern France, a short distance away from the Hollebecq family home in Mouscron. Jacques Cooke was a nuclear engineer at Dounreay who in 1986 became the first Roman Catholic to be inducted as a permanent deacon in Scotland for over a Millennium.

10 April 2019

Success For John O'Groats Mill Trust Awarded £348,064
The largest of the latest round of grants announced today was made to John O'Groats Mill Trust, which has received £348,064 to acquire the B-listed, disused John O'Groats Mill along with 9.5 acres of land and two self-catering holiday cottages. The Trust intends to restore the Mill to its former working condition and develop it as a visitor attraction and a social and heritage centre, creating a number of employment, volunteering, training, and skills development opportunities.

8 April 2019

Charity Pieces
Trustee Recruitment and Succession Planning

Is Your charity Ready For Brexit?

Up to £1,000 available to charities to help defend against cyber attacks

Goodbye Paper Applications - Hello Digital - Apply online to become a charity

5 Excuses for Not Having Young Trustees

7 April 2019

Caithness Model Club Show 2019

2 April 2019

Caithness Will Be Very Busy This Coming Weekend
Several events this coming weekend wil make Caithness very busy.  The John O'Groats Book Festival starts on Friday evening and runs all weekend.  The Caithness model club annual show is in Wick for two days on Saturday and Sunday.  A craft fair, a beach clean, a coffee morning, coastal boat tour and more so check the Whatson Calendar for times and places

Thurso High Second In Rock Challenge 2019
Thurso High took second place at the 2019 Rock Challenge event at Eden Court theatre, inverness last night.  Well done to Thurso high.  Dinwall Academy took First Place.  The themes for the music this year were on wartime tragedies.  Thurso chose - Iolaire - 1919. The HMY Iolaire was returning war heroes to Lewis on New Year's Day. During the voyage, the ship struck the infamous rocks 'The Beasts of Holm.' The boat was torn apart and sank. Those that survived clung to masts and ropes to endure the night. More than 200 people drowned, just yards from their home. We will remember them. Inside see the list of all the awards with Thurso high listed on several others.

1 April 2019

Fun At Lyth For Easter School Holidays










Towheads/Large Structures Travelling Through Wick
Subsea 7 will be moving three towheads for the Equinor Snorre Project from Wick Harbour to Wester Site in the next 2-3 days. It is planned that the towheads will travel along the route through town as in the photograph. Exact timings will depend on weather conditions and how the Police direct proceedings.



Beach Clean At Dunnet

26 March 2019

New Leisure Link Partnership secures free access for Highlife members across four areas of Scotland
High Life Highland today announced a new partnership with four other areas of Scotland that will see highlife members able to access free use of leisure facilities outside the Highland region for the first time since the low cost access card was introduced over 15 years ago. The scheme, involving four other areas will be known as the "Leisure Link Partnership". Believed to be the first of its type in Scotland, highlife members will now be able to access gym, public swimming and fitness classes at leisure facilities across, Moray, Orkney, The Western Isles and Argyll and Bute at no extra cost.

25 March 2019

First Newton Room In The UK Is Officially Opened In Thurso
The first Norwegian style learning centre in the UK was officially opened in Thurso today Monday 25th March 2019. Newton Rooms are designed to inspire more young people to become interested in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM), and encourage them to study these subjects in school and beyond. The centre at North Highland College UHI in Thurso is the first of a network of Newton Rooms being created in the Highland region by the Science Skills Academy, a partnership project led by Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) with £3m from the Inverness and Highland City-Region Deal.

Dunnet Forestry Trust Bids To Take Ownership Of The Forest
Dunnet Forestry Trust has launched a proposal to take ownership of Dunnet Forest on behalf of the community. Currently the forest is owned by Scottish Natural Heritage and leased to the Trust. As a Scottish Charity and a Company Limited by Guarantee the Trust is eligible to apply to the Scottish Land Fund for financial assistance towards purchase the of the forest. The Trustees believe that there will never be a better opportunity for transfer to community ownership.




Caithness Orchestra Spring Concerts
The Caithness Orchestra bring you the chance to hear somce Czech music you may not hear too often these days.

Pulteney Centre, Wick - Saturday 30th March, 2.30pm

Mount Pleasant School, Thurso - Wednesday 3rd April, 7.30pm

Great chance to let chldren attend a live classical concert from local musicians.  Adults £5  children accompanied by adults FREE.

23 March 2019

A Look Around The Caithness Science Festival 2019 Fun Day

22 March 2019

Mapping Thurso - Asking the Community What Needs to Be Improved
Thurso Development Officer, Joan Lawrie has been running a series of community consultation since taking up post with Caithness Voluntary Group under the Scottish Government funded Aspiring Communities programme in January. Joan has been speaking to users of Ormlie Community Association, Caithness Citizen's Advice Bureau, Thurso Community Cafe and speaking to various groups existing in the town. The key aim of the project is to consult with those in our communities who are experiencing inequality and return this information to the Caithness Community Planning Partnership in order to empower the community in shaping our area from identified priority needs.

21 March 2019

Major Jobs Boost For Wick - Applications Open Now For Up To 39 Positions (38 Full-time, 1 part-time)
Restore Digital is a leading independent provider of document scanning, content input, content capture, business process automation solutions, and professional consultancy services. Our customers trust us with their time critical, business critical and highly sensitive data. We have helped NHS Trusts, Central Government, Fire & Rescue, Ambulance Services, Social Care, Nuclear and Police Authorities begin their digital transformation journey and save £millions while protecting against risk. We also offer the largest scanning capacity in Europe.

Administrators  - 25 Posts - Salary £18525

Team Leaders - 5 Posts - Salary £21500

Porters - 4 Posts Salary - £16500

HGV Drivers - 4 Posts - Salary  £27,000

Part Time SHEQ Advisor (Safety, Health, Environment and Quality)  21 Hours Flexible over 5  days -
Salary  £28,000 - £30,000

Old St Peters Kirk - Graveyard Survey
Old St. Peter's Kirk Preservation Association and Historic Environment Scotland are teaming up to hold a two day workshop on how to survey and formally record the graveyard and gravestones. They will also be demonstrating techniques to help decipher faint inscriptions on the gravestones. A great opportunity for any photography or family history enthusiasts!

                   Old St Peters Kirk Photos

19 March 2019

CAITHNESS PUPILS TO CELEBRATE SCIENCE FESTIVAL WITH TECHFEST
TechFest is in Caithness this week (March 19 - 23) to show primary school pupils how STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths) skills can be used to build space rockets and solve investigations. All part of Caithness International Science Festival. Pupils from Reay, Melvich, Tongue, Pennyland, Cannisbay, Bower, Keiss, Crossroads, Noss, Castletown, Farr, Miller, Dunbeath, Lybster and Thrumster Primary Schools will be able to take part in TechFest workshops throughout the week....       Science Festival Events List

18 March 2019

KELLOGG'S BOOST ITS GRANTS FOR SCHOOL BREAKFAST CLUBS IN LOCAL AREAS
Kellogg's is doubling the number of grants it offers to school breakfast clubs across the UK. The scheme will help to provide breakfast to more than 600 schools in the communities that need them the most. Since 1998, the Kellogg's Breakfast Clubs programme has supported over 3,000 breakfast clubs by providing training, grants and more than 70 million bowls of cereal.

17 March 2019

Hetty Munro's War Diaries by Elizabeth Rintoul - July 1942 - February 1943
Another extract from Hetty Munro diaries first published in the Caithness Field Club Bulletin 2010.  Links have been made to earlier extracts.      
Wings Over Wick   Various Caithness History Items   Caithness Castles   Community Index

16 March 2019

History of Cabrelli‘s Cafe at the Camps in Wick by Lyndall Leet
Early in the 20th century, Italian-owned cafes, ice cream parlours and chip shops spread through- out Scotland, run by enterprising immigrants, who saw Scotland as a land of opportunity, at a time when work was scarce in their own country. One family member would come over to Scotland to work here and were then joined by their brothers and sisters. In the case of Cabrelli's this has now reached the third and fourth generations, who now work in the professions so this business, as happened to so many others, has closed down.
This article was first published in the 2010 Bulletin of Caithness Field Club.  Further articles from the bulletins willbe published in coming weeks.  See the list of articles publish to date on Caithness.org HERE

12 March 2019

Wick Play Parks Meeting - Community Taking Control - Are You In?
All users of play parks in Wick are invited to a meeting to discuss setting up groups to assist with maintenance and improvement of play parks in Wick.

30th March 2019.
10.30am to -12.00noon.
Mowat Room, Assembly Rooms, Wick

                    Community Index



Boost For Computing Lessons In Schools
Teachers from nearly 70 per cent of Scottish schools have signed up for BT tech literacy programme. A programme to help teachers bring computer science to life in the classroom has already reached nearly 70 per cent of Scotland's primary schools, according to new figures. Latest numbers show that teachers from 69 per cent of primary schools in Scotland - a total of more than 6,700 teachers so far - have registered to use the BT-sponsored Barefoot Computing programme, which offers free, classroom-ready teaching resources.                  Community Index

8 March 2019

Play Talk Read Bus Coming To Thurso and Wick
The Play Talk Read bus is coming to Thurso and Wick. "The Play, Talk, Read campaign highlights how the first few years represent a golden opportunity for us to give our children the best possible start in life. "Simply by playing, talking and reading with our children more often we can make a real difference to their development. "Improving the life chances of all our children is a key priority for this government. By the age of three a child's brain is three-quarters of its adult size, with 50 per cent of language skills already developed, making the need to get the early years right beyond debate.   Community Index

4 March 2019

Introducing: Why Invest In Nature? A Short Film Competition
Young filmmakers with a passion for nature are being sought for our new competition that aims to encourage businesses to see the benefits of the natural world. We have joined forces with the Scottish Forum on Natural Capital (SFNC) to help promote why businesses should care for and invest in nature. Rebecka Bergh, who is helping to organise the competition, explains all. Businesses depend on nature for resources like timber or water supplies. They also benefit from a range of services provided by nature, such as pollination of crops and nutrient cycling in soils, or healthy environments for people to live in or visit.

CNS FUND awards maximum funding for MS Therapy Centre Refurbishment
A Caithness MS support charity has been awarded £30,000, the maximum award, by the Caithness & North Sutherland Fund. The MS Therapy Centre Wick was given the money to help refurbish its premises in Braehead and create a new community wellbeing hub. The therapy centre is used by people suffering from Multiple Sclerosis and other medical conditions that benefit from hyperbaric oxygen therapy. Treasurer of the MS Therapy Centre Wick, Janet Farrington said, ‘'We have been based at our current premises for over 25 years and the building needs a major refurbishment to bring it up to modern standards. After successfully negotiating an asset transfer with Highland Council last year, we are working hard to raise money for the refurbishment.

Tourism Familiarisation Event
The Flow Country
Peatlands of Caithness and Sutherland

When: Friday 15 March, 1pm - 3 pm
Where: Field Centre, RSPB Forsinard Flows





Future of Fisheries in Scotland
National discussion paper launched in Orkney. Fisheries Secretary Fergus Ewing has launched a national discussion paper setting out the Scottish Government's vision for the future of fisheries. Mr Ewing is meeting with representatives from the local fishing community in Kirkwall, Orkney, on Monday in the first of a series of similar meetings across Scotland, which will allow individuals, businesses and communities involved in fishing to have their say in what a new strategy for fisheries management should look like.

3 March 2019

Commercial Vehicles in Caithness From 2018 - Catching up with photos from last year







Vintage Tractors 2018 Now Added To The Transport Section


  Transport Photos Index

20 February 2019

Caithness International Science Festival 2019 Programme
Another Science Festival  4th March - 23rd March packed fullof events and the huge fun day.  With visits to all primary schools it is the biggest community organised event that contributes to schools and the public at large.

   Community Index

Family Fun Night Walk and Activities At Dunnet Beach


    For other events check the Whatson Calendar

6 February 2019

Caithness Astronomy Group Moon Watch Observing Sessions
Weather permitting there will be the opportunity to drop by and view the Moon through Caithness Astronomy Group telescopes at Thurso Riverside and Wick High School on the evening of Saturday 16th February. 7.00 - 8.00pm.

6 February 2019

Families in Caithness to benefit from Police and Parentline Partnership
Caithness families will get greater access to support thanks to a new partnership between Police Scotland Highland and Islands Division and Children 1st's Parentline service. Local police officers responding to incidents involving children are letting their families know about the ongoing support that Parentline offers via phone, email, text and online webchat.  In December officers in Wick received briefings from Children 1st's Parentline team about the service and the support it provides. As well as telling families about the service, officers are also giving out postcards and other information about how to contact Parentline, if families choose to do so.

1 February 2019

Pastimes From Past Times At Castletown Heritage Museum

30 January 2019

Thurso Community Fridge  - Donation page set up
There are currently 32 Community Fridges across the UK and their numbers are growing. A Community Fridge is open to all and it's key aim is to minimise food waste in a community. Did you know that in the UK it is estimated every household throws away £700-£800 worth of food? That's just households, the levels of food waste from Supermarkets and Businesses is much higher. So imagine...that cheese you bought that you thought you would eat but ended up throwing away, those rolls from the Bakery that are still perfect to eat but they can't put out the next day, that over order on yogurt at the Supermarket - all going to the bin. Unless, there is another solution! Pop it into the Thurso Community Fridge for someone else to get use from.

26 January 2019

Your Cash Your Caithness - Everyone Wins - Big Surprise For Everyone
On Saturday 26th January 2019 the Your Cash Your Caithness event was held in front of packed auditorium at the Pulteney Centre in Wick. Once again 22 Caithness community groups made presentations with questions from the audience about their many and varied projects listed below. What was evident from the 5th event to disburse some funding with a public vote was the huge variety and commitment of the people who run groups in the county.  See inside for the surprise of the day.

22 January 2019

Noss Primary Children Tell About The Books They Are Reading

The children at Noss Primary school in Wick will tell us about the books they like over the next few weeks.
Check their web site for further updates in coming weeks.

If you buy books for children and grand children this might be a very useful guide.




Burns Night Shortbread Biscuits - 5 Recipes
To celebrate Burns Night on Friday 25th January, Scottish Blend, a brew specially blended for Scottish water, have teamed up with independent Scottish Bakery, ‘Pinnies and Poppy Seeds' to create five special shortbread flavours.
Yummy Recipes - Haggis Spice - Raspberry & Oat - Irn-Bru Cracked Black Pepper - Crowdie Scottish Tablet Shortbread

21 January 2019

22 Groups In Running For Your Cash Your Caithness - You can go along and vote Saturday
The pubic in Caithness have the chance to decide who gets the cash by voting after hearing short presentations by all of the groups. Presentations are only 5 minutes with some questions after. 22 projects now have a chance to put their idea to the public vote. There is £10,000.00 on offer with applications received totalling £21,075.00.

18 January 2019

Your Cash Your Caithness - £10,000 To Be Distributed By Public Vote on 26th January 2019
Following the initial application process 22 projects now have a chance to put their idea to the public vote. There is £10,000.00 on offer with applications received totalling £21,075.00. The participatory budgeting event will take place in the Pulteneytown Peoples Project, Pulteneytown Centre, Huddart Street, Wick, KW1 5BA with registration from 9.30 am and will start at 10.00 am until around about 1.30 pm on Saturday 26th January 2019.

17 January 2019

There are two cyber security events being held in Caithness
Events organised by Highlands and Islands enterprise - Book Now.
Cyber security is an ever increasing issue, whether it is for us as individuals, part of a Community group or running a business. Highlands & Islands Enterprise digital team are coming up to both Wick and Thurso on the 27th and putting on a Cyber Sense event which will last an hour, it is fun and free so please take the opportunity to book on an event near you.  See links to Thurso and Wick events inside.

Have Your Say On Thurso Flood Protection Study
The Highland Council has invited people in Thurso to attend a public exhibition highlighting proposals for flood prevention measures along the River Thurso. The Council is currently developing a Flood Protection Study (FPS) for the River to identify solutions that will alleviate the risk of flooding. An exhibition on Tuesday 22 January from 2pm - 7pm at the Pentland Hotel ballroom, Princess Street, Thurso, KW14 7AA .
       See photos from the flooding in Thurso and other parts of Caithness January 2005

Beatrice offshore wind community fund open for applications
The Beatrice offshore wind community fund is again open for application from 14th January 2019. The closing date for applications is noon on 25 April 2019. In this round, the overall fund is worth £400,000. With the total fund worth £2,000,000 over the five-year life of the fund. You can apply for funding from £10,000 up to a maximum of £50,000.

16 January 2019

Moray Offshore West Windfarm Returns To North Planning Committee
On 22nd January 2019 the Moray West wind Farm planning application returns to the North Planning committee but merely fro some slight changes to the location of some turbines to lessen the impact on certain views.




Scrabster Harbour Prepares For Further Major Developments
Scrabster Habour Trust have launched their tendering process for new works at the St Ola pier, dredging, water supplies and other works.  The mutli million pounds project will further develop the harbour and add to the works of the last 10 years which have seen improvements to income and continue the expansion of jobs in the area.

13 January 2019

NDA Draft Business Plan 2019 - 2022 - A Chance To Make Comments
The consultation is open until  4th February 2019.  

Planned expenditure for 2019/20 at Dounreay  is £185 million.

11 January 2019

County Lines drug networks in Scotland - Be Alert
Crimestoppers charity launches campaign to appeal for help in tackling County Lines drug networks. The charity Crimestoppers is on 14th January 2019 launching a campaign to highlight the pain and suffering that criminals from English cities are inflicting on vulnerable people in Scotland's rural and coastal towns. The campaign aims to raise awareness of County Lines, which is when criminals from major cities such as Liverpool, Manchester, London and Birmingham are expanding their drug networks to other areas, bringing with it serious criminal behaviour such as violence, exploitation and abuse. The term County Lines refers to the use of a single telephone number to order drugs, operated from outside the local area.

Caithness Voluntary Groups Awarded £183,296 To Combat Poverty
Caithness Voluntary Group, in partnership with Pulteneytown People's Project and Thurso Community Development Trust have been awarded 183,296 to employ the four full-time development workers and a part-time co-ordinator. The 12-month project will employ, a community development worker for Wick will be employed by PPP and based at the Pulteney Centre, as will a childcare development worker. The development worker for Thurso will be based at Ormlie Centre and a rural development officer will work from the CVG offices in Wick.

A9 Berriedale Braes Milestone As Contract Awarded
It has been many years coming and the late ex councillor Billy Mowat would have a wry smile as he brought the topic up at every opportunity in Highland council. Transport Scotland has today announced that R J MacLeod Ltd has been awarded the construction contract as part of the £9.6 million project to deliver improvements to the road alignment and the existing tight hairpin bend on the A9.   Map showing road now and improvements

10 January 2019

Potential World Heritage Site in the Flow Country
A World Heritage Site in Caithness and Sutherland? The Flow Country currently sits on the UK's tentative list for World Heritage Site inscription, in recognition of its world-class blanket bog habitat and unique assemblages of bird species. A Working Group has been established to put forward The Flow Country's nomination to the UK Government, who will decide if the nomination can proceed to UNESCO. If The Flow Country becomes a World Heritage Site, it will join The Great Barrier Reef and The Serengeti as one of the most important natural sites in the world. UNESCO's World Heritage Site status is considered the most prestigious of all heritage accolades, making it the Michelin Star of the heritage world!

9 January 2019

Wick Shops 10 Years Ago - Spot The Changes
In 10 years a few businesses have disappeared from the streets.

Wick Harbour Walkabout
Wick Harbour a few years back  Even Earlier  Pontoons Arrival in 2007  Dredging In 2008  Stormy in 2011
PFR Reactor Jacket 1968  Harbourfest 2007   Film of December 2012 Storm  North Pier Repairsin November 2002
In September 2006 many of the building parts for Tesco were delivered at Wick Harbour

3 January 2019

Semichem To Partner With Scottish SPCA Caithness Rescue AND Rehoming Centre
Semichem and Scotmid Co-operative has partnered with Scottish SPCA as their charity of the year to raise £300,000 to support education programme in schools across the country. Semichem Thurso and Wick will team up with Scottish SPCA Caithness rescue and rehoming centre each month Semichem stores in Thurso and Wick will support Scottish SPCA in educating the next generation of animal lovers over the coming year and are encouraging the local community to take action.

1 January 2019

Happy New Year To Everyone from Caithness.org
May your 2019 be a good one.
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