Latest News

25 July 2017

Wick Gala 2017 - Children's Fancy Dress At Braehead, Wick Tonight

Wick Gala 2017 - Summer Show Photos From Assembly Rooms Today

24 July 2017

Another Batch Of Photos For Wick Gala 2017 From Alistair Sinclair







Wick Gala 2017 Children's Cycle Races - Today Monday 24th 3.00pm

23 July 2017

More Wick Gala Photos From Noel Donaldson Added - 628 Photos Now In







See previous years galas, games and shows HERE

Wick Gala 2017 Fun Run







Wick Gala 2017 - Second Batch Of Photos Now All In - 599 Photos Now In

22 July 2017

Wick Gala 2017 - The Gala Queen Crowning, Floats and Walkers














A beautiful day in Caithness carriedon to the evening for great Wick Gala night.

Wick Gala Week Starts Today - Crowning Gala Queen and Floats

21 July 2017

Mey Highland and Cultural Games - Saturday 5th August - At John O'Groats
Come and join in a family fun day out at John O'Groats. Packed full of events, exhibitions and things to see and do including Highland Dancing, traditional Pipe and Drum Band, track and field events, a dog show, a classic car parade and the world famous Tug of War! The kids can enter the egg and spoon race, the three legged sprint or a sack race. If thats too energetic theres a bouncy castle and a creche too! Alongside the fun and games there will be loads of local arts, crafts and food stalls. PLUS for the first time, an adult only refreshment zone featuring beers from The Black Isle Brewery, whisky from Wolfburn Distillery and a cocktail bar hosted by Rock Rose Gin and Holy Grass Vodka.   Check the Facebook page for other changes to this years Mey Games

15 July 2017

The Big Day - Saturday at Caithness County Show 2017

14 July 2017

Caithness County Show 2017 - Friday Photos








Caithness County Show 2017 Starts Tonight
A chance to get a an early look at the county show is always available on Friday evenings before the big day on Saturday.  On Saturday the gates are open very early with judging of animals underway by 8.00am.  As always a huge programme of events and things to see at Wick riverside with the show ending about 6.00pm to be followed by the Dance in the evening in the Norsemsan Hotel.  Caithness County Show Facebook Page

12 July 2017

Snap a bit of Highland Heritage - Photo Competition
Planning is already underway for the Highland Archaeology Festival, the huge celebration of Highland heritage which takes place in October, organised by The Highland Council. New this year is a chance to capture a bit of Highland Heritage in the HAF2017 photographic competition. The competition invites people to submit one or two pictures which celebrate Highland archaeology, history or heritage. Highland Council Archaeologist Kirsty Cameron explains: "It could be a monument in the landscape, a building, an object in a museum or people enjoying our varied heritage - there's so much to choose from. We've kept it simple, with entries invited from under 16s and over 16s."

9 July 2017

Latheron Show 2017

4 July 2017

Latheron Show 2017 - Saturday 8th July at West Clyth Farm, Occumster
See information on the Facebook page.

3 July 2017

Beatrice Highland Partnership Fund Open For Applications From 3 July 2017

Community Groups can now apply for funds from the Beatrice Highland Partnership fund. Grants are available from £10,000 to £50,000.







Lybster Gala 2017

2 July 2017

Canisbay Show 2017

30  June 2017

The National Roadshow in Caithness: Lego broch builds up to July unveiling

Replica Red Phone Box By Dounreay Apprentices For Memory Garden
Apprentices at Dounreay have designed and made a life-size replica red telephone box for the Town and County hospital therapy garden in Wick. It was designed and built at Dounreay, near Thurso, in Caithness with the help of experienced tradesmen at the site.

27  June 2017

Elise Lyall School Of Dance putting on a show for Wick Memorial Garden
The Elise Lyall School of Dance fundraising event takes place at Bank Row, Wick, on Saturday, July 1, 2017, from 10.30am to 12.30pm. All proceeds go towards maintaining the memorial garden.

Although it will be a day of fun and entertainment, it will also be an occasion for remembrance as July 1 is the anniversary of the bombing of Bank Row in 1940 when 15 people were killed. Three others lost their lives in an air raid at Hill Avenue in October the same year, and the memorial garden commemorates all 18 victims.

26  June 2017

Wick High School Trip To Germany and Poland Photos

Wick High Pupils Excel In National Maths Competition

23  June 2017

The Arrival Of Tia in Thurso

TTIA are proud to introduce to you our mascot, TIA. Tia was designed by young creative genius Scott Hughes from Miller Academy primary school. Thanks Scott! Tia arrived to Thurso by train and we gave her the guided tour. It didn't take long for her to fall in love with Thurso and she can't wait to celebrate with you all on Saturday 24th June and Sunday 25th Jun, let's show her an awesome warm welcome at Thurso's Midsummer Madness !

Caithness & North Sutherland Fund's latest grant awards
Caithness & North Sutherland Fund's latest grant assessment round has awarded over £17k to community projects throughout the Caithness & North Sutherland area. The Caithness Broch Project was granted £10,000 towards costs of holding a Caithness Broch Festival, consisting of a programme of participative archaeological activities that will be held throughout the year focusing around two selected Caithness broch sites.

21  June 2017

Bloodhound Rocket Car Competition Won By Tain Team
A team of students has won the Scottish Championship in the Bloodhound Rocket Car Competition after qualifying in a heat held at North Highland College UHI, Thurso. The team of four girls, from Tain Royal Academy, set the fastest speed out of 32 teams from across the country at the Scottish Finals held at Perth College UHI. Molly Mackay, Mollie Lauritsen, Orla Young and Aimee Milne, were one of only two all-girl teams competing. Thurso High School, Wick High School, Farr High School, Tain Royal Academy, Golspie High School, Dornoch Academy, Stronsay Junior High School and Sanday High School, involving over 170 students, participated in the experiential learning activity. North Highland College UHI staff shared pertinent engineering concepts that helped students design their cars, and college staff conducted competitions at Thurso and on Sanday, Orkney.

19  June 2017

Capita  - Register For jobs At Dounreay
Wednesday 21st June  - Thurso and Wick - Check times the page.

15 June 2017

Wick Voices Tell Their Stories On Aspects Of Life Gone By
The Wick Society's oral history section, Wick Voices, is generating a lot of interest in the community. The project was launched in 2016 with the aim of preserving local voices for posterity. It involves a small team of volunteers arranging audio interviews with local people from all walks of life about their memories and stories. The recordings are then edited and uploaded to the Wick Society's website, allowing existing and future generations to hear about many aspects of local life, past and present, as told by those who experienced it.

Caithness Heart Support Group 2017 AGM
IN her valedictory address as Caithness Heart Support Group's patron, Anne Dunnett, paid tribute to the organisation's commitment, at their AGM, recently. The Lord Lieutenant, retiring from public life, later this month, said she had "never seen such a dedicated bunch of fundraisers who care so much for people that need help" and added: "It is a great team they have here, and I have been honoured to have been a small part of it." Miss Dunnett told an 'encouraging' turnout at the St Fergus Church Hall, that, thanks to advances in technology and good doctors and nurses, the chances of survival from heart attacks, had improved.                                     Photo Gallery

IT Project For Rural Payments Ends But Significant Issues Remain
The applications process has improved, but there are still problems with making payments. The Scottish Government will need to incur further costs to develop the IT systems used for payment applications and maintain existing processes.

Farm Tenants Improvements Amnesty - Use It Or Lose It
Changes in the Land Reform (Scotland) Act 2016 - Tenants' Improvements Amnesty: Farm Advisory Services events will say "use it or lose it".

6 June 2017

Struan Mackie Speaks Out On Caithness maternity and care in your community
In The final days to the Westmisnter election Struan Mackie has announced his 'Care in the Community pledge' campaigning ahead of the general election. "Many voters have asked what my number one priority would be if I am fortunate enough to be elected on the 8th of June. Whilst every candidate will have a range of issues they wish to address as a Member of Parliament... one cause transcends them all for me. As a Highlander I am incredibly worried about the future of the Far North and I believe that we must provide care in our community as a non-negotiable aspect of living in the UK's most northernly mainland constituency.

5 June 2017

SCOTTISH CHAMBER ORCHESTRA Comes to Thurso!
Come see "one of the finest ensembles of its kind in the world today" (BBC Music Magazine) in Thurso! The Scottish Chamber Orchestra (SCO) will return to Thurso High School for a wonderful evening of live music, featuring SCO Principal Clarinet Maximiliano Martín as soloist.
WHEN Friday 9 June - Thurso High School, 8pm

Caithness Communnity Partnership
The Caithness Community Partnership comprises Highland Council, HIE, Police, Fire and NHS Highland.  The Highland Community Partnershop web site will contain a growing amountof information and memebrsof the public are welcome to attend meetings.  The next Caithness meeting is on WEdnesday 7th June at 1100am on Wednesday 7th June in Dunbeath Village Hall.  The partnershipi s one aspect of the localism agenda being pursued by Scottish government and public bodies.  Highland council has been preparing for more decisions to be taken locally at local area committees such as the Caithness Committee and was agreed by the last council to be taken forward after the May election.

2 June 2017

Thurso's Midsummer Madness Weekend - 24th to 25th June

2 June 2017

Keep Up With Caithness Health Action Team On Facebook
The CHAT members have growing number on their Facebooks page.  You can help by liking and sharing so that the widest audience is made awareof the group's activities to retain health services in Caithness.  Watch out for the latest Postcard campaign and sign one for delivery to Scottish Government.   2260 and rising fast......

31 May 2017

Apply Now For Engineering And Construction Employability Essentials Summer Programme
North Highland College UHI are inviting applications for the Engineering and Construction Employability Essentials summer programme. The course is now in its fourth year and run in conjunction with Skills Development Scotland. Successful candidates will study at the North Highland College UHI's Engineering, Technology and Energy Centre (ETEC) for five weeks from Monday 10th July. The course aims to help young people by providing essential training, skills and knowledge to progress into employment within the engineering and construction industry. The elements of the course have been carefully selected with local employers to include nine industry standard training and certification as well as key skills in engineering and construction.

John Hugh Dunnet - Obituary

Anne Leitch Dunnett - Obituary

25 May 2017

Highland Council pays respect to lives lost in Manchester - Miller Academy Creates A Cirlce Of Unity
There was a 1 minute silence at 11am today at all Highland Council premises in tribute to the victims of the Manchester bomb attack. At the Council's headquarters on Glenurquhart Road, Inverness, staff joined Convener of The Highland Council, Cllr Bill Lobban and Members to observe the silence. Convener Lobban said: "As we gather here this morning, we do so to remember the families who have lost loved one and all those who have been injured by the horrific act of terror in Manchester.

21 May 2017

Thurso High Sponsored Walk - Note For Drivers To Take Care
Thurso High School pupils are doing a sponsored walk on the morning of Wednesday 24 May 2017. Walkers will leave the school from 9.10am in staggered groups.

20 May 2017

Inside The New Wick High School














The new Wick High School is open and threw open its doors today for everyone to look around.
The Wick High School Build from the start.

19 May 2017

General Election 2017 - Hustings In Thurso










Paul Monaghan Public Meetings

18 May 2017

Your Chance To See Round The New Wick High School
Wick High School are hosting an Open event for Public and Parents on Saturday 20th May from 10 am until 1 pm. Everyone will be most welcome to come and look round the New School.







BIRDWATCHING LESSONS - WHATEVER THE WEATHER!
Set at St. John's Pool Bird Reserve near Dunnet Head. AS SEEN ON BBC LANDWARD 7.30 FRIDAY 19 MAY. Enjoy amazingly close views of a wide range of waterside birds - and find out more with expert guidance. Watch as terns, waders, ducks and gulls go through their breeding season activities.

16 May 2017

The How UK Parliament Event Has Been Cancelled.

New Funding Opportunities For Groups and Local Charities Now In The Community Pages
Several opportunities for varying amounts of funding so let your committee know to have look.

15 May 2017

Challenge to SNP and Tories in Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross from Labour
Scottish Labour's candidate for Westminster in Caithness Sutherland and Easter Ross has laid down a a challenge to other candidates on health issues.  

See Olivia Bell's response to a request from Bill Fernie as chairman for CHAT

Other candidates are being requested for statements on Caithness health issues from CHAT. Paul Monaghan metwith CHAT on Saturday 13 May and a report wil come out shortly.  Jamie Stone for the Scottish Lib Dems ahs also agreed to met CHAT and send a statement.

CHAT Fund Raising - Mad Hatters Tea Party - Get Tickets from Eye Candy in Thurso and Wick
Please come along for a fun family day out! To answer a common question, we need to control numbers so this event is tickets only, and you can buy them from Eye Candy in Wick and in Thurso. All proceeds go to CHAT and will be used to help us in our campaigning and health improvement work.

9 May 2017

New and Experienced Majorettes Wanted

This Foster Care Fortnight, could you help transform children's lives in Highland?
Highland Council Fostering and Adoption service is issuing a call for at least 20 more foster families in the Highland Council area to come forward and be assessed as Foster Care Fortnight 2017 begins across the UK.

8 May 2017

More Funding Opportunities In the Community Pages
Several funding opportunities listed in the community pages with a wide range to choose from.  Does your group need funds and you match the sought after criteria to apply?  Check them out.

Booking Now For Dunbeath To Lybster Walk With The Rangers
Join us for a walk along the breath taking cliff tops of Caithness for the 3rd in our series of 7 ranger guided walks along the East Coast, following the John O'Groats Trail. There's a lot to see on this walk - two beautiful harbours, sea stacks and nesting seabirds, coastal flora and a ruined Norse keep.

7 May 2017

Teaching Makes People - Chris Aitken, Wick High School
The Scottish Government is firmly committed to maintaining teacher numbers, and are investing £88 million this year alone to recruit and retain teachers across the country. This is in addition to our work with GTC Scotland and universities to develop new ways to attract people into the profession, supported with £1 million from our Attainment Scotland Fund. Chris Aitken, Computing Science Teacher at Wick High School, recently joined the campaign and hopes to encourage locals to consider a teaching career.

Reids Of Caithness Crowned Scottish Baker Of The Year 2017
Reids of Caithness has been named Scottish Baker of the Year 2017 at a glittering ceremony hosted by Scottish Bakers, the association that supports and promotes the interests of Scottish bakers across the country.

27 April 2017

Caithness Beatrice Community Fund - Funding Events
Projects in East Caithness are invited tocome to advice information days to see if they can make applications for funding from the Caithness Beatrce Fund.  Check if you are in one of five target areas then apply for a place at one of the events in May.

26 April 2017

First Day at The New Wick High School
Photos on the new Wick High pages.









Visit Caithness and Play Brahms' 3rd Symphony










Newton Park Primary Opens At Wick Campus







Children and teachers today march from the old Pulteneytown Academy primary school building to thenew Newpark Primary at the Wick campus which is now open.

24 April 2017

Pipers to lead pupils back to school at new Wick Campus
Around 400 pupils and teachers attending Newton Park Primary school and Nursery at Wick Campus in Wick will walk to their new school on Wednesday 26 April setting off at 9am from the Old Pulteneytown Academy building. The procession of pupils in their new school uniforms will be led by Highland Bagpipers Alistair Miller and Chester Henry, a P7 pupil, along the new pedestrian access path and ramp down to the new building. Parents and carers have been invited to watch the procession as the children go into the playground and then into their new school.


Honours even in end-of-season encounter Wick Academy 2 Formartine United 2
Reporter Noel Donaldson
ACADEMY shook off their recent poor form to grab a well-earned share of the points on home turf against one of the Highland League's strongest sides, in the final of the season at Harmsworth Park, on Saturday. Quick- moving United monopolised the early play and were rewarded with a lucky Scott Ferries strike in the 10th minute which crept over the line after a deflection.    Photo Gallery

23 April 2017

CHAT Visual Impact Day  - Video
Thanks to the John O'Groat Journal for the short video of the rally- see report n the Courier on Wednesday.
Press and Journal coverage on Monday will be worth reading also.

CHAT Visual Impact Day and Rally Sunday 23 April
CHAT - Caithness Health Action Team, Bignold Park, Wick 2.30pm Sunday 23rd April 2017
CHAT Facebook page
 So What is going to happen in Scotland on Maternity? - See the report on Scottish government web site called  THE BEST START - a five year forward plan for maternity and neonatal Care in Scotland - 20 January 2017.
It is 130 pages long and seems to suggest that what is happening in Caithness will be happening all over Scotland in the next 5 year.  Everything seems very reasonable until you apply the geography test.  How can it work for far away rural places and is it what we want? - So far in Caithness without a public consultation the Obstetricians are leaving, beds removed and a huge number of women and are being sent to Raigmore or even further away.  What happened to continuity of care, seeing the same midewife and fathers involvement that the report speaks about.   Read the report and then ask how it affects places like Caithness, Sutherland and any far flung place in Scotland.  Exceptions need to be made and not just token groups to talk.

21 April 2017

Dunnet Bay Distillers on the joys and challenges of running a remote business - The Telegraph
A really nice article about the business.

20 April 2017

John O'Groats Shape The Future - Follow Up Event

17 April 2017

Once A Year Trip To Hoy With The Rangers
Ship a' Hoy Sunday 21st May 2017. 10.15am - 6pm  This is your only opportunity to sail directly to the Orkney Island of Hoy from the Scottish mainland on the passenger ferry from John O'Groats. Join the countryside Rangers either walking out to the famous ‘Old Man' sea stack or enjoy a slightly more strenuous guided walk through the Glens of Kinnaird on route to Rackwick Bay.
£46.00 per person (no concessions)

First Of A Fleet Of Work Boats At Wick Harbour
Today at Wick Harbour 'Rix Lynx'could be seen tied up. Wick Harbour is fast becoming a hive of activity with the work now well underway at the former Steven's yard.






Earlier April




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