News Archive - August 2002
30th August 2002
Last
Two Days To Win A Print Over At Caithness Art
2
Limited Edition Prints titled 'Paradise Below the Waves' and
'The Big Leap' are on offer if you are lucky in this free
competition by Caithness artist Richard Arrowsmith When
this competition finishes there will be a new one started for
September. This time it will be for a Limited Edition Prints of
'The Stag' and 'Highland Cow' paintings. July's
competition winner was Raymond Sinclair, living in France, who
won a Thurso & Wick print. The competition is FREE
and takes only seconds to enter your details.
Thrumster Primary One 2002
The
school at Thrumster has four new pupils this year.
Unfortunately the only new girl was absent. But we will be
back to take another picture when everyone is there.
Staff
Reductions May Affect Caithness And Sutherland Enterprise (CASE)
More of the Highlands and
Islands Enterprise network's budget is to be spent on front-line
activities and less on back-office administration, under new plans
just announced by the development agency.
A drive towards greater efficiency, begun last year by chief
executive Sandy Cumming, will see overall staffing levels across the
network reduced from the present 660 to 560 by the end of December
2003.
New Rights
For Scotland's Carers
New legal rights to ensure the many thousands of unpaid carers get the help and
support they need come into force on Sunday 1 September 2002. Amongst
other rights carers will be entitled to an assessment whenever they want,
regardless of whether the cared for person is being assessed. Young
carers under 16 will also have similar rights for the first time.
New Initiatives Launched
On Drugs and Crime Among Young People in Highland
The Deputy Minister for Justice, Dr Richard Simpson MSP, was
in Inverness earlier today (Friday 30 August) to launch new services
aimed at tackling youth crime and substance misuse in the
Highlands..
Where Have All The Flowers Gone - Celia More Retires From The Flower
Shop, Wick
Celia More is retiring from The Flower Shop business in Wick she
started in 25 years ago. Saturday will be her last day getting
the flowers out for all sorts of occasions before she hands the
business over to its new owner Jane Miller. From last years
Wick High Reunion Celia also appears in a
1962 North School Photo. Happy Retirement Celia.
Bexley Terrace, Wick
Bexley Terrace in Wick sits above the old lifeboat station and over
looks the sea out past the harbour.
Harbour Road, Wick
Harbour
Road sits just below Bexley Terrace and runs from the harbour to
Bexley Terrace and North Murchison Street
29th August 2002
UKAEA Donates Redundant Computers To Local Groups
UKAEA
Dounreay has donated eleven redundant PCs to the following local
organisations and charities; Wick Academy Development Trust,
Caithness Voluntary Group, Highland Pre-school Services, Thomas
Barnardo House, Wick Town Improvements, Alzheimer Scotland,
Caithness Deaf Care, Halkirk Youth Club, People First Caithness,
Playden Nursery and Castletown Youth Club.
North Murchison Street, Wick
North Murchison Street leads towards the sea and also has the
Highland council run care home Pulteney House situated near the end
of the street.
A Jubliee Display Bed in
Wick
For
those of you not living in Wick we thought you might like a look at
one of the flower beds that have been on display over the summer
months in Wick. Each year one or two of the displays are made
up fro an anniversary or to mark a special occasion. This year
it was the Queen's Golden Jubilee for this particular flower bed on
the slopes just past the Old Parish church.
History
Of Caithness
Appendix 2 -
Memoranda Connected With Public Roads In The County Of Caithness
Ever wondered how the Causewaymire road
to Thurso or the Wick Bridge was ever built then here is your
answer. The financial arrangements to build 137 miles of road
in the county came into being and no longer would labour be called
out from the local inhabitants but wages would be paid albeit based
on land valuations to cottagers and inhabitants of towns
Give Blood In Wick
17 September - Mark Your Calendar Now
Also in Thurso in October - check our
Health & Welfare Page
if you forget the dates.
28th August 2002
Miller Academy Primary 2 - 1968
Hey
Thurso High 1974 Reunion
folk. Just when you thought it was all over the pictures
keep coming. Derek Townsend sends this one of his Miller
Academy Class from 1968. If you have not seen the
reunion pictures yet
Click Here
Huddart Street - Next Up For New Gallery
A
bright sunny afternoon in Wick - well some of the time. Just
managed to catch this part of Huddart Street with the blue sky over
head.
Ducks And Geese Are Still A Common Site Around Caithness
This small
pond was certainly being appreciated by the ducks and geese near Old
Wick. Click through to see where they live and couple of views
nearby.
Ardersier Yard
Closes
J Ray McDermott's oil fabrication activity has finally come to a
close at the Ardersier yard marking the end of an era. Many
folk from Caithness have worked there. There has been almost 30 years of activity at the site,
near Nairn, which is owned and operated by J. Ray McDermott S.A. At its
peak, there were over 3,000 staff employed at Ardersier constructing offshore
platforms for the oil industry.
Smith Terrace - New Picture And Gallery Set Up
A
new picture added to Smith Terrace and a new gallery set up.
As we add new pictures to the streets we are reorganising the
pictures into the new gallery set up for easier viewing. This
building has had many occupants over the years and was for some time
a Coop shop.
ORKNEY ENTERPRISE
Appoints Youngest Ever Director Amongst New Appointments
Three new directors with a wealth of business, tourism and service sector
experience have been appointed to sit on the board of Orkney Enterprise.
The youngest ever director of the company Craig Spence at age 25 is a director
in a family hotel business.
MOTORISTS WARNED
OF ROAD CLOSURE AT HELMSDALE
Motorists are being advised of temporary road closures of the U305
road at Helmsdale which will take place on two consecutive weekends
next month to allow RailTrack to modernise the rail level crossing
at Marrel. These closures
will take place between 7.30 pm on Saturday 7th September and 12.30
pm on Sunday 8th September and between 7.30 pm on Saturday 14th
September and 12.30 pm on Sunday 15th September - all over a length
of approximately 50 metres centred on the level crossing.
Group
See Ormlie Play Area Started As Equipment Moves In
All eyes will be on Pentland Construction Ltd who has won the contract to
provide the first class facility for Thurso. Jupiter Play and Leisure Ltd will
supply the equipment and the Highland Council Street Lighting service will
provide innovative lighting throughout the park area.
Missing
Hempriggs Man Found At Charity Farm And Taken To Hospital In Wick
Alex Cowie, 73 was reported missing last night
from Hempriggs House - a home for the elderly near Wick.
He was spotted by a member of the public this morning and
subsequently found by Highland council Bin Men at 8.38am after a
member of the public reported a man fitting the description issued
by police having been seen in the Charity Farm area about 8.00am.
Rescue services including RAF Helicopter from Lossiemouth, Assynt Mountain
Rescue, Wick Lifeboat, Police dogs and the Coastguard carried out searches last
night and this morning before he was located and subsequently taken to
Caithness General Hospital where he was said to be in good condition but being
kept in meantime.
27th August 2002
John Badbea - The Lost
Letters
John "Badbea" Sutherland written of recently
by Joy Corley in her short history of Badbea on Caithness.org has
suddenly found a voice of his own with the surprising acquisition
recently of a transcript of some of his letters by the Clan Sinclair
Study Centre at Noss Head. The centre has kindly given us
permission to publish the letters and thanks to Robert Richmond who
has prepared them for the web site. They make a fascinating
addition to join the History of
Badbea where the children were once
tethered to prevent them falling
over the cliffs.........
Sinclair Connections Latest Pillarguri Festival - Norway
What's that got do with Caithness we hear you
say. Well if you have a Sinclair connection or are just
interested in Caithness history hop through and take look at how the
Norwegian Caithness connection is alive and well despite the
circumstances of the past. Pillarguri
Festival, which remembers the Colonel George Sinclair of Stirkoke and his
Caithness Scots Adventure in Norway in 1612. A selection of photos on the
Sinclair's Club web site linked in the section.
Castletown Senior Citizen's Jubilee Outing
Over 60 senior citizens from Castletown
enjoyed a day out to the Castle of Mey and John O'Groats as part of
the village's Jubilee celebrations. A three-course meal was later
served up at the Drill Hall and entertainment was laid on for the
evening. A great day out was had by everyone - the volunteers
enjoying themselves as much as the guests!
Main Queen's Jubilee In Caithness
Index
Jamie Stone, MSP
Sees For Himself Front Line Work At Dounreay's New Facilities
Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross MSP Jamie Stone gets a close look at a
nuclear fuel element being built in the D1202 fuel fabrication plant at
Dounreay. Plant manager John Gibson was on hand to describe how staff skilled
in the manufacture of nuclear fuel are turning uranium and aluminium metals
into fuel elements that can be irradiated in research reactors for medical and
industrial purposes.
Orkney Science Festival Starts On Friday
The 12th Festival gets under way on Friday of this week (30th August) with an
eight-day programme packed with activities, with participants from all over the
UK as well as from overseas. International contributors come from Australia,
Zimbabwe, Slovenia and Denmark. If you happen to be in Orkney between 30 August
and 6 September you might be interested in the packed programme of events
covering a wide range of topics. Tours, talks and all sorts of things for
all age groups. Its another packed programme this year across the water,
just a short ferry trip.
Caithness Patients Council - Minutes From June Meeting
Various matters discussed and reported
including an update on progress towards a new Renal Unit at the
hospital in Wick scheduled to be ready in January 2003.
Waiting times were reported to have dropped following an initiative.
Integrated clinics for diabetes patients were discussed to see if Physician,
Chiropodist, Dietician and Diabetic Nurse could be available at the
same time to prevent a round of different appointments. A
range of other matters are minuted.
Caithness Deaf Care - Latest Updates
Funding For Better Behaviour In
Schools
Every local authority across Scotland is to benefit from a share of
an additional £10m to tackle the problem of indiscipline in schools,
it was announced today. Highland gets £457,374 as its share
towards the new initiative.
26th August 2002
Watten School - All The Pupils
And
yes it was a great day in Caithness as you can see from this picture
of the kids at Watten Primary school with the hay bales in the
fields and end of Loch Watten in the background
History
Of Caithness Appendix 1 - The Ancient State Of Husbandry
Here is the first of several sets of notes in
the Appendix. It sets out the rich variety of produce
available in the county and state of the common people with
comparisons to slavery in America and the West Indies.
The notes concentrate mainly on the second half of the eighteenth
century and there is little doubt that Caithness was viewed as a
rich agricultural area with additional resources from the sea.
Watten Primary One & South School, Wick Primary One
Ken
Butler's "Plants In Late Summer" In Caithness
Ken butler continues his series on what you may see growing in
Caithness around this time of year. All of the plants
mentioned are being added to a handy
plant list. This can also be found via the
Nature and
Environment pages.
25th August 2002
More Thurso Bay Raft Race Pictures
Raft Race Story
Thurso High 1974 Reunion Pictures From The Weigh Inn Thurso
The Road Begins To Twist And Turn
Strathy Point - The Lighthouse, The Caves, The Coast, The Beaches
Pick A View At Strathy And Find More Round Every Bend
24th August 2002
Thurso Bay Raft
Race
A large crowd gathered at Thurso beach to witness the annual Thurso Bay Raft
Race organised by the North Coast Branch of the Coastguard Association.
First across the finish line at Scrabster beach was Final Fling 2 crewed by
members from Rolls Royce Vulcan stores in a time of 23 minutes 29 seconds.
Second was Wick Fire Brigade in a time of 24 minutes 13 seconds. Third
was Out of Control crewed by members from Johnson Controls in a time of 25
minutes 58 seconds.
History Of Caithness - Chapter 15 - Richard Oswald And The Oswald
Family
This is the final part of Chapter 15. This is the last chapter in the
book but unlike modern books it is a long way from the end of the information.
starting soon we will bring the Appendix, Postscripts and notes which are
really a series of essays on different aspects of Caithness and every bit as
interesting as the main body of the book. In fact they make up well over
one third of the total pages. So a long way to go yet.
23rd August 2002
Bower School's New Primary One Class
Caithness has several small village schools and Bower school is one
of them.
ORMLIES STATE
OF THE ART PLAY AREA
£200,000 Play Facilities -
construction about to start. After four long years of campaigning,
consulting and seeking funding, Ormlie Community Association in Thurso can now
see their efforts coming to fruition with the construction of the new community
play area. Ormlie Community Association was reformed in 1997 to
specifically address the inadequate and dangerous condition of the play areas
and the problem of speeding cars within the estate. From these early
beginnings a huge regeneration project has been implemented with a community
office, staff and partner agencies all working closely to address the issues.
Wick Girls Group
Autumn Programme
The latest activities planned for coming
months.
22nd August 2002
New Primary One Classes At Hillhead And North Schools
21st August 2002
Another Successful
Charity Walk For Group Of Friends In Their Fourth Year
Sheena Nicolson, Clyth has been
organising a walk for her friends for several years and this year was no
exception. They all had a very enjoyable sponsored walk round the
Horseshoe at Harpsdale (nearly 10 miles) and raised £1600 to be split
between Macmillan Nurses (Caithness) and the new Oncology unit at Raigmore
Hospital, Inverness. The group have raised nearly £7000 since they
began their walks.
Ross Finnie Hits
The Button For 10,000 Drum At Supercompactor
Scotlands
Minister for Environment and Rural Development today consigned the
10,000th drum of low-level radioactive waste from the site restoration of
Dounreay through a new £6 million treatment plant at the site. The milestone was reached when Ross
Finnie pressed the button on a 2000-tonne supercompactor that crushes drums of
waste to a fifth of their size after they have gone through a series of quality
control checks.
Biodiversity Week
In Caithness
30 August - 8 September 2002 - The Ranger Service are running a
series of events. They include Seawatch, Bats, Fungi and Food
- check the
programme for full details.
Biodiversity Main Page -
- Ranger
Pages - - Nature & Environment Pages
Meetings On Health Services In Caithness
The Assembly Rooms in Wick on Wednesday 4th September and will be repeated at
The Town Hall in Thurso on Thursday 5th September from 9:45am to 3:30pm.
the days will see presentations by various Health Service staff and everyone
will have the chance to say what they want to see in the health service.
The Health Council wants to try to give everyone an equal opportunity to have
his or her voice heard and is running this series of meetings under the banner
"Caithness Voices".
Skirza To Duncansby - A Coastal Walk
The Skirza to Duncansby part of the Caithness coast is a great walk.
These pictures were from one we went on in April when the seabirds
were nesting in their tens of thousands. Spectacular cliffs, stacks - and even one stack surrounded by
cliffs making a very unusual feature so large it would barely get
into a picture as we could not stand far enough back. There is
a gloup, a broch, a quarry and much more to see along the way.
Many wild flowers bloom along the clifftops.
Finally the walk comes out at the familiar stacks of Duncansby but
from the side that many folk never see as most folk drive to the
Duncansby Lighthouse and make the short walk to Seabird City and the
Stacks. Going from Skirza gives a very different viewpoint
The Accidental
Death of an Accordionist
Lyth
Arts Centre brings back the Highland Theatre Collective to Latheron
and Lyth Halls on 28 and 29 August. The same group that
preformed "The Wedding" recently. This one has
murder, mystery, comedy and live music.
Local Hotelier Pat Buchanan Becomes Director of Highland 2008 At
Skye Meeting
Pat Buchanan who with her husband
run the Dunbeath hotel and who is already on the board of Visit Scotland
has become a director of Highland 2008 the group bidding for the Euro
Soccer event in 2008. The meeting was held in
Sabhal Mor Ostaig, Sleat, Skye, hosted by the Inverness Highland 2008 bid
team. Skye and Lochalsh is set to play a prominent role in promoting
cultural connections with Ireland should Inverness Highland become the Capital
of Culture in 2008.
20th August 2002
Llamas In
Harris, Outer Hebrides
Trevor and Pippa Gibbs of
Drinishader have imported the first two of a number of llamas that they
intend to train as a llama trekking team. In a first for the
Hebrides, visitors from around the world and locals alike will be
able to experience the company of these quiet, elegant and gentle
animals and encounter the unique Harris scenery at the same time.
Llamas are
already in Caithness at Kings Park Bed & Breakfast
Sutherland Brothers, Wick - Hi-tech Programme Moving Forward
Colin Sangster has just returned from the Landmark conference in Berlin,
Germany where he was asked to inform delegates about changes in working
practices at Sutherland Brothers Ltd and how the future of the company is being
shaped around e-commerce. Sutherland Brothers Ltd has made a major change
over to using the internet and telesales ordering integrated with existing fax
and email facilities, providing customer relationship management facilities to
the telesales operators.
Caithness Apprentices Back From Tall Ships Trip
Two
young Caithness men are getting used to life on land again after a
10-day adventure on the high seas. Fresh from their passage
from Dundee to Denmark and back to Aberdeen, Jamie Mackay and David
Kelly both say they thoroughly enjoyed their time on board the tall
ship, Prince William as part of Tall Ships Adventures 2002. The
pair, both Modern Apprentices employed by Alstec and Rolls Royce respectively,
were fortunate enough to secure the two places on board the Prince William
funded by Caithness and Sutherland Enterprise (CASE).
St Andrews Drive, Thurso
This street in Thurso is laid out with grassed pathways and a number
of courts for rear entrance and car parking including
Green Court, Braemore Place,
Langwell Court and Tormsdale Place. From one side and
several parts of this area there are great views
Over Thurso we published earlier.
George - A Stroll In August
Perhaps it should be "Stroll - Walk - Lie Down" In August as George
generally takes it at a fairly easy pace round the garden.
History Of Caithness - Chapter 15 - John Finlaison
Another of the once famous folk from
Caithness. John Finlaison born in Thurso on 27 August 1783 had
one of the sharpest calculating minds of his day and eventually
worked for the UK government for nearly 50 years as accountant and
actuary and created many of the systems for controlling government
finances and was consulted by many of the politicians and
chancellors of his day.
Coming next ..... - Richard Oswald and the Oswald
Family
Caithness Business Web Sites
189 Caithness Business web sites are
currently listed in the Business Pages. We are currently
working on several new ones. But if you have a business web
site located in Caithness then make sure you have it listed in
the business section. Get it listed and get it seen - Listing
is FREE.
Pulteneytown
Peoples Project
The recently formed group are very busy on several fronts -
The Construction Industry
Training board (CITB) and the College are offering to work in
partnership with the group to assist a team of 5-8 women achieve an
award from the CITB. It is to help women get employment in the
building industry. If anyone is interested or wants to know,
they can contact Koreen MacDougall on 602216 who is spearheading
this project on behalf of Pulteney Project.
A bus trip for any
resident who is over 50. It will be on Wednesday 4rth
September and will go to the Castle of Mey, Laidhay for light lunch,
Dunbeath Heritage Centre and finally the Clan Gunn Centre.
See page for details.
The land behind the distillery has been cleared by Calum Miller and
is to be reseeded. Calum Miller has carried out the work to
help the community project.
19th August 2002
Halkirk Football Tournament Pictures
East End won all age groups except U7.
Teams competing included Canisbay, Lybster, Castletown, Thurso
Swifts, Thurso Youth Club.
Waybaggers Walk To Sandwood Bay
Four
New Highland Schools Open
Four new Highland schools built at a
cost of £17 million as part of the first Education Public Private
Partnership project - will open this week when 32,800 pupils in
Highland return to school after their summer break.
Ardnamurchan High School, Strontian, will open tomorrow (Tuesday).
On Wednesday, Spean Bridge Primary and Strathdearn Primary, Tomatin,
will welcome their first pupils, and on Thursday, Glen Urquhart High School
opens its doors.
Post Office
Launches Appeal For New Postmaster In Dunnet
The
Post Office is launching an appeal for a local person to come forward and
provide a Post Office service to the community of Dunnet. The Post Office is looking to find
a new subpostmaster or subpostmistress who would be able to spare 12 hours per
week, on days to suite him or her, to help to keep the Post Office service in
the village. Applications for this role should be received no later
than Monday 26 August.
St Fergus Masonic Lodge
Masonic
Lodges have been in
Caithness for a very long time. Here is a short history of the
St Fergus Lodge in Wick
2002 Marymas Angling
Competition - St John's Loch
The
recent annual Marymas
Competition fished on St John's Loch saw 6 anglers participate
and a sum amounting to £80.00 was raised and donated to the
Britannia Hall Committee. Fishing was difficult as the loch has been
affected by an Algae bloom and unusually heavy weed growth this
year. A number of good fish were seen but these proved difficult to
tempt to the fly. Only five anglers each returned one fish at the
weigh-in.
Les Jones picked up the trophy
with 1 for 1lb 11ozs.
18th August 2002
Bower Show & Gala Pictures 85 - 94
There was plenty of action for the kids at the
races and dogs featured in the dog show, pet show and the dog races.
Bower Show & Gala Pictures 73 - 84
The popular dog races have been commentated on for 16 years by John
Sutherland.
Bower Show & Gala Pictures 61 - 72
Bower Show & Gala Pictures 49 - 60
Cooking Demonstration from
Le Bistro Restaurant.
Bower Show & Gala Pictures 37 - 48
Scarecrow competition
Bower Show & Gala Pictures 25 - 36
Floral, baking and other competitions
Bower Show & Gala Pictures 13 - 24
Children's competitions
Bower Show & Gala Pictures 1- 12
Floral and Plant competitions
17th August 2002
Reunion Updates
Thurso High 1974 - last updated list shows 216 folk are
heading for the reunion next Saturday 24 august in the Weigh Inn, Thurso.
Meantime planning for the 1966 Wick
High Reunion in 2004 is already well ahead and looks like it could
well be the biggest reunion yet in Caithness with folk already indicating
they are going to be in town for that one at the Waterfront.
16th August 2002
Wick High - Commercial
class 1955 - 56 4th Year
The
result of a recent reunion by this commercial class is a run of pictures
of various schools that we are now bringing to the site. Some have a
few gaps in the names lists so if you know any send them in. This
one is complete.
Guides At Castle of Mey Kept Busy
The guides at Castle of Mey have been kept busy in
the first few days of the castle opening. Hundreds of people have
already been to see the castle since it opened on Wednesday for the first
time. Accommodation in the area has been very busy. 300
people are estimated to have entered the castle in the very first hour of
opening. The possibility that it will go on the schedules of cruise
liners is becoming a possibility as the new pier at Scrabster progresses
with its capability of taking very large ships in the new deep water
anchorage it provides. Already it looks as if the castle is
guaranteed to be the county's number one attraction for a number of years
to come.
Caithness Riders Access Group Gets
Going
The recently formed group, Caithness Riders Access Group (CRAG), met with
Forest Enterprise and the Highland Council on 12th August at Latheron Hall to
discuss potential routes for off road riding. Various areas in the
county were identified as possibilities for creating a network of paths and
bridleways for use by walkers, cyclists and horses, which is the main aim of
the group. The meeting was well attended and preliminary investigations are
now taking place as to potential routes, some of which may already exist for
walkers, but may not currently be suitable for horses.
Killimster School About 1948
This
picture has all the names attached so it should be easy to spot folk you
know.
More Free Online Training Courses
The latest selection includes short courses on -
Population, Food and the
Environment - Does Business Impact
Peace? -
On the Edge of Extinction -The North Atlantic right whale is on
the edge of extinction.
How Do Flowers Know When to Bloom? Also a selection of
new Music courses.
Further Up Thurso River - A New Gallery
History Of
Caithness - James Bremner - Civil Engineer
In chapter fifteen we find information on one of the great engineers of his day
who was born and lived in Caithness and was consulted on many matters from all
over the UK. James Bremner, the most remarkable man for mechanical
ingenuity which the north perhaps ever produced, was born at Keiss, near Wick,
on the 25th September, 1784.
£2.5 Million Funding For North
Highland Rural Communities
Communities in the North Highlands will benefit from a rural development
programme that has secured some £2.5 Million pounds of European funding. The
Programme is part of the Leader + initiative which was announced today by Peter
Peacock MSP, Deputy Minister for Finance and Public Services.
Castle Of Mey
Open To The Public
Her late Majesty the Queen Mother left the castle to a trust to ensure it
was preserved for the area. It was her residence in the north of
Scotland where she came each year for a few weeks. From August
14th to 6th October 2002, the Castle will be open at the following times -
Tuesdays - Saturdays 11am - 5pm :
Sundays 2-5pm :
Mondays closed.
15th August 2002
£2.6 Million Decommissioning Facility
Officially Opened Near Thurso
JGC Engineering and Technical Services, that is
playing a key role in the decommissioning of Dounreay's two fast breeder
reactors had their new facility at Janetstown opened by Energy Minister
Brian Wilson.
Another £30 million
Alliance Announced By Brian Wilson Energy Minister
A
new partnership will create 50 new jobs at Dounreay. This
latest £30 Million contract follows another announcement for the same
amount of £30 million in February this year.
Energy Minister Brian Wilson announced the DFR Breeder Fuel Alliance while
officially opening an off-site liquid metals test facility near Thurso.
Extra £4,277,000 For Highland Council
An additional spending allocation of £4,277,000 - approved by the Scottish
Executive to be spent on important community issues - has been welcomed by The
Highland Council Convener Councillor David Green.
14th August 2002
Baligill, Sutherland
Baligill
lies between Strathy and Melvich just off the a836 road on the north
coast of Sutherland. It sits between two bays and at the coast
there are great views of Strathy Point to the west.
Melvich, Sutherland
Melvich
sits above the mouth of the Halladale river that flows into Melvich
Bay. Sandy beaches with terrific coastal views east to
Caithness and on west to Strathy Point.
Portskerra, Sutherland
Here is the first of some new sections on Sutherland.
Portskerra has a beautiful little inlet where small creel boats
anchor in summer time. At other times the sea comes
spectacularly crashing in. Portskerra is on the coast at
Melvich.
Halkirk's Golden
Jubilee Garden Competition Results Announced
One of the events organised by the committee responsible for
the Queens Golden Jubilee celebrations in Halkirk was a garden
competition which was open to anyone residing in the Parish of
Halkirk.
13th August 2002
Clan Sinclair Trust Ready To Start Conservation Plan for Castles
The Clan Sinclair Trust takes another major step forward. After
about eighteen months of negotiation the documentation has now been
signed by Heritage Lottery Fund and work on the Conservation Plan
will begin on 19th August. This in turn will release funding from
Historic Scotland, Caithness and Sutherland Enterprise and Highland
Council.
Orkney
Youngsters Back From Tall Ship Trip
Orkney youngsters are getting used to life on shore once again after a
10-day voyage
aboard the tall ship Prince William.
Fresh from their passage from Dundee to Denmark - before the return leg
across the
North Sea to Aberdeen - all agree that they have enjoyed the adventure of
a lifetime.
Orkney Enterprise decided to offer four places on a youth voyage operated
by the Sail
Training Association as a way to boost the personal development and team
working
abilities of Skillseekers
History
Of Caithness - Chapter Fifteen - James Traill (1758 - 1843)
We now come to James Traill famous for his
improvements in the county and especially his setting up of the
flagstone quarries and works at Castlehill
HEBRIDEAN CONNECTIONS' TO THE
PAST
An ambitious project is set to bring the Western Isles' rich history back
to life. `Hebridean Connections - People and Place' project is a joint
initiative aimed at making the area's diverse cultural and historical past
available to everyone, everywhere.
The Salmon Pool, Thurso River On A Warm Afternoon
It
was one of those days that could have been from a book or film on
Monday. School Holidays with young folk and dogs playing in
and around the salmon pool on the Thurso River. A warm
afternoon - dogs loved the cold water as did the boys on the old
inner tube. Recent path improvements have made it easy to walk
or cycle through the park to the salmon pool from the centre of
town.
12th August 2002
Looking Over Thurso From St Andrews Drive
New Services For Pensioners
From The Pension Service
A phased programme, starting in Autumn 2002, will mean that claims and
enquiries relating to Retirement Pensions and Minimum Income Guarantee will be
dealt with at a new centre in Motherwell. Pensioners will be able to
contact the pension centre by dialling an 0845 telephone number. An
information web site is available as part of the new streamlined services being
introduced.
Towards A Fully Literate
Highlands
Recent research shows that one in five people in Scotland have still
to fully develop their literacy skills, according to Mary Rhind,
Co-ordinator of a new Highland initiative which supports the
teaching of basic numeracy and literacy skills to adults. New
Grants available.
Have You Tried Selling A Car On Caithness.Org? - It's Easy and Its
FREE
A Porsche and other Cars, Computer Games, Computers, Videos, Brand New TV,
Mobile Phones, Free Firewood, Bricks, Photographic Equipment, Bird Cage,
Piglets, Furniture. Just some of the items passing through our FREE Items
for sale column in the last couple of weeks. Go on empty the attic
or garage. Your unwanted items could be in your wallet or bank account
earning interest.
After The Mey Games Some Pre Marriage Rituals
After
the Mey Games the fun continued with Dave Kennedy (a member in the
Mey tug o' war team) from Tressdale getting his ritual send off from
his team members before marrying Lyn Durrand a week on Friday.
Watch Out For
BOGUS WORKMEN
Two incidents of bogus workmen have been reported to Lochaber
Police. Both incidents occurred in the village of Kinlochleven
and involved two men calling at houses in the village. In each case
the men purported to being from the Water Board.
Brenda Lees, Archivist Gets Ready To Leave Caithness for Wales
Brenda
Lees an archivist at North Highland Archive is seen here at a night
out in the Nethercliff Hotel, Wick where she received several
parting gifts from friends and volunteers to remind her of her few
years in Caithness. Brenda is leaving to take up a new job in
Wales near the area where she used to live.
History Of
Caithness Chapter 15 Begins
Chapter 15 deals with some of the famous lay people of Caithness. We
begin with Sir John Sinclair (1754 - 1835) famous for his agricultural
improvement schemes, his "Code of Agriculture" and "Statistical
Account of Scotland". In 1793 his ideas on the economy shone through when
he took instant action to relieve the lack of finance of merchants by
speeding up credit facilities in various places and so averting a general
collapse increasing an already bad situation. His reputation is still
huge in many places and he is probably less well known now in the county of his
birth.
OK Kids - "Bored" " Nothing To Do" - Check The What's On Today
Time
is running out and it will soon be "Back To School" Check
out the rest of the week in the
monthly What's On. Plenty of activities left to try out. Then you
can think about taking the sport or activity up later. You won't know if
you enjoy it if you never try it.
11th August 2002
Prince Charles At Canisbay Church On Sunday
Bettyhill Pipe Band Opened Mey Games
Big Crowds See Prince Charles At Games To Commemorate Queen Mother
Prince Charles And Friends See Queen Mother's Games
Cheers For Castle Of Mey Tug-O-War Team
Prince Charles Starts Tug-O-War
Castle Of Mey Team Wins Tug Of War
Valerie Carr In Wick To Launch
Her New Book "Green"
Valerie
Carr was back in Caithness to launch her new book GREEN. The
book was initially started for her children and grew into a volume
of her memories of her childhood remembering Caithness in the 1950's
and 60's. It describes life for a young person growing up in
the countryside and living in Caithness with a love of animals and
gathering of many pets. An enjoyable read that will have folk
recalling similar episodes from many parts of Scotland and
elsewhere.
10th August 2002
History Of the Clan Gunn - Part Two
Robert Gunn's "History of the Clan Gunn"
describes some of the conflicts following the suicide of Helen
"The Beauty of Braemore" - The Conflict of
Blar-Tannie (Tannach Moor), Battle of Dirlot,
Battle of Allt Nan Gamhna - also known as St. Tears
Bower Mini Show & Gala
Programme
14 August - 18 August - Main day Saturday 17 August
for all the competitions and local fun. See last years
pictures
9th August 2002
West Highland Way Walkers Raise £610 For Highland Hospice
Two
Caithness ladies walked the 98.4 miles of the West Highland Way to
raise £610 for the Highland Hospice. Jan Banks (right) and
Margaret Sutherland (middle) handed over a cheque to Joanna Geddes
manager of the hospice shops in Caithness for the Hospice
Highland Hospice Page
Kite Buggy Course - Two Places Left On Sunday 11 August
Contact
[email protected]
course 1.00pm - 6.00pm - At Dunnet Breach. Weather Dependent.
Course Fee £40
8th August 2002
Caithness Kids Get Water Rescue and Swimming Certificates
Wick
Swimming Pool was the place toady as the kids involved in learning
emergency and rescue skills in the water got their certificates
after completing the last day of the short course. There
have been plenty of activities for young folk this year organised at
the swimming pools in Wick and Thurso in addition to a range of
other sports and fun activities. There are still a few days of
activities to try -
Check it Out
Why Not check Out Your Local Pool
Both Wick and Thurso Swimming Pools have modern up to date
facilities with fitness suites. Here we have pictures of the
Wick pool and equipment. We will add Thurso pictures later.
7th August 2002
Scrabster Pier Development - Latest Pictures
More Viking Pictures From Thurso Gala
Oxana Trader At Wick
Harbour
The
Oxana Trader was in Wick harbour delivering a cargo of salt.
not the type for the dinner table but the scatter on the icy roads
variety.
With so much of the stuff being put on the roads does
anyone ever ask what amount of pollution is being caused by this
practice and is there another way....
Caithness Field Club
- Programme Of Activities 2002 - 2003
If you wanted to learn about Caithness, get
out in the fresh air on walks and sit in on winter talks then this
is a group to think about joining. Everything is conducted in
a relaxed atmosphere and whether you just want to go out for a
stroll or find out more in depth about local treasures in
archaeology or visit some out of the way places you will find that
the Field Club caters for everyone. With a £5 a year
membership that includes an annual Bulletin of articles on a range
of topics it is well worth checking out. The membership
have a combined knowledge of the area that is quite remarkable
covering many topics. So why not check it out and in a few
years you might be the expert........
Walking On History - Yarrows Kids Get Round The Trail
Over a dozen children from around the county joined the Highland Council Ranger
Service on Tuesday 6th August to 'Walk in History'. The group completed the
Yarrows Archaeological Trail as part of this summers' activities programme
organised by Education, Culture & Sport (Highland Council). The children
gathered some insight into the fascinating archaeology of the area.
A Framework For
Bio-diversity Highland
The Framework document produced by Highland Council on behalf of the highland
Bio-Diversity Partnership is reproduced here for everyone to see what is being
discussed and how it might impact on the Highlands. Biodiversity is about
nature, and also about people. Biodiversity may be a fancy name for the
richness of the natural world but it also takes us further forward than
traditional nature conservation. It sees the natural world as a vital asset and
as essential to our survival and our quality of life.
History Of Caithness -
Chapter Fourteen Completed
Another two short parts on local dignitaries
and some information on local religious groups in Caithness being
this chapter to an end. Chapter15 coming soon gives
details of well know Caithnessians in various walks of life
including Sir John Sinclair famous for his statistical account and
agricultural improvements and ?James Trail who set up the flagstone
quarries at Castlehill.
6th August 2002
Valerie Carr, Author Comes To
Wick To Sign Her New Book "GREEN"
Valerie Carr spent her childhood
around the village of Latheronwheel and has written "Green" as an
extension to her few pages she started to write for her three children to
let them know what she did as a child before the age of the DVD and the
play station. Many
readers will find the country life portrayed in her childhood days in
Caithness remarkably similar to rural life in Scotland through the fifties
and sixties. Valerie Carr will be in D R
Simpson's, Newsagents, Wick on Saturday 10th August to sign copies of her
book.
Archaeology In Caithness - A Rare chance To See A Broch Being
Dug
On the Keiss John O'Groats road near Freswick.
Caithness Field Club have arranged with the team of
archaeologists to have an open evening for members and visitors.
Everyone is welcome to go along and see the site
opened up last year and see what progress has been made and the new
information being gleaned from this Broch. Come and see an excavation in
progress as it will all be filled in two days later for this year. Make
your own way to the site which is very near the main road. See you all
there.
Broadband Services - John Thurso MP Gets Involved
Here
at Caithness.Org we feel that Broadband access is one of the most
important communication issues facing the Highlands and other rural
areas. the benefits of fast Internet access may seem of only
passing interest to the casual user. But already business
decisions regarding the setting up of new companies and location of
premises are being affected. New employment opportunities are
moving to areas where the service is available. Without
such services an area may lose out without knowing it. We are
pleased that our local MP John Thurso has joined in the campaign to
get these services extended. Today we publish his letter to
all constituents asking for them to register with BT. We
already have some discussion on the topic on the
Message Board. Email John Thurso and register today to help us all
get faster access.
Caithness Film Maker
David Scott - Programme on TV Tonight
David
Scott a film maker originally from Wick and who returns to visit his
mother will be seen in a TV programme tonight at 10:30pm on
Grampian and Scottish TV "Beyond The Highlands" showing him on a
trip from Glasgow where he now lives to Wick. He visits
several people in the county in a journey relating his own life
experience wrestling with drug addiction. Among the folk he meets are crofter
Peter Stewart, Burnhill, Thrumster, John Angus , Dunbeath, Dr Neville
Jones, a writer of letters to the John O'Groat Journal and his family at
Mid Clyth. Also Canadian artist Monique Sleidrecht at Freswick Castle.
5th August 2002
Viking Longboat Burns In A Great Finale To Thurso Gala Night Parade
The
Thurso Gala Night parade of floats ended in what must be one of the
most spectacular endings to a gala night anywhere outside Shetland.
The Vikings sang their song before lighting the the longship by
throwing their torches into the boat to set it alight. Well
done Thurso Gala committee, the Shetlanders and the companies
whose contributions made it all possible.
Pulteneytown People's Project Holiday Club A Hit With The Kids
Bill And Aline Mowat
Celebrate Their Golden Wedding
Bill
and Aline Mowat, Coronation Street, Wick celebrated their 50 years
of marriage on Friday 2 August with a dinner for their family at
Mackays hotel followed next day by lunch in a marquee for over 110 relatives,
neighbours and friends. The marquee was set up in the garden of their
house where they have lived since 1958.
History
Of Caithness - Chapter Fourteen - Dr Morison of Canisbay
Another minister of the church of Scotland who came to Caithness in 1768 and
was well known for his poetry and ability to deliver sermons without notes and
was tested to deliver a sermon based on a text handed to him at a service in
Wick.
4th August 2002
Businesses Be Seen
With Our Banner Ads
For less than £10 a month your business could be seen on a growing
network of web sites.
Think about it.....then get in touch....its easier than you think.
Thurso Night Gala Pictures 97 -100
Thurso Gala Night Pictures 73 - 84
Thurso Gala Night Pictures 85 - 96
Thurso Gala Night Pictures 49 - 60
Thurso Gala Queen And Attendants
Thurso Gala Night Pictures 25 - 36
Thurso Gala Night Pictures 37 - 48
Thurso Gala Night Pictures 1 - 12
Thurso Gala Night Pictures 13 - 24
Thurso Gala - Fancy Dress - Pictures 49 - 58
Thurso Gala - Fancy Dress - Pictures 37 - 48
Thurso Gala - Fancy Dress - Pictures 25 - 36
Thurso Gala - Fancy Dress - Pictures 13 - 24
Thurso Gala - Fancy Dress - Pictures 1 - 12
Thurso Gala Gets Biggest Crowds For Several Years
Thurso had one the biggest crowds out for a
gala night parade for many years. The combination of a bright
sunny evening and the brilliant idea of inviting the squad of
vikings from Shetland's own festival in January proved to be a great
draw. The squad arrived from Shetland in the morning and
advanced round the town in the afternoon meeting people and getting
pictures taken. A colourful longship had been built by the
apprentices at Dounreay and it went on the parade of floats before
being burned by the vikings throwing their torches on to the boat.
A huge crowd gathered at Thurso harbour for this unusual site.
First in the evening was the Fancy Dress competition which was a
very colourful set up in the square gardens. Coming over today
lots of pictures as we process them on to the site. If you
want lots of colour keep looking in now and then to see where we
have got to....................
3rd August 2002
Vikings Arrive At Scrabster From Shetland As Thurso Gala Week Begins
Thurso Gala got started this morning at Scrabster harbour with the
arrival of the Vikings from Shetland. This band of warriors
normally take part in the famous "Up Hellya" celebrations.
Thurso is going to have something different with their help and will
be burning their own replica longship at Thurso harbour after the
Floats parade. With a team of guisers like this - all expert boat
burners - it should all go well. Children's Fancy Dress first
at 5.30pm See you there.
Latest Ranger Notes
Details from the Caithness whale watch weekend and what's
going on with the birds.
2nd August 2002
A Short
History Of Clan Gunn Begins Today - Part One
We are pleased to announce the start of a
short history of Clan Gunn. Robert Gunn M. A, a historian has
offered to allow Caithness.Org to publish his short history.
The history of Clan Gunn will appear in five parts. Robert
begins "The Clan Gunn is often referred to as "the MacGregors of the
North" due, in part, to their many conflicts with their neighbours,
which had the unfortunate result of the Gunns being eventually
blamed (by other clans) as the "chief trouble-makers in the area."
Of course this isn't the case, as will be shown...."
As we watch the story unfold in the Gunn Connections section please
let us know if you have anything you would like to comment on as it
unfolds. We will pass on any comments to Robert for his
consideration.
UK
Report on Cetacean Watch Weekend
A
little over 200 sites were manned around the British Isles including
Northern Ireland, from Hermaness in Shetland down to Jersey in the Channel
Islands and Isles of Scilly in Cornwall. Around one thousand people
participated, with groups of as many as 20-30 attending some sites. Systematic
watches were carried out from the land-based sites whilst others went to see on
a variety of vessels from yachts to oil rig supply vessels and ferries.
Wick Gala Golf
Wick
Gala Golf finished last night with presentation of prizes by the
Gala Queen and her attendants. Ron Taylor won the men's
competition as best scratch golfer with a round of 68. Marion
Mackay, Margaret Sinclair and Doreen Cormack were one tow three in
the ladies competition. For other places in the men's handicap
see the Wick Gala Index
page
1st August 2002
Wick Gala Fancy Dress Football
Lifeboatmen 4 Fire Brigade 3 in a no holds barred match with first a rugby ball
then the real thing with some huge punts of the ball into the river ...rescued by a player whipping off a
dress to reveal a cute swimming outfit to rescue the ball from the
river. Played with great gusto and huge amounts of power play
from the rescue services. Just stand back if you see these
guys running!!!!!!!!!
Wick Gala Grizzly Park Fun - Pictures 49 - 58
Wick Gala Grizzly Park Fun - Pictures 37 - 48
Wick Gala Grizzly Park Fun - Pictures 25 - 36
Wick Gala Grizzly Park Fun - Pictures 13 - 24
Wick Gala Grizzly Park Fun Pictures 1 - 12
Highest Yet As Hit Rate Breaks The 4 Million Barrier In July
Hits 4,110,202 Pages 1,175,139
Visitors 75,981 - Yes Its All in One Month!!
Thanks to all of you for looking in to make July the biggest ever on
the site. We would also like to thank our many contributors
who send us information, updates, news, photographs and other items
for the web site. Have we reached our peak? Who
knows? On with the the day. More Wick Gala from yesterday coming
shortly.
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