News Archive - July 2002
[June 2002] [August 2002]
31st July 2002
HomeAid Charity
Shop Reopened
HomeAid Charity Shop has reopened at Princes Street, Thurso -
opposite Bews Butchers and is open Mon - Fir 10.30am - 4.30pm.
Lots of bargains in clothing, books, collectables, toys, games
ornaments , china, music systems, surplus furniture and the odd
antique. All proceeds are used to further the group's work in
relieving poverty.
Wick Gala - Fancy Dress At Braehead - Pictures 37 - 42
Wick Gala - Fancy Dress At Braehead - Pictures 25 - 36
Wick Gala - Fancy Dress At Braehead - Pictures 13 - 24
History Of Caithness - Chapter Fourteen - Mr Jolly Of
Dunnet
Mr Jolly died in 1845 after 60 years as a minister in the county.
Wick Gala - Fancy Dress At Braehead - Pictures 1 - 12
Wick Gala - Karate Demonstration At Braehead
Wick Gala Night Breaks The Records With Over £7000 Collected
So
much small change was collected on Saturday night it took the team
of counters until Monday to get it all totalled up. The fine
weather proved to be a bonus and the great floats combined with a
generous crowd made for the highest ever gala night collection.
Morag Hart of Wick Town Improvements was awaiting confirmation from
the bank of the final total which last year was over £6600 - itself
a new high.
30th July 2002
Septs Of
Clan Gunn
The Gunns became scattered throughout the Caithness and Sutherland
area, especially in four main branches. Here Robert M
Gunn M.A. Historian and researcher sets out the background to the
septs of Clan Gunn and raises some questions on the recent
inclusions to the septs listings. Robert has two web sites
where you can find much more information on aspects of Scottish
history and the clans.
Wick High 1974 - 1980 Reunion
A few pictures from the reunion night in Mackays Hotel, Wick on
Friday.
Sunshine At Halkirk Highland Games Brought Out The Crowds
Tom Isaacs Walking Coast Of Britain For Parkinson's
Tom Isaacs
himself a Parkinson's sufferer has taken a year out to walk right
round the 4500 miles of the coast of Britain to raise funds to help
find a cure for Parkinson's Disease. He took a couple of hours
off to visit Halkirk Highland Games on Saturday. You can
follow his progress on the web site
Coastin
"A
Guide To Travellers" by John Horne
Thanks to Robert Begg for sending in this poem by John Horne published in his
book "The County of Caithness" in 1907. A tongue in cheek look at his
friends and neighbours and has anything changed.
History Of
Caithness -
Chapter Fourteen Begins
A few accounts of ministers and school
teachers. We start with Alexander Pope of Reay.
Also completed is the
Table of Contents. From this you will see that although the chapters
are coming to an end there is a huge amount of information in the Appendix,
Postscript, Notes and Miscellaneous sections. This reflecting an
old fashioned style of setting out a book. Nowadays most of the
information in the final sections would probably have been included within the
main body of the text. There is a lot more to come.
29th July 2002
Scouts Back From Jamborette At Blair Atholl
Six Scouts from Wick and Thurso have recently
returned home after attending the Scottish International Jamborette
at Blair Atholl which ran from July 15 to July 26. All Scouts
successfully completed 14 challenges and earned the "Challenge of the
White Cockade". As part of the international experience, the
Caithness Scouts are billeting 1 Canadian and 3 Austrian Scouts
during their visit.
Blair Atholl
Jamborette Web Site
More Examples Of How The Castle Reconstructions Were Built Up
East End V Thurso Youth Club Under 8s
Mini Highland Games - Wick
No
couch potatoes here as kids from the area got going at a whole range
of activities from tossing mini cabers to a variety of races both
outdoors and indoors. A whole summer of activities is on offer
covering a wide variety of sports for youngsters to try out for the
first time or get extra coaching with instructors.
Click Here To check what Sports Activities are still
available this Summer Holidays In Caithness
Whale Watching Results
In Caithness
Not a great weekend for seeing whales etc.
although a few dolphins were still about.
Wick Gala Scots Afternoon - Folk Style Music
28th July 2002
Wick Gala Night - More Pictures 13 - 24
Wick Gala Night Pictures 25 - 36
Wick Gala Night
Pictures 1 - 12
Great Floats, Great Crowd, Great Night
27th July 2002
Wick High Commercial Class 1952 - 1956 Reunion
The
class got back together with their teachers for a great night at the
Nethercliffe Hotel in Wick last night. They send a message to
Nancy in Australia "Wish you could have been here"
Ross Beveridge And Ruth MacAdie Got Married On Friday
26th July 2002
Whale & Dolphin Watch
Weekend
The
national whale and dolphin watch weekend. The Rangers are organising
local events in the north for the public to join in. Take
binoculars and warm clothing.
Sat 27th July Dunnet Bay 10.00am meet at ranger centre.
Gills Bay 27th July - 11.30am.
Sunday 28th July 10.30am Strathy Point, Sutherland
meet at car park at end of public road.
Sunday 28th 2pm Lybster Harbour meet at car park at harbour.
Less Tax For
Community Sports Groups
Community sport will benefit as tens of thousands of clubs gain from
Government changes to help community amateur sports clubs (CASCs)
ease their tax bills.
No Such Thing As A Free Lunch
Well maybe! But you can get your car,
banjo, antique book or anything else advertised for FREE on
the Caithness.org Message Board - Items For Sale section.
Some items have sold within hours. Just save yourself a deluge
of enquiries by advising everyone once the item is sold by placing a
follow up message - its FREE too - that's the Internet for you.
Fun Time With Food Recipes
and Ideas For Kids
A few links here for a rainy afternoon. And once you have made
the grub check a few of the new links in
Kids Links
Scrabster Harbour New Pier Latest Pictures
Scrabster
Harbour Development Index
25th July 2002
ENTECH Web Site Launched by
Scorrie Internet Services
ENTECH - European Nuclear Technologies new web site from Scorrie
Internet Services the business side of Caithness.org is launched
today. ENTECH is based on the UKAEA site at Dounreay and is a
joint venture company owned by SGN a French company and Strachan &
Henshaw based in Bristol and Stockport.
24th July 2002
How The
Castle Reconstructions Are Built Up
These pages are being added in reponse
to enquiries about the authenticity of aspects of the castles in the final
reconstructions. Andrew Spratt has a wealth of knowledge and has
carried out extensive research on each of the reconstructions. As it
might be interesting and add another dimension to the Castles section
Andrew has agreed to provide some further background information that we
will add here from time to time in order to help answer some of the
questions being posed on aspects of the reconstructions.
Wick Gala Programme Saturday 27 July - Saturday 3 August
Castle of Mey Gardens Open - Thursday 25 July 2.00pm - 6.00pm
Achastle Castle -
Another Caithness Castle By Andrew Spratt
Built in the 15th century the ruins can still be seen. With walls 70 feet high by 43 feet wide and over 5 feet thick it was a large building. It was alluded to by Cordiner who wrote
in 1788 that two towers were present. It is situated where the Langwell
and Berriedale rivers meet.
Relic Of Battleship
HMS Howe At Dounreay Visitor Centre
A new exhibit at the Dounreay Visitor Centre reveals how armour-plated steel
from a World War Two battleship has played an important role in looking after
the health of thousands of workers at the site. Several tons of steel
salvaged from the hull of HMS Howe after the war has been used to shield
sensitive radiation monitoring equipment from natural radioactivity during
regular health checks on staff who work with nuclear materials.
Caithness Riders Access Group
A new group has been formed to look at issues surrounding access for riders in
the countryside. As the numbers of riders in the county and the north
generally is on the increase the group is also concerned about the number of
road accidents involving horses.
23rd July 2002
Caithness Quilters Exhibition At Thurso Town Hall
Running for two weeks until 3 August - Mon -
Sat 10.00am - 5.00pm and Sunday 12.00 - 4.00pm
50p Admission and a raffle is being run to win
one of the beautiful quilts on display. The proceeds from the
raffle will be donated to the new Caithness Renal Dialysis Unit.
Quilters Pages
Halkirk Highland Games - Saturday 27 July - Opening Ceremony
12.15pm
The biggest Highland Games in the north take
place on Saturday. Caithness.org hopes to be there with
computer and digital camera - and if we can get it all worked out we
hope to send pictures of anyone at the games by email as they happen
for a small charge. See you there on Saturday..............
History Of
Caithness - Chapter Thirteen
This chapter covers religion in Caithness
before and after the reformation, the state of education in the
county and the forming of the Edinburgh Caithness Association in
1838.
Steven's Transport - New Building At Scrabster Harbour
The
skyline changes yet again at Scrabster as Steven's Transport erects
a new workshop and storage facility near to its present yard and
offices.
Boats And Equipment Gathered At Wick For Pipeline Float Out From Wester Yard
Wintering Snow Buntings In Caithness
Hugh Clark wrote this excellent article for
the Caithness Field Club bulletin in 1992 outlining everything you
need to know about this small winter visitor to Caithness.
Holidays In Slickly
The late Ian Munro, Little Clett, Brough set
out his memories of life on the croft with particular emphasis on
the smells he recalled. the article was published in the
1992 bulletin of Caithness Field Club.
Latest
From Ormlie
Busy time for kids at Ormlie in Thurso with a a special event on Wednesday 7
August to raise awareness of their home Zone status. A talent competition
with forms from the Ormlie office. Lots more and local bands
playing live in the evening of the Event Day.
Stroma:
The Island That Died
A short history of the island by Donald Omand,
the well known Caithness author in the Field Club Bulletin 1992.
Winds Of Change
This item by Geoff Leet in the 1992 Field Club
bulletin sets out the information about the Windmill at at Langwell.
An interesting article in view of the current applications for wind
farms in the county.
Whalebone Cruck At Dunnet
More evidence of old whaling days.
Holding A Pirate's Ball
Cannon Ball and Sinclair Arms at Murkle
Zeno At Clan Gunn - A Field Club Bulletin Article From 1992
22nd July 2002
Wick & Thurso Lifeboats Exercise With Rescue Helicopter
The two Caithness lifeboat met up with the RAF rescue helicopter
from Lossiemouth to practice taking people off the boats and landing
them again. Some of the lifeboat crew from each boat
were swapped over and RAF crew also came down and were lifted back.
The action all took place off the coast of Stroma in the Pentland
Firth and was watched by folk at John O'Groats.
21st July 2002
East End Under 8s Win
12 - 0 Against Lybster
East
End Boys Football Club Under 8s seem to be unbeatable this season as
they now have ten wins in a row under their belt. Coach Peter
Swanson is confident his boys will win the championship as they only
have two games to play.
18th July 2002
Castletown Heritage Book "Flagstone Village" Now Available In
Local Shops
Castletown Heritage
Group have published a new book packed full of information about
their town and the area. The book is priced at £14.95 and is
sure to be a reference guide for many years to come. The book
is available locally in newsagents or certain Post Offices -
Castletown being one of them. The book has had a limited
print run so get your order in early.
Roof Going On
At New Police Station In Wick
the new police station building is now getting its roofing put on
with the insulation and cladding being put in place yesterday.
The building is on schedule to be ready for January 2003.
Kids Links
Gets a Few Summer Ideas
Building Sand Castles? Then check the site
with a few great ideas and instructions. Want to see how the
surf will be then try out the great little videos on a great site.
Web Cams for Kids showing beaches round the world and Sun Protection
facts for kids. Go get em...
Castletown
Heritage Group Summer Newsletter
News from the Castletown Heritage Group is that they no longer have any
premises as the building they used has been sold. The group are looking
for a new place to house their collection and for exhibitions and have their
eye on a Council owned building at Castlehill. It is unlikely to be open
this summer.
History Of Caithness
Chapter Twelve Completed
Several of the Proprietors in the county keen Jacobites
-
Alexander, now Earl of Caithness and George Sinclair of Ulbster,
staunch supporters of the Hanovarian dynasty -
Lord MacLeod having only got a few men to join him leaves the county
-
Achgillan and his band of robbers -
Plot to murder and rob the Laird of Freswick -
Story of Marshall, the Robber of Backlas -
French Revolution and Rebellion in Ireland -
The Caithness Fencibles. Three chapters still to come and over 100 very
interesting pages of Appendix packed with information on Caithness history.
Sponsored Walk For Canisbay & Dunnet Day Care Centre Raised A Great
Sum
The Canisbay & Dunnet Day Care Centre committee would like to thank
all the sponsors and walkers for the amazing sum of £1,416.20.
Walkers came from Scrabster to John OGroats and all points between,
and were sponsored by people from all over the county as well as
from other parts of Britain. The Centre will be an enormous asset
for this remote northern corner of the county and it is very
encouraging to receive such strong local support.
17th July 2002
Autogas (LPG) Now On Sale In Wick
- Will It Cut Your Motoring Costs?
A new day dawned
for the fuel
price situation in Caithness as Elm Tree Filling Station in Wick has
opened its new pump to deliver Autogas at least for those folk with vehicles with
dual fuel tanks. The price of LPG or Autogas is considerably
lower than petrol/gas whether leaded or unleaded.
Unemployment
In The North Down In June
The latest report from Caithness & Sutherland Enterprise shows that
The number of unemployed in Caithness and Sutherland fell from 1,031
last month to 916. The revised unemployment rates in the Sutherland,
Wick and Thurso Travel to Work Areas respectively are as follows
(corresponding figures for last month are shown in brackets) 6.0%
(6.9%), 5.4% (6.0%) and 2.8% (3.0%).
Calder Stone Quarry Gain Major
Investment Grants Totalling £377,900
Caithness Slate Products were awarded assistance of £206,100
towards the expansion of Calder Quarry, under the finance for
Business Initiative in a development which is expected to create 39
new jobs. This expansion will enable them to produce a range of new
products, including polished floor tiles and roof tiles, marketed as
'Calder Stone of Caithness'. Caithness Slate Products also
received HIE Efficiency assistance of £171,800 towards the expansion
of Calder quarry and their new product range.
Sutherland Brothers, Wick Get £19750 Grant for Software and Training
Voluntary
Groups Grants In June From Community Investment Scheme
Grants awarded in June included - Caithness Indoor Riding
Association - Upgrade riding centre in Halkirk £2,148, Halkirk
Highland Games Association - Purchase PA system & tables £2,505,
Berriedale & Dunbeath Community Council - Create village floral
displays £500, Castletown Heritage Society - Publish book on history
of Castletown £500, Caithness Sports Council - Purchase
disabled-access minibus £9,000, St. Johns Loch Improvement
Association - Create equipment store at loch £1,000.
Community
Planning Grants Awarded In June
Embo Community Centre Steering Committee -
Feasibility study £1,000, MOBIUS Computer Recycling Group - Third
year of recycling project £6,000, Helmsdale Heritage Society -
Strategic Planning day £600, Pulteneytown Community Association -
Set-up costs and community survey £530, Ormlie Community
Association, Thurso - Staff & office costs £13,000
16th July 2002
Nursing Assistants Being Presented With Certificates By Malcolm Chisholm
24 Pictures. Several other nursing assistants were not
available for the presentations due to holidays and shifts.
Well done everyone.
Health Minister Malcolm Chisolm Presents Certificates To Nursing Assistants In
Wick
Scottish Health Minister Malcolm Chisholm visited Caithness General Hospital
today and he took the opportunity to present certificates to staff who had
successfully completed the Nursing Assistant Training Programme. Mr
Chisholm commended the health trust for arranging the training programme
flagged up in a recent review.
Malcolm Chisholm The Scottish Health Minister Sees Site for New
Renal Unit
Malcolm
Chisholm the Scottish Health minister saw the area in the Caithness
General Hospital that has been set aside for the new Renal Unit to
be set up shortly. The minister also met GP's representatives,
saw the new Accident and Emergency Unit and met some members of the
Patients Council. He was accompanied by other health staff and
in the picture are Sheena Craig, Directorate General Manager,
Caroline Thomson, chairman of NHS Highland and Stewart Whiteford
Chairman of Highland Acute Trust
Sanside House Gardens Open Day
Sandside House held one of the most successful open days for a
garden in Caithness with over 250 people arriving to see round the
gardens that have both a formal sunken garden surrounded by high
walls and trees and a huge lawn with side borders overlooking
Sandside bay with views to Orkney on a clear day. With teas
and a range of food on offer as well as sales of baking and plants
visitors had a nice time between walks round looking and smelling
the flowers and tea or coffee with plates of home baking. all
the money raised was for charity.
Bay Tree At Sandside House Gardens
An unusual tree found at Sandside is this Bay tree that would normally be found
in much warmer climates such as the Mediterranean. Speculation as to how
it has survived vary between the excellent protection of the walls, house and
surrounding high trees to soil conditions in that particular spot.
Whatever the reason there can be few of this particular tree if any in the
county. But do let us know of any others.
Long Views From Sandside Gardens
Sandside House, Reay
The house dates from 1751 with enlargements in 1840 and 1889 but the
site may well have had earlier settlement using the excellent views
of the sea and surrounding area.
Pictish Stone At Sandside House
The Sandside Gardens Open Day on Sunday also allowed many people to see the
pictish stone in one corner of the garden. The history of the area as
with the rest of Caithness is very ancient and this pictish stone standing in a
protected corner is only one of several found in the area.
Sanside House Dovecote
Pictures
now added to the earlier article by Elizabeath Beaton that first
appeared in a Caithness field Club Bulletin - "One
of the final phases of pigeon husbandry was to use the captive birds
for marksmanship. They were released from traps as targets in order
that sportsmen might improve their aim (2), a practice which died
out towards the end of the nineteenth century when it was deemed "of
lowly origin", or even because the advice given in 1892 that "it is
wise to shoot pigeons at recognized clubs only.
15th July 2002
Sports And Activities for Young People In Caithness Summer 2002
Tina Robinson the sports and leisure officer
for Caithness has organised a huge range of activities for young
people to try this summer. Some started in June but there are
still many more coming up. Here are a few with more to be
added later.
Friends of Newtonhill Community Woodland July Meeting
Some
of the members of the 'Friends' of Newtonhill Woodland met to
discuss the future of Newtonhill Community Woodland. The group
gratefully received sponsorship from UKAEA for £100. The group
plan to apply for other funding in order to carry out improvement
works around the woodland.
North
Highland Archive Newsletter July - September 2002
See what's new in the Archive in wick as more items are recorded by the staff
and volunteers.
150th
Dunbeath Highland Games
Friday 19 July
Wick Landward Valuation Rolls
At North Highland Archive
(Proprietors and tenants year by year) are now in the archive on
microfilm from 1855 This has extended our run, which previously only
started in 1878.
Caithness County Show 2002
Sat 20 July 2002 - Scrabster Farm - All the animals, Flower show,
Competitions, Horse Events, Baking Competitions. Sheep shearing, Beer Tent, Tea
Tent, Food, Flower Show, Motor Bike Stunt Display, Pipe Band and much more.
Rounding Up Ducks And Geese At Latheron Show
Jasmine Grant a champion sheepdog handler from Dunbeath and her two dogs proved
they can round up anything that moves. Jasmine and her dogs made it look easy
moving ducks and geese round a variety of obstacles. The two dogs were
controlled by Jasmine using whistle instructions. Jasmine can round up
sheep from a mile and a quarter away from where she stands using her excellent
dogs.
Firemen Show How To Get You Out Of A Crash Vehicle In Minutes
Caithness
firemen demonstrated how they can
cut up a vehicle in minutes to rescue someone from a crashed
vehicle. Their equipment cut through the car like butter and
they expertly took off the doors and roof before stretching the
vehicle as they would do in a real emergency to get the driver or
passenger out.
Old Friends Meet Up At Latheron Show
A wander round a local county show is almost certain to see people
meeting up and Latheron was no exception with a big crowd
enjoying all that was on offer.
Old Friends Meet Up At Latheron Show
A wander round a local county show is almost certain to see people
meeting up and Latheron was no exception with a big crowd
enjoying all that was on offer.
14th July 2002
Wick Pipe Band Fancy Dress Night
Highland Dancers At Pipe Band Fancy Dress Night
Wick Pipe Band Week went out in style again with their now annual
Fancy Dress Night to end a very successful week of parades, ceilidhs
and Scottish entertainment. The pipe band, singers, dancers
and much more can be seen every Wednesday evening at the Pipe Band
Hall where they have summer shows starting at 8.00pm.
Lots of local talent from Caithness...check it out when you come to
Wick.
Vintage Machinery At Latheron Show
Fun At Latheron Show
There
were plenty of kids ready to have ago at old fashioned pillow fights
on the slippery pole at the Latheron Show. There was a big
crowd out at the show helped no doubt by the gloriously sunny day.
The ground was in excellent condition - dry and firm.
There was plenty of entertainment throughout the day and more
pictures coming later.
13th July 2002
Latheron Show 2002 - First Pictures
History of
Caithness - Chapter Twelve Begins
John Sinclair of Murkle succeeds to the
Earldom -
Duel between Sinclair of Olrig and Innes of Sandside. To see
what is coming next check the
Contents Page.
12th July 2002
New Arts Development
Officer For Caithness
The Highland Council has appointed Tom
Bryan to be the first Arts Development Officer for Caithness. Based
within the Council's Education, Culture and Sport Service in Wick,
his job will be to encourage and help sustain the arts in Caithness,
ranging from music and drama, to literature, film, crafts and the visual arts.
Biodiversity Action
Planning Comes To Caithness
A group of nine enthusiastic volunteers have come together under the auspices
of the Highland Biodiversity Project to identify and start to implement actions
for biodiversity in Caithness. The 'Caithness Biodiversity Group' was formed
out of a successful biodiversity workshop, which was held in Thurso in May.
East End Under 8's Unstoppable - Ninth Consecutive Win
East
End Under
8s team beat Thurso Pentland 4-2. This is the ninth league win on the trot
for the unstoppable under 8's. Salim Ahmed scored all 4 goals for East End.
Other pictures are mixed U8, u10 and U12 just before boarding bus to
return to Wick.
Countryside
Volunteers Tidy Up Dunbeath Strath Trees
Members
of Caithness Countryside Volunteers were out at Dunbeath Strath last
Sunday tidying up an area of broad leaved trees near the Mill.
Part of the day was spent removing the old plastic tubes originally
put in to protect the young trees but now getting too tight.
Anyone interested in joining the group should contact the ranger
service to find out about their outings in the county.
150th Dunbeath Highland Games
Friday 19 July
All the information for this year is on the
New Games web site.
JGC Gains £2.2million
Contract From UKAEA
A £2.2 million contract to
modernise part of the ventilation system in the Fuel Cycle Area at
Dounreay has been awarded by UKAEA to Caithness-based JGC Engineering and
Technical Services.
What's Happening At Timespan,
Helmsdale
Sunday 14 July from 12 noon - Guest speaker is Agnes Walker MSC PhD,
Botanical Recorder (Scottish Islands), whose new book on the traditional uses
of herbs is due out this autumn. The talk will be followed by a buffet lunch
(£7.50).
8th July 2002
History Of Caithness
- Chapter Eleven
The late Earl before his death, sells property and title to John
Campbell of Glenorchy - Glenorchy marries the countess dowager -
George Sinclair of Keiss disputes the title - Battle of
Altimarlach - The Sinclairs lose the day - Anecdote of
Glenorchy's piper - Glenorchy hated by the inhabitants of Caithness
- His estate in the county divided into several portions and sold.
Pulteneytown People's Project - Minutes of 3 July 2002
7th July 2002
Prince Charles Visits Caithness Creels,
Wick
Prince Charles included a visit
to Caithness Creels in Wick on his tour of the county. He was
shown the whole process of creel manufacture at the highly
successful factory in Wick. He chatted to many of the workers
about their work and still took time to have a word with people
waiting outside despite getting behind with his planned schedule.
Earlier in the day he had been to Ormlie Community Project in Thurso
and
Alastair Pilkington Glass Studio in Lybster.
Spotted In Crowd At Caithness Creels - All The Way From Canada
We
spotted our old friend who is often surfing Caithness.org - Betty
Schmidt and her husband were over for a short visit. Betty
originally from Caithness moved to Canada many years ago when she
got married. Betty has kept up to date with Caithness
via the web site for the last three years
Wick High
Commercial Class 1953
Another
picture from Frieda Murray (nee Henderson) Lots of names
missing in this one and if anyone can help out then send them
in.
Rechabites In
The 1920's
Who
were the Rechabites? They were a temperance group something akin to
the Band of Hope. This picture was sent in Frieda Murray (nee
Henderson of her Grandfather James Henderson with his group of young
people. If you know others n the picture let us know.
Pulteneytown People's Project Fun Day & Area Clean Up
A very successful afternoon run by the newly named Pulteneytown
People's Project saw a major clean-up by residents and a local
contractor. After cleaning up the fields and burn area of
substantial amounts of rubbish the group ran a barbecue and games
afternoon at South School. The winners of various competitions
including the design of a new logo were announced and a huge raffle
drawn with councillor Jim Oag in attendance.
6th July 2002
Wick Pipe Band Week Gets Going
Tonight (Saturday)
You can check out what is happening for the whole week at the bands
web site but they start on Saturday evening at 7.00pm playing in the
Market Square with the Elise Lyall Highland Dancers putting on a
display. There will also be vocalists and a Scottish Dance Band
Castletown Gala Week
Saturday 6 July - Friday 12 July
Children's Fancy
Dress Night Tonight (Saturday) At Lybster Gala
On Sunday its the Football for juniors and fun
challenge match with Caithness Junior Pipe Band in attendance.
Thurso Windsock - Doctored
by Ian MacAskill
Ian
spotted this picture that some of you may have seen in other places.
This time altered for Thurso but it could apply to any part of the
world where wind is not in short supply. We should add that
June, July and August are not overly windy even in Caithness.
Come in January - March sometimes and you might not find the
windsock even if its made of chain.
5th July 2002
Presenter Carolyn Spray In Caithness With Beechgrove Garden For BBC
TV
Isabel More, Mansefield, Watten had the Beechgrove Garden TV Crew at
her home yesterday to help build a small patio area as part of the
TV programme scheduled to go out on BBC on Thursday 18 July at
8.30pm.
Winning East End Football Club Teams At Halkirk Competition
4th July 2002
Prince Charles In Lybster Today To Open Alastair Pilkington Glass
Studio
Prince
Charles visited Lybster today to open the Alastair Pilkington Glass
Studio. Northlands Creative Glass have been heavily involved
in bringing renowned glass artists to Caithness and this latest
development puts Caithness on the map as one of the leading places
to learn the techniques of artistic glass making.
3rd July 2002
Thurso Road, Wick
Not quite all the houses but enough to let you see the variety of
building styles that have been used over the years in the gradual
stretching out of Thurso Road. This street has been added
using our new gallery system now being used for all our groups of
pictures.
Thurso East Castle - The Later One Before Demolition
Thanks
to Shelagh Moir for another picture. This one of Thurso East
Castle as it was before demolition in 1952 leaving the roofless
building you can now see from Thurso harbour and many other vantage
points along the coast. A footpath takes you right up to the
beach side of this castle which replaced earlier ones. It was
built 1872 - 8 by Sir Tollemache Sinclair.
Strathy School
This
picture shows both the old school and the schoolhouse.
Although just outside of Caithness we have included it as there may
be some interest in the schools of Sutherland and if we acquire
others a new section will be created to contain them. If
anyone would like to contribute information on the old schools in
either county please get in touch.
Taransay Fiddlers Take
Up Residence
The Hebridean Island which was
home to BBC television's Castaway 2000 is being invaded again - this
time by folk from much nearer home. From July 15-19th Taransay
will be home to fiddlers from Lewis and Harris - Fidhleirean Eilean
an Fhraoich - who will host a week of top class fiddle tuition.
History of
Caithness - Second Half of Chapter Ten
Cromwell plants a garrison in Ackergill Tower - Curious Extracts
from the Session Records of Canisbay regarding some of his troops
that were stationed there - Raids in Caithness by the Mackays of
Strathnaver - Severe reprisal by the Laird of Dunbeath - The Earl of
Caithness a supporter of the Government in suppressing Conventicles
- Appears before the Presbytery in that capacity - His Death.
Disabled Parking Bays In
Inverness
Traffic Wardens Launch Booklet To
Assist Disabled Drivers to Find Parking In Inverness. Copies of the
new brochure can be obtained from the libraries, the council service
point on Church Street, Tourist Information Centre, the bus and
railway station, Burnett Road and police stations across the
Highlands.
Pulteneytown Academy School's Jubilee End Of Term Barbecue
2nd July 2002
Rangers & CASEG Litter Campaign Competition Winners
Bower, Dunbeath and Thrumster schools were all winners in the litter
campaign competitions run by the
Ranger
Service and
Caithness And Sutherland Environmental Group (CASEG).
Early Lybster Harbour
As can
be seen from this old picture Lybster was one of the harbours that
experienced the great Herring Booms of the nineteenth century.
The general layout of the harbour is pretty much as it was in the
days when large numbers of small boats used it. Information on
this can be found at the
Waterlines Fishing Museum that now occupies a renovated
building at the harbour.
Highland Youth Voice Web Site Voted Web Site Of The Month
The Highland Youth Voice website, has been selected "Website of the month" by
UK Youth - the leading organisation for young people and youth workers using
the Internet for learning.
Greenland School
Here
is another old school long since closed in Caithness. It is
thought to have been built about 1912 - 1914 and surprisingly is
referred to as the new school as another even older one lies next
door. both old schools are houses. A newer house built
in the 1960s for the teacher shortly before it closed is on the
other side.
Future of Initiative At The Edge
An innovative programme to help some of Scotland's
most far-flung communities is set to continue for the foreseeable future.
Targeting eight of the most remote and fragile areas of the
Highlands and Islands including our near neighbour North Sutherland Iomairt aig an Oir
(Initiative at the Edge) was set up in 1998 by the then Scottish Office as a
pilot programme to put communities in the driving seat for the development of
their areas.
Halkirk Gala - Children's Fancy Dress
1st July 2002
Keiss Castle From The Sea
The old Keiss Castle stands right on the shore in front of the later
Keiss castle which is really a large country house. Here are
some views taken from the sea.
Thurso High Class 1974
Karen's latest news and updates as the date 24 August 2002 gets
closer. Have you got your tickets? Final details are all
in place on the page and letters out from the organisers.
History of Caithness
- Chapter 10 - First Half
1650 - Landing of Montrose in Caithness - He takes up his
headquarters in Thurso - Compels the Heritors and Ministers to sign
a bond of allegiance, which they all do except the Minister of Bower
- Is joined by Sinclair of Brims, Hugh Mackay of Dirlet, and
Hutcheon Mackay of Scoury - Lays siege to the Castle of Dunbeath,
which soon surrenders - Is defeated on the confines of Ross-shire,
apprehended by MacLeod of Assynt, sent to Edinburgh, and executed -
Castle of Dunbeath retaken - Henry Graham, the brother of
Montrose, makes his escape to Orkney.
Dunnet
Head Tearoom Is Also A Tourist Information
Point
If you need information about the Dunnet Bay area an increasing amount can be
found at Dunnet Head tearooms that is now an official Tourist Information point
in partnership with Highlands of Scotland Tourist Board (HOST). They also
offer Bed and Breakfast or can give you details of all the places to stay
nearby. They also offer a varied menu including vegetarian food.
Pulteneytown Community Group
Barbecue on Saturday 6 July 1.30pm at South
School open to all. All sort of fun including bouncy castle.
Before that residents and friends will be cleaning up the burn area.
Maybe we can all give a hand to get rid of all the rubbish in one
day. Clean up starts at 12.00. and barbecue follows. The
group will now be called the Pulteneytown People's Project and there is a
children's competition to design a new logo. A summer playgroup will be
set up for local families.
Thurso Pipe Band In Full Swing For The Summer
Thanks
to Paul Cannop for these pictures of Thurso Pipe Band on their first outing in
Thurso for the summer.
South School, Wick - Rain Forest Day
South School followed on a recent visit to the school by aboriginal
dancers with their own Rain Forest studies and dances all rehearsed
and performed on the same day last week. Beverley Sarstedt who
runs dance classes in Caithness choreographed the dances and had the
older children ready for the afternoon performances - a day packed
with information about rain forests, people and their cultures.
Wick's New Police Station - Latest Pictures
Search Our Site
Caithness.Org
Business Indexes
Property
Classifieds
Services
Forums
What's On
Popular Sections
Weather
