News Archive - May 2002
[April 2002] [June 2002]
31st May 2002
Thurso -
Queen's Jubilee Celebrations Get Going 1 June
Lots of events for the next 4 days - a big
programme that this year takes in Thurso Harbour day on Monday 3 June
2.00pm.
Halkirk Gala Week 9 - 16 June
Yes its that time again and Halkirk is first of the
Galas for 2002.
Mey School - About
1930
Another
picture from Sheila Moir, Scarfskerry. We think this may be about
1930. Most names are in with questions on one or two. A few
have the places they lived or their future spouses
30th May 2002
Henry St Clair Statue Unveiled
Today
was a momentous day for Sinclairs everywhere and Caithness as the statue
of Prince Henry St Clair was unveiled. A party of Sinclairs on a
mini clan gathering this week were also present to see the unveiling.
The sculptor Shawn Williams fast building a reputation for such works and
stone projects requiring master mason skills had travelled to see his work
in its final position facing towards Orkney. The Sinclair centre is
rapidly establishing itself as a centre for everything connected to
Sinclairs, clan history as well as being the focus for restoration work on
Girnigoe Castle nearby. Everyone was pleased to see the project take
another step forward.
Wings Over Wick - More
Wartime Memories
Mr E A Holt, Flint, Clwyd - Lived in Willowbank
Mr S
Kennedy, Montrose, Angus - German pilot talks about football
C W
Cox, Newton Abbot, Devon
- Nine months in Wick before going to Northern Ireland
Robert Y Carnie, Edinburgh - Married in Wick and Remembers the
Heinkel 111 Crash
Social Economy Generates £360
Million In Highlands And Islands
The social economy - the part of the economy based on voluntary and non-profit
distributing activity - in the Highlands and Islands has grown by 35 per cent
since 1996 comprising over 8,000 organisations.
Highland Waterways Under
Siege! (The Great Glen Raid)
The waterways between Corpach, near Fort William and Inverness will
soon be under siege as competitors from across Europe gather with
their vessels, to take part in the Great Glen Raid which takes place
from Saturday 1st - Friday 7th June. This event,
sponsored by The Highland Council, Inverness & Nairn Enterprise and
Visit Scotland, starts on Saturday at Corpach in Lochaber and it
will be the third year running that this event has taken place in
the Highlands. Taking part will be forty traditional sailing and
rowing craft ranging from 4.9 metres to 9 metres in length,
Miller Academy 1992 P7 - 2
Latest
picture for Miller Academy is this primary 7 class from 1992. The
Schooldays section is growing fast and Miller Academy pictures have now
been put into their own section. All the pages for Miller have now
been re-indexed and linked to the
Miller Academy Schooldays
Index page and they can still be found following through from the
main Schooldays index.
29th May 2002
Essential Information For Donors For Scott Mackay
Where To Send Results Of Tests.
A question ringing round the globe from people wanting to be tested
directly for Scott is - Where do the results get sent.
Marisa has now sent the details -
After you have been tested please ask for
your results and forward them to
[email protected] this will be the fastest way to get them to
Scott,,,this is Sheila Wojtowicz RN his bone marrow coordinator..."
thank you,,,Marisa
Caithness
Courier Article On Scott Mackay
Noel Donaldson reporter for the Caithness Courier again highlighted Scott
Mackay's need for donor combined with information about the Anthony Nolan
Wick Round Table drive on Saturday afternoon in wick Caithness General
Hospital between 2.00pm and 4.00pm.
Do you want to volunteer?
Old
St Peters Church Gets A Clean Up
Thanks
to Thurso's council gardeners, one of the towns most well known
historical buildings, Old St. Peters Church recently received a face
lift. Alan McIvor had raised concerns over the bushes which had
taken to growing on the top of the church wall's, and feared that
the roots would damage the stone work. Head gardener John
Ross, Nicky Alderson, Alan McIvor, Archie Macalpine and Kelvin Angus
all set to clear the offending trees on the walls.
Pony Club Mounted Games Pictures 81 Onwards
That's about it for the Pony Club pictures.
Pony Club Mounted Games Picture Section 61 - 80 Complete
28th May 2002
Pony Club
Mounted Games - Seniors Pictures Begin Now
Starting to bring you the seniors pictures from the games. More coming on
Wednesday.
Wick Jubilee Ceilidh Was Full To
Capacity
These
three girls provided some of the dancing entertainment with a series of
Highland dances including the complicated sword dance. They danced
in front of a capacity crowd at Mackays Hotel for the Wick Jubilee Ceilidh.
After the royal visit yesterday there was just time for people to get
themselves ready for the dancing and entertainment from
Bobby Coghill
Dance Band, Mini Pipe Band, Addie Harper Junior, Lorraine Bremner Line
Dancers, Fiddlers and the evening was compered by Alistair Lamond.
Visitors from many places including the islands of Orkney and Shetland
were at the event. With several more days of events across the
county still to come it looks like being a busy few days.
Other Queens Jubilee Events In Caithness
Water Main
Burst At Wick Today
Water
supplies on the south side of Wick as far as Caithness General Hospital
were interrupted today about 3.30pm when the water was turned off after a
corroded iron pipe burst at the junction of the A99 and March Road.
A plastic insert repair was put in by workmen and water was expected to
return to normal by about 6.00pm
Your Last
Chance To Influence The Highland Waste Plan
27 June Thurso, Environmental Research Institute, Castle Street
The final stage of developing the new waste plan for the Highlands is underway.
This is the last chance for people in the area to influence how their rubbish
is to be dealt with. Tough new European laws and closure of landfill sites mean
that the Highlands will have to radically change how it disposes of 500,000
tonnes of waste every year.
Anthony Nolan Clinic in
Wick is 2.00 - 4.00pm On Saturday
The Round Table and Anthony Nolan Save a Life Campaign gets going in Wick
on Saturday at the Caithness General Hospital.
Moray Firth
Radio will be running an item on the campaign on the hour from 4.00pm and
at 5.30pm tonight. They will emphasis that volunteers agree to be
donors for anyone and not just for one individual if they go through the
Anthony Nolan Trust set up. Nurse Jennifer martin has agreed to take
all the blood samples. The radio broadcast will also mention that
the actual donations are not as bad as people think - it is the
patients who have the real problems.
Sarah Sutherland Looks In
On Caithness From Australia
Sarah left Wick a while back for some adventure and has settled down in
Australia with a new house and a job. Old friends are welcome to
get in touch via the Where
They Went Page or the
email directory.
UKAEA Launch New Recruitment Information Pages
To make it easier for potential new employees to find out more about
Caithness the United Kingdom Atomic Energy Authority have launched anew
section on their web site especially to link up useful information for
people considering making the move north. It contains links to many
sites in including ourselves that might be useful in finding out about
what there is to do in Caithness, Education and so on.
Wildcat Traditional Music
A non profit making organisation trying to ensure
there is plenty of good music around in Caithness. Keep you eyes
open for their regular evenings.
Another Batch Of Royal Visit Pictures Now In
Pictures From Fossil Outing
For Dunbeath School Kids
Pictures
from Dunbeath primary schools outing to Skinnet farm quarry where their
fossil foray was also highlighting the damage caused by Fossil thieves
27th May 2002
More Pictures From Before the Arrival Of The Queen
More Pictures From Royal Visit
John Thurso Local Member of
Parliament And His Wife - Chats To Lord Berriedale
There was a large crowd in the Market Square, Wick and the surrounding
streets. John Thurso took the opportunity before the Queen arrived
to chat to people in the Market Square before heading for the tea party
later in the Assembly Rooms where visitors from the Northern Isles and
Sutherland met with Caithness people to greet the Queen and the Duke of
Edinburgh.
Before The Royal visitors Arrive
More Royal Visit To Wick
Pictures
Queen's
Flight To Wick From Stornoway took a surprise fly over the Castle of Mey
her mother' Caithness Castle. Staff at the castle had put out large
banners welcoming the Queen to Caithness. the castle will be open to
the public at the express wish of the Queen's mother who set up a trust to
carry out her wishes.
Queen's Jubilee Visit To Wick - First Pictures
Caithness Waybaggers Stroll From Halkirk To Thurso - Report and Pictures
It
was a nice sunny day in early May although a cold wind was blowing. We put
the boots on at Braal Castle and headed off down Thurso River. We saw a
variety of wild life. Mallard ducks with their young broods of ducklings.
Either Sand Martins or House Martins (we werent sure which) zipping up
and down the river like small fighter aeroplanes, and a Yellow Hammer.
Wildlife Encounters
A week of unique opportunities to observe Highland wildlife in Caithness,
Sutherland and Ross & Cromarty.
Move to Halt Fossil Theft and Damage in Scotland
An event to promote the protection
of one of Scotlands oldest and rarest resources took place in
Caithness to highlight the ongoing problem of illegal fossil collecting.
Last week, there was a fossil foray at Skinnet Farm quarry,
involving local primary school children, fossil collectors and
rangers, to demonstrate good practice in gathering fossils, followed
by a briefing on the subject.
82 Family
Friends Rally Round in Aurora For Tests
A great turn out for the Mackay family as friends came forward to be tested
yesterday.
Queen Arrives In Wick Today
The Queen will arrive at Wick airport today as part
of her round Britain tour in her jubilee year. Before Wick the Queen
is in Hebrides. After a walkabout in the town centre where Thurso
and Wick Pipe Bands will greet her the party will go to the Assembly Rooms
for a tea party with 350 invited guests. Later she will leave from
Wick Station where the Royal Train will be waiting.
26th May 2002
Scott Mackay's
Father Flies Out To America To Be With Son And Family
Scott Mackay's father is on his way to America to stay with his son and
his family. Scott's father along with other members of the family
are now conducting a world-wide search for people who might be a match for
Scott. Messages are now criss-crossing the world between, USA,
Canada, New Zealand, Scotland and many other countries as the hunt goes on
and the family reach more cousins and other relatives who are being
tested. The family are hoping for big turn outs at the Anthony Nolan
Round Table clinics that start in Wick and carry on the length of the UK
over ten days.
Another 20 Pictures Of The Mounted Games
Index Page For Pony Club
Mounted Games
History
Of Caithness Chapter 7 - Second Half
Completing the chapter. Chapter 8 starting
soon.
Another 10 Pictures From The Mounted Games
More later.......
Bone Marrow
Search Goes On - Helmsadale
Doctor Will Test Mackays On Tuesday
Helmsdale, is the Mackay family
home area. The local doctor is arranging for next Tuesday for anyone to
give blood for testing which will then be sent to Inverness Hospital to be
tissue match.
Scott Mackay's Relatives In The Navy May Be Tested
Scotts uncle by marriage Barry Sewell said "When we spoke to the Anthony Nolan
manager locally he told us that there was no difficulty in getting personnel
back from a ship if they were required as a donor. We asked this because both
my son Ian, and Scott's other uncle George Mackay, in Plymouth, are serving in
the Navy."
Pony Club Mounted Games - Next Ten Pictures In
25th May 2002
Pony Club Mounted Games In Caithness - First Pictures
The Haven's New Extension Progressing Well
The
Caithness Mental Health Support Group continue to go from strength
to strength. Just a few years ago they opened the Haven in
Wick and a couple of years ago the Stepping Stones In Thurso and now
they are back improving facilities with a new extension at the Haven
In Wick.
Dunnet
Lochs From The Air
Another
view over Caithness from Sheila Moir. The Dunnet Head Lochs
make up a small group. Fishing permits are available from the
Dunnet Head Tea Rooms
Disappearing
Railway Buildings
If
you have not looked behind wick Railway station for a long time you
might be surprised to see that everything is gone. The old
railway buildings, sheds and even the track sidings have all been
removed and little is left other than the main Wick station building
itself. Between is now ground between the station and the Coop
supermarket building. We wonder how long this will remain
empty now that it is cleared?
24th May 2002
Good Luck To The Caithness Pony
Club On Saturday
At Quoybrae, Watten In The Pony Club Games against over 30
other Scottish Teams
Grand Jubilee Ceilidh In
Wick - At Mackays Hotel
Monday 27 May 8.00pm Packed programme includes - Bobby Coghill
Scottish Dance Band, Lesley Mackay, Elise Lyall and Lorraine Bremner
Dancers, Denis Manson, North Highland college fiddlers, Wick RBL
mini Pipe Band ands Addie Harper Junior
Disability Rights
Commission May Newsletter
News and information from the disability
rights world. if this topic is of interest you can sign up to
get it in your email every month.
Digital
Communities - A Research Paper Including Caithness.Org
Several people have included Caithness.Org in
their research work into the digital communities. Here Roger
Seeney who published his paper as part of his course work at Leeds
University provides some interesting thoughts for anyone who wants
to see how this is all developing. Our regular readers will
know that a lot has happened since this paper was published but it
is still a useful look at us and other similar web sites.
Helmsdale
Web Site Helps To Raise the Hunt For Scott Mackays Relatives
The Helmsdale web site is now carrying the
campaign to spread the word for possible bone marrow donors deeper
into Sutherland a county where many ancestors of Scott may have come
from and returned to. The aim is to try to increase the
chances of finding a match for Scott.
The Helmsdale
site has linked to the Caithness campaign pages. But
anyone could be a match so keep in mind the
Round Table and
Anthony Nolan Appeal starting on 1 June in Wick
Marisa Mackay Thanks People Everywhere For Their Support
Scott Mackays wife who is leading the campaign
from Illinois to save her husband Scott Mackay who is suffering from
Non Hodgkins Lymphoma, by finding a bone marrow match was on Moray
Firth Radio twice yesterday. Moray Firth Radio
broadcasting to the Highland Region helped raise the profile of the
family who are trying to get more people to take blood tests and go
on to the bone marrow registers. Marisa Mackay is receiving 20
- 30 emails a day now from people all over and she would like to
thank them for getting in touch.
23rd May 2002
Hillhead School, Wick Gets To Grips With African Rythms
Cancer Investment In
Highland
£1,015,000
of new investment has been obtained by Highland NHS Board, Highland
Acute Hospitals Trust, Highland Primary Care Trust and Highland
Hospice and covers a wide range of service developments including
the development of a dedicated and integrated breast care unit at
Raigmore hospital, specialist nursing staff, pathology equipment.
Latest Free Courses Found
If you are looking for some interesting and educative stuff look at
the short internet courses that are freely available. A few
more are in our section and many are just a few hours or less.
Moray Firth Interview Re Scott Mackay To Be Repeated at 5.15pm Tonight
Ken Kelman will run interview with Marisa
Mackay again tonight at 5.15pm on Moray Firth Radio. For those
of you with all the right gizmos in place - Real Player - you may be
able to get the streaming version on the web site at
www.mfr.co.uk
Moray Firth Radio Interviewed Scott Mackay's Wife This morning
Highland Radio station Moray Firth Radio ran
an interview with Marisa Mackay this morning widening the appeal for
people to come forward to be put on the register in the bid to find
a match for Scott Mackay.
Wick Harbour Entrance Yesterday
Wick River -
Looking From Coastal Path
It
is one of the unusual features of Caithness that the sky is so
changeable and has many variations often within minutes or as in
this case at the same time. The pictures above were looking
across the bay. But by turning your head to look into Wick and
up river a very different sky is on view Take a walk
whether along the coast or inland and you are sure to see a wide
variety not just of views but of sky and often within the same area.
Interesting it is - predictable it is definitely not.
Public Service
Obligations For Air Routes
Something that everyone flying
in and out of the Highlands would support. A major new study has concluded there is a
compelling case on social and economic grounds for introducing
Public Service Obligations to protect lifeline Scottish air routes.
It shows that PSOs are used widely and effectively in many European
countries; that they result in cheaper travel for remote
communities; and that it is perfectly legal for the UK Government to
approve PSOs, both to assist island and rural mainland communities and to
secure slots at congested hub air centres, such as Gatwick, London.
Any Early Birds Out There
The first of Highland Wild Encounters few days
of guided walks starts in Caithness with one from The royal society
for the Protection of birds. An early start at 6.00am and you
will be out for three hours with a warden on the Blar nam Faoileag
Nature Reserve. The walk is followed by an optional breakfast
at Strathmore Lodge. Tel 01641 571 225 to book or for further
details. If that's too early check out the
other walks coming up over the next few days in the northern
counties.
Looking Towards Dunnet Head
From The Air
Another
view looking towards Dunnet Head from Sheila Moir of Scarkskerry.
And if you want to know how to get pictures like these the answer is
simple. Take a flying lesson from Wick airport.
Aboriginal Culture At South School
Red Centre Dreaming visited
South School on Wednesday 22 May 2002 to introduce the children to
aboriginal culture. Seeing first hand traditional dances and
learning a little of the culture of Australian native people from
the two musician/dancers who were travelling round Scotland with Red
Centre Dreaming - next stop Eden court, Inverness.
22nd May 2002
Clinics List
For The Round Table /Anthony Nolan Appeal
More clinics are being added to a list building on a new page
setting out times from Caithness in the north of Scotland to the
south of England. We will add other Clinics with times
and dates as soon as we can. The clinics being set up
will follow the bike ride being run from John O'Groats to Lands End
allowing many more people to attend to be tested than usual.
The one in Caithness is at Wick.
Coincidences Do
Happen - UK Save A Life Big Bike Tour 1 - 11 June 2002
This huge appeal being organised by
Round Table of Great Britain and the Anthony Nolan Trust just
happens to be coming to Caithness with help of Wick Round Table.
A cycle ride to raise the profile of clinics being held the whole
length of the UK is starting in Caithness on 1 June. We just
found out about it yesterday and have been collecting the
information to make it widely known. On Saturday Afternoon on
1 June a clinic will be held in Caithness General Hospital to
collect blood samples. Volunteers willing to go on the
register can come along. The fact that we are running
information on Scott Mackay who needs to find a match and possibly
from his old home area is just a coincidence that might just raise
the chances a little. Possible donors will now have a clinic
set up in the county on Saturday 1 June to get tested if they fit
the criteria.
Click Here for
Round Table - Anthony Nolan UK Save A Life Page
Click
Here for the Scott Mackay Donor Appeal
Macmillan
Cancer Relief Wick Walk
About
45 people took part in the Macmillan Miles Walk in aid of cancer
relief. Despite the misty weather the walkers enjoyed the
stroll. Retired ambulance driver George Mackay from Bettyhill
cam over and he raised £513.
Newspapers And Your Family
Gordon Johnson a highly
experienced researcher and genealogist continues his series on
researching your family history with this article on what you might
expect to find by looking at old newspapers for information.
For all of the articles so far go to
Gordon Johnson's Index Page
Caithness Courier Leads With Scott Mackay Transatlantic Plea
The sister paper to the John O'Groat Journal led with the Scott
Mackay family's plea for more people to be tested as potential bone
marrow donors. What is required in Scott's case is a unit of
blood from a matched donor. A simple blood test can be used to
decide who might be a match and it is Scott's own area where it
seems there is a possibility of finding that match. He was
born in Thurso and although relatives both close and distant are now
scattered there still remains a chance that a close match is in the
area.
Miller Academy 1960 Picture L
Thanks
to Kenny Learmonth for this picture of his class in 1960 at Miller
Academy, Thurso. Kenny who now lives in Orkney was only with
the class for a year has had a go at the boys names and needs lots
of help with the girls - so over to you out there.
21st May 2002
1968 - 2nd Thurso Scout Group Football Team Won Courier Cup
2nd
Thurso Scout Group football team that won the Courier Cup in 1968 -
the first year the cup was contested. They beat Castletown and
Lybster on the way to the cup final which was against Thurso Boys
Brigade and played at Viewfirth in November 1968.
How Far Can Three
Guys In Kilts Get Raising Money For Charity?
Weel France
Actually!!!! - Highland Hospice And Band Funds Get Great Boost.
Fantastic!!! Some of the band made it all the way to Abbeville two hours
south of Calais, France in their 24 hour dash for the cash. Using no
money or prior arrangements they had to get as far as possible in 24 hours
wearing kilts. Well they made over £2000 along the way and got lots of
free offers - hire car, ferry tickets, food.
Mountain Bike World Cup - Fort William
If you want to see the most exciting, most
extreme mountain biking in the world, make a date for 1 & 2 June at
Fort William in the Nevis Range Ski Area
of the Highlands. For the first time ever the
Tissot UCI Mountain Bike World Cup Downhill and 4-Cross events are
being held in the UK. This event is part-funded by The Highland
Council.
Caithness
Archaeological Trust Appoints Consultant
The appointment today of Cameron Taylor as consultant to the Caithness
Archaeological Trust may mark a turning point in the fortunes of archaeology in
Caithness for both academics and the local tourist industry. Many people
have credited Cameron Taylor as having had a great impact on the archaeology
development in Orkney when he was the chief executive of Orkney Tourist Board.
He has also been recently appointed as consultant to Yarrows Heritage Trust.
The thrust of these two new organisations being run by local people is to see
the resource developed for the long term benefit of Caithness and the
Highlands. Caithness has huge numbers of sites and this fact may now
become a major asset to the county.
The Queen Mother Castle Of Mey Trust Announce Opening Dates
Castle
and Gardens will be open on September 7th and 14th from
11.00am to 5.00pm. The trust have announced the dates
for the first ever opening of the Castle of Mey for the public to
see inside. Work is still progressing at the castle for what
is expected to become the number one tourist destination in the
county. The gardens are already scheduled to be opened in July
as in previous years when the Queen mother allowed local charitable
fund raising to take place.
Garden Openings
Thurso & Wick Trades Union
Council
Making The Case For New
Battery Charger Production Factory At Wick.
In a recent letter to the chairman of AEA
Technology the local Trades Union council have set out the reasons
why they think the new battery charger plant to be set up in the
near future by AEA Technology should be located at Wick. They
have also offered to meet with the management to discuss the reason
further if this would be helpful. The company already have a
growing business at Thurso.
History of
Caithness - First Half Of Chapter Seven Now In
More murder and mayhem in this part of the continuing History of Caithness.
George Sinclair, fourth Earl - Banishes
William and Angus Gunn of Berriedale, and siezes their Castle.
The Earl of Sutherland and his Lady poisoned at Helmsdale, The Earl
of Caithness becomes Curator of Alexander, Earl of Sutherland , then
a minor - Alexander marries his Lordship's daughter - Flies
afterwards to Strathbogie - Siege of Dornoch by the Master of
Caithness and Mackay of Strathnaver.
The Sutherland hostage cruelly put to death - Master of Caithness
imprisoned and starved to death at Girnigoe.
The Wedding By
theatrecollective@highland Sponsored by Lyth Arts Centre
Yes get yourselves dressed up and join the cast at this wedding comedy in the
Portland Arms Hotel. The wedding where it all goes wrong. Set at a
Highland wedding you can be one of the guests as the comedy drama unfolds -
laughter, tears, speeches when a family of butchers meet a family of bakers.
This is the first time the Highland collective have made it to Caithness and it
looks set to be a hit using the well know local hotel as the setting. If
you like getting dressed up you will love it.
100 Hit By Virus
Outbreak At Raigmore - Coming Under Control
Around 50 patients and 50 staff have been
affected by a virus - most likely cause of this is the small round
stru.ctured virus (SRSV), which is a frequent cause of diarrhoea and sickness
in the community and is present in most other hospitals across Scotland. It is
most common during the winter and sometimes called "winter vomiting disease"
Most of these have fully recovered already and only 10 patients are currently
symptomatic now.
20th May 2002
Wick Girls Group Latest Programme
Dunbeath Heritage Centre Has Completely Changed
If you have not been at Dunbeath Heritage Centre for while you may
be surprised at the transformation. The whole centre has been
renewed changing the format whilst retaining some of what it had.
New displays and an unusual telling of the Dunbeath story laid out
for you to follow round the floor. The study centre now has
even more books and family histories than ever before for
consulting. A
new
web site is also under construction. The centre also
organises a range of walks.
Lybster Harbour
Yesterday
The
creels were neatly stacked on either side of the harbour but these
must be the spares as most boats had - "gone fishing" taking
advantage of the lovely weather.
Waterlines fishing heritage centre is now open and a number
of visitors were in evidence relaxing outside where they have table
sand chairs just above the small rocky foreshore - a great spot for
rest and a cup of coffee or a snack.
19th May 2002
G A
Henderson, Opticians, Thurso
Congratulation to G A Henderson, Opticians on
launching their new website that is hosted by us here at Scorrie
Internet Services. Carole Henderson has constructed the web
site and the new web address is an easy one to remember
www.thursoeyecare.co.uk
In case you forget it will shortly be listed in our
Caithness Business Pages and at the bottom of this page in our
hosted web sites listing.
Caithness Classic
Motor Cycle Rally 2002
Started At Lybster
South School Primary School, Wick - May Newsletter
See what the kids will be getting up to in
June/July. Events coming soon - Football and Netball fixtures
and lots more. Some reports from a few pupils on the Second
World War Day they held in March.
Berriedale WRI Charity Walk Today At Dunbeath Strath
Marie
Mackenzie of Berridale Women's Rural Institute and a few friends set
off to raise some money for the MacMillan Nurses Cancer Research
charity. As part of the MacMillan Miles challenge the
ladies were setting off to walk six miles up the strath and six
miles back. The Dunbeath Strath starting from the Mill is a
particularly lovely walk and they set off in sunshine about 1.30pm.
Over Caithness -
Looking Towards Dunnet Head
Quite
a bit of the county in view in this picture. Dunnet Head in
the distance with Dunnet Forest as a small dark patch in front of
it. Loch Heilen to the right through the plane strut and more.
18th May 2002
More Lifeboat Exercise Pictures
Wings Over Wick -
Another Batch Of Memories
Douglas Johnston,
Lochgelly, Fife - Salvaging A Whitley Bomber From Wick
Crashed on North Rona
Alex Campbell, Duns,
Berwickshire - Films of dog-fights with German pilots over the
North Sea
J
Scanlaw, Barlanark, Glasgow - Raid on day of arrival at Wick
Mr T
Cooper, Braintree, Essex - Superb mushrooms collected for
breakfast
Ernest Dawson, Sutton
Coldfield - Trained in South Africa - Bombed and machined gunned
at Wick
T Gwynn Jones, Menai Bridge, Gwynedd - Wireless Operator who
played the organ and piano
Ernest Neil, Heaton, Newcastle Upon Tyne - Hit And Run Raid
Blasts Hangar
L M
MacRae, Northampton - Spitfire For Weather reports waved at
Germans going the other way
Mr Steven Batt, Dudley, Worcestershire - Diary - Landed in
Norway-Captured-Colditz-Prisoner-1945
James Swanson, Edinburgh
- Dead Canadian Parachutist buried at Wick
Mr P
Woods, Glasgow - Based at Skitten-cleaning up bodies washed
ashore after ships sunk by u-boats
Wick High
School Commercial Class 1950
More names in. Only one or two to go to
complete the picture. Can Anyone else complete the list.
Scott
Family Set Up Fund To Help With Treatment Costs and Testing
Scott Mackay's wife Marisa has set up a fund to help with the costs
of testing people who come forward for testing to see if they are a
match as a possible bone marrow donor. It can cost $70 dollars
per test. Marisa says "I have had lots of replies coming from
your web site... family of Scotts,,, friends he grew up with... its been
heart-warming".
New Scrabster Pier Creeping Slowly Out To Sea
Wings Over Wick -
More Memories
Kenneth Marsden, Bolton
- wireless operator covering the Norwegian Raids.
Frank Manson, Wolverhampton - Bullets flying while he had
breakfast in his hands.
L
Turner, Wolverhampton - Fitting anti submarine aerials and
bombed - enjoyed the cakes
Mr E
Dover, Over Hulton, Bolton - Repair & Salvage and a lifelong
connection to Wick
Charlie Simpson, East
Kilbride - Keeping the runway clear of snow, censored letters
Dane Dunnett, Great Sutton, South Wirral - First American
Liberator At Wick, Babe Ruth Candy
G G
Lang, Glasgow - Wife shakes brush at attacking plane
Ron
Whyte, Margate, Kent - Confirmed a story 30 years later at John
O'Groats
Police Station,
Wick - Latest Pictures
Work
is still progressing on the new police station in Wick. The
place surrounded by materials. they should have a nice view if
they have windows at the back as it faces the park and the Wick
river looking over to the town and the Old Parish church.
New
Pulteneytown Community Group - Steering Committee
Next Meeting - Wednesday 22 May - 7.00pm
South School Hall. all Residents welcome.
Queen's
Jubilee Beacon
On 3 June a beacon will be lit on the hill
behind Nottingham Mains Farm at Map Ref 195374 joining with hundreds
of others all over the UK.
Large
Caithness Gardens Open To The Public In 2002
The gardens are not open all the time so keep
an eye on the dates if you want to visit one or all of them.
You can see Dunbeath Castle Gardens, Sandside House Gardens,
Langwell house Gardens and the Castle of Mey Gardens. The Castle of Mey Trust
hope to open the castle itself to the public in August but this is dependant on
the work currently in progress being completed.
17th May 2002
Drive Off Road Vehicles For Fun In Any Weather At Ronalsdons
William
Ronaldson & Son of Westerseat Farm near Wick have bought a new
tracked vehicle with financial assistance from CASE so their 4x4
activities for visitors can continue, even when the weather is more
suited to ducks. A development grant and financial support
from the European funded HIE Activity programme - which supports tourism
activities covering everything from mountaineering and fishing, to events and
festivals - has allowed Mr Ronaldson to buy an ex-MOD tracked vehicle.
Dunnet Bay - Castletown
Up
in the air again with Dunnet Bay round to Castletown. Olrig
lies at the back of Castletown in this picture.
Reay Golf
Club Extends Its Try Golf Evenings
The recent Try Golf Evening was so successful
that the club have extended the idea for another three weeks.
All equipment is provided so just turn up On Friday evenings at 7.15
for tonight or the next two weeks.
Highland Council
Wants GM Crop Trials To End
A national debate on Genetically Modified crops can only be
conducted if the Government calls a halt to the current farmscale evaluation
programme. Highland Councillors say the polarisation of the debate has created
a "poisonous atmosphere" and only by cancelling the current trial programme can
the Government ensure that a national debate can proceed in a constructive way.
Cats Protection Latest Fundraisers
16th May 2002
Boat At Scrabster On Thursday 2002
Caithness Pony Club Teams Training Hard For The Big Competition
It was all go last night at the Caithness Pony Club training night
heading up to the games at the end of this month. 33 teams
from north of the Forth in Scotland will be coming with their
ponies.
Another View Of
Scrabster From The Air
Here
is another view of Scrabster from above sent in by Sheila Moir.
The new development at the pier are out of this picture.
Caithness And Sutherland
Enterprise Monthly Report April 2002
The number of unemployed in
Caithness and Sutherland fell from 1,072 last month to 1,031. 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) 7.9% (8.6%), 6.5%
(6.7%) and 3.4% (3.3%).
Caithness Ethnic Minorities
Network Gains £19715 From CASE Grants
The ethnic minorities project has received
funding from two areas £9,858 from Community Economic Development
and £9,857 from Community planning to make a total of £19,715
towards their Network and Outreach Support Programme.
Miller Academy 1960 - Picture K
Another
picture for Miller Academy 1960 sent in by Alan Macpherson who was
in this class. We will shortly begin to build sections
for schools with large numbers of pictures such as Miller Academy .
Where we have received several pictures for one year we have given
them a letter to help with identification for those of you sending
us names etc for the pictures.
Highland Biodiversity Caithness - New Section
Janet Bromham is
the new Highland Biodiversity Officer for the Highlands and is the
daughter of a farming family at Watten. She will be leading a
workshop in Thurso to create a Caithness Biodiversity Plan.
The first newsletter
is already out and is reproduced in the section that will be found
in Nature and Environment.
National Debate On Scottish Education
The Scottish Executive set up a national
debate on the future of education and has been seeking views from
around Scotland. There are now two web sites one at Scottish
Executive and the latest one for the Highland dimension at Thinknet.
Both forum sites that have information papers and discussion boards
can be found in our
Education Links section. You have until the end of June to
join in.
Wick Scouts Reunion Goes
Again In 2002
The hugely successful reunion held last year to commemorate the
contribution made by the late Johnny Yuill to scouting in Wick is to
have another run. This time the scouts of that era are back in
action on Friday 2 August 2002 at 12 noon to unveil a plaque
opposite the Old Parish Church. On Thursday 1 August in the
evening there will be an informal get-to-gether at Mackays Hotel.
This is FREE and there is no booking - just turn up. Those
guys never did anything by halves it seems.
Thurso Pipe Band 24 hour
Challenge
Thurso Pipe Band will undertake a sponsored
24-hour challenge on the 18th 0f May 2002, which will
consist of ten people (five teams of two) trying to get as far away
from Thurso as possible. Its purpose is to raise as much money as
possible for the local
Highland Hospice Charity and to help for the younger members of the Thurso
Pipe Bands Trip to Brilon in Germany.
Miller Academy 1962
Thanks to Alan Macpherson for the names for
this Miller Academy picture. Still a few names blank for the
rest of the little grey cells of the class to work on.
15th May 2002
Another View Of
Thurso And Thurso Bay From The Air
This
view from above shows Thurso and Thurso Bay with the river running into
the sea on the left across from Thurso East. the walls of Thurso
East Castle on the left where the river enters the sea with the castle
being just out of the picture. This current series of pictures
were provided by Sheila Moir of Scarfskerry who was given them by a
friend. More to come of Caithness from the air.
Blood Transfusion Service In Wick Saw 355 People Yesterday
Lifeboat Exercise - Longhope, Thurso and Wick Lifeboats
Over the next few days we will bring you many pictures from the major Lifeboat
exercise that took place on Sunday between Stroma and the mainland of
Caithness. Three lifeboats were involved in a simulation of a breakdown
by the ferry Pentland Venture after is was hit below the waterline with two
people lost overboard. The exercise was controlled by the coastguard
service from Aberdeen. Lifeboat crews carried out searches for the lost
passengers after dummies were cast over earlier. Pentland Venture was
drifting in a very strong tide towards Dunnet Head. You can see all the
action over the rest of this week as we process more pictures.
Pentland Skerries
This
small island and a few rocks stands in the Pentland Firth off the coast
of Caithness - one of the most ferocious places at certain times.
It can be seen from various vantage points on the Caithness mainland.
Apart from the lighthouse there is evidence of viking occupation from
finds of pottery, an antler comb and the fact that there is a midden and
some small traces of old buildings.
Biodiversity Planning
Meeting In Thurso
Caithness and Sutherland will pilot a new process
aimed at improving biodiversity in the North this summer. The
process will involve the production of local biodiversity action
plans as well as a series of awareness raising events and practical
works to improve the diversity of the flora and fauna in the two
areas. To get the ball rolling, more than 100 people have
been invited to attend biodiversity workshops in Thurso and Lairg.
The workshops will help identify locally important habitats and
species, and list key issues and opportunities for their continued
survival or enhancement.
14th May 2002
A Short History Of Badbea by Joy
Corley
Many thanks to Joy Corley of Welbeck Estate, Berriedale for her latest
article that she has researched and given to us and publish. Joy
has also written a short poem that also outlines the harsh realities of
living there. Thanks also to Robert Richmond for his pictures
taken in April this year
Scarfskerry From The Air
Scarfskerry
area stretching to Mey with Mey loch the large body of water.
Scarfskerry is not on the main road but requires a diversion to take you
along the coast where there is a small pier with an
old Ferry House from the
nineteenth century that has been the subject of many paintings including
the famous Daniell prints a set of which are on display at the
Dunbeath Heritage Centre.
Scott Mackay
and Family At Home In Aurora Illinois
The
search for a bone marrow donor for Scott Mackay goes on today as posters
go up at the
Blood Donation Day In Wick Assembly Rooms. Information
will be available today in the search for anyone who might be willing to
be tested as a match for Scott. Someone related to the Richard
Scott Mackay born and brought up in Thurso may be a potential donor.
Contact information will be at the Wick Centre today. Scott's wife
has also been placed on the Bone Marrow register but she is not a match.
13th May 2002
Dwarwick &
Dunnet Bay From The Air
Another
view of Dunnet Bay and Dwarwick from above.
Highland Wild Encounters - A Ranger Week Of Exploring In The North
The Highland Ranger Service presents
a week of unrivalled opportunities to get close to the rare, beautiful
and unique wildlife of the North Highlands in Caithness, Sutherland and
Ross & Cromarty
Expert rangers will guide you to view some of the birds, animals and
plants that make the North Highlands a top destination for lovers of
wildlife.
See The Programme
Cross
Roads Care Annual Report and Accounts
AGM - Tuesday 14 May - 7.00pm New Weigh Inn, Thurso. - Guest speakers R. Silverwood and David Flear (Councillor)
Thurso Horticultural Society 2002/03 Programme Now Updated
Ackergill From The Air
Back
in the skies over Caithness again with this picture from a couple of
years ago of the Ackergill Area. The picture shows Ackergill Tower
and Ackergill Village to the right and Noss Head in the distance.
Latest From Friends Of ARM
Internet Access for People Using The Centre
The latest venture from Friends of Arms in Wick that takes a special
interest in people suffering from Multiple Sclerosis which now includes
use of a computer and internet access [FREE] for anyone using the
centre. This can be used for research into their condition,
treatments, new research or just general interest like Caithness org.
The group can be found on the following site also
http://www.mstherapycentres.org.uk/centre_wick.htm
Hector Polson Aged 74 On Mammoth Motorcycle Fundraisng Challenge
Hector Polson
sets out on 27 May to raise funds for Chest, Heart and Stroke and Crossroads
Carers. He will do an around
Scotland Motorcycle run on a 1937 OK Supreme Motorcycle. If
you would like to sponsor Hector or make a donation to the two
charities full details are on the special Motor Cycle Run web site.
The distance Hector will cover slightly more than the Lands End to
John OGroats run, in fact he will be doing over 1000 miles!!!
Good Luck Hector From the Caithness.Org team.
Scottish Natural Heritage
Relocation Bid By Highland Council
The Highland Council is stepping up its
bid to attract to the Highlands a major element of the headquarters
functions of Scottish Natural Heritage. The Council is to contribute
£20,000 - matching funding from Highlands and Islands Enterprise -
to prepare a "realistic and appropriate" bid over the next few weeks
for 200 top SNH jobs to be based in the Highlands.
Crossroads Care Attendants Scheme AGM
Tuesday 14 May - 7.00pm New Weigh Inn, Thurso. - Guest speakers R.
Silverwood and David Flear (Councillor)
Highland Council Bid For
Higher McCrone Funding
The Highland Council has renewed its call
on the Scottish Executive for an additional £6.6 million over the
next three years to fully fund the McCrone Agreement on teachers pay and
conditions.
12th May 2002
Statue At Noss Taking Shape Rapidly Now
Work On The Statue Of Prince Henry St Clair Continues At Noss
Richard
"Scott" Mackay Bone Marrow Appeal - Latest Update From The Family
We now know that Richard was born in Dunbar
Hospital in Thurso and have other family information sent by Scott's
wife Marisa to help identify possible contacts. Scott who is 28
married with three children has been battling Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma
for 3 years and is now in desperate need for a bone marrow transplant.
Any assistance in locating possible donors here in Caithness or in the
UK would be appreciated. The best bet is for relatives no matter
how distant to come forward and contact Marisa in the USA.
SKirza To Duncansby - Another Walk On The Caithness Coast Begins
Neurological
Group Launches The Nerve Centre Web Site
Congratulations
to Carole Henderson and the Neurological group on launching their new
web site called The Nerve Centre. The site is hosted by
Caithness.Org and has its own domain name
www.nervecentre.org.uk
If you forget where it is later you will still find the
Nerve
Centre Link Page with a link in our Health and Welfare pages.
The new site will have a growing list of information and contacts on a
variety of neurological disorders.
11th May 2002
Miller Academy - August 1980 - Primary 1
This
picture was sent in by Louise Sinclair (nee Campbell) of her former
class at Miller Academy
Olrig
Cemetery
Thanks
to Janis Paterson for this picture of Olrig Cemetery. There are a
great many cemeteries in the county and we have just recently included
more in our listing. We have yet to visit most of them to get
pictures
Latest Fund Raising News In The UK
Update
On Queen's Jubilee Visit To Wick
The Queen will arrive at Wick airport at about 3.40pm on 27 May
and then walk about in the precinct in Wick before proceeding to the
reception in the Assembly Rooms at 4.30pm. She will depart from
Wick by the Royal Train that will leave from Wick station at
approximately 5.15pm
A
Plea for Relatives of James Richard Mackay in USA Brought Up In
Thurso
My name is Marisa Mackay the newest member of the Mackay clan. My husband
is James Richard "Scott" Mackay.
He was born and raised in Thurso Scotland and is now residing in the
U.S. He has been battling Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma for 3 years and is now in
desperate need for a bone marrow transplant. Unfortunately no-one in the
US including his 2 siblings have matched. It seems that his best chance
is with his ancestors and his Scottish heritage. I noticed on your
website that you are having a blood draw on May 14th - funny but that will be
his 28th birthday. I am writing to you in hopes you can help me get
everyone you can to become a bone marrow donor.
10th May 2002
History In The Making As Prince Henry Sinclair Statue Arrives At
Noss Head Centre
Modern master mason and sculpting skills went into action today at
the Sinclair Centre at Noss to complete the statue bringing to life
the Centre that has been the dream of its creators. Ian
Sinclair has invited children in the area to come along and see the
statue close to as finishing work goes on over this weekend.
Any child can come along with an adult and perhaps get the chance
under the close supervision of Shawn Williamson the sculptor and be
part of this historic part of the new centre. Just phone the
centre on 606700 to check a time to go along. And take a
camera to get a most unique photo opportunity.
9th May 2002
Seaforth
Place, Dunnet
Seaforth
Place, Dunnet is set on the main road in Dunnet just across from the
wee shop along from the pub, short hop to the beach, slightly longer
hop to the forest, and looking at the rush hour it could be said to
be as close to ideal as you can get.
Save The
children - Caithness Branch Needs New Folk
The Caithness branch urgently needs new committee members and anyone else to
help with fundraising in order for the Caithness Branch to survive.
The AGM is on Tuesday 14 May 2002 at 7.30pm in the Wick Laundry Office. Anyone
interested can contact Elizabeth Henderson directly if they prefer rather than
coming to the meeting.
Latest From Ormlie
Community Association
Ormlie Community Association will be holding
their AGM on Monday 20 May 2002 at 7.30 pm in the Ormlie
Centre, Henderson Street, Thurso. Everybody welcome - refreshments
after the meeting.
Other News
Newtonhill Community Woodland Spring Clean Up Went Well
The
clean up at Newtonhill Community Woodland was organised by the
Highland Council Ranger Service As part of the challenge to
earn a World Conservation badge, the 1st Wick Scouts turned out in
force and removed substantial amounts of litter and waste from the
woodland. Help was also given by the Caithness Critters,
Caithness Countryside Volunteers and other members of the community.
Well done to all the volunteers who took part.
Give Blood In Wick
Tuesday 14 May 2002 - 2.00 - 4.00pm - 5.00 - 8.00pm Wick Assembly
Rooms
Still a free service in the UK and it depends on the thousands of
volunteers who donate blood regularly to ensure vital operations can
be carried out. Give Blood and save a life - it could be yours
one day.
Hey
Its Europe Day Today
What's that? - you may well ask.
You can find more at the
Scottish Parliament Web Site View also the schools
Europe Day workshops live from Committee Room 1 on
www.scottishparliamentlive.com between 09.30 and 13.00
Tomorrow (BST). Well maybe we should all know by now as "The
enlargement of the EU is one of the largest projects ever undertaken
in Europe. By the end of the process the EU will stretch from
Lisbon in the West to Bucharest in the East and will take in the
islands of Malta and Cyprus. The number of Member States will almost
double from 15 to 27 and it will consist of over 500 million people.
The world's largest single market - bigger than USA and Japan
combined. European
Links
Nerve Centre Latest From The Neurological
Group
Following the recent opening of the Nerve Centre in Thurso, we
are delighted to announce that there is to be an open day on
Wednesday 15 May from 2-4pm in the Arthritis Care rooms, Whitehouse
Park, Wick where people can see a proposed drop-in centre for people
affected by neurological conditions. This is seen as a "satellite"
of the Nerve Centre and will allow coverage of both sides of
Caithness.
Highland Cycling Event
This Weekend
A major event is being organised soon in the Highlands, which could
prove to be the forerunner for a leg of the worlds most famous
cycling event the Tour de France in 2008, when Inverness and the
Highlands hopes to host the European Capital of Culture. The Ness
Monster 2-Day event is being modelled on the Tour de France and will
be staged in and around Inverness on Saturday and Sunday 18/19 May.
Carers Week is 10 - 16 June 2002
Highland Carers Project is holding a one day conference on Wednesday
12 June 2002 "Are We Speaking Softly" at Tulloch Castle Hotel,
Dingwall 10.30am - 3.00pm. Caithness
Community Care Forum is a member of the Highland Community Care
Forum Network who are organising the conference.
8th May 2002
Dunnet Bay Caravan Site
The caravan site at Dunnet Bay is back in full swing and the holiday
weekend saw a good number of visitors taking advantage of the lovely
spring weather that came with the bank holiday weekend. Tucked
in behind the sand dunes just off the beach and with Dunnet forest
on the other side of the road its an ideal spot for checking out the
county. With a small hotel just along the road and Dunnet Head
tearoom also not far away it makes for a very relaxing break in the
far north.
Updating
UK Education News
Just added to two pages in the Links section -
Updating UK Education News. For convenience the updating news
has been added to Education Links
and Educational
Resources Index where parents, teachers and students will
find an increasing range of topics.
Halkirk Gardening Competition for
Queens Jubilee
The competition is open to all gardens in the parish and forms
are obtainable from local shops and post offices. Entries must
be in by 18 May. Gardens will be judged by inspections 3 times
over the summer period. There are prizes for different
categories.
Free
Personal And Nursing Care In Scotland For Over 65's From 1 July 2002
Big changes in access to FREE personal care for the elderly begins in Scotland
on 1 July. The changes will give people the right to free care even it
they are living in their own homes.
Queen's
Golden Jubilee Celebrations At Clyth
Clyth community association is organising a
range of event on Monday 3 June for people in the village and
surrounding area. If your village is organising an event
for the Jubilee let us know. We will be trying to get to as
many as possible to take pictures to add to the section now
building.
More From Mary Ann's Cottage - Not A Museum - A House Frozen In Time
Firefighters At Wick On Charity Trail
On the 1st of June a team of firefighters from Wick Fire Brigade set
out on a three day cycle run which will take them from Wick to
Ullapool to Tongue and then back to Wick. In total that's 300
miles which will be done in a relay format between the firefighters
taking part.
Ole! Spanish Night At Dunnet Head Restaurant
18th May Hasta Pronto! Booking
on 01847 851774
Shell
Livewire
If you are aged 16-30 and think you've got a head for starting your
own business, or if you know someone who has, you can receive a free
Essential Business Kit tailored to your particular business idea by
ringing 0845 757 3252 (cost of a local call), or check out our web
site at
www.shell-livewire.org And You could win
£10,000.
7th May 2002
Why Mountains Matter - A Free Lecture At ERI, Thurso
Dr Martin
Price from Mountain Studies, Perth College on why Mountains Matter.
Mountains occupy 24% of the global land surface. About 26% of the
global population lives within or near them. They supply many goods
and services to a large proportion of humanity. This illustrated
presentation will outline their diverse values, explaining why 2002
is the International Year of Mountains. This series of
lectures supported by UKAEA is free to the public. Check it
out.
Evironmental Research Institute Main Page.
Caithness Sand And Land Yacht Club
The
kite buggy picture of the last couple of days prompted Bob Levens to
get in touch with his memories of the Caithness Sand and Land Yacht
Club. Bob was a member in the 1960's and his father a leading
light in the club designed the club badge (left). Perhaps with
the interest in kites and buggying its time to revive such a club at
Dunnet. Knowing the difficulties of starting such groups we at
Caithness.Org would be happy to put interested people in touch with
each other. Just email us and if there is enough of you we
will put you all in touch with a view to forming a sandy buggy and
related club.
Special Occasions Cars, Wick - Another Scorrie Web Site
If you need a Rolls Royce, Bentley or Mercedes
Benz for that special day in the far north then our latest web site
just rolled out for luxury cars in Caithness will allow you to view
the cars and contact the firm..
The Business Also has an entry in our Business Pages.
View From Dwarwick Pier To Dunnet Beach
GM OIL-SEED
RAPE TRIAL / PROTESTERS
About 1830 hrs. on Monday 6th. May, 2002, a protest was staged at
Tullich Farm, Munlochy, the site of the GM oil-sed rape trial.
Police attended and found approximately one hundred people on the
roadway near the GM vigil. A number of people were also in the field
together with a Landrover, which was being used to destroy the crop.
Last 10 Pictures Of Our Jet Boat Trip On The West Of Stroma
North
School 1937
Thanks to
Irene M. Basner (Maimie MacLean), Michigan, USA. for sending in this picture of
her North School class. Irene said - "The class photograph taken at
the North School in 1937--the year it opened I believe. When war broke out in 1939, the
school became a hospital and the students had to attend Pulteneytown
Academy.
6th May 2002
Latest Ranger Nature Notes
There are a lot of migrants now back. Willow
warblers, sedge warblers, swallows an early swift and sandwich and
arctic terns. The sunny weather has been a great boost and some
lapwing are actually with young.
Bird Watch With
The Rangers
Dunnet Bay. View the varied bird life
of Dunnet Bay, dunes and forest. Meet Dunnet Bay visitor
Centre. Allow 2.5hrs
Check out
the summer Bird Watch programme
More Kite
Buggying At Dunnet
With
glorious sunny weather we were once again out at Dunnet Beach with
the kite buggies. Also out today was Peter and Nick Gladstone
with their buggy. This picture shows nick putting the buggy
through its paces on a day with almost perfect conditions with a
steady breeze off the land more or less all day.
Day Was Too Good To Waste So We Spent most Of It At The Beach
Another Trip To
????????????
where
to next in our mystery telephone box trips. Can you guess
before you click.
5th May 2002
Caithness.org Goes Kite Buggying At Dunnet Beach
Dirlot Cemetery
The cemetery at Dirlot sits in the middle of one of the most
isolated spots in Caithness. It was not always so. In
the past it must have been a thriving area and much fought over as
the History of Caithness shows several fights between rival
families. The graveyard sits near to Dirlot Castle and there
has always been much speculation regarding the place - where the
stones were taken from to build the walls, why the graveyard is the
shape it is and rumours of Templar treasure nearby. Many Gunns
are buried here.
4th May 2002
Caithness V Orkney Model Yacht Competition Weekend At Sarclet Loch
Darts Weekend At
Francis Street Club, Wick Is In Full Swing
An excellent entry for this years darts competitions weekend
at Francis Street club, Wick. Competitors from all over
Scotland including a couple of ex national team players were
competing for prizes totalling £3000 in the event sponsored by
Caithness Office Supplies.
Message From Ian Laird - Caithness Music on the Radio Tonight
Robbie Shepherd's programme, "Take the Floor", tonight on Radio
Scotland, which broadcasts on the Internet, will include music from
Caithness. The item on the play list which caught my eye is:
LP: The Beauty of the North
ARTIST: The Wick Scottish Dance Band
S2/B7: Grand March; Castle Dangerous;
The Son of the Scottish Soldier; The Battle of Altimarlach LABEL:
One Up (EMI) CAT NR: OU 2194
Robbie's Web Page You can link to the programme from there.
You need Real Player, a free download, to listen. The programme
broadcasts from 2005-2130 BST.
A Long Looked For Link - Tide Predictions Worldwide From UK
Admiralty
We have been searching for a long time for reliable set of tide
predictions. Now finally one has been emailed to us. It
should be one the best as it is from the UK Admiralty.
Offering worldwide tide predictions are based on the previous
midnight. So for anyone who wants to know what state the tide
is in anywhere book mark this site. We have placed a link to
it in Boats and
Maritime links. Thanks to Grant Golding for that one.
3rd May 2002
What's On Board Is Free - Get your Event In
If you are organising events in Caithness you can get long term
advertising for days, weeks and even months ahead by completing the
Submission Form. So get your events in as soon as possible
for maximum coverage and let more people know
What's On. For bigger lists of events just email them to us and
we will do the rest.
Nestwatch UK May 25 - 31 May 2002
The RSPB Royal Society for the Protection of Birds is asking for help in
identifying the nesting habits of birds that use gardens. Nestwatch
UK, a new national survey, will focus on bird activity in gardens during
RSPB's Wake Up to birds Week which runs from May 25 - 31. Nestwatch
participants are being asked to give details of the birds nesting in their
garden. The survey form includes a handy identification chart of familiar
and not so familiar birds. Forms will be on the web site shortly or you
can contact them by phone for a leaflet.
A SCRAP Update - Who? - Sutherland and Caithness Recycling Action
Partnership
Want help save on dumping in landfill sites then we can all help
SCRAP by following a few simple ideas like composting. In the
last few weeks they have distributed 500 composting bins for
household and garden waste turning it into a valuable commodity.
100 more bins will soon be in the hands of new composters and much more is
planned to cut down on Sutherland and Caithness waste.
Wick Harbour Trust Minutes In The Virtual Vault
As part of Local History Week that begins on Saturday 4 May items
from local archives are being put online. One item is the
first 100 pages of the Wick Harbour Trust minutes book 1880 - 1886
held by
North Highland
Archive. The Virtual Vault will have a few items from various
Scottish Archives. The images available for printing and may
take a while to load as the files are between 150k and 220k each.
You may also have to adjust your browser to read the hand written
text.
Dirlot Castle And Graveyard - Mysterious, Magical and more.
Here is one for debate on the Message Boards and is sure to have
much more to follow. This item on the purpose of the castle at
Dirlot and the meaning of various surrounding sites will no doubt
get many of you thinking. Is there Templars Gold in the devils
pool? "I found that this ley line aligns perfectly with
the Sinclair Burial Aisle in Wick which acts as a generator point
for most of the longest Caithness ley lines. The Sinclairs of
Caithness, the Gunns, Cheynes, and the Sutherlands, all stemming
from Rex Deus bloodlines, had knowledge of sacred geometry and
geomancy. The Sinclairs of Caithness built over twenty houses
and castles in honour of the Caithness ley lines. Most of these ley lines
centre at Dirlot".
Waterlines Visitor Centre, Lybster Opens On Saturday 4 May
The newest visitor centre in the county which opened last year
re-opens for the season on Saturday. The main theme of the
centre is based around the fishing that was once the mainstay of the
local community. There is a vari ety of things to see
including a traditional boat being built, video camera on the
nesting birds as well as a collection of material reflecting earlier
days. There is also a tearoom and facilities for visiting
yachtsmen.
Caithness Music Festival Programmes Now At Local Newsagents
The Caithness Music Festival looks geared up for another successful
week 10 - 14 June followed by concerts in Wick and Thurso as
the programmes hit the shops. Everyone should not that
afternoon events will start at 1.30pm instead of 2.00pm as in the
past. Everyone is looking forward t a successful festival
after last years cancellations due to the general election that has
priority in public halls.
Crossroads Care Attendants Scheme AGM
Tuesday 14 May - 7.00pm New Weigh Inn, Thurso
Guest speakers R. Silverwood and David Flear (Councillor)
2nd May 2002
Latest Ackergill Tower Pictures
There are currently 33 Caithness castles listed in the
Castles Pages
Reay Golf
Club - Junior Coaching
If you are a junior player or a boy or girl who would like to try
out golf you are all welcome to attend the coaching at the club.
Reay Golf Club - Adult Beginners
- Its Never too Late To Play Golf!!
Why not take your children along for the Junior sessions and then start
yourself. Ladies and gents welcome. This try out session is free
and clubs and balls will be provided so why not come along for some fun.
Trapping Of Pest Birds
Northern Constabulary warn against interfering with legal traps.
People going into the country, particularly at this time of the
year, may come across cage traps which have been set out to catch
pest bird species. The traps which are allowed for under a
General Licence issued by the Scottish Executive are used by a
variety of land managers including gamekeepers, farmers and RSPB.
Youth Trip to Jumpnshout Concert - Inverness
Forty-two young people from youth groups all over
Caithness travelled to Eden Court Theatre, Inverness to attend
Jumpnshout Concert. They saw various young singers and
groups performing including D-Side and Liberty X.
Should
Caithness Look At Westray As It Doubles Tourists in January - March
A special deal designed to encourage winter visits to a remote Orkney
community has turned into an important tourism success story for the
island. New figures show that visitors booked more than 430
accommodation nights with hotels and self catering establishments in
Westray during the first three months of 2002 - nearly double the figure for
the same period last year.
Queen Will Visit Wick For
Jubilee Celebration
The Queen will visit Wick to meet the people of the area as part of her
visits to every part of the UK during her Golden Jubilee year. The
visit will take place on Monday 27 May when she will walk around part of
the town and then head for a reception in the Assembly Rooms, Wick.
The invited guests will include contingents from Sutherland, Orkney
Islands and Shetland Islands.
Queen's Jubilee
Celebrations - Wick Ceilidh
The Wick committee who are organising a ceilidh are expecting a big
turnout for the evening ceilidh to be held on 27 May the same day as the
Queen's visit to Wick. Tickets go on sale shortly and are priced
£4. A variety of traditional entertainment will be on offer for a
good night of Scottish Dancing, singing and music from a range of
artists. So with Pipers, Fiddlers, Scottish Dance Band, line
dancers and more it should be a memorable night. If you are
visiting Wick check the page to get tickets.
New Research
Challenge Fund For Highland Businesses
A new competition, designed to boost the commercial exploitation of
research and development activity in the Highlands and Islands has been
launched. The Research Challenge Fund will see £150,000 divided
amongst three successful projects, with the amount each receives
depending on the specific nature and demands of their project. The
competition has been established by Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) and
will be run over the summer and autumn.
Banner Advertising With Caithness.Org
We have a growing
list of advertisers taking advantage of our low cost banners linking
to business web sites. Starting at £115 for one banner or
discounted rates for multiple banners its one of the cheapest rates
around. Work it out at just over £2 a week your advert can be
circulating for a whole year on a growing list of web sites in the group
now extending to
Sutherland Business Pages. You get more than just a banner
with links on the list of advertisers, static banner on the Business
Page and raised profile with our growing
audience.
Latest On Munlochy
GM Crop Protests
Highland Council moved swiftly to distance themselves from Highland
Councillor Michael Foxley who has spoken in favour of the activists who damaged
the crop and appeared in court this week.
Queen's Golden Jubilee
Celebrations - Thurso Latest
Final Programme of events for Thurso's celebrations 1 - 4 June.
The organisers tell us stalls for the events are selling fast so if you
want one at an event including Scrabster Harbour Day that is part of the
celebrations this year then you better get in soon.
Names in for a Miller Academy School 1960 Picture
From Maureen Eaton (nee Moore)
1st May 2002
Berriedale-Braemore War Memorial
although we have had a picture of the Berriedale War Memorial for some
time we had no information. We are grateful to Joy Corley for
supplying details of the ceremony of dedication of the memorial, who was
present and other interesting details.
Caithness.Org History Section Joins Scottish History Online Web
Ring
With the increasing popularity of the Caithness.Org history pages we
thought it might be useful in finding more history sites if we teamed up
with one of the web rings. Our
History Index Page now carries the link banner to Scottish History
Online Web Ring where you can find other interesting Scottish History
sites. We also have our own
Caithness.Org Scottish History Links page.
Boats At Wick Harbour Today - One From Kirkwall + Local Getting Welding Done
Dounreay Visitor Centre Opens Today
For Summer Season 2002
The centre, which was visited by approximately 6,000 people last year,
is popular with both local residents and tourists alike.
Caithness has a wide range of visitor centres, museums and galleries
some free and others with a small entrance charge.
Click Here to See A list and check details.
Friends Of Newtonhill Community Woodland - Meeting Last Night
Support for the recently formed community group, 'Friends of Newtonhill
Woodland', was given by Councillor Deirdre Stevens who attended the
meeting and discussed the importance and potential for a path linking
Newtonhill to the town. The next meeting will take place at
Newtonhill Community Woodland on Thursday the 30th May at 7.30pm. The
group plan to take a walk around the woodland and address some of the
management issues. Anyone with an interest in the woodland is very
welcome to attend.
John
O'Groats Interpretive Display
A
new permanent outdoor display at John O'Groats - a project controlled
Julian Smith of
Designsmith - is nearing completion. The installation, which has
been produced using Caithness flagstone and recycled glass, is an
interpretation of the natural history of the area, and has taken five
months to complete......more
April Traffic Goes To Highest Yet -
Thanks To You All For Looking In
Hits 3,734,972 Pages 318,524 Visitors
83,150 - - Average Daily Visitors 2771
April hits and visitors up again. Page
views were down. And April was one day shorter than
March.
2002 Totals so far - Hits 12,953,285 Pages 1,416,997
Visitors 305,360
Pentland Venture Leaving John
O'Groats This Morning - First To Orkney For 2002
A
surprisingly large number of people took the first ferry trip of 2002 to
Orkney today. This very popular short crossing to Orkney has been
running for many years and has an optional coach tour of Orkney meeting
the ferry. Check Ferry web site for details.
Wings Over Wick - More Memories Of War Time
In Caithness
Hubert Nettleton, Leeds, West Yorkshire Secret wireless
station at Thrumster - early radar tests
A
Connelly, Blairgowrie, Perthshire - Reforming fighter squadrons
at Castletown
Rev Leonard Arridge,
Bangor, Gwynedd - Seeing the "Aurora Borealis" and
ill at Forse House
Jack Hughes, Mold, Clwyd - Wooden Bombers - Friends straffed at
Thrumster
G
Angus, Leven, Fife - Secret Apparatus at Thurso and Dunnet Head
E J
Curtis, Shifnal, Shropshire - Stayed with a local butcher
Ray
Weir, Bury, Lancs - Removing
anti-tank mines at Keiss
Thrumster
Mains Farm
Here
you can see Thrumster Mains farm viewed from the
Thrumster House
Broch
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