News Archive - May 2003
[April 2003] [June 2003]
31st May 2003
Caithness Handyperson Scheme - What It Does And Does Not Do?
The Caithness Handyperson Scheme is run in partnership by
Caithness Community Care Forum and Pentland Housing Association
and is available to anyone over 60 or disabled to help with a
range of tasks or offer advice on how to access further help.
Annular Eclipse From Strathy
As far as we know so far few if anyone in Caithness saw the
eclipse due to the first fog in weeks. Further along the
coast in Sutherland it cleared late and just in time for Alan
Mcivor from Thurso to take a few shots. We
ourselves were at John O'Groats where a party went out in a fast
boat but only to see the seabirds as the fog stayed right
through the crucial time. All along the coast there were
folk out in lay-bys to see the vent but most were disappointed.
More Eclipse Pictures On BBC Scotland Web Site
MADD Society Presents - "Back To
The 80's"
Tuesday 10 June - Friday 13 June At Wick high School
another smash hit show is almost ready to hit the boards.
Tickets £5/£3 from Poltney News or D R Simpson newsagents. or
Cards N Things.
30th May 2003
Are You Staying Up For the Annular Eclipse Early Saturday
Morning?
With this once in a lifetime astronomical event only
hours away many folk have their spot picked out on the Caithness
and Sutherland north coast - one of the best places in the
country to view the event - weather permitting.
Photographers are lining up to get a unique picture with perhaps
a castle, harbour or other structure in the foreground.
But most folk in the north will be prepared for it passing by
behind the clouds and have a party or a dram in the wee small
hours to have some fun. Good luck star gazers.
STONE KEEPS FAR
NORTH DENTAL ISSUES AT TOP OF PARLIAMENT AGENDA
Dramatic
improvements to NHS dental services must be delivered for people
in the Far North. This is the message that MSP Jamie Stone
delivered to the Scottish Executive on the day it unveiled its
new legislative programme for the second parliamentary term.
Mr Stone took the first opportunity available to press First
Minister Jack McConnell for action to address the serious
shortage of NHS dentists in the Highlands. In a question
and answer session after the Executive unveiled its programme
for the year ahead, Mr Stone quizzed the First Minister on what
proposals the new Scottish government has to tackle the problem.
Rob Gibson MSP - First
Speech At Scottish Parliament
In his first speech in Edinburgh Rob Gibson attacked the
government for their failure to free up land for affordable
housing in the Highlands. He made comparisons with other
small counties in Europe and added - "Fundamental to rebuilding
population is the availability of land for affordable housing.
How often do youngsters seek in vain for a house site in a
crofting community, or a building plot around a small town?
Landlords, planning law and water authorities are the problem.
So is the only alternative for the enterprising to leave?.
RSPB
Forsinard Walks 2003
Walks for June and July are
now listed with more to be added later for August. The
RSPB Forsinard Visitor Centre is situated in the former railway
station and has lots of information on wildlife in the area.
Wick Coast And Castle Of Old Wick
Monday 2 June - Rangers Guided Walk - See the plants, sea
stacks, arches and sea birds. Meet at Harbour Cafe, Wick
7.00pm length 2.3 - 3 hours.
29th May 2003
Caithness Heritage Fair 2003
Information for anyone wanting to have a stand at the
Caithness Heritage Fair 4 - 5 October 2003. the closing
date for applications is 7 July 2003.
HIGHLAND WEDDING VENUES PROVE
A HIT WITH COUPLES
More than 31% of marriage notices received in the Inverness
area so far this year involve couples from outwith Scotland,
proving that weddings are becoming big business for the area.
The statistic was revealed by The Highland Council Convener
Alison Magee on Wednesday 28 May in welcoming 100 delegates to
the annual general meeting of the Association of Registrars of
Scotland, which was hosted by The Highland Council in Inverness.
28th May 2003
Balmore Animal Centre - New Fund Raising Campaign Begins
The Branch Committee welcomed the statement from the Scottish
SPCA headquarters that the position of the Balmore Centre together with
the other centres in Scotland are being took at in detail and that the
closure plans have been put back for six month while all options are being
looked at.
In the mean time the local committee are continuing their fund raising
activities starting with the DOG WALK on Sunday 15 June. The walk
will start at the Thurso-Dounreay road at the Janetstown turn off,
registration starts at 12.30.
Local Contractors To Be Briefed On Enterprise Network's New Procurement
Process
Businesses providing either property construction or advisory services in
the Highlands and Islands are being urged to attend seminars across the
region intended to highlight changes in the way Highlands and Islands
Enterprise (HIE) will be buying and delivering some services.
Wind Turbine
Development - Bridge of Westfield - Public Meeting
Scotrenewables the Stromness based wind turbine company are to hold
a public meeting as part of the environmental Impact Assessment. A
presentation will outline the plans to build three 2.75MW wind turbines on
hill of Lieurary followed by a discussion.
Trophy Presentation Following South V Hillhead Chess Tournament 28 May
Councillor
Katrina MacNab presented the King Prawn trophy to the South School team
following their victory in the chess tournament on Monday
27th May 2003
Broadband Balloons Could Do It For The Highlands
Could Broadband be here sooner than we thought.
Broadband Pages
Caithness Rural Schools Sports Challenge - A Great Success In Sunny
Dunbeath
Watten came out top on points in the sports challenge day for Caithness
rural schools but awards were also given to schools for sportsmanship,
attitude and helpfulness to team mates and opponents. The
competitions were in Football, Indoor Hockey and Netball with boys and
girls playing in all teams. A beautiful day contributed to fun all
round as the children moved from game to game over the day.
King Prawn Chess Tournament - South V Hillhead Schools
South School won the tournament with 71 - 61 points. This was the
first time the competition had been run. Ian Mackenzie made the
trophy and it is hoped the competition will be run annually from now on.
Scottish Outdoor
Access Code - Consultation Deadline 30 June
If you have an interest in countryside access in Scotland you may
wish to have your views noted in the consultation process. There are
a series of public meetings being held but none as yet in Caithness.
SNH have agreed to hold a meeting further north if there is demand.
If you are interested in attending a meeting in Caithness contact Ashleigh
Tooth, Recreation and Access Advisor, Scottish Natural Heritage Tel 01463
667929 Email
[email protected] A meeting will be arranged if there
is sufficient demand
26th May 2003
Gala & Show
Organisers In Caithness & Sutherland - Free Pages
If you are on a committee organising a show or gala in Caithness or
Sutherland in coming months just email the programme with dates and we
will advertise it free of charge with pages and links. Send in
word documents rather than posters. Send logos or pictures
separately or as attachments. Get your full programme online as soon
as you can for longer coverage. Send them to
[email protected] We
depend on you to send your programme in so check with your committee if
anyone is sending it.
Paper And
Bookbinding Workshops
A unique chance to learn a range of techniques in paper making and
bookbinding.
Each of the courses cost £25. Contact the gallery for more
details.
Murkle Bowling Club -
Junior Pairs
Murkle Indoor Bowling Club held a Junior Pair Competition on Saturday 24th
May. The final was contested by Alan Morrison and Keith Hossack
representing Murkle and Daryl Thomson and Scott Mitchell representing
Castletown. The standard of bowls played by both teams was
extremely high with all players playing some excellent shots.
Lybster Harbour - Early Sunday Morning
The rain was passing over and the early risers in Lybster were heading for
their Sunday papers. A few boats had headed out to the creels
and the harbour was silent. A white cat chased mice and only the
birds were making any sound until you reached the bridge where the heavy
rains had swollen the burn to a temporary roar.
Thurso and Dounreay Strathspey
& Reel Society - Brilon Trip Help From Round Table
Thurso and Dounreay Strathspey & Reel Society were
helped on their way to Brilon in August with a cheque from Thurso &
District Round Table on Tuesday night when they received a cheque for
£250.00 from Chairman Graham Douglas and Fundraising Convenor Alan
Simpson. The Society have their 25th Annual Concert in the
Thurso High School on the 7th June at 7.30 with guests Gavin Piper-
Accordion, Raymond Bremner - singer from Wick and compere Andy Ross from
Caithness FM.
4th
Wick Guides Visit To Orkney
UKAEA Dounreay recently sponsored the 4th Wick Girl
Guides trip to Orkney. The girls crossed from John O'Groats on the
Pentland Venture and during their day visited the Italian Chapel, St
Magnus Cathedral, Bowling Alley and Pickaquoy Sports Centre. They are
pictured here at the end of their
trip.
MADD Get A Web Site
The MADD - Music Art Drama and Dance group
have their own web site up and running for all their latest shows and some
stuff from the past.
25th May 2003
Early Morning Training At Rumster Forsest With The Valuiki Sleddogs
Winning teams are not born they are made in the early hours in training
sessions like today at 7.00am in Rumster Forest. The start of the
racing season my be months away but the dogs are being kept in trim by
these early outings round forest tracks at a time when the temperature is
low enough for dogs used to the bitter
cold.
Crossroads Care - Annual Report 2002/03
The Scheme provided 8,627 hours of support to those caring for others in
Caithness, an increase of 6% over the previous year. The year
saw a sound financial performance generating a £3,003 surplus against an
operating expenditure of £113,693 the first time expenditure has
exceeded £100,000. Highland Council and Highland Health Board grants and
Carer Strategy money provided 59% of the income with a further 8% through
direct purchased care by the local Social Work Services. The Scheme
is very fortunate in the support it gets from individuals and local
organisations in Caithness, who this year raised a staggering £19,000.
Rev Bill Wallace And Rev Sandy Gunn At Pulteneytown Church Re-opening
There
was no hiding the delight of the two ministers at today's re-opening of
the main building at Pultentytown church. Rev Bill Wallace was
joined by the former minister Rev. Sandy Gunn (1967 - Dec 1973).
After nearly 50 years of discussion by various kirk sessions on the
problems of the vestibule and windy entrance work finally got underway
about 18 months ago. At a cost of over £250,000 a huge range of work
has been carried out both inside and outside. From the new glass
door, heating system and complete refurbishment of the interior and
contributions from a wide range of bodies, businesses and individuals.
24th May 2003
Sponsored Walk For EPICS Started By Local MP John Thurso
EPICS
(Epilepsy Partnership in Caithness and Sutherland) sponsored walk that
took place today, started off officially by John Thurso, MP.
Pictures and report later over on the Nerve Centre web site.
Thurso Round Table Sportsman Evening
Thurso and District Round Table recently
organised a Sports Dinner in aid of local charities on the 17 May held at
the New Weigh Inn. The event had a capacity attendance with 160
tickets being sold. The Guest Speakers for the evening were
ex-Scottish Football Internationalists, (King) Joe Harper and Alan Rough.
The evening was compared by Dave Edwards. The Sponsors for the evening were UKAEA,
C&W Motors and W&D Ross. A reception was held for the Sponsors and Guest
Speakers prior to the Formal Proceedings.
Pulteneytown Church In Wick Ready For Another 100 Years
The finishing touches were being added ready for the first service in
the main church since the renovations began. The organ was being
tuned and is now complemented by the latest hi-tech computers to enhance
services. A big turn out is expected on Sunday 25 May.
Gardens Open To The Public In Caithness & Sutherland
If you are looking for day out then you might like to
know when some of the gardens are open to the public. 2003
dates are now in. If we have missed any just get in touch
to add more dates.
Caithness Society Of Artists
Annual Exhibition 2003
(67th) 5 - 16 August
Artists Are You Ready To Enter Your Pictures
Thurso High 1983 - Yes It's another Reunion
The venue is the Weigh Inn in Thurso on 12th July 2003, buffet,
price of tickets not yet decided, partners welcome to attend.
Volunteers'
Week
The week from the 1st to the 7th of
June is Volunteers Week, now in its 19th year. If
your voluntary group is looking to celebrate the week or say
thanks to your volunteers and want some ideas
click on....
Highland Festival 6 - 14 June 2003
If you are going to be in Inverness from 6 - 14 June you
can take in a show or two at the highland Festival. This
one has a great mix of traditional and other music and comedy.
Getting bigger every year.
23rd May 2003
South
School Science O3 Festival Winners Trip
P6 from South School, Wick won the Primary School section at the
Science 03
Festival. Their prize was a visit to the Dounreay Visitor
Centre. During their visit they had a tour of the Visitor
Centre, a dog and vehicle display by the UKAEA Constabulary and
rides in the fire engine and ambulance by Dounreay's Fire
brigade.
On their return journey to Wick they visited the new playpark at
Ormlie, Thurso.
Kempo Jujitsu - Caithness Spring Grading Awards
Northern
Martial Arts Spring Gradings took place last weekend once again
showing the huge popularity in the county of martial arts.
There is no shortage of places in the county to get involved
for self-defence, fitness and fun.
Sutherland
Walkers Group In Caithness
Marina Finlayson, Highland Ranger in Caithness recently
led the Sutherland Walking Group from Wick to
Sarclet Haven. The birds were truly amazing and the weather
made a perfect walk.
Caithness Critters Group See The Puffins At Duncansby Stacks
the
Caithness Critters group run by Highland Rangers in Caithness
recently paid a visit to the
Stacks of Duncansby to learn about
breeding Seabirds. The group were lucky to see
puffins along with many other birds. This very popular
young naturalists group has a membership of 20 and is usually
full but the rangers do operate a waiting list so it is always
worthwhile checking with them. Children are welcome on the
many other seasonal walks and outings as long as they are with
an adult. Check out the
Rangers Walking pages for details of walks.
North Highland College, Thurso Students Check Out Dounreay
A
group from North Highland College, Thurso recently visited the
Dounreay Visitor Centre. During their visit they met "Max" the
police dog and had the opportunity to sit in a police vehicle,
They are pictured here with Marie Mackay and Tina Wrighton from
Dounreay Communications Department.
22nd May 2003
Wildlife Encounters 2003 Starts 26 May In Caithness
The Rangers will be leading many walks in Caithness and
Sutherland so get your diary out to get to places with someone
who knows the area. You will see the wildlife and scenery
at the same time.
TRADITIONAL MUSIC NIGHT
On Wednesday 28th May 2003 there will be a feast of
traditional music on offer in Wick when traditional music
students from the North Highland College in Alness will put on a
show in the Pipe Band Hall, High Street, Wick. The students are
tutored by local Caithness musicians Bobby Coghill and Karen
Steven. The performances will include piping duets, fiddle
and keyboard solos, tunes on the box and a 9 piece ceilidh band!
There will be some songs traditional Irish, contemporary
Scottish and some country for good measure, there will also be a
special guest appearance by the North Highland Juvenile Pipe
Band whose piping tutor is again Bobby Coghill.
Wick Boys
Brigade Get Kicking
Recently two men from the Karate Club did a demonstration in the Wick BB
Hall for the boys of the Junior Section. The leader of the Karate Club
Michael Tait, and one of his students David Spencer came along and taught
the boys a few karate moves. After a warm-up, the boys were
shown how to block kicks and punches. After trying some
karate, the Boys were shown some very advanced moves by the two Black
Belts.
Disability Rights Commission Newsletter May 2003
In this month's DRC newsletter -
Gaps in disability law leave 1000s unprotected - Court of Appeal
takes positive approach to individuals with cancer - DRC success stories -
DRC Third Anniversary analysis of services shows discrimination faced by
1000s of disabled workers - DRC calls for tougher penalties to end daily
humiliation and discrimination experienced by assistance dog users - DRC
policy on voluntary euthanasia - Challenge for small businesses to make
services more accessible - New report shows increased awareness of DDA =
Possible Ryanair/BAA Group Litigation Order - Making sports facilities
accessible for all
DRC speaks to the British Dental Association about service provision to
disabled people.
Educational Resources - Government
A few links to learn about how government works in Scotland, UK and USA.
MacMillan
Cancer Walk
A total of 53 supporters left at 7.00pm from Caithness General Hospital,
up Newton Hill, down by Milton back to hospital
More Questions than
Answers - Mike Clark
Saint Marys Chapel at
Crosskirk is well photographed and documented. Much less seems to be
recorded of the Broch to the north of the Chapel. And what has been
recorded is full of contradictions. Today, the site is marked by a mere
cairn. Erosion over the years has lost the Broch to the sea allegedly.
NEW FACES AT HIGHLAND YOUTH VOICE
AHEAD OF DOUBLE LAUNCH
The youth parliament for the Highlands has new office-bearers
following the second round of elections within secondary schools and youth
organisations as well as a new youth development officer to co-ordinate
its work. The new chairman of Highland Youth Voice is George Shannon from
Grantown Grammar School. His Vice-Chairman is Sunny Moodie, Dingwall
Academy. Secretary is Annie MacKay, Thurso High School, and
treasurer is Tom Pennick, Tain Royal Academy.
21st May 2003
Caithness
Is Home To Champion Sleddog Team
Caithness is lucky to have a champion sleddog team now in the
county. Racing under the name Valuiki the dogs are trained and cared for
by Adrian & Lynn Tilsed. Valuiki are one of the most predominant and
successful Sleddog kennels in the United Kingdom. They currently have 12
sleddogs in full time work, 2 of these being Alaskan huskies the remainder
being Siberian huskies. Results over the last 3-4 years have been
outstanding with 51 x 1st places 22 x 2nd places 11 x 3rd places.
Adrian and Lynn have only recently relocated to Caithness and are in the
process of searching for new sponsors for the rapidly approaching race
season, and with a long term view to supporting them in a bid to be chosen
as Great Britain team members at the Winter Olympics in 2006.
DIANA, PRINCESS OF WALES MEMORIAL
AWARD FOR YOUNG PEOPLE
PRESENTATION TO SIXTH YEAR PUPILS AT THURSO HIGH SCHOOL
Thurso High School was delighted to be informed recently that a group of
its Sixth Year pupils have been chosen to receive the Diana, Princess of
Wales Memorial Award for their outstanding contribution to the school
community. The six pupils all elected by their peer group to serve
on the Sixth Year Executive Committee were chosen as representatives of
the various committees and activities which have been in operation.
Lockers Donated To Thurso High
UKAEA Dounreay recently donated 90 surplus personal lockers to the Thurso
High School PTA. The lockers were refurbished where necessary by the
Dounreay Apprentice Training Department.
Sign Ups Still Increasing -
Still No Word On When The Service Will Come To Caithness
Thurso 329 and Wick 202 - Register your interest at
BT Broadband
site
Next Meeting Of Caithness Quilters
Tuesday 27 May 2003 in the British Legion Club Rooms,
Thurso. Programme for the evening is Patchwork for
beginners, Embroidering Charity Quilt, Assembling Crazy Quilts
for Renal Unit.
20th May 2003
Commercial Property To Rent In Caithness - Another New Section
In The Business Pages
If you are looking for serviced office space then just keep
checking Commercial Property to Rent pages the latest addition
in our growing property section. If you have commercial
property to rent then check our our prices and our increasing
traffic. Your ad stays in until the property is let and no
repeat fee.
Amenity
In Wick Harbour Today
Making another delivery at Wick.
Cargo
Boats Index
Boats And Sea
Index
More New Sites For Sale In Caithness.Org Property Section
With the new road improvements making the time between Caithness and the
south less and less how much longer will there be places like this to snap
up.
ARCHAEOLOGICAL SUMMER SCHOOL A HUGE SUCCESS
Wonderful introduction to the outstanding archaeological
heritage of Caithness.
Seventy-five of Scotlands leading archaeological experts and
enthusiasts, the largest number to attend a Council for Scottish
Archaeology Summer School for many years, have just returned
home from Caithness after an outstandingly successful weekend.
The CSA Summer School has given all the participants a
wonderful introduction to the outstanding archaeological
heritage of Caithness said Alan Saville, Curator of the
Archaeology Department at the National Museum of Scotland in
Edinburgh.
North School Kids Test New Playground Equipment
North
School in Wick got a new batch of playground equipment recently and the
kids lost no time in testing it all out. The school purchased items
that could be used outside. The equipment was bought using funds
raised directly by the school. The new items are aimed at getting
children active at break times.
19th May 2003
The
New Highland Council
A look at the new line up for the next four years.
The Political pages are being updated with the new information as it
becomes available
Dounreay
Particles Advisory Group - Next Meeting
The next Dounreay Particle Advisory Group meeting is at 9:00am on
Thursday 22 May at the Weigh Inn, Thurso. The group's main
objective is to make recommendations to SEPA (and to UKAEA) about ways to
improve the monitoring and research programmes for particles in local
sediments. Most of the meetings are open to observers and minutes are
posted on the web site once approved. Most meetings also have an informal
question and answer session at the end for members of the public.
Agenda (Pdf)
New - Commercial Property For Sale Section
Our property section is expanding and to make more room we have set up a
new commercial property for sale section. Shortly a new Commercial
Property for renting will also be available. New properties are
coming in regularly as vendors, landlords and agents have begun to see the
great deals on offer with a one off payment getting an ad in until a
property is sold or let.
Calling All Potential and Current
Playworkers
Playworkers, Childminders, Youthworkers, and anyone with an interest in
Playwork might be interested in a one day seminar aimed at raising the
profile for play. If you are thinking about a career in working with
children then this day may help you. This is a pilot project to
promote Play and Playwork in four
remote areas of the Highlands and Islands.
Priests Walk - Scaraben
- Great Day - Great Walk
Caithness Field Club walked about seven miles over Scaraben from
the Langwell side over to Braemore. the walk is so called because it
takes a route between to old ecclesiastical sites - a chapel and a
possible Abbey site. Along the way taking in a souterrain, clearance
sites, pipits nest, deer, plants and tremendous views under a sunny
sky.
Stock Judging At Caithness District Young Farmers
Caithness District Young Farmers held their Summer Stock Judging, judging
dairy classes at Westerseat by kind permission of Mr Morris Ronaldson followed
by beef and sheep classes at Reiss Lodge by kind permission of Mr Harry
Gunn. Mr Ian Gunn, Whitefield and Mr David Campbell, Bullechach
were judges for the evening with 24 competitors judging the 4 classes.
Caithness Area Committee Of Highland Council Appoints New Representatives
Caithness
Councillors elected David Flear to be the new area convenor and Alistair
Macdonald as vice-convenor at their first full meeting today In Thurso Town Hall. Representatives to the Highland core committees and
local chairmen were also elected.
18th May 2003
Wick Players Celebrate 70 Years
The assembly rooms had a big crowd in for a buffet
dinner to celebrate 70 years of entertaining the people of the county.
With a number of readings, monologues, poems and a number of songs from
Les Miserables to prove the wide range of talent they possess and show why
over the years they have won so many competitions up and won the country.
The Classic Tour In Sutherland
17th May 2003
The
Priests Walk At Scaraben - Caithness Field Club
A stiff slow climb over Scaraben from Langwell to Berriedale (7
Miles) Sunday 18 May. Meet at Wick or Thurso Railway station at
9.30pm meeting up at the old Langwell Garden Centre at 10.15pm.
Non-members welcome.
Community Environmental Renewal Grants
Grant funding available to community groups. Check this out if
your group wants to take advantage of money coming from the aggregates
levy. Between £5000 and £50,000 may be available to help your
project in Highland. Closing dates 18 June and 10 September 2003.
Craft
Fairs In Caithness - Venues for 2003
A full list of dates for Craft Fairs in Caithness is now available
on the
Crafts page
Blood
Transfusion Service Visits Wick
The Blood Transfusion service will be in Wick on Tuesday 20 May At
the Assembly Rooms for donations od blood. Next Thurso visit is 17
June. Caithness And Sutherland dates are all in up to February 2004.
More Pictures Of Oscar, Family And Friends - The Newest Mule In Caithness
Prize Winners
Of The Rotary Open Golf
Tournament At Reay
Andy Mowat, Bob Earnshaw (Rotary Club), James Henderson,
D.C. Mowat (Mojo), Dougie Thorburn, Alan MacKenzie (Skins) and Graeme
Dunnett
Unemployment Going Down
In The North As Summer Kicks In
Overall, the number of unemployed in Caithness and Sutherland
fell from 1,035 last month to 971. 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) 7.2% (7.8%), 6.2% (6.7%) and 3.3%
(3.4%).
Wick Harbour Trust To Get
Detailed Business Planning Underway
Wick Harbour Trust has received approval of assistance of up to
£30,000 from Caithness And Sutherland enterprise (CASE) towards
the cost of undertaking an in-depth strategic review and
business planning exercise.
Lyth Arts Centre Gains
£3000 From CASE For Outdoor Concerts
Lyth Arts Centre has been awarded £3000 from Caithness and
Sutherland Enterprise to assist with staging two open air
concerts this summer.
Yarrows Heritage Trust
Gains £7500 Towards Archaeological Dig
Archaeology continues to gain recognition as an important asset
in Caithness with this latest award to help with the costs of a
major dig this summer. Around 80 archaeologists are
currently in the county looking at a variety of sites as part of
a summer school. They are being shown round by members of
Caithness Archaeological Trust, Caithness Field Club,
Yarrows Heritage Trust and Dunbeath Preservation Society.
By coincidence another group of around 30 people commence a few
days summer school from Aberdeen University. Is this an
invasion of historians and archaeologists. With
several hundred sites in Caithness they may well be very busy.
16th May 2003
North
Highland Archive Newsletter 16 Spring 2003
All the latest news and acquisitions and some top family
history research web sites.
NURSERY STAFF
STRIKE IN THE HIGHLAND COUNCIL AREA
Thirty nine Nursery classes
across Highland will be affected when 65 Nursery workers intend
withdrawing their labour on Wednesday 21st May.
Approximately 975 pupils will lose a pre-school session on this
day. These are the likely impacts of strike action on
Wednesday 21st May by Unison members employed by The Highland
Council as nursery assistants and auxiliaries. Bruce
Robertson, The Highland Councils Director of Education, Culture
and Sport said: Headteachers will advise parents affected by
the strike by letter over the next few days but overall the
classes involved are: Caithness: Hillhead, Pulteneytown, Mount
Pleasant and South Nurseries.
14th May 2003
Captain's
Galley Restaurant, Scrabster Gearing Up For Summer
From Monday 19 May the Captain's Galley Restaurant will be opening longer
and adding to the variety of meals available. Additions to the new
wine list will also have some interesting choices. Check out the new
times and then visit Scrabster.
More Pictures From The Scottish Malts Tour At Pulteney Distillery
Tour
Takes The Hairpin At Berriedale
Austin Healey 3000 followed by an Austin Healey 3000 Special at the
hairpin at Berriedale. Not too often that you get the chance to see
these cars in such spectacular places like the bends at Berriedale.
The cars all headed out of Caithness this morning on the next stage of the
tour.
Caithness Pony Club First Competition On New Cross Country
Course
Caithness
Branch of the Pony Club held its first competition at the new
cross-country course built at Northfield Equestrian Centre, by
kind permission of Mr and Mrs H Henderson, at the weekend.
Competitors from Orkney, Caithness and Sutherland took part in a
Hunter Pace which allows riders to choose which fences they wish
to jump to build confidence to participate in One Day Events.
Highland
Biodiversity Newsletter 2
The second newsletter of the highland Biodiversity group covers
some of what is happening in Caithness but also other parts of
the Highlands to let you see what other areas are doing
Highland Cross 2003
Coast To Coast Duathalon
Highland Cross, the unique coast to coast charity duathlon has
announced that 660 folk have once again taken up the its
challenge to cross Scotland in a day and raise money for
charity!
13th May 2003
Final Pictures Of Scottish Malts Classic Tour
More From The Scottish Malts Tour
Scottish Malts Classic and Vintage Car Trials And Tour Arrives
In Wick
Over 130 classic and vintage cars arrived in Wick as part of a
week long tour of Scotland. The cars, drivers and
passengers are staying in and around Wick overnight tonight
before moving on to Thurso via John O'Groats early on Wednesday
morning for for the next stage leaving from Thurso.
Cars will be leaving on staggered times between 7.00am and
10.00am so get up early if you want to see them all. More
of the Wick pictures to come.
Highland Airports Buck Worldwide Trend
Record Passenger Growth at Inverness Airport And Improvements at Wick. Inverness
Airport had a record month in April with more than 37,000 passengers
travelling via the Highland air hub. April 2003 was one of the
busiest months ever at Inverness, reflecting the continuing
development of the airport as the principal air hub in the region.
Passenger figures at the airport, operated by Highlands and Islands
Airports Limited, were 20% up on the same period in 2002 at a total of
37,424 for the month of April 2003. HIAL
operates 10 airports and the number of overall aircraft
movements at the airports increased slightly by 1.5% to 76,119,
with the largest increases at Kirkwall, Stornoway, Sumburgh and
Wick. Wick had a 30% increase in the quarter to 31 March
2003 compared the to same period last year due mainly to
training and charter flights.
Sunday Flights Are Now Available From Wick
The opening up of flights by Highland Airways on a Sunday now
gives even more choice for flyiing from Wick.
PARENTS AND PUPILS
ENCOURAGED TO SUPPORT WALK TO SCHOOL WEEK
Highland primary and secondary school pupils are being
encouraged by The Highland Council to put their best foot
forward and support National Summer Walk to School Week from
Monday 19th to Friday 23rd May. Not just aimed at
improving the health of pupils, the national campaign aims to
improve the well-being of families, and communities who are both
involved in and live around or on routes to schools.
FURTHER INVESTMENT AT FORSS
Caithness and Sutherland Enterprise (CASE) has committed a further
£440,000 towards the creation of a hi-tech business park near Thurso. In
addition the project has secured £732,545 from the European Regional
Development Fund (ERDF). The former Forss US Naval Base - which has
been idle for over a decade - is being transformed into a Business and
Technology Park, which is set to attract tenants associated with the
decommissioning of the nearby Dounreay nuclear plant.
TOP MARKS FOR HIGHLAND
EDUCATION
Education in Highland continues to go from strength to
strength, according to the findings of a team of inspectors
whose report is published today - 13 May 2003. The
Education Service in Highland was the first in Scotland to be
subject to the Local Authority-style inspection in 2000.
Although then, Highland's report card was good in every aspect,
there were recommendations to be followed up. HMIE have just
completed a follow up visit and they have complimented the
Authority for the progress made.
Arthur St Clair (Sinclair) 9th President Of The United States
A Caithness son comes back via the web with thanks to Donald
Sinclair of Indianapolis for pictures of the final resting place
of Arthur St Clair born in Thurso. A link in the section
takes you to a history of Arthur St Clair with full details of
his life as a general and governor of a huge area of the early
United States the North West Territory. Arthur St Clair
was credited with pushing through one of the most
important pieces of legislation - the Northwest Ordnance
which not only opened up an area covering several states but
guaranteed rights such as freedom of religion, right to trial by
jury, the banishment of slavery, and public education for people
settling there. He was made governor in 1787 of the
territory at that time covering Ohio, Indiana, Illinois,
Michigan, and Minnesota whose lands, at that time, comprised
more than one half of the United States. He died at the
age of 84 a relatively poor man but with many descendants.
12th May 2003
Castletown Junior Football Club Plays Mid West From Orkney
Castletown Junior FC had a visit from Orcadian club, Mid West at the
weekend. The clubs played matches at three age groups, under ten, under
twelve and under fourteen, with Castletown emerging victorious from all
three matches. The club hopes to go over for a return trip later in the
season.
Screening Programme
Continues to Save Lives
242 men in the Highlands will have a better chance of
surviving in later years of life, thanks to a successful
screening programme in Highland. Over 5000 men have so far been
screened for abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) in the first large
screening programme of this kind to take place in Scotland. The
Remote and Rural Areas Resource Initiative (RARARI) has funded
the three-year project which offers screening for (AAA) to men
aged 65 to 74 in Highland over three years, at a cost of
around £300 000.
11th May 2003
Academy End Season With A 3 - 2 Win Against Forres
A Closer Look At Some Of The Model Boats From The 2003 Show In Thurso
Farm
Skills Day For Young Farmers
If you think young farmers come into the world with all
the skills and knowledge think again. Modern machinery and
cost cutting mean that many farms work with one one or two men.
This recent skills course at West Greenland is one way of
ensuring that young farmers learn the techniques and safe
practices needed today...
More Farming With Updating News Headlines
Wetherspoon's Newest Place "Alexander Bain" Open
The Market Square has returned to a more normal look
after all the vans, lorries, machines etc left with the
completion of work on the newest restaurant and bar in Caithness. The whole place inside and out has been transformed and after three days of training at the beginning of the
week with free meals and drinks for the public they got down to
work. Of course with another pub restaurant nearly
finished they will not be the newest for long.
Carters bar is being changed into "The Yard and opens soon.
Spoilt for choice in Wick now. The new place is owned by
the Belhaven group with a compete refurbishment and internal
changes.
You Can Win An Original Work Of Art From A Caithness Artist
Richard Arrowsmith is offering a free competition to win
an original framed painting from his web site. All you have to
do is enter your name and email address and the winner will be
chosen at random at the end of this month. You can also
sign up for a newsletter to be kept up to date on new work, step
by step guides through the artists painting process, and also
free desktop wallpapers of some of his work.
Skraelings
Second Year
Alexandria Patience of Grey coast Theatre will lead the
second year of Skraelings. Anyone over 16 who is
interested in learning more about acting or writing for the
theatre is welcome to come along. The weekly classes are
free and there is the opportunity to create performance works.
Thurso - Mondays from 12 May 7.30pm BB Hall, Couper Square
Wick - Tuesdays from 20 May 7.30pm Pulteneytown Acdemy, Wick
more Information from Alex Patience Tel 01847 891422
The Priests Walk At
Scaraben - Caithness Field Club
A stiff slow climb over Scaraben from Langwell to
Berriedale (7 Miles) Sunday 18 May. Meet at Wick or Thurso Railway station at 9.30pm meeting up at the old Langwell
Garden Centre at 10.15pm. Non-members welcome.
10th May 2003
Pentland Model
Boat Club 2003 Show
A
truly magnificent display of model boats most of which are
capable of sailing with power controls was on display in Thurso.
With several categories of models on show the judges had a
difficult task in picking winners. Once they made their
decisions there were four winners Ted Miller, Andrew Anderson,
Brian Hughes and Des Marchant. Ted Miller came out winner
over all and carried off more than one section trophy.
9th May 2003
CAITHNESS
FEDERATION OF BREAKFAST CLUBS
The aim is to enable children across Caithness get the best
start to their day by ensuring that breakfast clubs are well
supported. This network will share ideas whilst also
serving as a means of identifying what is necessary to enable
new clubs to develop. Support and sustainability of current
breakfast clubs is of equal significant. The Federation will act
as a means to reduce duplication of effort across all breakfast
clubs in Caithness.
Royal Trust helps North Artist
On returning to Caithness after studying in
Dundee, Wick artist RICHARD ARROWSMITH has been given a £1000 boost from
the Prince¹s Scottish Youth Business Trust (PSYBT) in the form of a loan
which has financed a equipment and a website to promote his work as he
starts self employment. The website at
www.caithnessart.com showcases
the 23 year old professional artist and his work.
THURSO HIGH
SCHOOL WINS ENVIRONMENTAL AWARD
Sixth
year pupils at Thurso High School have inspired their
contemporaries to achieve a major improvement in the
schools environment and secure a prize in the Keep Scotland
Beautiful Awards sponsored by the OCS Group. Designing
a garden that would survive the prevailing harsh weather
required the pupils to secure and adhere to expert advice in
the creation of a neat, tidy and appealing garden, which
incorporates large quantities of Caithness stone.
Over 70
Archaeologists Arriving In Caithness
Record number for Council of Scottish Archaeology Summer
School visit to Caithness. The annual Summer
School of the Council of Scottish Archaeology starts next
Thursday 15th May and finishes on Monday 19th. Not
only is it their first visit to Caithness but also, with
over seventy attendees, the largest that has been organised.
As well as archaeologists from the private sector, there
will be practitioners from Historic Scotland, the National
Museums of Scotland and the several Universities that are
working on sites in the County. The Caithness
Archaeological Trust, with support from the Dunbeath
Preservation Trust, has organised the wide-ranging
programme.
8th May 2003
Are You Looking For Croft Or Farm Property With Development
Potential?
Several
properties in beautiful countryside are now showing in the
Caithness.Org Property Pages
17 - 24 May 2003 Is Samaritan's Week
To promote the week the Caithness branch have produced a
wee word search with small prizes. Print it out and
send it in.
Attention Anyone
Coaching Children and Young People In Sports
Tina Robinson at Sports and Leisure of highland
council has once again organised a series of coaching and
good practice courses for anyone involved in dealing with
children and young people including those with disabilities.
Check out the latest workshops available.
DONALD McPHEE,
BORN CAITHNESS, JUNE 1942: DIED AGED 60, IN INVERNESS
29/4/03
Bill Mowat, John O'Groats Remembers An Old Friend - A
Caithness-born great-grandfather, who as an infant was one
of the last pupils to be enrolled at Freswick Primary
School, passed away suddenly late last month in his home in
Inverness, the city where he spent all his working life.
A Quick Look At Castle Sinclair Girnigoe In Springtime
With the latest research commissioned by the Clan Sinclair
Trust seemingly dispelling the myth that there were two
castles and a lovely afternoon it seemed like the perfect
time to get a few more pictures.
Triple
C Country Club - Sean Wilson and Tony Mac
Friday 23 May - Dounreay Club, Wick
Postcards - New Zealand Football Team 1905
Hope
you are all paying attention as we will be putting up
postcards in the Maureen Materi collection with questions
about the origin. Many of the postcards were sent by
members of the Miller family. Many Caithness folk went
to New Zealand but does anyone know of any connections with
this team.
Who Ate All The Trees?
Mike
Clark opens our eyes to who or what damages our young trees.
The environment may be harsh in the north and it takes more
effort to get trees off to a good start if they are not to
be stunted or destroyed before they really get going.
Mike Clark works locally and is also a contributor to web
sites and magazines such as
Country Smallholding. Mike's advice might just
help you establish a few trees on your patch.
WICK RBLS PIPE BAND
WEDNESDAY 28th MAY - 7.30PM THE PIPE BAND HALL, WICK
Presents
A NIGHT OF TRADITIONAL MUSIC WITH STUDENTS FROM THE NORTH
HIGHLAND COLLEGE.
7th May 2003
Ormlie Community
Association Gain Youthlink Scotland Funding
Ormlie Community Association has been awarded funding of
£11,849 from YouthLink Scotland through their Capital
Venture Fund. The funding application was a joint initiative
between Ormlie Community Association, Save the Children in
Scotland and the Social Inclusion Partnership. The money
will be used to enhance the multi-media project being
undertaken by the CPP and SIP for children and young people
aged between 9 - 25 years.
Gaelic Teacher John McLean Retires
John Maclean has been teaching Gaelic at evening classes in Wick for 15
years. To mark their appreciation, students (past and present) and some
members of Caithness Gaelic Choir met at the Nethercliffe Hotel, Wick on
Wed 30th April for a buffet supper and ceilidh. The students had
commissioned Denis Mann the renowned glass engraver, himself an
ex-student, to make a piece of engraved glass as a memento.
North
School 1985 Primary 5
Sent in by Susan
Miller (nee Grant). Only one name missing from the
picture.
Bridge
Street, Wick - Postcard With Postmark 1906
Another in the new postcard section from Maureen
Materi.
Nicola
Calder From Wick Married Recently
Nicola Calder recently married Michael Robinson
Bonhill Church, Bonhill at Loch Lomond
Richard Arrowsmith - A Caithness Artist Born In Thurso
Working In Wick
Richard has set up in business with help from the Prince's
Trust and is producing a range of original paintings and
prints from his base in Wick. His recently launched
web
site has examples of his work and full contact
details.
Full Report Of Darts Weekend With Phil Taylor And More Pictures
6th May 2003
Cancer Research - Caithness -
Elizabeth Angus Retires After 42 Years On The Committee
The Cancer Research folk held there annual meeting in the Orange Room,
Park Hotel recently. The West of Caithness branch handed over a
cheque for £2000. It is year since the merger and
since then they have collected 12% more and are up to £270
million for last year. Elizabeth Angus retired after
42 as collector, treasurer and chairperson as did Betty
Sutherland who retired after 16 years as treasurer.
Over £300,000 has been collected in the County since
collections started.
People First - Next Meeting
Next meeting is on 13th may at the office at 6.pm - Ormlie Centre, Henderson Street,
Thurso
NEW
GAELIC SINGING GROUP
The Mairi Mhor Gaelic Song Fellowship, Highland
Councils new initiative to encourage participation in
Gaelic Singing in the Higlands, is in the process of
establishing a new singing group for talented and committed
teenagers between the ages of 14-18 who wish to explore and
develop their Gaelic Song skills.........
Baby
Mule Born At Forse, Lybster Today
There was a new arrival at Forse Lybster this morning, a
baby mule. The father is a donkey, either Paddy or Flynn and
the mother a Shetland Pony called Fizz.
Election Statistics Highland Council
Membership (80):
Independents: 57; Liberal Democrats: 9; Labour: 8; SNP: 6
40% Women MSPs, But Only 22% Women Councillors
In stark contrast to their success in the Scottish
parliament elections, women have failed to make any headway at
local government level, according to provisional analysis from
the 50/50 Campaign Group. Women comprise around 22% of
Scotland's 1222 councillors which means there has been virtually
no change in the proportion of female councillors for the last
three local elections. This compares with the new record at
Holyrood of 39.5% women MSPs.
21.75lbs Salmon At Weedy Pool - Thurso River
This
magnificent salmon was caught on the Thurso River on Monday
5 May
and weighed in at 21.75 lbs it was caught by Gordon Hines
from Inverness. It was caught in the Weedy Pool on Beat 13
on a Cascade Tube tied by Kenny MacDonald. Kenny
MacDonald was a writer for the North Star up to 18 months
ago and now a columnist for the "Trout and Salmon".
Fishing Section
And whether you fish or not take a look at
Westerdale where the river Thurso flows. The
setting with the two mills and steeped in Caithness history
from the Pictish brochs and not far from
Dirlot castle.
5th May 2003
George Street, Wick
We are still building galleries of pictures of the streets in
Caithness. There are many pictures in the different
sections in the
Caithness A -
Z. Some of the larger street lists with pictures
are -
A - Z Wick Streets
A - Z Thurso Streets
A - Z Lybster Streets
A Walk Round Wick Harbour On Sunday
Whitefish boats may be a thing of the past at Wick these days
but there is still activity in the form of cargo boats and
yesterday a tug ready to assist with the float out of the latest
pipeline from Wester. Shellfish boats still come and go
with catches being uplifted often at weekends before heading to
southern markets and on to European destinations.
Four
Star Award for UKAEA Visitor Centre
The Highlands' latest four-star visitor attraction has opened
to the public for the 2003 season. The award to the
Dounreay Visitor Centre has been made under the Scottish Tourist
Board Visitor Attraction Quality Assurance Grading Scheme.
Model Yacht Competition At Sarclet Loch
The annual competition at Sarclet between Orkney and Wick of
the Model Yacht Club took place at the weekend. The winning boat
was called Firewood and belonged to Kevin and Michael Paterson
from Wick.
Caithness and Orkney Could Get The Best Views Of Annular Eclipse
Some places are already booked up as more folk think about
coming north for the eclipse that will not be seen for 90 years
in Scotland. Last one visible was 8 April 1921 so the folk
heading for Dunnet and surrounding area will be hoping for a
clear night. In the northern latitudes of Scotland the Sun
rises very early and this date is only 3 weeks away from
midsummer. The eclipse starts at 2:51:42 am, the sun would rise
at 3:24 am so the start of the eclipse would not be seen and the
sun would rise with the moon already eating into the sun.
Tracking - Possible New
Sport For Caithness
Currently there is no Sports Body for Tracking and Miles
Greenford is trying to raise awareness of the Sport. If
you would like to know more about Tracking, or to form a
Tracking Club (of Interest) then please contact Miles Greenford.
Frank Ward (SSP) Sends Thanks To The Voters For Their Support
I should like, through your columns, to thank those readers who
voted for the Scottish Socialist Party in last week's elections.
We came close, our vote jumping up from 5000 to 9000 in the
region, but fell about 1000 votes short of getting an MSP
elected. In this constituency - Caithness,
Sutherland and Easter Ross - our vote increased by 49.5%. Not
bad for a party only four years old.
4th May 2003
Remember You Can Get Your Sunday Papers News Here
The link is just up to the right on this page and it has
Scotsman News feeding in every Sunday with links to Scottish and
other Sunday newspapers. And its just one of a
growing range of updating news feeds in
Other
News also found near the top of the front page
Lots More From the Big Darts Weekend At John Baikie Photographer web site
Hamnavoe
At Scrabster
The ferry Hamnavoe sailing out of Scrabster at 19:35 on Sat 26
April, passing the Bahamas registered Coastguard vessel
Englishman operated by Specialist Marine Services. There
are now three ferry routes from Caithness to Orkney making it
easier than ever to take a look round from a day trip to a few
days. Take the car - take the bike - take yourself.
Ask yourself. Have you ever been to
Westray, Shapinsay,
Hoy Papa Westray, Rousay, and several other islands. On
the other hand have you ever been to the
Castles of Caithness or
any of the hundreds of northern Pictish sites. You still
need to explore but they are mainly easy to find with a wee map
and well who would want to signpost them anyway and spoil the
view.
Balmore Got Six Months Reprieve - What Can Be Done To Secure The
Future?
The animal centre at Balmore, Caithness along with other
SSPCA centres is embarking on a cost cutting and fund raising
period. Donations of pet food, and old blankets, jumpers
etc that can be used as bedding would be appreciated. The
next thing is to increase the money available to the
organisation by getting more folk to become a friend of the
Scottish SPCA. 11,500 people signed the petition forms so
perhaps some may now consider joining. Contact the centre
for a form. A stay of execution is in place but the sand
is still running down unless funds can be raised across
Caithness, Sutherland, Orkney and for all the centres the whole
of Scotland. Across Scotland 77,000 people signed
petitions.
HOLYROOD WOMEN STAY
ON TOP
Contrary to all expectations, women
campaigners are celebrating the return of a record number of female MSPs
to the Scottish Parliament, There had been widespread fears that the
number of women parliamentarians would drop in this election, losing
Scotland its place near the top of the world league tables. However,
analysis shows an increase from 48 to 51 female MSPs - around 40%, up from
37.2% in 1999, and that this has been achieved by accident, rather than
design.
Canadian Postcards
First
Postcard In shows the Rush for Free Homesteads, Dominion Land
Office, Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan, Canada - 1908. The Miller
family from Caithness established themselves in Canada along
with many other Caithness and Scottish people at this time. Maureen Materi's great- grandmother
and all her children went to Canada. Donald Angus Miller and
family returned to the UK but the main part of this Wick family
stayed and prospered. Many postcards of their
travels yet to come.
Non Caithness Postcards
These
pictures are the first ones in to the Non Caithness UK part of
the new Postcards section. They are to or from people in
Caithness mainly connected to the Miller family. The
interconnections across the globe are going to build into a
fascinating insight of the travels of Caithness folk in the
early 20th century. From Canada to New Zealand this
adventurous family went to many other places and returned as
they criss-crossed the globe via Wick. The family
connections have partly been shown in the
Family History sent in by Maureen Materi. Perhaps the
arrival of these many postcards stimulated others in to make the
journey to new places, start businesses, and create new families
round the world. The postcards are a graphic illustration
of a tiny part of Caithnessian energy and curiosity a century
ago.
Beavers And Scouts Planting At Newtonhill community Woodland
The
Beavers and 1st Wick Scouts were involved in a planting day up
at Newtonhill on Saturday 29th March. Here is a photo showing
many of the young helpers on the day. The flagstone flower beds
were funded through the Planning and Development Service of the
Highland Council in an attempt to encourage safe community
involvement at all levels at the woodland.
3rd May 2003
Caithness Office Supplies 2003 Darts Competitions Winners
Ten times world champion Phil Taylor presented the prizes at the
Francis Street Club, Wick in the 2003 Caithness Office Supplies
competitions. the big name and prize money drew a big
crowd from all over the UK to make Francis Street Club have one
of its busiest days. Competitions began on Friday night
and continue on Sunday.
Check John Baikie Photographer Site for many more
Schools Penalty Shoot Out At Academy V Keith Game
New
Postcard Section
This new section has been set up to begin to hold the postcard
collection of Maureen Materi in Canada. Many of the
postcards in the collection were sent between Caithness and
Canada. These are just the first three in what will
soon be added to becoming a significant collection of pictures
of early Caithness. but the collection is not confined to
Caithness although cards may have been sent by folk from
Caithness on their travels. Maureen Materi has already
contributed many details on
Millers from Caithness
Thurso
Bridge Lights Up
The wet weather on election night didn't do anything to dampen
the enthusiasm of the Thurso Town Improvements Committee. A
group, comprising of the Committee, Highland Council Street
Lighting Department and invited guests, turned out at the Janet
Street Club for a buffet.
Balmore Animal Centre Gets 6 Month Reprieve
The
Animal Centre hass been given a six month reprieve while the
organisation takes a closer look at what they might do with the
centre. The costs of transporting animals a long way to
Inverness and other matters mean they will consider other areas
for savings. They have stopped some neutering schemes and
identified savings that will allow them time to consider the
future.
Full Highland Council
Results (80 Seats)
More information on how the election broke down in other
areas and the regional list numbers in Highland. Links to
all the other Scottish council web sites to see other area
results are now in the
Election Section - that's it folks - end of election
coverage and on to other topics.
2nd May 2003
Highland Council - Caithness Winners - Assembly Rooms, Wick
Highlands & Islands Constituency
Results Now In
Caithness, Sutherland & East Ross - Jamie Stone (Liberal Democrat)
Ross, Skye & Inverness West - John F Munro (Liberal Democrat)
Inverness East, Nairn & Lochaber - Fergus Ewing (Scottish National Party)
Scottish Parliament Results
List Candidates Winners
1 James Angus McGrigor Scottish Conservative and Unionist
Party
2 Peter James Peacock Scottish Labour Party
3 Eleanor Roberta Scott Scottish Green Party
4 Mary Elizabeth Scanlon Scottish Conservative and Unionist
Party
5 James Stuart Mather Scottish National Party (SNP)
6 Maureen Mary MacMillan Scottish Labour Party
7 Robert McKay Gibson Scottish National Party (SNP)
Highland Council Results
Pulteney
Katrina MacNab (Independent) 599
Jim Oag (Labour) 301
Wick West
Bill Fernie (Independent) 469
James Sutherland (SNP) 355
Neil Macdonald (Labour) 225
Thurso Central
Donnie Mackay (Independent) 636
John Rosie (Labour) 527
Thurso West
Roger Saxon Labour) 543
Jim Fry (Independent) 425
Wick
Graeme Smith (Liberal Democrat) 536
Bill Mowat (Labour) 242
Niall Smith (SNP) 198
Alistair Macdonald - Caithness North West, Tom Jackson - Thurso East, David Flear - Caithness Central, John Green Caithness North East and William Mowat - Caithness South East are all returned unopposed.
Ranger Service 2003 East Coast Events And Walks
Events coming Up Include -
Seabird City - Monday 26th May
Corbiegoe Coast - Close Up - Thursday 29th May
A beautiful coastal walk to a natural stone bridge and seabird colony.
Dusk to Dawn - Friday 30th May
A nocturnal event with a difference! A bat talk/walk along Dunbeath Strath,
followed by a local story telling session held in a traditional salmon
bothy. Later you can experience the 'dawn chorus' with views of a rare
solar eclipse. And check out the regular East Caithness
coastal walks calendar
More Pictures From The Count And Candidates Final Words
Scottish Parliament Result
Jamie Stone (Liberal Democrat) 7742 - Majority 2092
Deirdre Steven (Labour) 5650
Rob Gibson (SNP) 3692
Alan McLeod (Conservative) 2262
Gordon Campbell (Independent) 953
Frank Ward (SSP) 828
Turnout 21281 - 52.61%
Spoiled Papers 154
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