CAITHNESS.ORG HEADLINES ARCHIVE ::  December 2012
Web Cam Live To The Wick Hogmanay Street PartyWeb Cam To Wick Street Party In Market Square
W
ick Hogmanay Street Party starts at 10.30pm but there mayb be a few folk passing before then.





WELL, justice has been done - Wick Academy 3 Brora Rangers 0
Wick Academy 3 Brora Rangers 0
Reporter Noel Donaldson - Match Report - 29 December 2012
Wick Academy,
having had to suffer the ignominy of losing out to a manager who sneaked off over the Ord, to another job and added insult to injury by signing for derby rivals, Brora Rangers, responded in the most effective way – on the field of football. Their 3-O defeat of the Sutherland side, the second time this season and by the same margin, sent out a clear message to Davie Kirkwood, making his debut, yesterday, in the dugout at Harmsworth Park, for the first time since the controversy – “We are doing fine without you...in fact we’re doing better without you.”   PHOTOS From The Match

Bring in New Year in Caithness
Wick
Hogmanay Party 2012 at Wick
Thurso - Town Centre Hogmanay Party
Castle Arms Hotel, Mey -
Family Hogmanay Party, Mey Hall
Hogmanay with Frayed Edges, Wetherspoons, Wick

South Road, Wick - Walking Further "doon 'e road"
South Road, Wick South Road, WickSouth Road, WickSouth Road. Wick

It should be remembered that South Road, Wick comprises several street names.

Old Caithness Buildings
Mill, Bridgend, Watten                  Achingale Mill
Mill, Watten, Caithness Achingale Mill, Watten

Highland Dancing At The County Show In Summertime - Anyone Can Have A Go


Further Down South Road, Wick
South Road, Wick - a Walk South Road, Wick - A Walk

Wick Coastal Rowing Club Get Ready For Boat Building To Start
Table for Wick Coastal Rowing Club
Wick Coastal Rowing Club are wasting no time to get ready to build skiffs to take part in races next year.  Having only recently had a number of successful funding awards the are now already building the table to hold the skiff as it is constructed.

Open Day Saturday 29th December 2012
Everyone is welcome to come along to our club open day on Saturday 29th December 2012 from 2.00 – 4.00 pm Find out more about our club and see our work shop where our St Ayles Skiffs will be built at the Wellington Centre, Wick Airport Industrial Estate (Opposite Sutherland Brothers).

 
Looking Back at 2012 On Caithness.org
Did you miss out on some of our photos in the past 12 months.  They are all still online. A few places to check out -
2012 photos
January - February - March - April - June - July - August - September - October - November - December
Earlier Years

If you want to check back over something in the last 12 years go to our Archive section

Looking Back at 2012 On Caithness.org
Did you miss out on some of our photos in the past 12 months.  They are all still online. A few places to check out -
2012 photos
January - February - March - April - June - July - August - September - October - November - December
Earlier Years

If you want to check back over something in the last 12 years go to our Archive section

Looking Back at 2012 On Caithness.org
Did you miss out on some of our photos in the past 12 months.  They are all still online. A few places to check out -
2012 photos
January - February - March - April - June - July - August - September - October - November - December
Earlier Years

If you want to check back over something in the last 12 years go to our Archive section

The Decorator in Caithness Has Great Wheels
The Decorator can be contacted for no obligation quotes
If you want some decorating done in the new year to brighten up your life in 2013 give "The Decorator" a call.  If  your business has a vehicle with logo and details on it send us a photo to be included in our fast growing commerical vehicles gallery and get your business noticed.  We will link to your busines page in our index where you can have a link to your web site, facebook pages and more all for FREE.


Fit's in 'e Groat 'is week?
Noel Donaldson
A quick run through stories from today's John O'Groat Journal from Noel Donaldson.  Check out other stories from him in Doanalsin's Diary several times a week.  





Drink Driver Arrests Down But Campaign Goes On Into 2013
Drink Drive Campaign In Highlands and Islands
Police in Highlands and Islands encouraged but not complacent following drop in drink drive arrests - ACPOS Festive Safety Campaign. Police in the Highlands and Islands say they are encouraged by the figures following week three of the ACPOS Festive Safety Campaign, aimed at targeting drink and drug drivers. Eight drivers were caught during week three compared to 11 during the same period last year. And whilst the Force Road Policing Unit Inspector, Neil Lumsden, is still disappointed that so many were caught, he is encouraged by the reduction in the figures. This trend was also apparent after week two of the campaign.

South Road, Wick - Walk From Castle of Old Wick Path - more photos from this walk later
South Road Walk, Wick South Road Walk, Wick South Road, Wick South Road, Wick South Road, Wick

Storms Threw Up Thousands Of Tons Of Seaweed On The Caithness Coast
Tons of Seaweed After Storms Thousands of tons of seaweed after storms

Various places around the Caithness coast now have thousandsof tons of seaweed after the recent stroms.  heavy styuff to shift but the men from the council are doing their best to clear placesin towns and villages.  great stuff for gardens if you can shift it and them make compost.

Seemingly No End To Storms This Year
More Storms More StormsMore Storms


Sunrise Contrasts With Stormy Weather At Wick Bay
Sunrise at Wick Bay Storm at Wick Bay


Storm Videos - One - Two - Three
Caithness Astronomy Group  - December 2012 Newsletter
Caithness Astronomy Group
The latest newsletter from the very active Caithness Astronomy Group is here for you to read.  Their web site is being updated and has a growing range of photos from its members. To read the full newsleter click on through to the Pdf file linked at the bottom of this introduction.  You will note also that they are oen of the first new groups into our new community section.  Get Connected -  if you would like your groups added to the new section send us up to date details of contacts and a short note about your group.  Earlier material from exiisting pages will be transferred in due course.  Let us know if you have a Facebook or Youtube entry that we might link to.

Old Buildings in Caithness - not always doomed
Fishermen's Cottages at Berriedale Transformed by Landmark Trust
Former fishermen's cotttages at Berriedale transformed by the Landmark Trust
While many old Caithness buildings remain in a threatened or derelict condition not all are doomed.  These fishermen's cottages at Berridale were transformed and came back into use as holiday cottages. The Landmark Trust did an fantastic job in restoring them and putting oin modern facilities whilst retaining the ambience of the old houses.  If anyione would like to stay there for week or two see HERE
History and What Landmark Trust did (Pdf file)


Old Buildings In Caithness
The Old Free Church At Bruan
Former Free Church At Bruan
This section is still growing but if anyone has any photos of interesting old Caithness buildings  you would like to include then email them to [email protected] for inclusion.


Happy Christmas To Everyone From Caithness.org
We hope all of you around the world looking in from time to time have great day today.

The Old Fog Cannon
Old Fog Cannon - Wick Old Fog Cannon Fog Cannon Fog Cannon

After many years being hidden away in the trees at riverside, Wick the cannon returned back to its home at Wick harbour at the Harbourfest 2012.

Old Buildings In Caithness
Bruan Church
Bruan Church closed in 2006
The latest addition to our gallery of photos of old building in Caithness.  Bruan Church closed in October 2006 when the last service was held.  The church has been on sale ever since but to date no one has bought it.  A brief history can seen HERE  Photos from the last service can be seen HERE    The old buildings in Caithness gallery will continue to grow and if you would like to add photos of buildings you have visited then email them to [email protected]   We will add appropriate links or acknowledgements as you request.

Wick Coastal Rowing Club Off To A Great Start
SkiffSkiff
Wick Coastal Rowing club has bounded on to the stage in the latter half of 2012. Due to an enthusiastic committee they have set up the club aims and a new web site. They have successfully applied for range of funding and been given the use of the workshop at the Wellington Centre by Highland council to construct their boats in. Everyone seems to be getting behind the effort to put Wick on the map for coastal rowing to join other clubs recently formed around the Scottish coast. Reflecting the sea heritage of Wick the club seem to have tapped into local feeling that this is the right thing for a port with a long maritime history to get involved in.
Caithness Businesses Vroom
Burke Motors                      Caithness Free Range Eggs
Burke Motors Caithness Free Range eggs


Another Stormy Day In Wick Bay Today


Christmas Services At St John's Church, Wick
St John's Episcopal Church In Wick Services


Fit's in 'e Groat 'is week?
A quick run over some items from the local paper.
For more Caithness stories check out Doanalsin's Diary

Santa Sesh - An Event For the Whole Family in Thurso
Santa Sesh at Skinadis
Sunday 23rd 2.00pm until midnight.
 Many events throuout the day and evening till late.
Something for everyone.




Wick All Set For The Street Party To Bring in 2013 
Wick Street Party for Hogmanay


Art & Jewellery Sale at Natural Retreats, John O'Groats
Sale
If you are looking for that unusual and unique Christmas gift and have not yet done all your Christmas shopping then head over to John O'Groats on Saturday 22nd December. Monique Sliedrecht a Canadian artist who has been a few years in Scotland especially living in Caithness and her friend Manuela Lyle who was brought up in Scotland but now reside in Barcelona are both showing their work and offering everyone the chance to make gifts of artwork and jewellery. The pair will be at the Storehouse at Natural Retreats where an open fire will give a cosy feeling and where a glass of mulled wine or coffee will give a warm glow in the winter chills. Visit the Storehouse at John O'Groats - Open 11.00am - 5.00pm
 

Thurso lifeboat crew prepare for Christmas shout - BBC Scotland
Thurso Lifeboat with the BBC reporter and cameraman on boardCraig Anderson and cameraman Brian Ashman joined the crew of Thurso lifeboat for a day's training. For the crew of the Thurso lifeboat, Christmas Day is like any other day - when their emergency pagers go off. And twice in the past three years the largely volunteer crew have been called out on a day that for most of us is a relaxing holiday.


Further Cancellations on Northern Isles Ferry Services
Serco NorthLink has issued another warning to customers as severe weather continues to disrupt ferry services linking Aberdeen with Orkney and Shetland. The operator is in the process of contacting customers booked on services between today and Christmas to advise them most sailings are likely to be cancelled.

Old Buildings In Caithness
Can You Guess Which One This Is?
Dunbar of Hempriggs memorial Dunbar of Hempriggs memorialDunbar of Hempriggs memorialDunbar of Hempriggs memorial


Watten Church Colouring Competition  - Take your entries When you go To See Santa
Friday Evening and Saturday Afternoon This Week - Try one or all three
Watten colouring competition Watten Colouring CompetitionWatten colouring competition


Caithness Business On Wheels

D Coghill & Son                          Autoparts of Thurso
D Coghill & Son - Joiners Autoparts of Thurso
If you would like your business vehicle added to the growing gallery just email a photo to [email protected].  Entries are FREE and we will make a link to your business apge to let customers know more about your business.  Make sure your business has a free entry in the Caithness Business Index or for businesses in Sutherland the Sutherland Business Index.  Sutherland businesses can also send in their vehicle photos for our gallery.
Lybster Also Got Hit In The Big Storm
The Big Storm Hit Lybster
Notice how high the water level is in the harbour at Lybster as the waves came in with unusual height and force.





NorthLink Issues Warning to Travellers - Ferries Cancellations Due To Impending Severe Weather
Severe Weather Due to Disrupt Services Serco NorthLink has warned customers to expect unprecedented disruption to services as forecasts predict severe weather until Christmas Eve.
The ferry operator brought today’s southbound sailing from Lerwick forward to 1300hrs, with arrival in Kirkwall expected at 1800hrs. The MV Hjaltland is expected to arrive in Aberdeen at or after 0700hrs tomorrow morning, meaning a significantly longer journey for those on board. Freight services have also been disrupted. Today’s southbound sailing was been cancelled and the northbound sailing will halt at Kirkwall. Serco NorthLink expects a number of cancellations over the coming days and has warned customers not to plan travel on its routes between Aberdeen and the Northern Isles unless absolutely necessary. Less disruption is expected on the Pentland Firth crossing.

WARNING - Authorities Braced For Repeat Of The Big Storm This Week
Authorities up and down the east coast of Scotland are prpearing for repat of the storm after SEPA and weather forecasts show all the ingrediendts building for high seas and flooding once again.  Although nothing is certain the forecast is not good and conditions look as if they may come together to bring heavy rain and high winds to the coast once again.  The public are being asked to be vigilant and take all precautions in case of flooding.
A FLOOD ALERT has been issued for Caithness and Sutherland.
Large waves are expected from late Thursday and throughout Friday which have the potential to result in flooding from waves and spray overtopping on the eastern and north-eastern coastlines of Caithness and Sutherland.

Christmas Comes Early For Caithness Groups
Caithness councillors presenting cheques to local groups
Christmas
came early for a number of local organisations when they received cheques from from the Highland Council's Caithness Wards Discretionary Budgets. The cheques were presented by Caithness Members at a ceremony in Wick Town Hall on Monday 17th December 2012. Organisations who received awards were Wick Coastal Rowing Club �3000 towards material to build new boats, Caithness Kuki Sool Wan Club �1000 towards travel costs to Championships held in Liverpool, Caithness Big Band �3198 towards cost of uniforms and equipment, Ormlie Community Association �1500 towards cost of running their Junior Warden Scheme, Lieurary Hall Committee �3000 towards cost of new furniture and St Johns Loch Improvement Society �9000 towards cost of a new Anglers Lodge.

Thrumster Primary School Christmas Concert
Thrumster School Christmas Concert Thrumster School Christmas Concert

Send your school concert photos to [email protected] for inclusion in the photo galleries. Keiss Primary School - Twelve Days Of Christmas
Keiss School Twelve Days Of Christmas
A section of the Keiss primary pupils, who treated teachers and guests to an action song renderting of the Twelve Days of Christmas, after their festive lunch, recently.





Board Confirms End Of Door Entry Policy

The Highland Licensing Board has confirmed its decision to abolish its door entry policy, which required customers at 13 night clubs across the Highlands to enter the premises by midnight. The Board took a policy decision to abolish its door entry policy at a meeting on 20 November on the basis that it had not been demonstrated that the policy continued to serve any of the 5 licensing objectives. At today’s Board meeting, members reviewed the licences of the 13 night clubs and agreed to vary the licences to remove the door entry condition. Two venues in Thurso are affected by the changes - Skinadis and New Market Bar.

The Storm Damage In Other Highland Towns
Helmsdale                Portmahomack         Nairn                          Golspie                     Balintore
Stomr Damage At Helmsdale Stomr Damage At Portmahomack Storm Damage At Nairn Storm Damage At Golspie
Storm Damage At Balintore Noel Donaldson's Wick Bay Storm Photos
Wick Storm Wick StormWick StormWick Storm


Fit's in 'e Groat  - Friday 14th December
See more Doanaldsin's diary

Caithness Business Runs On Wheels
Thurso Tyre Centre
Thurso Tyre CentreThe photo section on Caithness vehicles used by businesses in the north is growing fast.  If you would like your business vehicle added just email a jpeg photo to [email protected]   Some of your vehicles may be snapped as bill goes about the area.  Entries are free and will have links to business pages where appropriate.



Caithness Christmas
Lucky dip at Newtonhill Croft
These kids got plenty of surprises at the Newtonhill Santa day when they tried their luck in the lucky dip.






Day After The Big Storm At Wick - Weather Clear and Calm - Cleanup Underway
Calm After The Storm Clena Up At WickWick After the StormWick Storm CleanupWick River Day after The Storm


Wick River Running High With Heavy Rains
Wick River After Stormy WeatherWick River running highWick River running high


8 Minute Movie Of The Storm Hitting Wick Harbour
8 minute movie of Wick Storm


More Storm Photos
Wick StormWick Stormwick Storm


Storm Photos From Camps Area and Service Bridge On Saturday
Crack on the Service BridgeStorm at Wick Bay Camps AreaService Bridge Takes a BatteringWick Storm

Further Round The Harbour To See More Storm Photos
Huge Storm Hits Wick BaYStorm hits Wick BaySpectaclesStorm n Wick Bay


The Storm At Wick Bay raged all through the night and on until 2.00pm in the Afternoon


Clearing Up At Wick Harbour while Storm Was Still Raging On Saturday


Wick Bay Storm Video


Ferocious Storm Hits Wick Bay - Some Say It Is Worst in Their Lifetime
Ferocious Storm hits Wick Bay

Wick has been battered relentlessly since Friday night as a ferocious storm hammered into Wick Bay.  Police and fire brigade, council workers and many more worked throughout the night and all day today.  Wick Harbour has been batttered with hundreds of large waves and tidal surges.     More photos to come later.
Frosty Wick Riverside Photos Show Caithness In The Grip Of Winter
Frosty Wick in CaithnessFrosty Wick In Caithness


M M Motors - Last Business Vehicles In To The Growing List of Business Vehicles in Caithness
M M Motors For Servicing and Repairs
This latest photo of Caithness business vehicles says exactly what the business does.  Car repairs and servicing, MOT's etc  They will also collect and deliver your vehicle.  Any busines that would like to add their  photo to this record of Caithness Business vehicles can get a free listing by emailing a photo and details to [email protected].  We will link to your business page in our index and there you can get links to your web site, facebook pages and Youtube asnd with a google map link to help customers find your location so its another great chance to promote your business completely FREE on Caithness.org
Recycle Old Electrical Items
Recycle old electrical items
Householders reminded of recycling service for electrical items that have lost their spark With Christmas coming householders are being given a timely reminder that they can recycle all their old electrical items at their local recycling centre. Waste electrical and electronic equipment recycling (WEEE) has been available at all of the Council’s recycling centres since the start of 2010. In 2011, 2,258 tonnes were collected and this tonnage is on track to be even higher this year.
Latest Business Vehicles In Caithness
Bruce Lindsay Coal       Caithness Window Cleaning Services
Bruce Lindsay Coal Caithness Window Cleaning Services





Educators Lead On
Educators Lead
Around 65 staff in The Highland Council’s Education, Culture and Sport Service have recently completed a training programme aimed at encouraging generic leadership skills. Hugh Fraser, Highland Council’s Director of Education, Culture and Sport Service welcomed participants to a presentation day held in Milton of Leys School, Inverness on Saturday 8 December. Guest speaker at the event was Anthony Finn Chief Executive of GTC Scotland (General Teaching Council of Scotland).

Caithness Countryside Volunteers Build New Bird Boxes
Caithnes Countryside Volunteers Build New Bird Boxes
The Caithness Countryside Volunteers spent last Sunday morning building bird boxes at their last event of the year. A total of 14 standard bird boxes were built at Seadrift, The Highland Councils wildlife centre at Dunnet Bay. Marina Swanson, The Highland Council Countryside Ranger and event organiser said: “We like to finish off our programme of events for the year with an indoor bird box building session.


Youngest councillor Alex MacLeod charged over election expenses - BBC
Highland Council's youngest member has resigned from the SNP group after he was charged by police over what are understood to be allegations about his election expenses.   At the May elections there were 8 candidates in Caithness Landward ward.  David Flear(LibDem) did not stand for re-election.  Alex MacLeod came fourth and was elected as the youngest councillor in Scotland.  Invesitigations have been ongoing for several months into allegations of election irregularities over his expenses.  Mr MacLeod has stood down from the SNP group for the time being.
SNP councillor steps down after charges relating to misconduct over election expenses - Scotsman
Councillor quits SNP party as police charge him over expenses STV
Caithness councillor faces election expense charges John O'Groat Journal
Highland councillor charged over expense allegations Inverness Courier
Representation of the People Act 1983
Highland Council May Election Results
Caithness Crafts Out For Christmas Gifts Yesterday At Wick Library And Pultney Centre
Caithness Crafts For ChristmasCaithness Crafts for ChristmasCaithness Crafts for ChristmasCaithness Crafts For ChristmasCaithness Crafts For ChristmasCaithness Crafts For ChristmasCaithness Crafts For Christmas


Watch Out For These Businesses In Caithness
Keiss Garage                  Bell's Seafoods
Keiss Garage for Car and Van repairs Bells Seafoods for fresh fish
There are plenty of local businesses in Caithness and we are building a collection of phoos of their vehicles.  If your business has vehicle with your name on it that you would liek added to the growing gallery with free links to your business page then just email it to [email protected].  Bill is snapping some that he comes across from day to day.  We can also link to your Facebook page if you have one via the business index so check that out also.  Got a new product or good offer for customers then send us a short article with a photo to feature in the business pages - FREE of charge.  

More Old Buildings In Caithness

Castletown Gatehouse    Castletown Mill
Castletown Gatehouse Castletown Mill
Victorian Christmas In Argyle Square, Wick
Victorian Christmas At Argyle Square Victorian Christmas Victorian Christmas Victorian Christmas Victorian Christmas

Caithness And North Children's Choir Sing Christmas Songs At Tesco, Wick
Caithness and North Sutherland Children's ChoirCaithness and North Sutherland Children's ChoirCaithness and North Sutherland Children's Choir

More Working Vehicles In Caithness
Working Vehicles In Caithness Working Vehicles In CaithnessWork Vehicles In Caithness

To see them all Start HERE  A few vehicles from a few years ago have already disappeared from the streets.  If you would like your Caithness work vehicles added just send a photo with details to [email protected] and we will give a free link to the business index for your details to help potential customers.  As suggestion has been made that it would be good to have some photos of vehicles with the drivers.

New School Closures Online Web Page
School Closures Online
With the onset of wintry conditions, The Highland Council has launched a new school closure page on its website to supplement its school closures telephone information service. School Closures Online is prominently featured on the home page of the Council’s web site www.highland.gov.uk/schoolclosuresonline to advise parents and pupils if local schools have been closed due to adverse weather conditions. Although the closures website is particularly useful during the winter months, the website will be active all year round when schools can close for a variety of reasons such as damage caused by adverse weather or emergency situations such as loss of power or water supplies.
School Closures Online   Traffic Web Cams     Weather At Scrabster -  Wick - Halkirk - Thurso - Dunbeath

Severe Weather For Highlands and Islands
Be prepared if you are travelling on the Roads.                                 Met Office Web Site

Black Ice Expected On The Roads
The Highland Council’s Transport Environmental and Community Services have issued a warning that black ice is anticipated overnight tonight and into 6 December. Richard Guest, Head of Roads and Community Works with TEC services said: “Road surface temperatures are expected to fall as low as minus 8 overnight. A band of rain and snow will pass through the area during the early hours.

Highland Council  - Ready for Winter Pages

New Community Section Now Under Construction - Take a Look
ICANN Awards To Caithness Groups
ICANN Awards ICANN AwardsICANN AwardsICANN Awards

Caithness and Sutherland nurseries celebrate awards for children’s communication.
Staff from north Highland nurseries and playgroups have recently received awards for their organisations from I CAN the Early Talk Scheme run by the national charity for children with speech and language difficulties. This rigorous scheme accredits nurseries that have achieved 40 standards designed to show the centres skills in creating the right environments for children's language and communication skills to flourish. All the Caithness PHOTOS HERE
Whyte Sisters From Caithness Complete Lejog
Whyte Sisters from Caithness Complete Lejog 
Whyte sisters from Caithness complete Lejog Caithness sisters complete Lejog
CAITHNESS sisters Seren Whyte 23 and Elise Whyte 21 have completed the LeJog Land’s End to John O’ Groats classic car reliability challenge, in their Mini Cooper. They were among the first arrivals to complete the popular route and met up, today, with other drivers who stopped off at Wick's former Haldanes car park where their cars were driven onto low-loaders for the return journey south. The sisters combined their trip with fund raising for The Pink Ribbon Foundation - send them a donation.
Community Transport Buses
Caithness West Community Transport Caithness Rural Transport

Transport it available around the county for people with mobility probelms for shopping, health appointments and social outings.

New Community Section Now Under Construction - Take a Look
We will be updating many section in the old community pages in coming months so if you have details for a group that need updated let uis know so we can put the correct information into the new section.  If you would like new photos added just email them to [email protected]    Further upgrades to the web site will follow on from the new community section.  There will be no big bang as the work will be ongoing and we hope you like the changes that will enable us to add new information even faster than in the past.  You can see from the old community index that there is a great deal of work to do.

Keiss School Christmas Fayre
Keiss School Christmas Fayre 2012 Keiss Christmas Fayre 2012Keiss Christmas Fayre 2012Keiss Christmas Fayre

KEISS
primary school got into the festive spirit at its annual Christmas fayre which also attracted a big crowd and raised cash for school funds.

More Old Caithness Buildings

Saltoun St.                Union St.                   Union St
10 Saltoun Street, Wick Union Street, WickUnion Street, Wick

Christmas Tree At Market Square, Wick
Christmas Tree at Market Square, Wick


More Commercial Vehicles
A I Cattle Bremner and FindlaterScottish Water


New Section For Police Vehicles
Police In Caithness


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