Caithness Bloggers Speed Bumps
- Home In The Highlands
Northlights 2009 Slide Show - or go to choose your ownHEREPlenty Of Time? -
See over 1100 Mary Ann's
Cottage Paper Boat Blog Going Strong The
fundraiser idea over at Mary Ann's Cottage is growing at an unbelievable
rate as the boats keep sailing in to the cottage. There is no
shortage of ideas for boats and it looks as if the armada will be huge by
the final date of 10th August 2009. It is planned to show all the
boats in Caithness Horizons in Thurso in September. The only
question we begin to ask is - will Caithness Horizons be big enough?
If you would like to make a donation to the cottage fund-raiser and get a
boat into the show send it in by 10th August - all details and
instructions on making a paper boat are on the web site - get folding or
creative.
The Boats On Scribdreached the Hotlist
Coop At Mount Pleasant Thurso Donates £1127 To Dunnet Forestry Trust Dunnet
Forestry Trust would like to thank the staff of the Co-op in Mount
Pleasant Road, Thurso for the fantastic donation of £1127.48p particularly
at a time when they are experiencing difficulties in sourcing funding for
the Forest. This money will be used to buy a chainsaw winch which will
mean a more efficient extraction of timber which in turn will enormously
help their on-going log sales – currently their main source of income. One
of the DFT Directors, Jean Clasper and Administrator, Andrea Sinclair
receive the cheque from members of the staff. Such a gesture emphasising
community involvement and support is so encouraging. Hopefully this will
initiate the next five year plan for the continuing development of this
most northern and popular community forest. In the last five months, since
Dounreay apprentices installed people counters at the entrances, over
15000 visitors have used the forest. It is appropriate that this support
by the Co-op emphasises the fact that the aspirations of the Trust are all
about community co-operation. The vision in 2002 was "A forest for all".
The forest has and will change but that vision remains. Dunnet Forestry
Trust
Murky Day Clears For Fantastic Caithness Night Sky At Astronomy Talk In Castletown Caithness
Astronomy Group who are running events throughout 2009 to mark
"International Year Of Astronomy" were delighted at the very clear night
sky last night. "With the cloud breaking as it did after a day of poor
weather we were treated to breathtaking views of the night sky. It's hard
to believe what we managed to see, all in the space of a couple of hours.
Early on we were treated to views of the crescent Moon and Venus showing a
similar crescent phase. Then with the sky darkening the Pleiades, the
Orion Nebula and the Milky Way started to become visible. By the end we
had seen stars & star clusters galore, galaxies, a planet almost without
its familiar rings, a passing comet, an iridium flare and a shooting star
or two. Let's hope for more of this at future events!" See Listing For Coming Astronomy EventsCaithness Night Sky
Young Folk Can Learn Design Skills With HALKIRK
YOUTH CLUB INTERIOR DESIGN PROJECT
A seven week interior design programme starts at Halkirk Youth Club on
Monday 2nd March for young people aged 12 and above. The project aims to
equip young people with basic interior design skills and to ensure that
they are fully involved in the design and upgrading of the facility. The
sessions will be led by local volunteer Jean Alexander and The Highland
Council’s Youth Development Officer – Angela Alexander She said “The
programme is an opportunity for young people to come together to transform
the facility which will address their needs and aspirations for a Youth
Café in the village. Anyone wishing to participate in the programme can
come along to Halkirk Youth Club on Monday night at 7pm. For more
information contact Angela Alexander Tel – 01847 895782
Plenty To Do At Thurso Youth Club
Thurso Youth Club is open to all young people aged 12 and above and is a
place for young people to hang out with their mates, learn and try new
activities like music and cooking, play pool, Rock band and have free
access to the internet. The club is open from 7:30pm- 9:30pm every Tuesday
and entry is free for the next six weeks so young people can drop in to
see what is on offer. The club also runs a girls group fortnightly on
Monday evenings for young woman in S3 and above. The next session will be
on Monday 2nd March and the planned activity is hip hop dance with Gill
Kingdom. If dance isn’t your thing then you can come and chill out on the
comfy sofas with your mates. For more information call Thurso Youth Club
Tel- 01847 892964
New
Public Toilets At Golspie A
new public convenience has opened in Golspie, providing local residents
and visitors alike with modern surroundings. The Highland Council has
invested £286,000 in the facility on the Main Street that includes male,
female, disabled toilet units and an attendant's store. Additionally there
is a separate 24 hour toilet unit, accessible using a swipe card which can
be obtained from the local Council Service Point. Nappy changing
facilities have been provided within the female toilets. The toilet block
was designed by the Council's Housing and Property Service and built over
23 weeks by contracting firm M.M Miller Ltd Inverness.
Bigger And Better Boat Festival At Portsoy For 2009 From
international boat experts to the world's fastest knitter, the 16th annual
Scottish Traditional Boat Festival will celebrate all aspects of Scottish
maritime heritage from 2-5 July in Portsoy. A major event in the
Homecoming 2009 calendar, the festival has been extended by two days this
year to include a symposium of fascinating speakers who will talk about
nautical traditions ranging from early boat building to sea shanty and
gansey knitting.
The Wick
Harbour Fest and Boat Festival runs 26 - 28th June
27 February 2009
Have You Visited the Esplanade In Thurso Recently? Check Out the
Pavilion Restaurant A
while back the Highland council decided to put the old pavilion at the
Esplanade, Thurso up for sale as it was not being used and was in danger
of falling into disrepair. It seems that was a great move as it now
houses a bright and fresh little eatery called not surprisingly "Pavilion
Restaurant". Inside a cosy atmosphere awaits with a fire glowing in
the fireplace and windows that look out on the bay. On a dreich day
as it was today it was very pleasant to sit and eat home made soup
followed by paninis and baguettes with various fillings. The old
pavilion has had a full make-over and is now real bright sport on the
Esplanade in Thurso. No longer
the former boarded up building. Well worth popping in
after a stroll along the seafront. We will definitely be back.
More Esplanade Photos
North Highland
Connections - February 2009 Newsletter North Highland Connections was launched in August 2008 and yet in that
short space of time has put on 21 events in Caithness, Sutherland and
Ross-shire. The latest newsletter gives details about the group and
what is planned for 2009. Keep watching for the newsletter or
bookmark the
North Highland Connections web site for additional events being
planned for later in the year.
TRANSFORM - A Major
Theatre Project Coming To Caithness June 2009
National Theatre of Scotland Learn. Sponsored by ScottishPower and
supported by Determined to Succeed, presents TRANSFORM. Eight major
education projects are being produced by the National Theatre of
Scotland’s Learn team in March to December 2009. A team of leading artists
will take up residency in communities across Scotland, working with
secondary schools and community groups to produce eight full-scale
site-specific productions. Projects for 2009 are taking place in Fife,
Dumfries, East Renfrewshire, Moray, Orkney, Caithness, Aberdeen and
Glasgow. Transform is a major collaborative education project between
National Theatre of Scotland Learn, ScottishPower Learning and the
Scottish Government’s Determined to Succeed programme that allows schools
and communities to transform their approaches to learning. By bringing
schools together with theatre professionals, communities and audiences,
the partnerships produce high impact theatre events that use the local
environment as a backdrop to tell compelling stories. Transform aims to
enthuse and motivate participants and enable them to develop key skills
they can adopt in life and the world of work.
Caithness Calling For Ministers To
Come North A PRESBYTERY in the Highlands is calling on new ministers because
retirements are beginning to take their toll on the number of existing
preachers. Three Church of Scotland ministers have retired from their
churches in Caithness in the last 18 months. The Presbytery's Business
Committee said that the workload was becoming far too heavy for existing
ministry teams to cover parishes without a minister. However, Presbytery
Clerk James Houston is hoping that Caithness will attract fresh blood
because of the inviting ministry it presents: "We have a number of vibrant
congregations covering large town and rural areas with a wide range of
skills and abilities, which make it very rewarding.
AstroPhotography & AstroArt Competitions - From Caithness Astronomy Group As
part of their International Year of Astronomy events Caithness Astronomy
Group would like to encourage budding local astrophotographers to submit
entries to the competition.
The closing date is 29th May 2009. Astro-Art Competition - Produce a piece of art on the theme
"What it is like to be on an alien planet" See poster for ages and groups. Astro-Photography Competition Any astronomical themed photograph
can be submitted. See poster for age groups.
Northern Groups Look To The Stars - BBC
Highland
Literacy Reading Blog
A new initiative to help children to share reading experiences with each
other across the region was launched today (Thursday). A blog (hlpreadingblog.edublogs.org)
has been designed to allow children to submit reviews of books. This blog
ties in directly to the ‘Reading for Enjoyment’ component of the
Highland Literacy
Project supported and developed by Highland Council. The blog has
been piloted informally over the past few weeks. The children log on using
a general username a password and can then do two things. 1. Read an
existing review and post their thoughts/review as a comment or 2. If a
review has not been produced for a book, they can create a new ‘post’
which allows them to enter their review. All comments have to be moderated
before they go ‘live’ so there is no chance of any inappropriate language
etc slipping through the net. Each school has a ‘step by step’ guide to
posting on the blog. Highland Literacy Project Update 13 November 2008
Internet Safety For Highland Children Every pupil in the Highlands has been issued with important
information to protect themselves online. They will receive a leaflet
entitled 'How can I protect myself? Ciamar A Dhìonas Mi Mi-fhèin?' which
was distributed to coincide with 'Safer Internet Day', a global event
which takes place each year in early February with the purpose of
promoting safer and more responsible use of online and mobile
communication technology. All schools in the Highlands are being
encouraged to hold their own internet safety discussions, events and
activities to make pupils and parents aware of the importance of being
good 'digital citizens' and ensure they know how to keep themselves safe.
Schools are encouraged to have fun with the internet as well as
reinforcing the benefits of using the internet safely. Think U Knowweb site for children, young people, teachers
and parents on Internet Safety
Hi-tech
"Worm" Probes Subterranean Pipeline A
hi-tech "worm" is probing a subterranean pipeline used to discharge
radioactive effluent from Dounreay between 1957 and 1992. The £100,000
pipe crawler has sent back video and radiation readings during its
five-day journey some 45 metres underground. The data will be analysed by
a project team investigating how to leave the disused system in a safe
condition as part of the site clean-up. A bundle of four cast iron pipes,
each 23cm in diameter, was laid in the 1950s to discharge effluent from
the fast reactor experiment.
Earlier
Dounreay Items
Highland
Children Benefit From Lottery Payout Over 4,000 children in Highland pre-school education received all
weather suits just in time for playing in the snow. As part of Highland
Council’s ‘Rain Starts Play’ project, every pre-school centre in the
Highlands is being equipped with waterproof suits and wellington boots to
enable staff to take children outside for play and learning. Television viewers
across the Highlands successfully voted for the Scottish regional People’s
Millions TV contest for £80,000 Big Lottery Funding to pay for all weather
gear for children.
Caithness
Volunteers Brave
Winter Weather At St John’s Pool A small but hardy group
of dedicated
Caithness Countryside Volunteers recently (Sun 8th February)
braved wintry conditions to undertake maintenance work at St John’s pool (between Dunnet and Brough). Despite heavy snowfall,
five volunteers showed up to help Highland Council Ranger Dieter
Tuerlinckx enhance the site, which is superb for bird watching and open to
the public.
Strong
Interest In Pentland Firth Marine Energy Opportunity
The Crown Estate has announced that the first stage of the process to
allocate sites for wave and tidal renewable energy in the Pentland Firth
strategic area is complete. Developers' response to this first invitation
has been very positive and 38 individual companies and consortia have been
invited to tender following confirmation of their interest by registering
for the pre-qualification process.
Local Volunteers In Scottish Casualties Network
Training Exercise with Assynt Mountain Rescue The Scottish Casualties Network is group of volunteers who help
organisation improve their training by simulating accidents with some very
impressive fake wounds, broken bones and other injuries. This set of
photos was taken on the exercise in April 2008. A number of
people in Caithness volunteer with the group
Additional Investment for Money Advice and Welfare Rights Services For a second year running, The Highland Council is committing a
further £100,000 to money advice and welfare rights services in the
Highlands. This takes the Council's annual funding for these important
services to £1,414,000. Recognising the impact of the current recession on
families and individuals, the Council is striving to manage the debt
burden of some customers and maximise the benefits of others. Support is
provided jointly by the Council's in-house team of money advice and
customer income maximisation officers as well as advisers at nine Citizens
Advice Bureau offices in the Highlands.
Vandalism Wellington
Street, Wick
Police in Wick are appealing for information regarding a vandalism,
whereby, the communal front door to a block of flats on Wellington
Street, Wick was forced open, causing damage. This incident occurred
about 2.40pm on Tuesday 17th February 2009.
Northern Aspen Woods Surveyed - Sutherland’s Fairy Glen Aspens
A group of keen aspen enthusiasts spent their Valentine’s Day in Woodland
Trust Scotland’s Fairy Glen wood at Spinningdale on the hunt for rare
aspen trees. The day was part of Golspie based North Highland Forest
Trust’s Northern Aspen Woods project, which aims to show local people how
and why they might encourage and manage aspen in the woods of Sutherland
and Caithness. The aspen project is one of 24 separately funded projects
being undertaken in Highland with assistance from the Highland
Biodiversity Partnership. The project is supported by the National Lottery
through the Heritage Lottery Fund, and receives match funding from The
Highland Council, Scottish Natural Heritage, Highlands & Islands
Enterprise and RSPB Scotland.
North Highland Forest
TrustBiodiversity IndexBiodiversity
Forum A Survey of Aspens on Dunnet HeadAspen -
Wikipedia
Water Bailiffs Get Police Training To Tackle Wildlife Crime
The first in a series of training days for warranted Water Bailiffs across
Caithness, Sutherland & Easter Ross took place at Achfary, on the Reay
Forest Estate last week for bailiffs from the North & West District Salmon
Board. The training days are part of an ongoing Police initiative to
tackle Wildlife Crime in the Far North by the Police working in
partnership with gamekeepers, water bailiffs, countryside rangers,
conservationists and other organisations involved in countryside.
Update On Missing Woman
Police have confirmed they recovered a body from the Dunnet area of
Caithness at 2.40pm this afternoon. The discovery is connected to
yesterday's disappearance a 44-year-old woman in the Holborn Head area.
Police and coastguard officials spent today carrying out coastline
searches for the missing woman. Formal identification will take place in
due course and next of kin have been informed of the discovery. A post
mortem will be carried out in due course and a report will be submitted to
the Procurator Fiscal Woman Named - BBC
Winter Maintenance Update From Highland Council The prolonged period of adverse weather conditions this winter has
resulted in a significant increase in the usage of rock salt to treat
roads in the Highlands. The average annual usage of rock salt over
the past five years has been 55,000 tonnes. The total for this
financial year already stands at 77,000 tonnes. In 2007/8, the
Council spent £4,237,000 on winter maintenance. £3,777,000 has been spent
in this financial year.
Vandalism To Car In Smith Terrace, Wick
Police in Wick are appealing for witnesses to a vandalism of a Nissan
Micra whilst parked on Smith Terrace, Wick, about 0040 hours on Sunday
15th February 2009. The vandalism consisted of the offside wing mirror
being damaged.
Search For Missing Woman Off Holborn Head Today
The search for a missing woman was carried out earlier today but was
called off later due to failing light.
Missing woman search stood down - BBC
An air, land and sea search for a missing woman in the Highlands has been
called off for the night. The search for the woman was focussing on
coastline at Holborn Head near Scrabster........
Sunday Papers
Caithness has properties ripe for renovation - Sunday Times
Prince Charles' North Highland Initiative is encouraging people to rescue
derelict farm buildings and redevelop them into homes.
Break-in At Harmsworth Park Changing Rooms, Wick
Between 1700hrs on Thursday 12th and 0950 hrs on Saturday 14th February
2009, the window within a back door to the changing rooms at Harmsworth
Park, Wick was smashed and the premises unlawfully entered. Police wish to
hear from any persons with information relating to this incident........
Highlanders Urged To Get Fresh On Valentines Day Highland romantics are being encouraged to get fresh this Valentine's
Day by turning on ... the tap. Far from pouring cold water on those
Valentine's Day plans, drinking between 6 and 8 glasses of water a day
could actually help keep those pulses racing. Keeping your body
hydrated will help to keep your heart healthy, protect that charming smile
and give you more energy for whatever you have in mind on February 14th.
Ex
Caithnessian Diagnosed With Breast Cancer In Race For Life
Campaign Kate
Barnet was born in Thurso and her parents still live in Dunnet. Kate
hopes to be doing the 5K Ruin For Life In Aberdeen for Cancer Research
UK. Kate was diagnosed with Breast Cancer back in November 2008,
and has been under going treatment ever since, and is now onto
Chemotherapy to be followed by Radiation. Her parents still live in Dunnet and I sure
there are a few folk in Caithness who know them, Jean and Mike Barnett.
Her Mum is also going to be going down to Aberdeen to help push her
around the course in a wheel chair if need be (as it will be smack in
the middle of my Radiation treatment, and she is not expecting to be
running). And she will also be looking for some sponsorship.......
Sponsor her at
http://www.raceforlifesponsorme.org/katebarnett3
Two Exhibitions For North Galleries
Swanson Gallery, Thurso - 14 Feb to 14 Mar - Precious Cargo
St Fergus Gallery, Wick - 14 Feb to 14 Mar Gray's School of Art
Printmaking Department Portfolio An
exhibition which has been specially created for Scotland's Year of
Homecoming with a Highland focus goes on show at the Swanson Gallery,
Thurso from 14 February to 14 March. The exhibition has been designed by
Brodie Nairn and Nicky Burns from Glasstorm in Tain as an innovative
installation of cargo boxes, each revealing new objects or contemporary
'souvenirs' of the Highlands, which travellers to lands across the sea
might have cherished to remind them of 'home'. Meanwhile at the St Fergus
Gallery in Wick, following the very well supported 'Home' exhibition by
Hillhead Primary School, original prints go on display combining the work
of 4th year undergraduates, invited artists and staff.
Rowling's prints set in stone - Teletext
Author JK Rowling's stone handprints have been put on display in
Edinburgh, where the Harry Potter saga was born. The Edinburgh Award 2008
was presented to the writer by the city council "for her contribution to
the city". Her engraved handprints in Caithness stone are in the
grounds of the City Chambers, alongside those of fellow Edinburgh author
Ian Rankin.
Pick Up A Quiz and Help Radio Remedy At Caithness General Hospital
Radio Remedy, Caithness General Hospital's very own in house Radio Station
run by volunteers, has annual running costs of around £450 per Annum
before we even get to spin a disc (Insurance, Performing rights, phone and
internet charges and that's before we buy any music). The Annual Lyric
Quiz allows us to make substantial inroads towards reaching our running
costs. Quiz sheets are priced at £1.00 and are available from: - The
Gift House, Wick and Newsbeat & Bews Newsagents, Thurso
Plus Radio Remedy Presenters (Bob Johnson, Bill Duchart, Alex McManus,
Brian Marshall, Spike & Kenny Scobie, Matthew Thain & Chris Boxall)
They are also available across the Dounreay Site (See Dounreay intranet
Bulletin Board for details).
Closing date is 28th February and the prize is a £20 Gift Voucher.
Council Confirms Council Tax Freeze and Growth in Key Services
Labour Criticises SNP Govrernment For Forcing Cuts In Council Spending A freeze in the Council Tax and a growth in spending to accommodate
priority front line services has been confirmed by The Highland Council.
The Independent/Liberal Democrat and Labour Administration were successful
with their recommendation to keep the tax at 2008/9 levels and deliver a
revenue budget for 2009/10 of £598 million, an extra £23 million (or 4.3%
increase) over the current financial year. The Band D will be £1,163. Labour MSP Peter Peacock said"You have an impossible choice
when the government tells you to make cuts or lose some of your already
limited grant. The reduced grant would cause you to have to make further
cuts and raise the Council tax to balance the books. The government have
manipulated the grant system to reward councils for making massive
spending cuts and penalise them if they don't. It is a form of micro
management of Council budgets we have not seen since the Thatcher era."
Council Confirms Commitment to Wick Heating Scheme
The Highland Council has advised customers of its Wick district heating
system that their supply of heat and hot water will continue as it
investigates the best way forward for delivering heat to their homes in
the future. Letters were hand delivered to 247 homes immediately following
a special meeting of the Council on Thursday 12th February 2009 when
councillors concluded that the technology installed at the Caithness Heat
and Power plant to produce heat and hot water and electricity was unlikely
to deliver what it set out to achieve. As a result, the gasification
plant, which helps produce electricity, is to be decommissioned. Customers
of the district heating system will continue to receive heat and hot water
via a temporary oil-fired boiler until new arrangements are confirmed.
Temporary Closures Of Seater Landfill Site
Temporary closure of Seater landfill site and the access road thereto due
to essential repairs Last 3 weekends in March 2009. The road will be
closed from 2.00pm on the Friday afternoon and will re-open at 8.00am on
the Monday morning during the following dates:-
13th March to 16th March
20th March to 23nd March
27th March to 30th March
10 February 2009
Reassurance No Immediate Threat To Caithness & Sutherland Fire Services
Highlands and Islands Labour MSPs have secured reassurances that there is
no immediate threat to Caithness and Sutherland fire services, following a
vote in the European Parliament. The MSPs have visited fire stations and
been in discussions with the Fire Brigade Union and the Fire Master for
the Highlands and Islands and have also been in touch with Euro MEP,
Catherine Stihler and UK Government Minister, Scottish Secretary, Jim
Murphy MP. As a result of all the contact and discussions they say they
are "significantly re-assured" there is no immediate threat to fire
services in the north, nor do they believe there will be disruption to
fire services in the longer term
The Papers
Freezer arm chills Russell results - Scotsman HAULAGE and distribution firm John G Russell has reported a steady
rise in turnover but losses at the group's freezer manufacturing arm
brought a chill to its annual results. The Glasgow-based company has
operated the
Icetech freezer business since 2005 when it bought the Caithness
firm Norfrost out of administration.
Former bank chiefs face wrath of MPs’ public grilling - The Herald Among the Westminster inquisitors will be
John Thurso, the
MP for Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross, who today wants the
four former bankers to say sorry to the nation. "It would be appropriate
given the level of anger that my constituents are expressing," he told The
Herald.
Bout of nerves as battered bankers square up to heavyweight MPs -
TheTimes
John Thurso, one of the Liberal Democrats, will be another persistent
questioner. (That he sports a knuckle-duster, a reference to his family
crest, on the third finger of his left hand can only be to the good.)
How a £50,000 fund is adding colour to disabled artists’ lives -
The Herald Nine projects and artists from across Scotland have
received a share of £50,000 from the Scottish Arts Council (SAC) to expand
and develop their endeavours. Lydia PopowichThe Caithness-based visual artist will produce a work called
Disability Pursuits, based on a popular board game.
Postbus service may be under threat - STV
Halkirk Youth Club Delivers A Fleet Of Paper Boats To Mary Ann's Cottage
Project The
fund-raiser for Mary Ann's Cottage started by is becoming something of a
phenomenum. Joanne Kaar a local artist and paper maker set this fund
raiser going only recently and it runs until 10th August. Anyone can
send a paper boat to join the growing fleet or should we now say Armada.
Another artist Lynn Taylor is running a partner project in New Zealand
where Billy Connolly called in a few days ago. Why Paper Boats?
It was inspired by the maiden voyage of the
Westland Ship - 30th January 1879 (130 years ago) from Scotland to New
Zealand. Mary-Ann's father, William Young was a member of the crew.
Get folding and send your boat - instructions on the site.......
Sunday Papers
Was It worth It? - Sunday Times
Many more “bargain-baggers” have fallen victim to planners, who have often
proved reluctant to give the permission necessary to extend properties or
convert them for residential use. Among them are Gordon Foyle, 57, a
mechanical engineer, and his wife, Pauline, 55, who bought the Old Lookout
Tower, an 1812, B-listed octagonal structure in the Caithness fishing
village of Wick, which was featured in Home on November 11, 2001.
Former RBS bosses to face accusations of abusing shareholders' trust -
Scotland On Sunday
Looks like John Thurso is giving RBS a hard time.
Maiden Voyage Of 'Pentalina' Hails New Era In Faster Travel From Caithness
To Orkney
The maiden voyage of the new catamaran ferry "Pentlaina" saw it arrive at
Gills after the trip from Orkney. The vessel was built for Pentland
Ferries and will be able to carry 350 passengers, between 32 and 58 cars,
and nine articulated lorries (load configuration can vary to suit
requirements). Investment for the vessel is estimated at between £10-15m.
The Pentalina is a twin hull vessel with an overall length of 70m, a beam
of 20m, a service speed of 15kt and a maximum speed of 19.7kt. The ship
has been designed to handle the occasionally rough waters in the north of
Scotland and will run all year around. It is expected that the
crossing time will fall to 45 minutes on days where there are no weather
problems. The 'Pentalina' was previously expected to come in to
service in 2008 but various problems prevented that. A surge in bookings
is expected as the pound has fallen making trips to the UK much cheaper
and expectations that more British people will holiday at home this year.
No doubt many Caithness folk as well as Orcadians will be trying it out in
coming months.
More Views In the Photography Gallery
Jam Club In Wick Youth Club Tonight Cancelled Due To Weather
The Jam Club for young people in Wick that has two sessions 6.00pm and
7.30pm has been cancelled. Please let anyone who attends know to
save them making a trip to the Youth Club.
Caithness Primary School Pupils Are Healthy Highlanders
Pupils at a Caithness primary school have been named as the winners of a
competition to celebrate Healthy Highland Week in which they had to
suggest healthy alternatives to sweets as rewards. Members of SNAG, the
School's Nutrition Action Group, at South Primary School in Wick were
presented with a cheque for the school on Wednesday (February 4) for
coming up with the best ideas in the competition organised by NHS
Highland.
Gaelic Authors for New Highland Writing Initiative Sgriobhadh sa Sgìre is the name of a new Highland Gaelic writing
initiative which will see published authors and established writers
visiting schools to work alongside pupils. The writers will also take in
part in arts and community based events and the project will also promote
Gaelic books through sales and marketing. Iomairt Sgrìobhaidh Ùr Gàidhlig Na Gàidhealtachd
'S e Sgrìobhadh san Sgìre ainm iomairt sgrìobhaidh ùr Gàidhlig sa
Ghàidhealtachd. Air sgàth na h-iomairt bidh ùghdaran is sgrìobhadairean
stèidhte a' tadhal air sgoiltean agus ag obair còmhla ri na sgoilearan.
Gabhaidh na sgrìobhadairean pàirt ann an cùisean ealain a bhios stèidhte
sa choimhearsnachd, agus bidh an sgeama cuideachd a' brosnachadh
leabhraichean Gàidhlig tro reic is margaideachd.
More Gaelic
News Links etc
BÒRD NA
GÀIDHLIG LAUNCHES MYGAELIC.COM The Gaelic development agency Bòrd na Gàidhlig, launched a major new
information and networking site on 4th February 2009,
www.mygaelic.com which aims
to be the place to visit for everyone who wants to learn more about Gaelic
- Gaelic language and culture, tourism, events relating to Gaelic and, how
and where they can engage with the language. mygaelic.com is aimed at
Gaelic speakers and novices alike, offering something for everyone with an
interest in wishing to learn more about the language or indeed learning to
speak Gaelic. The website was launched in Glasgow by Minister for Gaelic
Linda Fabiani, where representatives of various Gaelic organisations were
invited to view the innovative new communication channel.
Dh'fhoillsich Bòrd na Gàidhlig, a' phrìomh bhuidheann poblach le uallach
airson leasachadh na Gàidhlig, làrach-lìn ùr fiosrachaidh agus
lìonraidheil - mygaelic.com - an-diugh (Diciadain 4 Gearran 2009). Tha
mygaelic.com ag amas air a bhith na h-àite tadhail do neach sam bith a tha
airson barrachd fiosrachaidh fhaotainn mun Ghàidhlig - an cànan agus an
cultar, turasachd agus tachartasan co-cheangailte ri Gàidhlig, agus
dòighean agus làraich eile far an urrainn dhaibh a dhol an sàs anns a'
chànan. Tha mygaelic.com airson an dà chuid luchd-labhairt na Gàidhlig,
agus an fheadhainn a tha ùr dhan chànan. Bidh an làrach inntinneach do
gach neach aig a bheil ùidh ann an Gàidhlig no a tha airson barrachd
fiosrachaidh fhaotainn mun chànan, no a' Ghàidhlig ionnsachadh.
Highland BlindCraft - High Quality Beds and Furniture Would like you help Highland BlindCraft? Easy - Just help boost their
sales by checking out the high quality beds and other furniture. A
difficult trading year by the company that manufactures and sells high
quality beds and furniture has resulted in a loss last year. With a base
in Inverness Highland Blindcraft in a great place for anyone to see the
furniture, mattresses and beds but do you know where it is? Have you ever
visited their showroom.? Well now it is easier than ever as they have gone
online with all of their products. Check out
www.highlandblindcraft.co.uk Ardconnel Street Just round From Castle Street Inverness
Young Carers Drop-in Zone At Wick Family Centre Cancelled Tonight
Cancelled due to weather conditions but will resume next week all being
well
North Primary Schools Artwork Wins Laptops - Miller Academy and
Melvich Primary Schools BNS Nuclear Services Ltd, in conjunction with DSRL recently held a series
of safety presentations at several local primary schools with Oscar the
robot. The primary schools were invited to submit a poster based upon the
theme of safety in the home with the first prize being a laptop for the
school. Two schools entered, Miller Academy and Melvich Primary and as the
entries were of such high calibre it was decided to award both schools
with a laptop. Children representing both schools are pictured here
receiving the laptops from BNS Nuclear Services Ltd with some of their
artwork in the background.
Bad Weather Closes 63 Highland schools - But Not In Caithness
Snow has affected roads all over the Council's area. The worst affected
area is from Grantown to Carrbridge and up to Moy (A9). Grantown has over
2ft of lying snow. The A939 and B9007 are closed due to fallen trees
(weight of snow). Problems also being encountered by HGVs diverting off
the A9 at Aviemore (which is still closed at Moy) and re-routing via
Grantown and Nairn and getting into difficulties. The Council has been
working with Police to clear many stuck HGV's on A938 and B9153.
View From Bill's Window In Wick Today Bill
took this photo this morning from his window and a bit more snow has
fallen since. if you have taken any snowy photos today email them to
bill@caithness.org to add to this
Caithness Winter Gallery.
Caithness Celtic Supporters' Club Bus availability, for the next
game
The next bus is:-
versus Rangers (League) on 15/02/09 - 12.30pm kick-off. Bus leaving Wick
Safeways @ 03:00 and Thurso Skinandis @ 03:30.
Senior = £30 and Junior = £20.
Contact, Stevie King = stephen@sking30.wanadoo.co.uk
Official website - http://ebigh.com/1888
'Mind Your Own Business - 'FREE Training Course For Community Groups
The training is open to individuals within community organisations
acquiring, owning or managing community assets, to help them meet the
challenges of developing and sustaining their organisations. The
free training course will take place on Friday 6th March 2009; 9.30am (for
10am) to 5.15pm At The Bowling Club in Lybster.
Highland Council Administration Recommends Council Tax Freeze A freeze in the Council Tax is being recommended by the
Independent/Liberal Democrat/Labour Administration of The Highland Council
when the Council holds a special meeting on Thursday 12 February to
confirm the 2009/10 Council Tax levels. The tax is set to remain at the
2008/9 level and deliver a revenue budget for 2009/10 of £598
million......... In confirming the budget for 2009/10, the Council has
needed to find savings of £13 million and this will result in the deletion
of the equivalent of 110 full time posts, some of which are
vacant......The recommended Council Tax levels for 2009/10 are: -
A: £775.33 B £904.56 C £1,033.78 D £1,163 E £1,421.44 F £1,679.89 G
£1,938.33 H £2,326. These are the same levels as 2008/09.
BUDGET FOR ECONOMIC RECOVERY PASSES SCOTTISH PARLIAMENT The second budget of this Scottish Government has been passed by
Parliament, securing vital public spending at a time when the economy
needs it most. John Swinney, Cabinet Secretary for Finance and Sustainable
Growth said the vote in favour of the spending plans would ensure a
massive investment programme across Scotland would go ahead, keeping the
economy moving and supporting nearly 5,000 jobs.
Mary Ann's Cottage Paper Boat Project Gets A Visit From Billy Connolly In
New Zealand The
Paper Boat Fund Raiser started by Joanne Kaar our local paper making and
print artist has a partner project in New Zealand. New Zealand
print artist lives in Dunedin and is carrying out a similar exercise with
paper boats. The connection is that the father of Mary Ann was
William Young who worked on the maiden voyage of the ‘Westland’ from
Glasgow to New Zealand in 1879. His sea chest is to be found in Mary-Ann’s
cottage. Well Lyn must have been very surprised when well-known
Scottish comedian Billy Connolly walked in to her studio. This paper
boat project is certainly growing and gaining attention. It was on
BBC Alba last week. You can send paper boats to Joanne up to the
10th of August.
Mary Ann's Cottage
2 February 2009
Refurbished Thurso Co-op Relaunch Thursday At 10.00am The newly refurbished Co-op will relaunch once again for shoppers at
10.00am on Thursday this week. The store has already been open to shoppers
for the past few days. A chef will be doing cookery demonstrations over
three days. Product giveaways and product sampling. Fairtrade
sampling. On Friday this will be on going and on Saturday Face
Painting and more cookery demonstrations etc.
Caithness Amateur Radio Society Annual General Meeting
The Caithness Amateur Radio Society Annual General Meeting will take place
on Wednesday 4th February, at 7:30 pm, in the Nethercliffe Hotel, Wick.
All welcome.
From Denny Morrison "We had quite a good turn-out at the last club night,
thank you to those who attended. I'm not putting out minutes, but
possibilities for Club activities were discussed - I'll summarise these
here:
Contests: The two most likely candidates for club participation are:
The PACC Contest on 14th February - See
http://pacc.veron.nl/ for details.
The Scandinavian Activity Contest - The last weekend in September for SSB.
See http://www.qrq.se/sac/ for
details of last year's event. The club will consider a range of
other events."
Another Blogger
Today we found DropOne
the blog of Helen Lockhart who lives in the NW Highlands of Scotland with
her husband and our two terriers. She knits, spins and dyes yarn.
The blog has the knitting etc but also a mix of photos round Assynt and
Sutherland.
More Winning Caithness Photographers
Angus Mackay Wins Nouveau Natural World at SWPP Awards Local
photographer
Angus Mackay won the Nouveau Natural World category with a rather
moody shot of the dilapidated John O'Groats House Hotel. In addition
Angus won three other merit awards - pretty good for his first big
competition.
There is no shortage of aspiring photographers in Caithness and elsewhere
as can be seen in
The Caithness.org
Photography
section in the forum so it looks like they will all have to be on
their toes to stay ahead. Well done Angus.
John Bailkie Wins Animal Photography Section At SWPP Awards John
Baikie has won yet another competition to add to his huge collection of
awards in the last few years. This photo of somewhat scary looking
sheep took first prize in the Animal category of the SWPP awards.
John Baikie has built up his photography experience over several years.
His attention to detail and pursuit of excellence has paid off with a
growing list of prizes and awards. John has a couple of web sites at
Caithness Photographic and
Captiv8
Congratulations on another great job John.
1 February 2009
Plight of the humble bee
Native British bees are dying out — and with them will go flora, fauna and
one-third of our diet. We may have less than a decade to save them and
avert catastrophe. So why is nothing being done? Once upon a time,
for example, the great yellow bumblebee, Bombus distinguendus, which
thrives in the cold and wet, was common throughout Britain. Now it has
been driven so far northwards that it occurs on the mainland only within
half a mile of the extreme north coast of Caithness and Sutherland. 'So,'
says Goulson, 'it can go no further. It is probably doomed as a result of
climate change.' Other species, too, are shrinking into local redoubts.
The shrill carder bee, Bombus sylvarum, is now limited to the Somerset
Levels, Salisbury Plain and the Thames Estuary, where much of its habitat
is on brownfield sites and impossible to protect. Since 1980, the formerly
common large garden bumblebee, Bombus ruderatus, has been recorded at
fewer than 10 sites in the UK.
Bumblebees on
Caithness.org
Prize Winning Local Photographer Martina Cross Does It Again
Twice Local photographer Martina Cross whose photos have regularly featured on
the web site has won another two Photographer of the year awards with the
SWPP again this year. She managed to grab the
"Landscape" and
"Monochrome" titles. The winning image in the landscape
category shows the
Kyle of Tongue and Ben Loyal and the mono one shows
Dunnet Beach Martina is a regular to the Forum in the
photography section and has made her
1000th
posting setting off another thread on the subject of Black and
white photography. See many more of Martina Cross photos at
Martina Cross Photography and on her blog
Scotland
Visions Superb as ever Martina.
The Caithness.org
Photography
section in the forum has over 1400 separate threads with many
thousands of photographs. You can post your own photos to many photo
web sites and pull them into the forum. Why not post some of your
Black and White photos.
Grand
Concert & Ceilidh - Huge Line Up For Cancer Centre Fundraiser in
Thurso 14 February - British Legion, Thurso - Tickets £5
A GREAT LINE UP OF PERFORMERS WILL TAKE PART TO HELP RAISE FUNDS FOR THE
NORTH HIGHLAND CANCER INFORMATION AND SUPPORT CENTRE IN THURSO. Clapshot,
Chloe Smith, Margaret MacDonald, David Rosie, Mina Mackay Dancers, Mikie &
Hannah Henderson, Kieran Sutherland, and The Strathspey and Reel Society,
Compere is Willie Mackay Oldhall, Tickets available from Cancer Shop,
Highland Hospice Shop and Sinclair's Shoe Shop THURSO
Nurse
Tracey MacLeod From Caithness General Hospital Fund-Raiser Trek For
Multiple Sclerosis It all Happens On 21 May 2009
I am a staff nurse at the Caithness general hospital and have in the past
raised funds for children's charities by going on a trek to the Great Wall
of China. Last year, as my father suffers from MS and both parents very
involved with the local group, I undertook a trek to the Grand Canyon to
raise funds for something closer to my heart and home and raised £4,000
for the local branch of Multiple Sclerosis Society Scotland. Next trek I
am undertaking a "climb" of Mount Etna for which all proceeds like last,
will go to the local branch of Multiple Sclerosis Society Scotland, and
the Caithness branch can verify that there is an agreement that ALL monies
raised do indeed go to the Caithness branch. Indeed as it is raised it is
being sent to them.
Head
over to Tracey's Just Giving page to make a donation
Caithness
Student Shortlisted For National Film Award Philip
Todd from Wick is in the running to achieve a national film award. Philip,
a former pupil of Thurso High School submitted an entry to FilmG, MG
ALBA's innovative Gaelic online digital shorts competition, and has been
shortlisted in the Best Performance section of the New Entrant category
with a chance of winning £500. The aim of the competition is to uncover
creative talent for the new Gaelic television channel, BBC ALBA, in which
MG ALBA is a partner. The winners will be announced at the FilmG awards
ceremony on Friday 6 February in Eden Court Theatre, Inverness.
Geocaching Taking Off In Caithness The activity known as Geocaching has been growing steadily over the past few
years.Geocaching is a high-tech treasure hunting game played throughout the world
by adventure seekers equipped with GPS devices. The basic idea is to
locate hidden containers, called geocaches, outdoors and then share your
experiences online. See
Geocaching.com for more information.
There is even one near Wick but we will not spoil the fun by telling you
exactly where.Certainly adds to the interest when out and about.
Three Caithness Geocaches
A' BROSNACHADH CLEACHDADH NA GÀIDHLIG SA BHEATHA PHOBLACH Tha Riaghaltas na h-Alba air a' chiad Dreachd Phlana Gàidhlig a chur
a-mach gu co-chomhairleachadh poblach. Tha am Plana a' moladh cheuman gus
luchd-labhairt na Gàidhlig a bhrosnachadh gu bhith a' cleachdadh na
Gàidhlig an uair a tha iad a' dèiligeadh ris an Riaghaltas. Draft Gaelic Language Plan for Consultation
The Scottish Government has published its Draft Gaelic Language Plan for
consultation. The Plan proposes measures to encourage Gaelic speakers to
use the language when contacting the Government.
Consultation on Proposals for a New Community Centre in Thurso
Caithness Horizons, Old Town Hall, High Street, Thurso
Thursday 5th February 2009 7.00pm If
you are interested in the future of Arts, Sports and Community in
Caithness then you will want to attend this event. It is an opportunity to
comment upon Concept designs that have been prepared for a Community
Centre on the site of the former UKAEA Sports and Social Club known
locally as The Viewfirth. By attending the event you will hear a
presentation of the design by the Architect and have the opportunity to
ask questions. A comments survey form will also be available. On the
evening a Committee will be formed to carry the project through to
completion. Plans for the proposed development will be displayed in
Caithness Horizons from Friday 6th February along with consultation forms.
If you cannot get along to the event you can make your views know by
completing the consultation form
HERE and sending it to David Brookfield c/o Pentland Housing
Association, 37-39 Traill Street, Thurso KW14 7HD or by email to
caroline@pentlandhousing.co.uk
A
hi-tech "worm" is probing a subterranean pipeline used to discharge
radioactive effluent from Dounreay between 1957 and 1992. The £100,000
pipe crawler has sent back video and radiation readings during its
five-day journey some 45 metres underground. The data will be analysed by
a project team investigating how to leave the disused system in a safe
condition as part of the site clean-up. A bundle of four cast iron pipes,
each 23cm in diameter, was laid in the 1950s to discharge effluent from
the fast reactor experiment.
Northlight
Local
photographer 
