Local News

John OGroat News

Roadworks set to coincide with 70th anniversary Caithness Music Festival

Organisers of the 70th anniversary Caithness Music Festival are hoping nearby roadworks don’t prove too disruptive during the five-day event in Wick.

Local messages

John OGroat News

Musicians join together to put on varied programme at Thurso Fiddlers’ Rally

The annual Fiddlers’ Rally held by Thurso and District Strathspey and Reel Society attracted a large audience on Saturday night.

John OGroat News

PICTURES: Rescuing a Scottish icon – Guidebest breeder celebrates arrival of ultra-rare Skye Terrier litter

A conservation success story is unfolding in the heart of Caithness, where a litter of seven ultra-rare puppies has been born at Guidebest.

Get Weekly Updates

Get the headlines in your inbox every week.

John OGroat News

SSEN plans for Caithness overhead line could face no objection

The plans from the energy giant have been put forward to connect the Slickly wind farm to the national grid.

John OGroat News

Countdown to August: Wick Airport contract deadline looms as council fights to avoid flight service gap

A countdown has officially begun for the future of Wick airport, with the current Public Service Obligation contract set to expire on August 14.

John OGroat News

Council repeats urge for no objection over villages’ 12th energy site

This will be the second time the development has been up for a decision by the committee.

John OGroat News

Highland MSP Maree Todd calls for local heroes nominations for Scottish parliament opening

Highlands and Islands MSP Maree Todd is asking people across the region to share their local heroes as part of a Scottish Parliament initiative.

John OGroat News

Farm bird count shows benefits of feeding and habitat management

A national count of birds on farmland and other managed areas has shown the benefits of supplementary feeding to support declining species.

John OGroat News

Wick Walking Group celebrates 10 years with past and present members

Wick Walking Group members got their boots on and put their baking skills to the test to celebrate a decade of health walks in Caithness.

John OGroat News

‘In a world of raging storms we need light and guidance’

COLUMN: Northern Drift By Monique Sliedrecht

John OGroat News

Charity appeals for volunteer drivers to give extra help

Highland BlindCraft Sensory Services is on the lookout for volunteer drivers to help boost the services it offers.

John OGroat News

Bollard budget blow: Wick town centre improvements face extra costs after contract scope oversight

An unexpected financial hurdle has emerged for the Wick town centre regeneration scheme.

John OGroat News

‘Vital investment’: £6m improvement works about to start on Far North Line

Major engineering works on the Far North Line north of Dingwall are about to begin, Network Rail is reminding passengers.

John OGroat News

Permitted development, gratitude for ‘first class’ nurses, the importance of play and breast cancer awareness

Letters to the editor of the John O’Groat Journal and Caithness Courier

John OGroat News

Dunbeath pupils get active with health and wellbeing week

Primary pupils in Dunbeath have been getting their bodies and minds active during a week-long health and wellbeing event at the school.

John OGroat News

Wick man’s fate in Canada, Old hall on the move, and Campbell’s comedy act

LOOKING BACK: News from the John O’Groat Journal of yesteryear

John OGroat News

Record entry for vintage and classic vehicle rally at John O’Groats

Organisers of the far north’s showpiece event for vintage and classic vehicles have reported a record entry for the 2026 event on Sunday, June 14.

John OGroat News

Gold recognition for Dunnet army cadet praised for commitment to Duke of Edinburgh awards

An army cadet from Dunnet says he has made “memories for life” after receiving his gold Duke of Edinburgh award at Buckingham Palace.

John OGroat News

‘Quietly optimistic’ over Dounreay police force recruitment drive

The recent high-profile drive to attract new recruits to Dounreay’s in-house armed police presence seems to be paying off.

John OGroat News

At breaking point: Thousands of Scotland’s animals paying the price for human carelessness

The SSPCA is urging the public to act responsibly and leave no trace when outdoors, warning that littering is a key driver for trapped wildlife