Local News

John OGroat News

‘Gobsmacked and honoured’: Two Caithness women become MBEs in King’s birthday honours

One of the country’s longest serving special constables has been made an MBE in the official King’s Birthday Honours List.

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John OGroat News

‘There is always a buzz’: Caithness Music Festival volunteers are praised

Volunteers have been thanked by secretary Audrey MacKinnon for helping to make the 70th anniversary Caithness Music Festival such a success.

John OGroat News

Urgent plea for Caithness farms and crofts to give feral cats a new life

Caithness Cats Protection is urgently looking for farms, crofts, stables or anyone with outhouses that can accommodate one or more feral cats.

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John OGroat News

Meet the man behind Dounreay’s drive to a net zero future

Dounreay is on a mission to wean itself off its long-time dependence on fossil fuels.

John OGroat News

Art meets eco-action: New artistic board unveiled as Caithness Beach Cleans hits massive 83-ton milestone

Caithness Beach Cleans has unveiled a vibrant new artistic board to celebrate a massive milestone, removing over 83 tons of coastal plastic waste.

John OGroat News

MSP Maree Todd has role to develop maternity workforce alongside national review

Highland MSP and women’s health minister Maree Todd has been tasked with working on midwifery apprenticeships alongside a review into maternity care.

John OGroat News

Art club ‘grateful’ for community enthusiasm for Pride project

They collaborated with Wick and Thurso High Schools, Thurso Youth Club, Stepping Out and UHI to create over 120 pieces of individual art.

John OGroat News

Caithness dialect is something we should celebrate, says music festival adjudicator

The Caithness Music Festival has again provided a showcase for local dialect, with competitors from across a wide age range rising to the challenge.

John OGroat News

Maternity probe to be independent as Scottish Government announces University of London academic will head up national review

Caithness campaigners have secured a partial but significant victory in their bid for an “independent” probe of maternity services in the county.

John OGroat News

‘We had a disagreement’: Thurso man pleads guilty to assaulting partner

A Thurso man this week admitted assaulting his former partner at her home last summer.

John OGroat News

The excitement is contagious, says Caithness Music Festival convener

Marjory Richard praised the “lovely” atmosphere in the Assembly Rooms as the 70th anniversary Caithness Music Festival entered its closing two days.

John OGroat News

‘Enough is enough’: Council objects to villages’ 12th renewable site

The application for a Battery Energy Storge System (BESS) was officially objected to, after first being discussed in April.

John OGroat News

WATCH: Thunderhail batters plants and atmospheric 'vacuum' sparks severe storms in Caithness

Heavy downpours affected parts of Caithness yesterday and had locals fear their gardens may have been destroyed by the accompanying thunderhail.

John OGroat News

PICTURES: Art retrospective long overdue – Unlocking the hidden legacy of Thurso legal legend and prolific artist Barrogill Keith

A major new exhibition celebrating the profound artistic legacy of Thurso-born solicitor David Barrogill Keith has officially opened.

John OGroat News

Farr High School pupils secure £3000 grant for Befriending Caithness

A team of pupils from Farr High School have secured a £3000 grant to help the work of Befriending Caithness in tackling loneliness in the far north.

John OGroat News

Karen to give workshop in Thurso before heading to North Atlantic Fiddle Convention

Karen Steven will be giving a three-hour workshop in Thurso on Saturday, June 20, coordinated by Thurso and District Strathspey and Reel Society.

John OGroat News

King George VI Land Rover reigns supreme at Halkirk motor centre

An ex-royal Land Rover, originally ordered by King George VI, is being showcased at Halkirk Heritage and Vintage Motor Centre until late August.

John OGroat News

Walk through history: Yarrows Heritage unveils major facelift of 50-year-old archaeological trail

Come and enjoy a guided family walk on Sunday, June 15, to celebrate the six-month renovation of the historic Yarrows Trail.

John OGroat News

Caithness Music Festival hailed as ‘a celebration of the future of music in our community’

Adjudicator says it’s “a joy” to be part of 70th anniversary music festival as council apologises for any inconvenience caused by roadworks.

John OGroat News

Almost 10km of overhead line set for Caithness village

A decision not to object to the plans was made at Wednesday’s meeting.