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Far north high school commended for ‘inspiring approach’ with full STEM Nation award

A far north high school has been hailed for its “amazing achievements” after emerging as a winner of the full STEM Nation Award.

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PICTURES: Caithness Young Farmers have the ‘gift of the gab’ with speechmaking success: Halkirk and Bower sweep through to national finals

Teams from Halkirk and Bower Young Farmers dominated the North Senior Speechmaking event in Orkney to secure places in the national finals.

John OGroat News

COLUMN: Calls for change to criteria for shared banking hubs in rural areas

COLUMN: Holyrood Notebook by Maree Todd

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Highland primary ACEL attainment still behind national figures but S3 begins to draw close

The council is now working to implement its improvement plan across the region.

John OGroat News

‘Don’t hold back – put forward an entry’: Nominations sought for Scotland’s annual charity awards

Charities and voluntary organisations across the Highlands are being encouraged to apply to this year’s Scottish Charity Awards.

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ScotRail Wick to Inverness morning train service cancelled with passengers diverted to road transport

A broken down train has forced the cancellation of a major morning ScotRail service from Caithness to Inverness.

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‘It can only be a good thing’: St Fergus Church in Wick could be turned into family recreation centre

A potential new role has been identified by Wick Development Trust for the former St Fergus Church, which closed as a place of worship in 2024.

John OGroat News

Caithness FM to employ part-time fundraiser after £18,000 award

A grant of £18,000 will allow Caithness FM to employ a part-time fundraiser to help ensure the community radio station stays sustainable.

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‘It’s about making it safer’: New lighting proposed at Wick riverside

New lighting could be installed on the footpath on the southern bank of Wick River if a proposal by the town’s development trust comes to fruition.

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Special needs accommodation could be built at Wick High Street site

Self-contained flats for people with special needs could form part of a redevelopment on the site of a former cinema and nightclub in Wick.

John OGroat News

New community initiative will aim to snuff out growing threat of devastating Highland wildfires

Tackling the escalating risk of devastating wildfires in the Highlands will be the focus of a new community-led initiative.

John OGroat News

Sea-change for Ian: Retired Lybster fisherman nets over £1000 for FishMish after health battle

A veteran of the Caithness fishing industry has turned a personal health struggle into a windfall for the charity that supported him for decades.

John OGroat News

Amateur dramatics clubs in Caithness prepare to mark 100 years of community theatre

All eyes will be on the Highland Division Final in Wick as one of the key dates celebrating a century of community drama.

John OGroat News

Following in the footsteps of the Caithness Patagonian pioneers

IAN LEITH reports on a trip to Argentina where a Caithness group met descendants of the families who made new lives for themselves in Patagonia.

John OGroat News

‘It takes all the dirtiness away’: Wick campsite to install new cleaning station

Wick River Campsite will be able to offer a new cleaning facility to visitors this summer as it looks to build on the success of the 2025 season.

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Self-catering business to get non-domestic rates relief after SNP-Lib Dem budget deal

Trade body the ASSC welcomed the deal but hopes for further reform to help the sector.

John OGroat News

Report shows that 93 per cent of businesses surveyed experiencing ‘significant challenges’ in the Highlands

Businesses said they were experiencing significant challenges, with increased cost of doing business being cited most frequently.

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Smartened-up shop fronts could make ‘massive difference’ in Wick town centre

Business owners in the centre of Wick are to be encouraged to smarten up their shop fronts to help improve the overall look of the town.

John OGroat News

Met Office yellow warning for snow issued for all parts of Highlands

A snow and ice warning has been issued for all parts of the Highlands overnight.

John OGroat News

PICTURES: Selfless Wick Paths Group volunteers clear ‘eyesore’ riverside route

Wick Paths Group took advantage of the good weather last Thursday morning to clear the new tarred path from the boating shed to the Coghill bridge.