Local News

John OGroat News

YOUR VIEWS: Fun day Sunday, long-lost friends, rail v air and the derision of democracy

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

Local messages

John OGroat News

Notable Caithness novel, poll result ‘not convincing’ and new visitor centre proposed

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

John OGroat News

WATCH: Gates open at revamped play park in Caithness village

The wait was finally over on Wednesday evening as the eagerly-anticipated opening of new Caithness play park took place.

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John OGroat News

Watersports clubs unite to boost safety, skills and participation in Thurso Bay

A group of watersports clubs that regularly use Thurso Bay have joined forces this year to create the Thurso Bay Community Watersports Hub.

John OGroat News

‘Reducing VAT for the hospitality sector can protect businesses, create jobs and stimulate economic growth’

COLUMN: The VAT’s The Problem campaign has a clear message

John OGroat News

Organisers working hard to ‘keep it fresh’ for Wick Gala Week 2026

Wick gala chairperson Donna Plowman has praised the committee members for all their work and urged anyone willing to lend a hand to get in touch.

John OGroat News

Highland poitician shares health update ahead of heart op

The MP, who will be on light duties while recovering, thanks constituents for their understanding and says: ‘We all have to be careful of our health.’

John OGroat News

Highland cancer service in trouble as patients to be moved around Scotland for treatment

Others to face delays amid fears NHS Highland will lose another service.

John OGroat News

NHS Highland oncology crisis leads far north MSP David Green to question if right people are in charge

Anger mounts as locals are again ‘told they have to travel further, wait longer or make do with less’.

John OGroat News

11-year extended sentence for Caithness offender who raped 6 year old boy and sexually assaulted teen girl

A sex offender who raped a six-year-old boy and sexually assaulted a teenage girl in Caithness has been given an 11-year extended sentence.

John OGroat News

PICTURES: Massive changes afoot with redevelopment of John O’Groats Play Area

See the pictures showing just some of the exciting new play equipment that will be coming to John O’Groats if Highland Council greenlights the plan.

John OGroat News

Family’s Scafell Pike climb for Jocko raises more than £2400 for Wick RNLI

A Caithness family have climbed England’s highest mountain in memory of their beloved dog Jocko to raise money for Wick RNLI.

John OGroat News

Maternity bookings at Raigmore patient lodges more than double in five years

Maternity-related stays in patient accommodation adjacent to Raigmore Hospital have more than doubled over the past five years, it has emerged.

John OGroat News

10mph convoy and traffic lights on A99 south of Wick to allow surface improvements

Temporary traffic lights and a 10mph convoy system will be introduced on the A99 as resurfacing work enters its final phase.

John OGroat News

Demonstrator project bringing ‘very little benefit to Caithness’, says Wick provost

Jan McEwan has reiterated her view that a £750,000 Scottish Government programme aimed at rejuvenating underused buildings has been a waste of money.

John OGroat News

Highland Council set to hold rapist licence meeting in secret for ‘legal reasons’

As a former licensing boss says ‘secrecy’ facilitates systemic failings.

John OGroat News

‘It’s such a shame’: yet another popular Caithness shop set to close its doors

Thurso’s Cancer Research UK shop is closing at some point this October, following the loss of the Wick store in February.

John OGroat News

Thurso Players junior workshop presents ‘Whoops! XXVIII: A Glitch In Time’

Thurso Players’ 28th annual junior workshop production is this Friday and Saturday (July 17/18), taking place at the town’s Mill Theatre.

John OGroat News

Do not adjust your television set – It’s just a ‘Rex block’ overhead, warns Wick weather watcher

Unusually high-pressure weather is causing television and radio interference for homes across Caithness, local weather watcher Keith Banks has warned.

John OGroat News

Planning permission sought for specialist disabled toilet facility at John O'Groats

A planning application has been submitted to the Highland Council for a new modular Changing Places toilet facility at the John O'Groats car park.