Local News

John OGroat News

Caithness stargazers to help public safely view today’s solar eclipse

People in the far north are being invited to join astronomy experts for a safe viewing of today’s solar eclipse.

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Rail services between Inverness and Wick cancelled due to train fault

Trains between Inverness and Wick have been cancelled today due to a fault.

John OGroat News

£250 discount on energy bills for neighbours of new pylons and substations

Residents living close to the Banniskirk Hub substation will be eligible for a £250 discount on their energy bills, the UK government has announced.

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John OGroat News

‘This is only the start’: Noise concerns ahead of Banniskirk blasting operations

Blasting operations linked to the Banniskirk Hub project are likely to cause “significant consternation” in the community, a councillor has warned.

John OGroat News

Change of format proves successful at ‘open to all’ John O’Groats Strongest Man contest

Tourists from as far away as Cornwall and Guernsey were among those who put themselves to the test in the 2026 John O’Groats Strongest Man contest.

John OGroat News

'Treated as an intrusion' — Entrepreneur puts Wick church back on market after online backlash

A UK investor has put Wick’s historic Bridge Street Church back on the market after harsh online backlash scuttled his community plans.

John OGroat News

Fights and verbal abuse top reasons for Highland pupil exclusions

The freedom of information request provides a breakdown of all the reasons for pupil exclusion from 2020 to 2025.

John OGroat News

Wick author Catherine Byrne draws on family roots for new historical saga

Wick-based author Catherine Byrne has published the first two instalments of her sweeping new historical fiction series, Children of Éireann.

John OGroat News

Care Home residents have a hoot with birds of prey for Owl Awareness Day

Residents of a Thurso Care Home enjoyed a memorable visit from a collection of birds of prey as part of International Owl Awareness Day

John OGroat News

Carnegie library crisis – Wick community council fights to save public asset

Concerns over the future of Wick’s former Carnegie library building were discussed at last Monday's community council meeting.

John OGroat News

Abandoned vehicles cost council £32k last year

The council has been asked to agree to a new policy to tackle the problem.

John OGroat News

25-year-old completes epic 885-mile run from Land’s End to John O’Groats in under nine days

A 25-year-old from Glasgow has perhaps smashed a record by running from Land’s End to John O’Groats in under nine days.

John OGroat News

Wick Harbour Authority seeking new board members

Wick Harbour Authority is seeking new board members to serve a three-year term from this November, and a wide range of expertise would be welcome.

John OGroat News

‘Relief’ and ‘excitement’ as City of Culture bid sent off

The next stage of the competition will be for the judges to decide who gets shortlisted.

John OGroat News

Miles of Caithness land earmarked for major energy project now off limits to the public

Large tracts of land throughout Caithness are inaccessible to the public due to ongoing work for the Spittal to Peterhead HVDC project.

John OGroat News

Wick’s community council demands to be kept in the picture over potential new cemetery site at Newton Road

With the existing Wick Cemetery projected to reach full capacity by July 2028, community councillors met to address mounting local concerns.

John OGroat News

Highland MSP highlights concern for increased hospital admissions as children with asthma set to go back to school

Highland MSP Maree Todd has welcomed a campaign to raise awareness of the serious risk of asthma as children prepare to return to school.

John OGroat News

Two drivers sought by officers investigating police station vandalism

Officers investigating vandalism to a Caithness police station are seeking to identify the drivers of two cars seen in the area at the time.

John OGroat News

Getting out of a Black Hole isn’t rocket science…

The Real Mackay by Dan Mackay

John OGroat News

101st birthday celebration for Royal Navy veteran in Wick care home

Bruce Player was joined by staff, relatives, friends and other residents at Seaview House for a champagne reception with afternoon tea.