Local News
Developments in Flow Country to get closer scrutiny after Highland Council move
The Flow Country is to benefit from stricter controls on development after Highland Council agreed to a move which would remove permitted developments
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Energy price rises, celebrating volunteers, children playing outside and hopes for Wick toilets reopening
YOUR VIEWS: Letters to the editor of the John O’Groat Journal and Caithness Courier
Water pressure issue closes Thurso public toilet
Thurso residents and visitors are out of luck if they are caught short in the town centre.
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Coal rationed as strike continues, Public opening for Wick school pool and ‘Caithness must remain vigilant’
LOOKING BACK: News from the John O’Groat Journal of yesteryear
Charity worker set to walk 100 miles in support of ‘vital’ mental health service
He will walk from Wick to Inverness in four days to raise money for Centred Scotland’s Discovery College — which operates in both locations.
What we know so far about the Scottish Government’s national maternity services review
A decade on from the Caithness downgrade will it change anything amid campaigners doubts?
Caithness firm celebrates long-serving staff with 270 years’ combined experience
Seven long-serving members of staff at John Gunn & Sons Ltd have been recognised for their years of dedication to the Lybster-based family business.
35 orcas spotted off Caithness coast in just 6 days of Orca Watch 2026
Orca watchers in the far north have spotted more than 200 marine mammals during the week-long event based at John O’Groats.
‘To me it’s a very special boat’: Valkyrie, which provided Stroma mail service, set for new lease of life
The 112-year-old Valkyrie, which served as Stroma’s post boat, is being painstakingly restored by Gordon Shearer – and the work is almost complete.
Claudia and Kelly give Caithness gymnasts ‘the experience of a lifetime’
Members of Caithness Gymnastics Club were coached by former Olympic, Commonwealth and world championship gymnasts Claudia Fragapane and Kelly Simm.
‘It’s down to money’: High Life Highland budget prices axe condemned
Swingeing rises faced by low-income and disabled individuals to access High Life Highland gyms and pools were condemned at a Thurso meeting.
Council warned about ‘unintended consequences’ of dark skies policy
Councillors agreed plans towards shaping a policy aimed at reducing light pollution across the region.
Dog dies after cliff fall at castle
Emergency responders were unable to resuscitate the dog after it fell into the water from cliffs at Castle Sinclair Girnigoe on Friday morning.
Man admits repeatedly phoning woman’s workplace
A John O’Groats man has pleaded guilty to causing fear or alarm.
Thurso man admits threatening ex-partner
A man pleaded guilty to behaving aggressively towards two people in January, Wick Sheriff Court heard on Wednesday.
Thurso parking rules to become permanent on Princes Street
The trial of a more liberal parking regime in Thurso’s main thoroughfare is set to be made permanent.
Thurso man struggled with four police officers
A young Thurso man has admitted repeatedly striking out at police officers in a bid to resist arrest.
Damaged signs in far north make A9 look like ‘down-at-heel tourist route’
Dilapidated traffic signs alongside the A9 in the far north are giving the area a “down-at-heel” appearance, a Caithness councillor has claimed.
Book festival event will give a taste of Bunty Gunn’s Caithness Kitchen
The next event in the 2026 John O’Groats Book Festival programme will be one to savour as Bunty Gunn talks about her Caithness cookery guide.
NHS Highland misses 15 of 23 key targets including for A&E and cancer treatment
Some patients must count their waits in years as health board says it needs to ‘improve our performance’.