Local News

John OGroat News

Thurso business tastes success at Scottish Baker awards

A Thurso bakery is among a seven-strong group of Highlands and Islands businesses celebrating success in the industry.

Local messages

John OGroat News

Smartly dressed motorcyclists raise over £26,000 on charity ride in Caithness

Over 100 stylishly dressed motorcyclists rumbled their way through Caithness as part of the Distinguished Gentleman’s Ride, a worldwide fundraiser.

John OGroat News

Sutherland river death was a ‘tragic accident’ – police

Police are treating a river death in north Sutherland last week as a tragic accident.

Get Weekly Updates

Get the headlines in your inbox every week.

John OGroat News

Fault sparks domino-effect disruption and cancellations to Far North Line trains

A fault on the 8.02am Wick-Inverness train, which made it an hour late, has led to a series of knock-on cancellations and revisions to services.

John OGroat News

Wick driver disqualified after careless overtaking at junction near Forse

A Wick man has pleaded guilty to careless driving after causing a collision on the A99 near Forse.

John OGroat News

Caithness village hosts ‘fabulous’ first ever Ladies Day to fund hall upkeep

Nearly 90 ‘glamorous’ ladies gathered at the Ross Institute as Halkirk held its first ever Ladies Day fundraiser.

John OGroat News

‘Self-indulgent’ man who repeatedly phoned 999 put people’s lives at risk

A Wick man has pleaded guilty to repeatedly phoning 999 for no good reason.

John OGroat News

‘A strong start to 2026’ as EnerQuip lands work worth over £7m

An Aberdeenshire-based oilfield equipment firm with premises in Caithness has landed work worth more than £7 million in the first part of 2026.

John OGroat News

Inverness care home staff take on gruelling Thurso to Glasgow cycling challenge

They aim to raise funds to support those with a disability or mental health condition to re-connect with local communities.

John OGroat News

Red light danger: More than 14,000 traffic signal offences recorded across Scotland

Police Scotland recorded 14,122 red light offences since 2023, with peak incidents in the afternoon. Experts warn of serious risks to road users.

John OGroat News

Highland mart record tumbles at excellent Luing cattle show

The Dingwall event was hailed ‘possibly the best show of Luings we’ve seen at the centre’.

John OGroat News

Driveway dilemma: Why Caithness homeowners can’t call the police on strangers' cars

Caithness homeowners are warned that a legal loophole means police can't remove strangers' cars from private drives; experts advise gates or bollards.

John OGroat News

High Life Highland launches moth traps lending and nocturnal nature workshops in Caithness

Libraries in Wick and Thurso have launched free-to-borrow moth traps and a programme of ranger-led identification workshops.

John OGroat News

PICTURES: Dounreay success – DEANS team wins Scotland-wide project management challenge

Dounreay's DEANS team voted winners for boosting Thurso weedbuster volunteer numbers. They now head to the national finals.

John OGroat News

Are you Caithness' Secret Genius? Channel 4 hunting for far north brainboxes

Channel 4 is hunting for hidden brainboxes in Caithness for series two of Secret Genius with Alan Carr and Susie Dent. Are you ready to prove it?

John OGroat News

Thurso man brandished stick in violent rant aimed at Co-op staff

A man has pleaded guilty to threatening retail staff with violence when they refused to sell him alcohol.

John OGroat News

General strike ends, play area donated at Ormlie and investment plan for Wick factory

From the archives of the John O’Groat Journal 25, 50 and 100 years ago

John OGroat News

King to loan more of his paintings for Caithness exhibition

King Charles has agreed to loan some of his paintings to a Caithness group for an exhibition after previously providing two watercolours for display.

John OGroat News

Banned Thurso driver faces job loss after ‘misjudged’ overtake on A9

A Thurso man has been banned from driving after a careless overtaking manoeuvre on the A9 last year.

John OGroat News

Retired Thurso teacher releases ninth novel in north Highland adventure series

Retired Thurso teacher Julie Adams has released her ninth novel, a West Coast mystery featuring ‘mature detectives’ and a village under threat.