Local News

John OGroat News

Father and son’s ‘amazing’ fundraiser for North Scotland Fishermen’s Mission

A far north father and son pair have harnessed the social media reach of their family business to raise funds for charity.

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We look at the impact of Highland Council’s budget on household budgets

A decade of Council Tax rises in the north could hit the 32 per cent mark next week.

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Highland Council bosses reveal Council Tax hike in £868 million budget plans

The focus is on housing, schools and community funding but school meals and burial costs are set to rise.

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John OGroat News

Girlguiding Caithness celebrates 100 years of ‘Thinking Day’

On Sunday, Thurso’s Guide Hall saw local members gather to celebrate a historic milestone: the 100th anniversary of World Thinking Day.

John OGroat News

Main contractor selected for new Thurso High School build

Morrison Construction has been selected as the preferred contractor to deliver a new Thurso High School and community facility.

John OGroat News

Maree Todd calls for support on banking hub petition to boost access for cash

Maree Todd has written to north MP Jamie Stone in a bid to secure cross-party support on a petition to review the criteria for creating banking hubs.

John OGroat News

Thurso weedbusters group achieves charitable status – ‘We have come on in leaps and bounds’

A team of weedbusting locals helping spruce up Thurso is delighted to have now achieved charitable status.

John OGroat News

North MSP criticises energy secretary over far-right ‘slur’ against energy objectors

North MSP Tim Eagle has criticised Scotland’s energy secretary over “far right” comments about opposition to major renewable power projects.

John OGroat News

Tropical ‘swimming head’ discovery at Dunnet beach may be a sign of warming waters

A local beach cleaner had a rare encounter at Dunnet with an ocean sunfish, which is often described as looking like a ‘giant swimming head’.

John OGroat News

Free bus pass scheme ‘nothing short of a farce’

HOLYROOD NOTEBOOK: Conservative MSP Edward Mountain says bus pass changes are one of the worst interventions he’s seen in 10 years

John OGroat News

‘OAP too worried to drive because of state of roads’ as petition calling for action is launched

A new petition has been launched by the Highland LibDems calling for a multi-year plan and ring-fenced capital funding to tackle road repairs.

John OGroat News

Morning and evening ScotRail train services cancelled between Wick and Inverness after conductor takes ill

Train services north of Inverness have been disrupted after a ScotRail conductor took ill.

John OGroat News

Lynx reintroduction event series criticised by gamekeeping and sheep farming associations

Representatives of gamekeepers and sheep farmers claimed that feedback forms on lynx reintroduction did not leave space for objections.

John OGroat News

Feedback on Wick/Aberdeen route ‘extremely positive’ with 18-seat aircraft set to start

Bookings are doing well on the Wick/Aberdeen air link and the new operator expects to see “additional growth” when a bigger plane becomes available.

John OGroat News

‘Terrifying’ X99 ordeal for Wick couple as window shatters on Stagecoach bus – ‘I was in excruciating pain and required oral morphine’

A Wick man slams a 'reckless' Stagecoach driver after X99 window shatters, sparking a heart scare and emergency morphine use.

John OGroat News

Pause on renewables ‘not sustainable’

The cabinet secretary met wityh a host of community councils looking for a temporary pause on renewables developments.

John OGroat News

MV Alfred set to return to Pentland Ferries after near three-year CalMac loan

Pentland Ferries’ £14 million MV Alfred – which had been loaned to CalMac – is set to return to the company after nearly three years on the west coast

John OGroat News

Highland-based firm gets £10m investment from Scottish National Investment Bank

Inverness-based Aurora Energy Services has received a £10million investment from the Scottish National Investment Bank.

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New centre record set for sale of Forss ewe at Caithness Livestock Centre

Quoybrae, Aberdeen and Northern Marts sold 2310 sheep on Monday.

John OGroat News

Caithness group says rural Scotland risks being treated as ‘resource extraction zone’

A Caithness campaign group has warned that “communities are bearing disproportionate burdens” in Scotland’s push for a just transition to net-zero.