Local News

John OGroat News

‘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.

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John OGroat News

Council warned about ‘unintended consequences’ of dark skies policy

Councillors agreed plans towards shaping a policy aimed at reducing light pollution across the region.

John OGroat News

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.

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John OGroat News

Man admits repeatedly phoning woman’s workplace

A John O’Groats man has pleaded guilty to causing fear or alarm.

John OGroat News

Thurso man admits threatening ex-partner

A man pleaded guilty to behaving aggressively towards two people in January, Wick Sheriff Court heard on Wednesday.

John OGroat News

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.

John OGroat News

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.

John OGroat News

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.

John OGroat News

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.

John OGroat News

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’.

John OGroat News

Far north MP says inquiry into 170km pylon line is ‘right course of action’

Jamie Stone says a public inquiry into the Spittal to Beauly overhead line is something he has called for repeatedly amid constituents’ concerns.

John OGroat News

Dounreay bus driver denies hitting parking vehicle in careless driving charge

A Dunbeath man has denied causing an accident due to careless driving.

John OGroat News

New Highland 10-year public transport strategy approved by councillors

Improved bus services, timetables and ticketing are at the heart of the plan.

John OGroat News

‘A day to remember’ as No Scotland, No Party school tour comes to Caithness

It was World Cup party time for primary pupils in Caithness today as Nick Morgan called by with his repertoire of Scotland football songs.

John OGroat News

‘You’ll be in hot water if you do this again’ – this is your one chance, Sheriff tells offender

A young Lybster man has admitted trying to steal from a small Caithness farm.

John OGroat News

Key advice in wake of UK’s first-ever ‘megafire’

Highland Wildfire Response CIC is being established following the significant wildfire incidents across Scotland in 2025.

John OGroat News

Support sought in Caithness for dyslexia charity tartan fundraising appeal

Support is being sought in Caithness for an official new tartan for national charity Dyslexia Scotland.

John OGroat News

New Thurso group helping to keep cemetery in good condition

A band of community-minded volunteers have got together to give some much-needed TLC to Thurso cemetery.

John OGroat News

Public Notice Portal launches new consultation and archive services to deepen engagement

New consultation and archive services for the local news sector’s Public Notice Portal have been launched following a major phase of development.

John OGroat News

Pulteney Distillery to celebrate 200th anniversary with open day for Wick community

Details of an open day on June 20 were announced as the makers of Old Pulteney unveiled a new limited-edition 200th anniversary single malt.