Local News

John OGroat News

Wick court round-up: Six face trial over cannabis farm raid; Driving ban after water gun sparks car crime; Wick teen fined over ‘wheelie’ stunt; and more

July was a busy month for Wick Sheriff Court, and there have been several more serious cases heard at the High Court with Caithness connections, too.

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John OGroat News

Buyers ‘eager for more’ at Caithness sheep sale

Quoybrae, Aberdeen and Northern Marts on Monday sold 1377 prime sheep, store sheep and feeding ewes and rams.

John OGroat News

Scottish Government gives go-ahead for rejected Caithness wind farm

Planning permission has been granted for a wind farm at Cairnmore Hill near Forss – after Highland Council rejected the developer’s plans twice.

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John OGroat News

Discover nocturnal nature by borrowing moth traps from Wick and Thurso libraries

High Life Highland countryside rangers are encouraging people across Caithness to discover the fascinating world of moths.

John OGroat News

Lyth Arts Centre gears up for annual music festival in Wick next weekend

Excitement is building for next weekend’s Summer Sessions, with nine diverse acts playing live over one weekend at the Rosebank Playing Fields.

John OGroat News

Cliff rescue drama after man and dog become trapped

A man and his dog have been rescued after becoming trapped below a cliff in Wick Bay.

John OGroat News

PICTURES: First Bella couple ties the knot at music festival

Belladrum is now in full swing as the first couple tied the knot on this Friday morning.

John OGroat News

Wick’s Nucleus Archive unveils plans for solar and battery installation in green energy drive

Wick’s Nucleus archive has lodged a planning application with Highland Council to install a major solar power green energy system.

John OGroat News

Lyth Arts Centre plan to hold two ‘secret’ gigs in August

As part of Lyth Arts Centre’s summer festival programme, they have announced that they are organising two secret gigs.

John OGroat News

Vile sex offender raped and abused young children and women

A serial sex offender has admitted three counts of rape, alongside sex offences on children – one as young as three years old.

John OGroat News

Town maps now available as part of Wick community-led tourism initiative

Wick’s community-led tourism initiative has taken another step forward with the delivery of specially designed town maps showing local attractions.

John OGroat News

'Your tyres won't save you': Shocking truth revealed by Wick Weather Watcher as lightning strikes Caithness

Keith Banks has revealed why today's lightning show lacked the staying power of earlier summer tempests.

John OGroat News

‘I hope I’m still alive to taste it’: King Charles congratulates Caithness couple on ‘wonderful’ transformation of mill into new distillery

King Charles was in high spirits as he officially opened the new Stannergill Distillery at the transformed Castletown Mill on Wednesday.

John OGroat News

Stricken Norwegian yacht sparks Wick lifeboat launch

The Norwegian yacht Ceomlag raised the alarm after suffering mechanical issues south-east of Lybster on Thursday morning.

John OGroat News

Air link between Caithness and Glasgow ‘will boost sustainable economic growth’

Trudy Morris, chief executive of North Highland Chamber of Commerce, says the newly announced Wick/Glasgow air link is “a significant step forward”.

John OGroat News

King Charles ‘gave everybody a real lift’ on visit to Halkirk heritage centre

The King was said to have been “as happy as Larry” after visiting Halkirk Heritage and Vintage Motor Centre and unveiling an ex-royal Land Rover.

John OGroat News

Celebrate the Flow Country’s second World Heritage Site anniversary with music and film

Latheron Village Hall is hosting a fun event this Friday celebrating the flow country’s second anniversary as a UNESCO-recognised World Heritage Site.

John OGroat News

Average speed camera deployment west of Thurso cost £354,000

More than £354,000 was spent on the deployment of average speed cameras on the A836 west of Thurso over a 12-month period, it has emerged.

John OGroat News

PICTURES: Wick gala fancy-dress organiser ‘overwhelmed’ by Braehead turnout

The 2026 Wick Gala Week children’s fancy-dress parade was a “phenomenal” success with a bumper turnout of competitors and spectators.

John OGroat News

Gala queen among visitors welcomed by Wick Society pirate crew

They may have looked like dastardly buccaneers, but Wick Society volunteers gave a friendly welcome to those stepping aboard the Isabella Fortuna.