Local News

John OGroat News

Trial hears Altnabreac couple refused to get off train tracks because it was ‘their land’

The trial of a couple accused of risking lives on the rail line finally got under way on Tuesday despite a further attempt to delay proceedings.

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John OGroat News

Watchdog found that health board “failed to provide adequate care” to child after mental health crisis

NHS Highland was asked to apologise to a child and their parent after failing “to provide them with reasonable care and treatment” after a crisis.

John OGroat News

Thurso High School praised by inspectors after ‘good’ ratings and safeguarding action

Inspectors have praised Thurso High School’s “capacity to continue to improve” after rating the school good in two key areas.

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John OGroat News

Air ambulances dispatched after crash closes A9 near Dunbeath

The A9 is closed at Dunbeath in both directions following a crash involving a motorbike and a van.

John OGroat News

Caithness LibDems still demand SNP honours vote for an independent far north maternity review

They want Highland Council to push for one that is ‘outwith’ NHS Highland and free of ‘Scottish Government oversight’.

John OGroat News

Going for gold: Newton Park Primary celebrates achieving Top UN Rights status

The pupils and staff at Newton Park Primary in Wick are proud to display the UN’s Gold Rights Respecting School Banner.

John OGroat News

Saharan plume could bring sweltering 28C heat to Caithness, warns local weather expert

Caithness faces a humid Saharan plume as a local weather expert warns of an ‘Omega block’ bringing sweltering temperatures up to 28C today.

John OGroat News

‘One of our rockets is missing’ – Record-breaking rocket may wash up on far north coast: reward offered if found

Have you spotted a missing rocket? A student team is offering a reward after their record altitude attempt ended in a north coast disappearance.

John OGroat News

‘Thanks for listening to our concerns’: Highland Council praised for Reiss road repairs

Highland Council has been thanked for making a “fantastic” job of repairing the Reiss beach road after concerns over its badly potholed condition.

John OGroat News

Fresh look for Wick harbour’s Seven Gates, 20 years after being installed

Wick’s Seven Gates have been given a makeover – 20 years after they were installed at the old vaulted salt cellars across from the harbour.

John OGroat News

Report makes 22 calls for action to tackle poverty in the Highlands

It challenges Highland Council, Holyrood and Westminster and others to work together.

John OGroat News

A99 works south of Wick to restrict road to one lane

The A99 will be restricted to one lane south of Wick from next week while surface improvement works are being carried out.

John OGroat News

PICTURE SPECIAL: A colourful community fills the streets of Thurso for Caithness Pride 2026

Thurso erupted in colour for Caithness Pride 2026! See our massive gallery packed with lots of photos from the vibrant street parade.

John OGroat News

‘Stark contrast to Liz Truss and Boris Johnson’: North MP Jamie Stone says government must get on with improving people’s lives after Sir Keir Starmer resigns as Prime Minister

Far north MP Jamie Stone has called for a period of stability after the resignation of the prime minister, Sir Keir Starmer, on Monday morning.

John OGroat News

PICTURES: Wick RNLI Harbour Day ‘a phenomenal success’ as £15,000 is raised

Wick RNLI Harbour Day was hailed as “a phenomenal success” as crowds again turned out in force for the local lifeboat team’s main fundraising event.

John OGroat News

‘How do we make long-distance travel easier?’ asks council as it launches survey

Ways of making long-distance travel easier are being explored by Highland Council - and it wants the public to have their say.

John OGroat News

Simpsons marks first anniversary in Fochabers

Simpsons marks a significant milestone this month as it celebrates the first anniversary since acquiring its Fochabers site.

John OGroat News

Workforce North partnership to harness investment and drive growth across key industries

Workforce North has been launched with a mission to unlock the full potential of the Highlands and Islands.

John OGroat News

‘They have done amazingly well’: Thrumster pupils hand over cheque to Wick RNLI

Thrumster schoolchildren took to the stage at Wick RNLI Harbour Day to hand over a cheque for £1281 to the local lifeboat team.

John OGroat News

Meet all the 2026 winners of the Neil Gunn writing competition

The Neil Gunn Writing Competition 2025/26 attracted 266 entries in total.