Local News
‘Vital investment’: £6m improvement works about to start on Far North Line
Major engineering works on the Far North Line north of Dingwall are about to begin, Network Rail is reminding passengers.
Local messages
Permitted development, gratitude for ‘first class’ nurses, the importance of play and breast cancer awareness
Letters to the editor of the John O’Groat Journal and Caithness Courier
Dunbeath pupils get active with health and wellbeing week
Primary pupils in Dunbeath have been getting their bodies and minds active during a week-long health and wellbeing event at the school.
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Wick man’s fate in Canada, Old hall on the move, and Campbell’s comedy act
LOOKING BACK: News from the John O’Groat Journal of yesteryear
Record entry for vintage and classic vehicle rally at John O’Groats
Organisers of the far north’s showpiece event for vintage and classic vehicles have reported a record entry for the 2026 event on Sunday, June 14.
Gold recognition for Dunnet army cadet praised for commitment to Duke of Edinburgh awards
An army cadet from Dunnet says he has made “memories for life” after receiving his gold Duke of Edinburgh award at Buckingham Palace.
‘Quietly optimistic’ over Dounreay police force recruitment drive
The recent high-profile drive to attract new recruits to Dounreay’s in-house armed police presence seems to be paying off.
At breaking point: Thousands of Scotland’s animals paying the price for human carelessness
The SSPCA is urging the public to act responsibly and leave no trace when outdoors, warning that littering is a key driver for trapped wildlife
Cameras at Dounreay and Vulcan site junctions aim to improve road safety
Cameras are being used in the latest bid to prevent further accidents at a troublespot on the main A836 road along the far north coast.
Objection recommend for almost 50 energy towers set for village
The plans for an upgraded overhead line and steel towers are set to be decided next week.
Wick car park being exploited by campervans as loophole threatens local campsite
Concerns have been raised that campervan owners are exploiting free parking loopholes in Wick, creating congestion and threatening local trade.
Scottish musicians set to gather for the annual fiddlers rally in Thurso this weekend
The Thurso Strathspey & Reel Society’s annual concert and ceilidh dance takes place at the Royal British Legion club this Saturday evening.
Two centuries of Wick’s Maritime Malt: ‘There is always that tie-up with the coastal location’
In the 200th year of Pulteney Distillery, manager Malcolm Waring has underlined the connection between the whisky and Wick’s coastal location.
Wick town centre improvements nearly finished – High Street kerbing 95% complete and River Street works get underway
Pedestrians will soon be able to walk the full length of Wick High Street unobstructed as the multi-million-pound town centre regeneration ends.
‘Very bright future’ for Wick’s 200-year-old distillery
Pulteney Distillery can look forward to “a very bright future” amid the celebrations to mark its 200th anniversary, manager Malcolm Waring has said.
Organised crime is ‘alive and well’ in the Highlands - illegal tobacco crackdown
The council’s trading standards team has had to buy stab proof vests for staff following safety concerns.
Thurso campus plans could see two primaries merged in bid to transform education
Two Thurso primary schools could be merged as part of plans to create a new campus and community complex in the town.
New MSP backs nuclear industry at Dounreay meeting
Newly elected far north MSP David Green has underlined his full support for the nuclear industry in the far north.
A99 overnight closures planned as resurfacing works scheduled
The A99 south of Wick is due to be closed overnight for two weeks later this month while resurfacing works take place.
No quick fix: Red tape blamed for slow repairs at vandal-hit Wick toilets and councillors call for police foot patrols
Wick Community Council has defended the slow repair timeline for Whitechapel toilets, citing complex procedures amid a police vandalism probe.