Local News

John OGroat News

Highland Heroes 2026: Nominate your fundraiser of the year

Do you know amazing fundraisers who go above and beyond to support a cause? Nominate them now for a Heroes award!

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John OGroat News

Thistle Do Icely, Blizzard Wizard, and Auntie Freeze: Scotland’s famous gritters head out amid snow warnings

Winter’s arrival has again shone a spotlight on Scotland’s famous gritter names - Thistle Do Icely, Get a Grit and many more! Which is your favourite?

John OGroat News

BREAKING: Fatal Accident Inquiry will probe death in prison custody of Renee MacRae and Andrew murderer William MacDowell

A fatal accident inquiry (FAI) is to be held into the death of Renee and Andrew MacRae’s murderer William MacDowell.

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John OGroat News

PICTURE SPECIAL: From pain to canvas – Thurso artists channel trauma into powerful mental health exhibition

Powerful messages on mental health and recovery can be seen at the current exhibition within Thurso’s art gallery on Davidson’s Lane.

John OGroat News

Caithness rhythmic gymnasts put on a sparkling show at Gymfest

A team of seven rhythmic gymnasts from Caithness Rhythmic put together a display routine to a familiar medley of music taken from the movies.

John OGroat News

First turbine components are delivered to Strathy Wood wind farm from Scrabster Harbour

Construction of the 11-turbine Strathy Wood Wind Farm has made significant progress this month.

John OGroat News

Care watchdog issues weak grading for leadership at Keiss nursery

Leadership at a Caithness nursery has been graded “weak”.

John OGroat News

‘Complete breakdown of safeguards’ over Mey battery energy scheme

Scotland’s main environmental regulator has been accused of not doing its job properly over plans for the Mey BESS development.

John OGroat News

Wick woman faces assault charge

Cheryl Fleming has yet to plead to a charge of assaulting another woman in Wick last month.

John OGroat News

66-hour long snow warnings issued for Highlands, Moray and Aberdeenshire

Two yellow warnings for snow will run back-to-back across much of the Highlands, Moray and Aberdeenshire from 3am on Tuesday until 9pm on Thursday.

John OGroat News

Labour candidate warns against ‘cycle of short-term fixes’ on Wick/Aberdeen route

Labour’s parliamentary candidate for Caithness, Sutherland and Ross, Eva Kestner, wants to see a long-term solution for air links to and from Wick.

John OGroat News

Knotty issues as Spittal SWI members get insight into ropework

President Anne Gunn welcomed almost a full house of members to the November meeting of Spittal SWI.

John OGroat News

Trial of man accused of domestic abuse is delayed to next year

A new trial date has been set for a 46-year-old man accused of a domestic abuse charge.

John OGroat News

Highland Council school senior numeracy and literacy attainment still lags behind national average

The local authority confirms that results declined in all but two categories compared to last year.

John OGroat News

Getting my bicycle fix on the road to John O’Groats

OUT AND ABOUT WITH RALPH: Cable problems aside, a ride out to the famous signpost is an enticing way to spend the day

John OGroat News

Halkirk Young Farmers speechmakers take district and regional honours

Halkirk Young Farmers are marking an impressive spell of success on the junior speechmaking circuit.

John OGroat News

VIDEO + PICTURES: Man found ‘clinging by his fingertips’ to capsized boat in Pentland Firth had no lifejacket

A man found ‘clinging by his fingertips’ to a capsized cabin cruiser in freezing Atlantic waters was not wearing a lifejacket when rescued.

John OGroat News

Cash support hits bank accounts for Caithness pensioners facing winter bills

Heating support for older residents in Caithness has begun to arrive.

John OGroat News

‘Wick people are being treated as if they don’t exist’: Kirk challenged over St Fergus

Kirk leaders have been accused of treating the people of Wick “as if they don’t exist” after putting St Fergus on the market at offers over £110,000.

John OGroat News

Thurso schools help bring festive comfort to families in Eastern Europe

Pupils at Mount Pleasant and Pennyland primary schools have been supporting the Blythswood Shoebox appeal.