Local News

John OGroat News

Road closed in Caithness as drifting snow blocks key route

Drifting snow has closed a key road in Caithness with police asking motorists to avoid the area.

Local messages

John OGroat News

Efforts to ‘future-proof’ Wick Heritage Museum outlined as visitors enjoy New Year open day

Efforts to “future-proof” Wick Heritage Museum are well in hand following the completion of phase one of a new heating system during 2025.

John OGroat News

Is your journey necessary? Experts advise as Caithness braced for more snow

Caithness is enduring a punishing Arctic blast, with weather watchers and road experts warning that the conditions will persist into next week.

Get Weekly Updates

Get the headlines in your inbox every week.

John OGroat News

Caithness Pride reflects on ‘amazing’ first year

The group have ticked off a number of firsts in 2025, setting a strong foundation to build on going into 2026.

John OGroat News

Snow warning extended into next week

The Met Office has once again extended the duration of an active weather warning for snow and ice - with the alert now remaining into next week.

John OGroat News

‘Progress made’ at nursery but further work still needed

Further improvements are needed at a Caithness early learning centre but positive progress is being made, inspectors have said after a fresh visit.

John OGroat News

‘We just keep trying to improve’: The team effort driving John O’Groats forward

Local businesses and the wider John O’Groats community have already achieved much, but there are ambitious plans for a range of further developments.

John OGroat News

Is the political tide turning in the far north as Liberal Democrats lead SNP in polls? Our look ahead to the 2026 Holyrood election

ANALYSIS: Political reporter Scott Maclennan looks ahead to the Holyrood election and asks if the tide is turning in Caithness, Sutherland and Ross

John OGroat News

10 top web stories from 2025

A selection of 10 of our top stories based on page views and engagement from the last year.

John OGroat News

What does 2026 have in store for your star sign? Your horoscopes for the year ahead - Part 2: Libra to Pisces

What does 2026 have in store for your star sign?

John OGroat News

Heavy snow showers expected to cause disruptions in Caithness over next few days

An Amber Warning is in place for Caithness tomorrow and Saturday for frequent and prolonged snow showers and ice that will lead to disruption.

John OGroat News

‘Excellent turnout’ at Wick’s Bignold Park as New Year bonfire beats the weather

The traditional bonfire in Wick’s Bignold Park defied the weather as it went ahead as scheduled on Hogmanay, following last year’s 12-hour delay.

John OGroat News

Caithness news review of 2025: July to September

Continuing our look back at some of the stories that hit the headlines in the John O’Groat Journal and Caithness Courier over the past 12 months.

John OGroat News

‘She was gushing with blood’: Dog owner’s mission to pick up smashed glass from Wick riverbed

A dog owner is on a one-man mission to pick up broken bottles from Wick’s riverbed after his young collie was badly injured by a shard of glass.

John OGroat News

Editor’s choice: 7 of the top Caithness stories from 2025

Highland News & Media’s John Davidson picks out some of the top stories from around Caithness from the last 12 months

John OGroat News

Can you get 100% in our Caithness quiz of 2025?

Test your knowledge on news and events across Caithness from the last 12 months

John OGroat News

Former MFR favourite Jodie McCluskey to return to airwaves next week with STV Radio

Aviemore presenter did not know if she would work in radio again but now can’t wait to start late night show

John OGroat News

What does 2026 have in store for your star sign? Your horoscopes for the year ahead - Part 1: Aries to Virgo

What does 2026 have in store for your star sign?

John OGroat News

Reliable wraparound childcare is at the heart of keeping families in the far north

Holyrood Notebook by Ariane Burgess

John OGroat News

Nails ‘deliberately’ dumped on NC500 junction, police warn

Police are investigating after nails and other debris was found deliberately dumped at the junction between the A836 and Strathy Point road.