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John OGroat News

UPDATE: Farmland fire near Caithness village reignites with Thurso firefighters responding

A dangerous gorse and farmland blaze near a Caithness village extinguished by firefighters earlier today has reignited.

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John OGroat News

‘Being around the horses was therapy’: Pair to set off from John O’Groats on horseback trip to Land’s End

Two intrepid explorers are setting off on horseback from John O’Groats on Friday with the aim of reaching Land’s End.

John OGroat News

New name as Hearing and Sight Care takes over running of Caithness macular group

The former macular support group for Caithness has been given a new name after being taken under the wing of local charity Hearing and Sight Care.

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John OGroat News

Wick man guilty of causing serious injury by dangerous driving

A Wick jury found a man whose car spun out of control guilty of causing serious injury by dangerous driving.

John OGroat News

Firefighters battle dangerous farmland gorse fire for over 2 hours near Caithness village

Firefighters today spent over two hours extinguishing a dangerous fire on farmland close to a Caithness village.

John OGroat News

Fire services called out to incident in Thurso garden

Smoke was seen rising from the Ormlie area of Thurso today and fire services attended a property on Provost Cormack Drive.

John OGroat News

Three Caithness nominations for national awards

Two are back on the shortlists after being nominated last year, with one new face up for a rising star award.

John OGroat News

Farmer denies animal welfare breaches

A Caithness farmer is to contest 21 alleged animal welfare breaches.

John OGroat News

‘I care deeply about animals’: Jamie Stone tells of concerns over testing

Local MP Jamie Stone has set out his concerns over animal testing in the UK, saying the Liberal Democrats support higher standards on welfare.

John OGroat News

SNP candidate welcomes midwifery apprenticeship plans

Maree Todd says she has secured a commitment from her party to introduce midwifery apprenticeship pathways, helping strengthen the rural workforce.

John OGroat News

‘Extreme’ wildfire risk warning issued for Caithness

The warning, which also covers the rest of Scotland, comes amid a spell of dry, sunny weather and ahead of the bank holiday weekend.

John OGroat News

Tall ships heading to Wick next week – Invictus flag to fly over town as national sailing expedition arrives

The Full Circle Invictus expedition visits Wick from May 4-6, featuring a Town Hall flag ceremony and outreach events for local veterans and schools.

John OGroat News

Castletown pupils learn about World War II bombing on visit to Wick memorial garden

Pupils from Castletown Primary School learned about a wartime tragedy when they paid a visit to the Bank Row memorial garden in Wick.

John OGroat News

Arrival of new lifeboat for Wick will be a ‘once-in-a-lifetime’ occasion

Members of the Wick lifeboat crew and fundraising team are looing forward to a couple of fundraising events – starting with a duck race on the river.

John OGroat News

Retired GP tells jury how car came spinning towards her in heavy rain

When two cars collided, Dr Morag McDonald suffered serious injuries and couldn’t work for seven months afterwards.

John OGroat News

New book celebrates Wick Model Yacht Club centenary

Allan Tait is hoping his 160-page publication will bring back happy memories while also encouraging a new generation of model yacht club sailors.

John OGroat News

Garage rental rates to be increased

Rents in Caithness are set to increase for garages and garage sites, as agreed at the recent area committee.

John OGroat News

Caithness village nursery school closed for the day after ‘staffing issues’

A Caithness Early Learning and Childcare (ELC) centre will remain closed today.

John OGroat News

Retiring Caithness care home worker went ‘above and beyond’

A much-loved administrator has retired after 27 years with a Caithness care home.

John OGroat News

Invasion of the beetles – Eco crisis as ‘billions’ of heather munching bugs descend upon the Caithness moors and beyond

The iconic purple moorlands of Caithness face a crisis this spring, as a massive population explosion of heather beetles sweeps across the county.