Latest News

17 April 2014

New Community Index Under Construction
Send your groups latest details and information for the new pages to bill@caithness.org
Do you have a news items about your organisation - youth, church, health  etc you would like included in the new community pages now building....check your details and let us know of any changes....
Village Halls, Day Centres, Care Homes have all now been transferred to the new community section - Can committee members please check the details and let us know if any changes are required.  Send in news items, photos and updates at any time.     Old Community Index

Employment Fund Programme - Work Placement Scheme ·
Are you aged 16 or over and currently unemployed? ·
Would you like a work placement with a local employer that may lead to a job? ·
Would you like to gain certificated training towards employment?

Northern Nashville country Music Festival 18 - 20th April
the Northern Nashville Country Music Festival is here again for another Easter weekend and once again they have a huge line-up of singers.

16 April 2014

Job Added To Vacancies Section 3.45pm
Service Industries Assistant - North Highland College

More Memories Of Wick From Connie Dunnet Sutherland - Part 7

Braemore To Morven For Breathtaking Views Of Caithness

15 April 2014

Old Violin At The Heart Of First Responders Fund Raiser
The violin is possibly an old fake Stradivarius but the story behind why it is up for auction is very real.

14 April 2014

Your Citizens Advice Bureau – here to help
Caithness CAB was set up in 1982 and has been running successfully ever since. Your Citizens Advice Bureau – here to help The CAB service is here to help you. Whatever your problem, we’ll help you find an answer. There can be a perception that CAB deal only with people living in poverty and those in crisis, this is not the case and we will help anyone in need, including, for example, small employers. You’d be amazed by just how much information we have on just about any subject.

Several New Job Vacancies Added at 8.00pm Today

Reflections On New Wick Council Offices
       The new Wick council offices construction from the start

College Students ‘Champion’ Barclays Money Skills Week
Students at North Highland College UHI enjoyed a series of activities to learn how to better manage their money during Barclays Money Skills Week. The interactive events covered themes such as budgeting, saving and spending, and were designed to be entertaining and informative. Activities were based on topics that interest students, such as food, shopping and independent living. The initiative gives students the opportunity to build crucial skills for the future and gain knowledge of personal financial issues and controlling their budget. PHOTO GALLERY

Tour Your Local UHI Campus
The four North Highland College UHI (NHC) campuses are ever expanding and having had over £11 million invested over the last five years, is now opening its doors to offer campus tours for the general public. The scheduled tours are available to book online via the college website and will entail a general tour of one of the four campuses based in Thurso, Halkirk, Alness and Dornoch. Prospective students are able to register their interest in a particular subject area with the opportunity to chat to staff and students and the tours will be available twice per month.

HIAL Airports Record Busiest Ever Year
Energy sector drives huge growth at Sumburgh and Wick John O’Groats
Extra 70,000 passengers across the group
Much of the growth was linked to the energy sector, with Sumburgh and Wick John O’Groats the main beneficiaries. At Sumburgh, Scotland’s fastest growing airport, passenger numbers grew by 32.2% as a result of increased oil and gas traffic. A major terminal development is planned in the coming months to allow for future growth as the airport seeks to expand its energy sector operations. Wick John O’Groats recorded growth of 21.7% following an increase in energy related fixed wing and helicopter operations, and additional scheduled flights between the capital and the far north.

13 April 2014

Thurso Gala Queen 2014 Announced
Thurso Gala committee have announced the names of the 2014 gala court.

12 April 2014

The Referendum - We Look At Some Web Items You May Not Yet Have Found

Local Dance Instructor's Daughter Does Well At Euro Dance

More Trophies For Rushdance
Willie Miller of Rush.dance reports on the latest wins. Two of my Rush.dance kids Chloe MacGregor and Tyler Hutton (both from Wick) have just competed at dancelines Euro dance International championships in Brean, This competition was run over the weekend with dance styles going on Freestyle, slow dance, show dance and Hip Hop sections. Chloe danced in the Open U8 Hip Hop Championship section, which she dance on Saturday in her way to the final and coming away with an amazing (2nd place) Runner up place. Tyler danced in the Open U10 Hip Hop Championship section, which he danced on Saturday on his way to the final and he became U10 Dance lines International Hip Hop Champion coming in 1st place. Tyler has now won this amazing title as Euro dance Hip Hop champion for the second year running.

11 April 2014

Mozart's Requiem Day On Saturday
Open to all singers and players.

Wow You Added Over 100 New Events To Our What's On In Two Days - Total now over 500
A couple of days ago we sgave reminder to get events added to the Caithness.org What's On section to increase the coverage and publicity and you certainly respionded.  Caithness always has plenty of events going on but does everyone know about them?  Well the total events in opur listings today is 511 - it changes daily but has shot up.  But we definitely know there is much more yet to be added - for example all the galas are not yet listed so that should add many more events.  So get your club dates, coffee mornings, fitness, football and gatherings of all kinds in to the What's On.  Kids Dance classes and groups of all kinds do not yet put there dmeeting dates in.  Businesses must have dates they want to share so get listing. - It's FREE so get them in. Just use the Submission form

ERI Met New Partners In Thurso To Kick Off Turnkey Project
This week saw the launch in Thurso of the TURNKEY (Transforming Underutilised Renewable Energy Natural Resource into Key Energy Yields) project. This €2 million EU project has seven partners from five EU countries, and is coordinated by the Environmental Research Institute in Thurso. It is part of the EU’s Atlantic Areas programme.



Licenced Premises To Be Checked Out In Coming Weeks
Police to carry out test purchasing operations in Caithness and Sutherland in the coming weeks. Police Scotland Highland and Islands Division will be carrying out test purchasing operations in the Caithness and Sutherland areas of the Division in the coming weeks.

Local residents wanted to represent communities on decision making panel
Two vacancies have arisen for community representatives to serve on a locally elected panel making decisions about funding from the E.ON Camster Community Fund; one representative is sought from the Watten Community Council area and one from the Tannach & District Community Council area.

Sea Survival Trainng Course - RYA FIRST AID
First course being run in Wick - Wednesday 30th April 2014
This is a one day course and it covers all the usual first aid subjects, but from a boating perspective. It is aimed at anyone who goes afloat, whether on inland waters, rivers or at sea. This course fulfils the requirements for professional skippers of small craft working within 60 miles of a safe haven, including boatmasters. The course is recommended by the MCA and HSE


Parrot lost in the Springpark area of Thurso
If anyone see or captures please email Paul Cannop at paul.cannopATtopenworld.com

10 April 2014

NEW LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES FOR THE HIGHLANDS
If you’re leaving school this year, planning a career change or would like to retrain, North Highland College UHI, Thurso, Alness and Dornoch has a range of new courses to kick start your career. The North Highland College UHI is continually seeking to improve their range of courses and levels and modes of study. This year, the college is excited to announce even more new courses with excellent progression routes to give you the best learning journey and opportunities right on your doorstep.


Need Cash For Holidays This Year? - Sell Your Unwanted Items In Our Classfied Ads Section - It's FREE
Whether you are buying or selling it is worth checking our ads section regularly as many items are being added each day.

Fit's in 'e Courier
A fast look at the local paper.

9 April 2014

Over 400 Events Are Listed In Our What's On Section - Is Your Event  Missing Out On Free Advertising
you may put posters up and banners near to the event but for long term coverage you cannot beat our What's On section with 24 hour a day 365 days of the year coverage if you get it on in time.  Every year we put out the same messages about getting events advertised as soon as possible and although it is getting better we know are several events coming that are not yet listed.   With thousands of look-ups each month it is wel worth adding your event to the Caithness.org What's On section.  One minute gets you on for weeks,  months or years ahead if you know the dates. Clubs can add their regualr meetins, AGM's added make good reminder and show all over our site on the day from midnight and on Caithness.org Facebook and Twitter. pages.

Several New Jobs Added At 8:25pm Today
Jobs include full time, part-time and seasonal work.

Caithness firm sets sights on space with NASA order
An award-winning Caithness company which develops cutting edge scientific equipment used across the globe has received a significant new order from the US Government space agency. ​ KP Technology Ltd, based in Wick, has received an order from NASA (National Aeronautics and Space Administration) for its Kelvin Probe system. The company’s Scanning Kelvin Probe (SKP) portfolio spans a complete range of bespoke solutions for vacuum, air and controlled gases and relative humidity. It was developed by company founder and co-owner Professor Iain Baikie. Professor Baikie founded KP Technology 14 years ago and it now employs 13 staff in Wick, some of whom have advanced degrees in physics, electronics and engineering. The company now serves over 500 businesses and research institutes worldwide. What is A Kelvin Probe?

FloWave Test Tank Facility Can Simulate Pentland Firth Conditions
One of the biggest and most complex scientific instruments ever devised and built in Scotland will be 'in commercial action' for the first time this Spring (2014) at its site near Blackford Hill in Edinburgh. Early tests have proven that the unique £13 million huge 'International All-Waters Combined Current and Wave Test Facility' (popularly known as the FloWave Test Tank) will be able to replicate the natural, but sometimes extreme, varying sea-conditions of key parts of the Pentland Firth at different stages of the twice-daily tidal cycle and with different 'incoming' wave-heights.

Castletown Pharmacy Application Rejected
The NHS Highland Pharmacy Practices Committee has unanimously rejected plans to open a pharmacy in Castletown. The applicant Sanjay Mahju made the application for his company Apple Pharmacy Group that already has a number of pharmacies in Scotland. The GP's maintained the dispensing part of their business helped maintain GP's in the practice. Sanjay Mahju always maintained that the business was not a threat to the GPs.

Robin And The Sherwood Hoodies - A New Musical From Thurso Players
7 - 10th May - tickets on sale at Caithness Horizons, Thurso
A tale of fights flights and footlights will entertain you so get your tickets soon. Catchy songs and hysterical script make it fun for all the family. From the writer of Pirates Of The Curry Bean and Porridge comes a toe-tickling tale of tights, fights and footlights. And living and writing in the heart of Sherwood Forest himself, who better than best-selling author Craig Hawes to lift the lid on the legend you thought you knew!

Wick & District Pool League - Captains Cup 2014
Some outstanding potting from Thomson would see him take a 3-2 lead, but Carter dug deep to come back and win the match 4-3. Smith and Carter were not missing a shot in the final, with both players in outstanding form. Two 8 ball clearances helped Carter go 4-3 ahead, and one frame away from clinching his fifth Captains Cup title. Smith bounced back thanks to some excellent finishing to win the match and the title with a 5-4 scoreline.

8 April 2014

Wick High Pupils Build Bug Hotel
Pupils at Wick High School have been regularly working with the local Highland Council countryside ranger at Newtonhill Croft Woodland over the last 6 months. The youngsters have been working in all weather conditions and have undertaken a wide range of tasks such as hedge cutting and tree planting. The last two working sessions were spent building a ‘Bug Hotel’. The Bug hotel was constructed from old pallets and stuffed with recycled materials. Natural material such as pine cones, canes, tree bark, twigs, leaves straw, flagstones were used to provide suitable habitat to attract a wide range of mini beasts. Old flower pots and pipes were also used to create nooks and crannies for the little creatures to occupy.

Star Coaching - Easter Programme
Easter Holiday Programme - Wed 16th – Fri 18th April 3 days coaching and a fantastic goody bag Reduced Price £20 – Application forms available online New 25% sibling discount – check website for details.

7 April 2014

Police appeal for witnesses following a fire at Wick Harbour
Police in Wick are appealing for any witnesses to a fire which was deliberately set and caused substantial damage to a boating shed at the Wick Harbour around 03:15 hours on Sunday 06 April 2014.

Scottish Surf Kayak Championships Coming To Thurso
All standards welcome to take part so get your entry in now.   Novice, Open, Masters and Junior categories.  The Scottish Championships for Kayak surfing take place at Thurso on 19th and 20th April.




Young litter pickers get busy sprucing up their village
As part of their eco-school activities pupils at Melvich Primary School in north Sutherland spent their last day of term on Friday 4 April 2014 taking part in a litter pick around their village. Many hands make light work so in just a short space of time the young litter pickers were able to fill lots of black bags with discarded items that ranged from crisp packets to glass and plastic bottles.



Cross party support for Young and Novice Drivers and Graduated Driver Licensing
Highland Councillors are united in their support for proposed new legislation aimed at cutting accidents on our roads involving young drivers. Leaders of all political groupings on the Council back the introduction of a Graduated Driver Licensing system for new drivers in Scotland, which would restrict their permissions in driving unsupervised until they have gained adequate experience. And in letters confirming the Council’s support to the UK and Scottish Governments the Council makes an offer for the Highlands to pilot the scheme.

Join A Big Musical And Singing Event - Mozart's 'Requiem'
Saturday 12th April - St Fergus Church, Wick
Local musicians and singers are all invited to take part and join wiht the Caithness Orchestra in rehearsals and a final concert at the end of the day.  Already more than 60 people have signed up from Inverness, Skye and further afield.   If you play an instrument or are a singer then you can take part in this day.  At the end of the day at 4.00pm there will be a performance of the parts learned in the day.  The concert is open to the public to come along.

6 April 2014

Caithness Model Club Show 2014


Wick Academy 1 Formartine 1

Report on the game

5 April 2014

Rosebank Park, Wick Open Today  - 7 Days 2.00pm - 9.00pm
Crazy Golf has now been refurbished.  Tennis, football and bowling all open now and the bouncy castle will be back as from Monday.

4 April 2014

High School Fair With A Big Heart
Once again a group of Wick High pupils are heading out to another part of the world with problems to try and add their help.  They are fund-raising to pay for the trip to Bellarus.  So if you would like to help get long to the Fair they are running to purchase an item or donate to this great cause.   Caithness folk were very generous last year and the trip went very well.  This year our another groups of our young people are volunteering to assist another groups who have had their lives devastated.  Get along and help them reach their goals.  Saturday 11.00 - 3.00pm

Two Caithness Food Businesses Head For Singapore
Highlands and Islands businesses are at the forefront of showcasing Scottish food and drink in Singapore as part of two international events. Eight companies from the region are part of an 18 strong Scottish delegation participating in a trade mission to Singapore on 6-10th April in a bid to crack one of the world’s wealthiest economies. The Highlands and Islands companies attending are: Highland Bay Seafoods; Highland Smoked Salmon; J Lawries & Sons Smokehouse; Loch Ness Brewery; Mey Selections; Nevis Bakery; Scrabster Seafoods; and Speyside Craft Brewery.

Caithness and North Sutherland Regeneration Partnership - Update

Cannanis cultivation discovered In Lybster area as part of Operation Ram
As part of a Divisional initiative known as Operation Ram, police in Wick discovered a large scale cannabis cultivation in the Lybster area of Caithness with an estimated potential value of up to £130,000.

3 April 2014

SPRING SHOW ATTRACTS EQUINE ENTHUSIASTS FROM FAR AND WIDE
Last weekend was the North Highland College Equestrian Centre Spring Show which attracted entries from all over Caithness, Sutherland and Inverness. Judges Fiona Cameron, Melrose & Kimberley Nicoll, Ayrshire were both extremely impressed with both the standard of horses & ponies and the riders.

Calling All Art And Craft Folk
We are looking for artists to enter work into our ART & CRAFT EXHIBITION the event will take place on the 16th ,17th & 18th June 2014 and will be open to the public from 5-8pm.

MSP David Stewart's Bill To Recoup Costs From Defective and Dangerous Buildings
Highlands and Islands (Labour) MSP David Stewart’s Member’s Bill, Defective and Dangerous Buildings (Recovery of Expenses) (Scotland) Bill, is set to pass Stage 1 at 5pm today. This is the first Opposition Member’s Bill this session to reach this stage and the Scottish Government has indicated that it will give its support. This Bill aims to provide Local Authorities with much needed extra powers to re-coup their costs when dealing with defective and dangerous buildings. Owners of defective buildings may soon find that bills will be sent to them for sorting out many unsightly or unsound buildings.

New learning opportunites in the sports industry
The first of its kind to be available in the Highlands, the National Qualification (NQ) Sport Fitness and Health will be led from The North Highland College UHI. Delivered by Lecturer and part-time Fitness Instructor Sarah Dunnett, it is one of the newest courses to be added to the college prospectus this year. Students will benefit from a mixture of practical and theory learning available at the college’s Thurso campus. Utilising the local facilities available, students will make use of Naver Gym, E’Shed and the newly built Rugby Club gym at Milbank to assist with their learning. Candidates undertaking the course will benefit from small, tailored classes and a more personalised experience with one-to-one time with the tutors. The duration of the course is one academic year, if studied full time and two years part-time.

Get Fitter With Wick Triathlon Club Events
Wick Triathlon Club are holding several events over the next 3 months:- The Easter 10K race will take place on Sunday 20th April. The route is from Staxigoe Hall to Noss Head and back. All levels can take part - treat it as a run to gauge fitness prior to the Mey10K. Refreshments at the end of the run.
May Mini Triathlon - 4th May. 400M swim, 10K cycle and 3K run.
Sprint Triathlon - 8 June. 750M swim, 20K cycle and 5K run.
Entry to the events can be made on entrycentral.com

Easter holiday fun with the Caithness Rangers
The Highland Council Countryside Rangers in Caithness will be running three events over the Easter holidays for local families and visitors to enjoy.

2 April 2014

Fit's in 'e Courier
A race through the local paper.

Two In Court After Large Number Of Cannabis Plants Discovered In Caithness

Music Music Music At Y-NOT In April
If you are heading out at weekends in April check out Y-NOT in Thurso.






Ready Steady Work Returns For 2014  - Two Venues - Two Dates - Book Early
In 2013 DSRL held a week-long pilot course called Ready Steady Work to help senior pupils in Caithness and North Sutherland prepare themselves for work. Following positive feedback, DSRL now proposes to hold this event again in 2014 offering the option of two different weeks. 7th - 10th July 2014 - ETEC, North Highland College, Thurso
11 - 14th August - Pulteney Centre, Wick


Year Of Ancient Ancestors - Full Programme
The festival at Caithness Horizons wil run from May until October with wide range of events some of swhich require advance booking so check it out early.

New Vacancy Job Ads Just in at 4.50pm
Several new jobs just added including Staff Nurse, Taxi Drivers, Admin, Service Industry Assistant, Care Assistant, Part -time staff,

Option Selected for A9 Berriedale Braes hairpin
Users of the A9 will welcome the news that a preferred option has been chosen for the challenging hairpin bend at Berriedale Braes on the northernmost part of Scotland’s longest trunk road. A public exhibition is being held today at Berriedale (2nd April 2014) to give people the opportunity to view the proposals and provide their comments. A preview of the exhibition was held for councillors and others and all three Wick councillors took a particular interest along with Caithness Chamber of commerce manager Trudi Morris. Gail Ross, Neil Macdonald and Bill Fernie as Wick councillors were interested to find out what the improvement might mean asking a series of questions of the designer of the new plan. Over the years there had been several acidents and near misses not least the school bus from Orkney that crashed the barrier on the bend. Even yesterday a lorry had been involved in accident at Berriedale.
Larger Map     Berriedale Photos

Daffodils Everywhere

1 April 2014

Kirsty Mackay From Thurso Will Carry The Queen's Baton
Highlanders learn they are to carry Queen's Baton in biggest Thank-You Scotland has ever seen. People across the Highlands will learnt they are carrying the Queen's Baton, a thank-you from communities all across Scotland to the extraordinary individuals who make a positive difference to the lives of others. Up to 4,000 batonbearers from all 32 Local Authorities will join the relay in more than 400 communities for 40 days, in what is the most engaging relay the nation has ever seen.

Scottish farm incomes fall
The average incomes of Scottish farm businesses fell by 34 per cent to £30,000 in the 2012 accounting year, compared to the previous 12 months. The latest figures, released today by Scotland’s Chief Statistician, examine a number of financial indicators for the 2012 crop year, which suffered from poor growing and harvesting conditions. The report shows that increased input costs combined with a fall in value of both crop and livestock production and a decrease in the value of grants and subsidies was responsible for the decline in profits. The value of feed used on Scottish farms drove the increased costs, rising by an average of £6,000, or 19 per cent, to £37,000.

Latest Progress at New Wick Council Offices
UP and down...the concrete is lifted high then lowered to be deposited for spreading on the rear floor of the new council offices under construction at Wick.





Boost to community-led regeneration projects
£3m funding to support community groups and organisations. Around 50 community-led organisations have been identified to receive investment of up to £3 million which will support the regeneration of areas throughout Scotland.

Increased penalties for littering and flytipping from today
Anyone who drops litter can be issued with an £80 penalty (previously £50). If you don’t pay it then you may be prosecuted and risk a fine of up to £2,500. The penalty for flytipping is £200 (previously £50). If you don’t pay it then you may be prosecuted and risk a fine of up to £40,000.

Thousands of care users to get more control of their lives from today
New legislation that will radically alter the shape of social care in Scotland comes into force today (1 April 2014). The Self-directed Support Act places duties on local authorities in Scotland to offer people who are assessed as needing social care the option of designing their own care package. This could mean receiving a direct payment which they can use, for example, to employ their own support workers. They might choose to have the council hold the funds, while the individual decides how it is spent. Finally, they could opt for the council to arrange the support package for them. They can also choose a mix of all three options.

Ormilie Goes for Easter Fun
Monday 7th to Friday 11th sees Ormlie Centre in Thurso put on activities each day for youngsters and their families. Take look at their calendar of events and go along for some fun for the kids.





Highlights From the Wick Academy v Nairn County Match Saturday 29 March 2014

See the great Craig Shearer goal just before half-time.


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