Latest News
20 October 2019
Check Out - Community - Business - Whats On - Arts - Jobs/Vacancies - Classified AdsCHAT Team Visit To The New Balfour Hospital in Orkney
Is It Crunch time For Parking Charges?
A
special meeting of the Environment, Development and Infrastructure
Committee of Highland council has been called for Thursday 24th October
2019 at 10.30am in council chambers in Inverness.
The only agenda item is 'Off Street' parking but as of today (Sunday 20
October 2019) the paper has still to be published on the web page. It
is likely that parking charges would be referred to local councillors
for decisions according to previous papers and the one produced for the
Redesign Board on 1ST MAY 2018.16 October 2019
Wick Street Design - Get Along Or Do It Online but Do Put Your Ideas Forward
We
have heard it for years "Why is no one doing anything about the centre
of Wick" Well
now finally something is happening but first Sustrans who have been
commissioned to come up with something want to hear from you. Separate
from that the
newly formed Wick
Development Trust will
take a hard look at what comes out of any report.. And things
are
happening such as the council have agreed to resurface the riverside
car park and make some other changes in that area. The newly
formed trust is in the process of getting its legal documents in order
but first lets hear from as many people as possible in this survey as a
first step.15 October 2019
Dunnet Bay Distillers Is Scottish Gin Distillery Of The Year At The Scottish Gin Awards 2019
The
national awards programme which celebrates excellence in Scottish gin
has revealed the names of the best gins made in Scotland this year, as
part of its 3rd annual competition.
The Scottish Gin Awards revealed the winners last night following a
rigorous judging process involving 30 leading experts from across the
UK, the assessment of 104 written entries and the blind tasting of 173
gins, all distilled in Scotland.
The ultimate award, Scottish Gin Distillery of the Year, was presented
to Caithness-based Dunnet Bay Distillers after phenomenal growth in
demand for their Rock Rose Gins worldwide.2 October 2019
Blasting At Berriedale Braes - Change Of DateCHANGE OF DATE) 8th and 15th October 2019 RJ McLeod (Contractors) Ltd has been progressing the construction of the road alignment works on the A9 at Berriedale Braes on behalf of Transport Scotland. Further to the previous notice, our recent blast on the 24th September was more successful than anticipated. This has resulted in the requirement to process significantly more rock than originally envisaged.
Time Running Out For Telephone Box Consultation 2019
The
Highland council has been running a consultation about the removal of
110 telephone boxes in Highland. The last list showed there had been no
objections for the removal of Caithness telephone boxes in Castletown,
Halkirk and Latheron.
The consultation closes - no later than 23:59 on 24/10/2019.
Community Index
1 October 2019
Taste North - The Food Festival At John O'Groats
Taste
North 2019 - Sunday 6th October 2019 11am to 4.30pm at
Together Travel - John O'Groats. Taste North 2019 will feature
many foodie and family activities throughout the day including chef's
demonstrations, cocktail masterclasses and workshops. Our incredible
guest of honour this year is Jean Christophe Novelli who will conduct a
number of live cooking demonstrations and be charged with choosing the
winner of the annual baking contest, the Taste North Challenge.
Our
Exhibitor's Market will
offer everyone the opportunity to sample food from local eateries and
producers, taste our local tipples and see an array of artisan crafts
from right here in Caithness & Sutherland. For families there
will
be plenty of children's entertainment and various opportunities for
them to get their hands sticky and learn where their food comes from.
Entry To The
Festival is FREE but make sure you have your parking
ticket if local for free parking otherwise its £2.30 September
Could You Help Shape The Future Of Wick High Street?
Wickers
are being given the chance to help transform their High Street into a
more vibrant, accessible and a welcoming place for everyone to spend
time in, as part of the Town Centre Regeneration.
The Wick Street Design project is being delivered by Sustrans Scotland
in partnership with The Highland Council, Royal Burgh of Wick Community
Council and Local Councillors.
Local residents, business and community groups are invited to drop in
to the Highland Council Offices between 2:00 and 6:00pm on Thursday
17th October 2019 to find out more about the project. There will also
be refreshments as well as child-friendly activities.
There also will be an evening session between 7:00-9:00pm at the
Pulteney Centre.29 September 2019
New Advice Service For Parents Carers and Children
innogy Launches Flexible Wind Farm Fund To Increase Employment Potential
·
Bad á Cheò Wind Farm Education & Training Fund created to
benefit local residents.
· £133,250 fund per annum now open for applications from residents and community groups.
Following extensive local consultation on the use of the renewables community fund associated with Bad á Cheò Wind Farm, innogy Renewables UK is delighted that local community councils have agreed to increase its flexibility by distributing the monies not only to community groups but also to individual residents for the purposes of increasing their employment potential. Now open for applications, the Bad á Cheò Wind Farm Community Fund, valued at £133,250 per annum and index linked to the Retail Price Index (RPI), will enable the funding of local community projects as well as bursaries to access training and education opportunities for individuals living within the community council areas of Latheron, Lybster & Clyth, Halkirk District and Watten.
19 September 2019
Community Projects Benefit Over £80k In CNS Fund Latest FundingSeven community projects are to benefit from over £80k of funding following the Caithness & North Sutherland Fund's latest grant awards. CNSFund Chairperson David Glass said "Our latest funding includes improvements to youth activities, community and recreational facilities as well as progressing an ambitious project to establish a major visitor attraction in Caithness. We are pleased to have received a good level of applications and we continue to encourage community groups to come forward with proposals that will enhance the Caithness & North Sutherland area."
11 September 2019
Wick Indoor Market First Day Success
The
First Saturday of the trial Indoor Market in the foyer of the Caithness
Council offices in Wick was a great success. Three more
Saturdays
will see a different variety of stalls. The venture is part
of
the Wick's community council activities to try to increase footfall in
the town centre.3 September 2019
Dounreay Apprentices Celebrate Completion Of Training Scheme
Seven
Dounreay apprentices have received their indenture certificates at a
special event to mark the successful conclusion of their 4-year
training programme.
The latest group ‘graduating' joined the company in 2015 - the 60th
year apprentices had been part of the workforce at Dounreay and the
first time in more than a decade that design office apprentices had
been recruited.
24 August 2019
A Life Time Of Adventures In Glass - Solo Exhibition By Denis Mann
Currently
on at North Lands Creative in Lybster, Caithness " A
Life Time of Adventures in Glass" a solo exhibition by renowned
Caithness artist and craftsman, Denis Mann. This retrospective
collection features highly regarded works spanning Denis' accomplished
career.
Denis joined Caithness Glass in 1970 where he worked for many years as
an artist, designer and engraver. Today Denis works as an independent
artist and engraver at his studio in Wick. Among Denis's many
accolades, he is perhaps most acclaimed for his work designing and
engraving the Master Mind Trophy.20 August 2019
Action and Adventure For Young People With Air Cadets In Caithness
If
you're a fan of aviation, action and adventure, love sports
and getting to know people then you're in the right place. Every year
nearly 56,000 air cadets and volunteer staff take part in exciting
events all over the country. And with over 1,000 squadrons across the
UK, you could be one of them.
19 August 2019
A Warm Highland Welcome For Probationer Teachers
One
hundred and seventeen (117) probationer teachers were recently welcomed
to Highland at an Induction course held at Millburn Academy in
Inverness.
The probationer teachers' induction day is the first of a number of
professional learning events throughout the year specifically arranged
to support probationer teacher induction and their ongoing professional
learning.
18 August 2019
Black Saturday Anniversary Flotilla of Boats At Wick Bay - Photos
Black
Saturday was, as reported at the time, a ‘fearful calamity'. In Wick
Bay, alone, some 37 fishermen lost their lives, with countless more
perishing around the coasts. Black Saturday, tragedy as it was, only
accounts for a small proportion of the total numbers of seafarers lost
to the sea along the Caithness coasts, over the decades. To recognise
and remember all those seafarers who lost their lives, a Seafarers
Memorial Group has been established with the aim of designing and
erecting an appropriate memorial that will provide a lasting place of
remembrance. 40 boats sailed out with the flotilla into Wick
Bay where wreaths were laid.13 August 2019
Public Warned Of Algal Bloom Presence At Loch Watten, CaithnessThe Highland Council is warning the public of the presence of an algal bloom at Loch Watten, Caithness, following an examination of sample water on Monday (12/08/19). As a precautionary measure, environmental health have posted notices next to the water body, warning that contact with the algal scum or material should be avoided. Adjoining landowners and fishing interests have been advised of the situation as have NHS Highland and SEPA.
Archaeology Dig to start at Iron Age site in Caithness
The
University of the Highlands and Islands Archaeology Institute, in
partnership with the Yarrows Heritage Trust, are preparing for a fourth
season of excavation at the Burn of Swartigill in Thrumster, Caithness,
Scotland.
Previous seasons of excavation at the site have uncovered a complex of
Iron Age structures, which are providing an important window into Iron
Age society away from the monumental architecture of the
Brochs.
The 2019 excavations commence on 19th of August and will continue until
8th of September. The site is located near Thrumster House, a few miles
south of Wick......Tours are available and the archaeologists will be
on site every day of the week between Monday 19th and Thursday 29th of
August 2019. The excavation will then continue from Tuesday 3rd of
September until Sunday 8th of September 2019.
Volunteers are welcome and you don't need any archaeological experience
to take part. Contact studyarchaeology@uhi.ac.uk for more information
or arrive on the day!
10 August 2019
Black Saturday Anniversary Flotilla of Boats At Wick Bay
Black
Saturday was, as reported at the time, a ‘fearful
calamity'. In Wick Bay, alone, some 37 fishermen lost their lives, with
countless more perishing around the coasts.
Black Saturday, tragedy as it was, only accounts for a small proportion
of the total numbers of seafarers lost to the sea along the Caithness
coasts, over the decades. To recognise and remember all those seafarers
who lost their lives, a Seafarers Memorial Group has been established
with the aim of designing and erecting an appropriate memorial that
will provide a lasting place of remembrance.
Black Saturday, so named, happened on the morning of Saturday 19th
August 1848 when the scale of the tragedy became obvious. The boats
left as usual on the Friday afternoon but by the evening, the
beginnings of a colossal storm became evident. Many of the boats began
to head for home but in the early hours of the morning the severity of
the storm caused boats to crash against each other as they tried to
gain the mouth of the harbour.
By way of remembrance of those lost during Black Saturday, and the many
more seafarers lost over the years, the Seafarers Memorial Group, along
with others, have organised a commemorative wreath laying ceremony on
Sunday 18th August 2019.
From 2pm on Sunday 18th
August 2019
a flotilla of boats, led by the Isabella Fortuna will leave Wick
Harbour and assemble in Wick Bay where a wreath will be laid in the
waves.
9 August 2019
UNIQUE STEAM DRIFTER LOTTIE 'SAILS' HOME TO WICK
An
unique ship from the 'golden era' of Wick's herring catching
and food-processing industries has 'sailed back' to her home-port, over
70 years since she ceased having a prominent role at Wick Harbour.
A fine model of the Wick steam drifter Lottie (WK 15) has been
bequeathed to The Wick Society by the family of late Mr Jack Slorach,
who served for decades at the school dentist for the county of
Sutherland.
Lottie is unique in being the only stream drifter built at Wick that
went on to spend her entire 40-year career based at the Caithness port.
Mr Slorach was a keen collector of model ships and other antiques at
his home in Golspie.
8 August 2019
Wick Players Invite You To A Script Reading Of Aladdin To Pick The Cast of Aladdin
Christmas
is coming and preparations are already getting underway at Wick Players
for this years pantomime.
If you would like to take part then go along to
the Clubrooms in Moray Street,Wick on 20th August at 7.00pm.7 August 2019
Wind Farms and Other Community Funders in Caithness ListingsRecently we have been building a listing of communcity grant funders available to Caithness organisations. Just added are the Achlachan Wind Farm Fund and the Achlachan Mini Fund. The funders all have different criteria and boundary areas but at least you can now quickly find the web sites for all the information and application forms all in one place. If anyone know of other funders not yet in our listing please send details to bill@caithness.org to add to the listing.
2 August 2019
Mey Highland Games Secures Major Sponsorship Deal With Nuclear Decommissioning AuthorityThe Mey Highland Games has agreed received a major sponsorship package totalling £15k with from the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority (NDA), the executive non-departmental public body responsible for the safe clean-up of the UK's earliest nuclear sites. NDA is a major contributor to the economy of Caithness, which is home to Dounreay, and Mey Highland Games is the latest local organisation to benefit from NDA support.
Mey Games at John O'Groats Saturday 3rd August 2019 10.00am - 4.00pm.
30 July 2019
Wick Gala 2019 - Children's Fancy Dress
New Funding Opportunities in the Community Pages
John O'Groat Mill Trust Wins £1,000 Movement For Good award
The John O'Groats Mill Trust has won a £1,000 Movement for Good award thanks to nominations from the public. The John O'Groats Mill Trust was nominated to win a £1,000 boost as part of specialist insurer Ecclesiastical's Movement for Good awards , which is giving £1million to charities this summer. Members of the public were invited to nominate causes close to their hearts, with 500 gifts of £1,000 available for donation. The John O'Groats Mill Trust was one more than 7,000 charities which were nominated by an amazing 98,000 members of the public to be in for a chance to win a financial boost.
Another Batch of Wick Gala 2019 Photos Thanks To Alistair Sinclair
We are happy to add any other photos if you would like to add to the gallery.
Just email them to bill@caithness.org
28 July 2019
Halkirk Highland Games 2019
Wick Gala 2019 - 400 Photos
26 July 2019
Rare Bird In Caithness - Pink or Rose Coloured Starling
Spotted
by crofters Stephen and Susan Cox on Thursday 25th July 2019 was a rare
visitor to Roster in Caithness. "A pink starling aka the Rosy Coloured
Starling is staying on our croft."
24 July 2019
Living Well Event - Book Now
11
September 2019 - The Nucleus, WickIf you are living with any long term condition in the Highland area this event is for YOU! Specialist talks on Self Management, Living with Fatigue, Pain Management and Hope will be available via video link to all venues. Exhibitors at each venue will offer you the opportunity to find out more about local services.
22 July 2019
Looking Back - Caithness.org July 2009 Wick Gala 2003 July 2005 Thurso Gala 2003 County Show 2003Caithness Folk Oil Photos 2005 - Can any of you send recent oil related photos to show where you work in the world.
WHOOPS XXIII
A
great chance to see what the junior Thurso Players havebeen
learning at the workshops in recent months.The McDonald Collection - Wick photo exhibition
HUNDREDS
of photographs of Wick life spanning more than
half a century are to go on show during the town's gala week.
They will form an exhibition called The McDonald Collection being held
at the St Fergus Church Hall for one day only on Wednesday, 31st July
2019.
On display will be more than 450 prints from the archives of McDonald
Photographers, the family business in Shore Lane run for many years by
Janet McDonald and her late husband Ian.
There will be a mix of black-and-white and colour photographs taken at
community events, special occasions and other assignments covered by
the McDonalds in Wick and district from around 1950 until the early
2000s.
Sunday Family Fun Day Events 28th July
Spoilt for choice with two family fun events Dunnet Bay Rumster Forest So get the kids out for the day.
21 July 2019
Adaptive athletes aiming to smash world records at Mey Highland Games
FOLLOWING
last year's new World Records, athletes from around the world are
preparing to raise the bar even higher. In 2018 Mey Highland Games
became Scotland's first ever Para Highland Games.
Athletes from Help for Heroes, Uncle Sam's Highlanders and Lothian
Disability Sport attending the 2019 Games.
Pioneering Games secures support of the Duke of Windsor's Invictus
Foundation.
Competitors from around the world are in training to attend the Mey
Highland Games 2019, including adaptive athletes from across the UK,
the United States and Australia.
SATURDAY 3rd AUGUST 2019 10.00AM - 4.00PM
20 July 2019
Caithness County Show 2019 - Saturday Photos Start HERE
Hundreds
of photos now added to the gallery including mosot of the days
happenings - horses, clydesdales, cattle, sheep, goats, pigs,
children's races, people, champions parade, vintage tractors parade,
sheaf tossing, dog show, and many many more around the show today.19 July 2019
Caithness County Show 2019 - Friday Photos
Caithness County Show 2019 - Friday Evening and All Day Saturday
Another
great county show in store for the weekend at Riverside, Wick.
The weather forecast is for light showers but not until after
4.00pm. Possibilty of a light shower before 10.00am so we
have a 6 hour window when hoepfully things should be fine.
But hey this is Caithness and we all know all weather is
possible at any time. It never rains on the golf course or
the county show - you just go and enjoy it. See you all there.Can You Afford To Build Your Own Home?
Peter Body of Thermohaus
sets out the financeThis is the second article in a series to help anyone thinking of building their own house by seting out the basics, the finance and much more to show how anyone can do it with the right advice. Before you begin planning your new home it is imperative you set a budget. And, as your build progresses, you must monitor the spend to ensure you stay within budget. We've all seen the TV self-build programmes such Grand Designs and the mess some self-builders get themselves into.
The first article published recently was -
Building Your Own Home Is Easier Than You May Think
17 July 2019
Community Fund Awards Over £70k To Support Leisure Activities!
The
Caithness & North Sutherland Fund has committed over £70k to
six
community projects in its latest round of grant awards. CNSFund
Chairperson David Glass said "This latest investment supports
improvements to recreational amenities and events in Caithness
&
North Sutherland, helping to ensure that people living and visiting our
area can enjoy a high standard of leisure activities. All of these
projects are overseen by volunteers who work hard to improve the
quality of life for our communities and we are pleased to support them
in achieving their plans."
9 July 2019
Thurso Heritage Society Talk - A Top Detective Came From Thurso
Thurso
Heritage Society will host an illustrated talk and book signing with
the guest speaker, author Adam Wood at the Royal British Legion, 7:30
pm Friday 19th July 2019 with a book signing, 10 am - 1 pm Saturday
20th July at Thurso Library.
The book, is the first biography about Thurso born, Donald Swanson who
would begin life in humble beginnings. He left the far north of
Scotland for London in 1867 and became the top detective in the country
in charge of the C. I. D. (Criminal Investigation Department)
7 July 2019
Green Road Playpark, Wick Refurbished By Volunteers
A
group of about a dozen volunteers have done a huge amount of work on
refurbishing the playpark equipment at Green Road, Wick. Old equipment
was repaired and everything got a lick of paint. Some new items that
had been languishing in a council store were built up and installed. On
big basket swing even had some part made by a 3D printer when they
could not source spares from the manufacturers as they no longer had
that line. The high school made the parts and you can see them in white
in the photo as all the other parts are black. New goalposts have been
obtained and installed and the pitch lined. Funds raised from various
sources and more is yet to come as the group shortly hope to install a
zip slide also sitting in a council store. Local contractors have
pitched and the council workmen offered advice on safety and how to do
a few things. Well done to all concerned as this really was a community
project with a great result. There was plenty to see and do for kids
including Face painting and goal scoring skills against Wick Academy
goal keeper.
Friends
of Green Road Playpark FACEBOOK6 July 2019
Canisbay Show 2019
Earlier Years Canisbay Shows HERE
5 July 2019
Great News - Fiends of Green Park Road, Wick Have Successfully Refurbished all the Play Park EquipmentTo celebrate they are having a Fun Day on Sunday 7th July 12:00 - 2:00.
3 July 2019
External Force Asked To Review Death Of Kevin McleodPolice Scotland has asked for an independent review into the death of a man whose body was recovered from Wick Harbour more than 20 years ago. Senior representatives of Police Scotland and the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service met with the family of Kevin Mcleod earlier today to inform them that, following consultation with the Lord Advocate, Chief Constable Iain Livingstone has requested Merseyside Police carry out a detailed review of the case under the direction of the Crown. The initial investigation into Mr Mcleod's death in 1997 by Northern Constabulary will be reviewed, along with all further inquiries carried out by Police Scotland since its formation in 2013. Mr Mcleod, an electrician, was last seen in the early hours of February 8, 1997, as he enjoyed a night out with friends in the Caithness town. His body was recovered from the sea the following day.
Lyth Summer Exhibition Launch - Saturday 6th July 4.00 - 8.00pm
Join
us for the opening of our Summer Exhibition Mountains Underwater:
Stroma.
The exhibition also features work by local artists, film and audio recordings of Stroma histories, island artefacts and extracts of recent UHI research conducted on the island. Join us from 4pm for a first look and a celebratory drink at the opening of this exciting new exhibition.
All welcome
Highlands and Islands MSP raises concerns about cancelled operations
Operations
had to be cancelled across NHS Highland because hospitals simply could
not cope, new figures reveal.
Data published by ISD Scotland shows that 45 operations were cancelled
in May 2019 due to non-clinical reasons such as not having enough staff
or unclean equipment.
Canisbay Show - Saturday 6 July 2019
Lots on this year ,
LeisureLink Partners added in time for Summer - More With Your Highlife Card
Just
in time for the school holidays LiveBorders has joined the LeisureLink
partnership to provide access for highlife leisure members holidaying
in the Borders this summer, and adding another eight leisure centres to
the partnership.
This means that highlife members can now enjoy gym and swim at leisure
facilities when on holiday in the Borders, Western Isles, Argyll and
Bute, Orkney and Moray for free as part of their existing membership.
Sports Index
2 July 2019
Summer Holidays Childrens Events With The Rangers 2nd July 2019
Ranger
events for children in the summer holidaysFor a full list of ranger events for adults and kids see HERE
30 June 2019
A Short Walk On Thurso River At Halkirk
21 June 2019
Building Your Own Home Is Easier Than You May Think!
Today
we begin a series of articles written by Peter Body of Thermohaus Ltd ,
a Caithness based timber frame kit home company. Why Self-Build?
For decades the British have bought new homes as standard speculatively
built products from national and regional house builders. In most cases
you must take what the builder offers, meaning there is always
compromise. Add to this the high value of land and developers'
obligations to their shareholders and the buyer has generally got a
poor deal.
Self-build is a credible and viable alternative.
Self-build expert in Caithness launches new eco home concept
20 June 2019
Subsea7 Donate £1000 To Caithness Health Action Team (CHAT)
Mikie
Aitken , Quality Control Inspector for Subsea7 Wester
Site, recently won a thousand pounds for a safety award while working
on the Equinor Snorre project to be given to a charity of his choice.
He chose to donate to Caithness Health Action Team 100mile helper kits
which are given to Caithness General Hospital , Community Maternity
Unit who give the kits to local women that have to be quickly
transferred to Raigmore maternity hospital in an emergency situation.
The kit has essentials a mother needs such as sanitary products,
toiletries, water, energy bars, head rest, key for the disabled toilet,
baby blanket and nappies.
18 June 2019
Mount Pleasant Primary School - Public Meeting Regarding Creation Of Gaelic Medium AreaA public meeting will be held at Mount Pleasant Primary School on Tuesday 25 June 2019 starting at 7.30pm, to discuss the creation of a Gaelic Medium catchment area for Mount Pleasant Primary. Community Index
16 June 2019
Wick Harbour Day 2019
Halkirk Gala 2019 - Floats, Crowning, Children's Fancy Dress
14 June 2019
Obituary on Jimmy Simpson, Laird of Stroma Born 5 April 1928 Died 2nd June 2019
Jimmy
Simpson, the Laird of Stroma, died at the age of 91 on
June 2nd, 2019 at the Town & County Hospital, in Wick,
Caithness,
after a lengthy illness.
Mr Simpson, who was born at the fourth of a family of six in Stroma
Mains Farm, had owned the now uninhabited island in the middle of the
Pentland Firth since 1961. He operated its near-one thousand usually
wind-swept acres as a sheep-farm, servicing the two miles long by one
mile broad island it with workboats based on little piers &
harbours on the North Caithness coast.
Jimmy became best-known to visitors as the genial Stroma boatman,
ferrying hundreds of visitors each summer to the isle just off John
O'Groats. 5 June 2019
Budding Engineers Crowdfunding to To Increase Children's Access to 3D Design and Architecture
Budding
engineers are currently in the process of trying
to raise enough money through crowdfunding for a 3D Community printer
here in Caithness. In addition we are also looking to purchase several
Architectural Modelling Kits to introduce into Primary Education, some
of these are available for children as young as 4 years.
4 June 2019
North Highland College No Plans Yet In Place To Deal With Serious Financial Problems
Colleges'
financial challenges increase.
The Audit Scotland report published today (4th June 2019)
shows North Highland college is only one of several colleges not to
have any financial plan in place to deal with a growing deficit.
The auditor highlighted the need for more detailed interaction between
the college and UHI as savings plans are developed. The college has
once began a curriculum review, with a view to achieving savings for
the 2019-20 budget. However, the college anticipates that it may
require financial support from UHI, in the form of cash advances, for
2019-20. The
college has loans of £1.3 million and in 2017-18 relied on waivers from
its bank to avoid breaching loan covenants.
The college
has previously
required cash advances from its regional body, the University of the
Highlands and Islands (UHI). It is forecasting a cumulative underlying
deficit of £2.5 million by 2022-23.2 June 2019
Have You Got The Skills To Assist The Caithness Broch Project Reach Its GoalsVolunteers with project and contract management skills and enthusiasm to join management committee of the Caithness Broch Project.
The Project Aims
29 May 2019
Proposal To Establish A Gaelic Medium Catchment Area For Mount Pleasant Primary School, ThursoMoladh Sgìre-Sgoile airson Foghlam tron Ghàidhlig a Stèidheachadh airson Bun-Sgoil Mount Pleasant
Highland Council is to seek the views of local communities on a proposal to establish a Gaelic Medium catchment area for Mount Pleasant Primary School. The change is being proposed in line with Statutory Guidance on Gaelic Medium Education.
Tha Comhairle na Gàidhealtachd gus beachdan choimhearsnachdan ionadail a shireadh mu mholadh gus sgìre-sgoile airson Foghlam tron Ghàidhlig a stèidheachadh airson Bun-Sgoil Mount Pleasant. Thathar a' moladh an atharrachaidh a rèir Stiùireadh Reachdail air Foghlam tron Ghàidhlig.
Wick Town Centre Getting A Huge Clean Up
Wick
town centre is set to sparkle following a deep clean of the High Street
area.
The deep clean started on Monday morning and will be completed on
Friday 31st May 2019.
There are 5 staff involved daily in the cleansing operation, which is
essentially a pressure wash which includes a detergent being fed
through the tank of a mechanical street sweeping vehicle. Litter
collection takes place daily anyway, so the deep clean will focus on
the cleansing of pedestrian areas. The aim is to clean and remove any
stains such as residual marks caused by liquid spillage and the clean
will also remove any existing bird mess.
Community groups and
members of the public are warmly invited to attend a town centre
regeneration meeting on Monday 10 June at 7.30pm in the Mackays Hotel. Highland Council Rescue Plan For Caithness Horizons Approved
Re-
opening on the horizon for Caithness.
Highland Council's Care Learning and Housing Committee today agreed a
package of revenue and capital funding which is a major milestone
towards the re-opening of Caithness Horizons, Thurso.
The Council agreed to commit revenue funding of £75k p.a. for 3 years,
and capital funding of up to £204k to allow the most immediate building
works to be addressed over the coming months.
The plan includes a contract with Highlife Highland the
successful arms length organisation that already runs a range of
leisure services for the council across Highland.The Highland Council Apprentice Mechanics Class Of 2016-2019
Apprentices
Mechanics excel with Moray Firth Training.
Seven of our apprentices studying with Moray Firth Training have
reached the end of their third year in style!
The team have taken 11 exams each over the last 2 years with 79
distinctions (over 80%), 9 merits and 3 passes in total between them.
Scott Matheson and Alick Elrick achieved 11 distinctions, with Elliot
Geddes, Jon Hutchison and Gregor Rose all getting 10 distinctions.
Highland on track to meet ELC expansion requirements by 2020
The national expansion of funded Early Learning and Childcare (ELC) hours will see entitlement for three and four-year-olds and eligible two-year-olds increased from 600 to 1,140 hours per year from August 2020. Every setting in Highland is being considered and assessed in preparation for full roll out in August 2020. The funding from the Scottish Government means that we are able to adopt a phased approach with approximately 70 sites already identified to move to 1140 hours from August 2019, with further sites expected to be identified into January 2020 before the statutory requirement in August 2020.
26 May 2019
Local Entrepreneur Peter Body Starts New Caithness Business With A National Outlook
Peter
Body, one
of the most successful business people in Caithness has launched
another new company. Thermohaus
aims to make it easier for people to get the home they want using eco
principles but with modern design. The Thermohaus design concept
comprises just five primary building blocks. Two different height
accommodation blocks, two roof forms and a link/porch unit. Together
they may be arranged in a multitude of different formations to provide
maximum design flexibility. The accommodation blocks do not require
internal load-bearing walls meaning the internal layout is also very
flexible and ideal for open plan living. Whilst Thermohaus recommend
separate blocks for living and sleeping, customers may have the layout
which suits them best.
The
new
business has launched a web site and Facebook
page and will also have a
stand at Homebuilding and Rennovation show on Saturday 1 and Sunday 2
June 2019
SEC, Exhibition Way, Glasgow.23 May 2019
A Walk Around Thurso On A Dreich Day
Yesterday
was a kind of damp drizzly day but not wet enough to stop going for a
wander around Thurso.An earlier walk September 2017 was a much brighter day.
Thurso Streets Index A to Z Index
Pentland Music In Thurso Offering Lessons To Pupils Anywhere Online
Pentland
Music Shop in Thurso has branched out to offer online music lessons.
With a growing number of people keen to learn to play but
unable
to reach a music teacher the numbers are expanding who get lessons from
a distance. The popularity of the Ukulele has been building
and
the shop has a great stock of instruments. Lessons are
offered on
several other insturments and you can buy one or get advice. So
if you are wanting guitar, ukulele, fiddle, accordion, or
keyboard
lessons then check out Pentland Music. Distance is now no
barrier
to learning to play an instrument in Thurso or any place.Another Miller Academy Photo from 1962
Jim
Christie has sent in this latest photo of his class from 1962 at Miller
Academy. We have many of the photos from that centernary year
already on the site and thought wehad gotten them all but you never
know. If anyone has a listof names please send them in to
bill@caithness.orgThe school photo section has not had new items for some time but if you have an old class photo you would like to share then send it to bill@caithness.org
Miller Acadmy School Photos Index Other Caithness Schools Early Class Photos Index
9 May 2019
Wick Councillors Announce Follow-up Meetings In Town Centre Regeneration PlanPlans for a town centre regeneration in Wick have taken another step forward with the announcement of two further stakeholder meetings. On Tuesday 28 May2019, town centre retailers are invited to join Ward 3 councillors and Highland Council officers for a workshop exploring some of the key themes identified during the first round of engagement, which took place on 16 May.
Meanwhile, councillors have also set a date for a meeting with wider stakeholders and the general public. This meeting has been set for Monday 10 June at 7.30pm in the Mackays Hotel. It will provide an opportunity for councillors to share their draft regeneration plans while seeking views, feedback and ideas from the community.
4 May 2019
McIvor and Allen Wood Chip Carvers of Castletown Exhibition
The exhibition is now on at Castletown Heritage Centre, Harbour road, Castlehill, Castletown.
A short history of chip carving in Castletown by James Dunster.
Photos from the 2001 exhibition can be seen HERE
Castletown Heritage Society Castlehill Heritage Centre opened in Novermber 2007
3 May 2019
US and UK complete project to remove highly enriched uranium from Dounreay
The
Nuclear Decommissioning Authority and US Department of Energy's
National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) have completed the
transfer of around 700kg of highly enriched uranium (HEU) from
Dounreay, in the north of Scotland, to the US.
The HEU transfer, from Dounreay to the United States, was announced by
the UK Government as part of its commitment to the 2016 Nuclear
Security Summit held in Washington DC.
2 May 2019
Olrig House Castletown - Bluebell walks
Enjoy
a walking tour with the Head Gardener, Graham around the
grounds of Olrig House, see the stunning bluebells and learn about some
of the history and stories related to Olrig. Tours will run throughout
May on Friday and Saturday at the following times. 10.30am and 12noon. Help Find Missing Tabby Cat From Keiss
Recently
moved to Keiss and this tabby has gone missing. If you see it
get in touch. Name and phone number inside.Cat Came Home.
The Flow Country - Peatland Partnership's World Heritage Site's Project Open Days
The
Peatlands Partnership is announcing the start of an extensive community
consultation over a proposed World Heritage Site for The Flow Country,
the vast area of peatlands in Sutherland and Caithness that is now
widely recognised as being the best peatland of its type in the world.
Joe Perry, the Peatland Partnership's World Heritage Site's Project
Coordinator said: "A Flow Country World Heritage Site would not only be
an enormous accolade for the area and the many organisations, land
managers, crofters and farmers who have maintained this land for
generations but it could also bring many positive development
opportunities and undoubtedly some challenges too. Glamping, Distilling And Farm Fitness - A New Guide For Farming Diversification
Glamping,
distilling, adventure tourism and even outdoor farm fitness are among
the novel opportunities open to rural businesses looking for
"diversification inspiration". A new guide created by Scotland's Rural
College (SRUC) as part of its Rural Brexit Hub highlights successful
examples from around the UK and includes advice on how to get new
projects off the ground.
Guide author Calum Johnston says that, with current Brexit uncertainty and the onset of reductions in farm subsidy payments after 2021, diversification will become increasingly important for farmers and rural businesses to ensure long-term sustainability.
Labour Party Visit To Caithness Hears About Third Sector and Health Issues From CHAT
A
visit of the Labour Party Leader in Scotland Richard Leonard MSP
accompanied by Rhoda Grant MSP heard from the third sector and
Caithness Health Action Team (CHAT) about problems arising to the
community from changes to health provision and wide range of topics.
Roger Saxon the local Labour party organiser and Alan Tait from
Caithness Voluntary Group facilitated the meeting at the Pulteney
Centre in Wick.
Bill Fernie CHAT chairman and Ron Gunn, CHAR vice-chairman set out some
of the problems for people in the county in respect of health issues
while Catherine Patterson spoke about Befrienders and the need for
assistance.
BT offers communities the chance to ‘adopt' their local phone box for just £1
BT
is offering communities across Scotland the opportunity to adopt their
local phone box for just £1 to turn them into something inspirational
for their local area.
More than 740 traditional red boxes are available for adoption across
Scotland and BT will also consider adoption requests to house
defibrillators in more modern kiosks. BT is encouraging community
groups to seize the opportunity to do something wonderful with phone
boxes that have little or no usage. Already, more than 370 payphones
have been adopted by communities in Scotland since 2008.
Photos of Telephone Boxes in Caithness - Some Now Gone
27 April 2019
Caithness Health Action Team Raised The Huge Mileages By Caithness Patients Going to RaigmorePress and Journal Today Saturday 27th April 2019
Bill
Fernie Chairman of Caithness Health Action Team (CHAT) at the Annual
NHS Highland review 25 April 2019 open to the public asked the top
table of Jeane Freeman MSP, Cabinet Secretary for Health and Sport,
recently appointed chief executive Iain Stewart and chairman Boyd
Robertson
of NHS Highland if they were aware of how changes over the years had
increased patient travel to Riagmore to very high levels. A rough
calculation showed it was in excess of 3 million miles each year now
creating hardship for some families and huge inconvenience compared to
to a time when more clinics were held in Caithness.Story in Press and Journal 27 April on mileage piles up by patients form Caithness to Raigmore
Editorial in Press and Journal 27 April 2019 on the huge travel from Caithness to Raigmore
Caithness Health Action Team Facebook Page for comments on this situation.
Community Index
22 April 2019
Thurso's Got Talent - Entries Now Being Accepted
Join
us for an evening of entertainment from Thurso's finest
talent! We're hosting Thurso's Got Talent as a fundraiser for our
Trust. We're a grass roots, not for profit organisation which works on
behalf of the residents and businesses in the town in the hope to
develop and improve the place we call home. We're a registered charity
and all funds raised help us progress with our projects and continue
the work we've started since we formed in January 2018. We believe
Thurso is home to fantastic people, businesses and talent so, how could
we not organise a talent show?
Wick Players Announcments For Kids And Panto Dates
Open
evenings for juniors being held by Wick Players on Monday evenings from
7pm to 9pm. These evenings will begin on(Monday 22nd April 2019).
Children must be 12 years or over.
Note - These are two separate events. The open evenings are not related directly to the panto.
18 April 2019
Wick Businesses Talk With Councillors About How To Improve The Town Centre
Wick
Town Hall packed as businesses and councillors gather to discuss
ambitious town centre regeneration vision.
More than 50 retailers and business owners attend presentation and
discussion session in Wick Town Hall, hosted by all four ward
councillors.
Councillors unveil three-part draft strategy to tackle derelict
buildings, deliver flagship development, improve built environment.
16 April 2019
Green Health Week 22nd-29th April 2019 with NHS Highland - Photo Competition With Moray Firth Radio
Things
are gearing up for Green Health Week. Moray Firth Radio will be running
a radio campaign starting on the 22nd April so listen out for it!
Either side of that MFR are running a photography competition. It will
run for 4 weeks and is hosted on the MFR webpage. MFR have a
few
suggestion and ideas for outdoor places to go. So get
cracking
with some Caithness places and enter the competiton. Anyone can enter by sending a
photo online a favourite outdoor space for 4 weeks.15 April 2019
Francis Street Bowlers, Wick Supports 3 Local Groups
On
Saturday 13th April 2019 Francis Street Bowlers made
three generous donation to local groups.
A day spent playing bowls at the opening day of the season at Thurso
Bowling Club was followed by a buffet tea after which they presented
the cheques.
The three groups were -
Wick Youth Club £200
Laurandy Day Centre £250
League of Friends of Caithness General Hospital £200.
12 April 2019
Berriedale Braes Road Project Starting Soon - Spring Newsletter Issued
The
apointed contractor for the upgrade of the Berriedale
sectionof the road is R J McLeod and they have issued the first in a
series of newsletters as the main works are to begin very soon.
Berriedale Braes is located north of Helmsdale and south of Dunbeath on
the A9 trunk road in
Caithness and forms part of the strategic roads network north of
Inverness. The existing A9 at
Berriedale Braes includes a tight hairpin bend northeast of Berriedale
in order to negotiate
steeply sloping topography. The existing hairpin bend on the A9 at
Berriedale Braes entails that two HGVs travelling in
opposite directions cannot pass on the hairpin bend, as one vehicle
requires the use of most
of the carriageway to successfully negotiate the bend. This existing
substandard geometry is a
safety concern and accident records indicate a near miss where an
athletics bus collided with
the barrier. Become a Volunteer with Home-Start Caithness and help local families
Come
on the next Volunteer Preparation Course.
Wednesdays - 10am - 2.30pm May 22nd, 29th and June 5th, 12th, 19th, 26th.
Wednesdays - 6pm - 8.30pm May 22nd, 29th and June 5th, 12th, 19th, 26th and 3rd July
11 April 2019
Jobs Jobs Jobs - Vacancies - Full-time - Part-time - Bank workThe most vacancies ever in our jobs section with many positions currently available in Caithness and Sutherland.
The holiday season has begun and hotels and catering places are looking for staff. The health service and care sectors along with many others are advertising. Many indivuals positions with a wide range of employers so check them out if you are looking for work. For employers it is free to advertise in our forum - just join the forum and post your vacancies. Free for all to see.
Caithness Community Planning Partnership - Next Meeting
Wednesday 17th of April 2019 The Pentland Hotel, Thurso 11:00am - 1:00pm - Open To The Public
The Rev. Deacon Jacques Cooke - Obituary
The
Reverend Deacon Jacques Cooke born 16 December 1924, Roubaix, Northern
France: died 25th March 2019, Inverness.
James Cooke was the second of five children born to British father
(John) and a Belgian mother (Marie-Louise nee Hollebecq), who met on
the evening of the 11th November 1918 and married in June 1921. Jacques
was born on the 16th December 1924 in Roubaix in northern France, a
short distance away from the Hollebecq family home in Mouscron.
Jacques Cooke was a nuclear engineer at Dounreay who in 1986 became the
first Roman Catholic to be inducted as a permanent deacon in Scotland
for over a Millennium.10 April 2019
Success For John O'Groats Mill Trust Awarded £348,064
The
largest of the latest round of grants announced today was made to John
O'Groats Mill Trust, which has received £348,064 to acquire the
B-listed, disused John O'Groats Mill along with 9.5 acres of land and
two self-catering holiday cottages. The Trust intends to restore the
Mill to its former working condition and develop it as a visitor
attraction and a social and heritage centre, creating a number of
employment, volunteering, training, and skills development
opportunities. 8 April 2019
Charity PiecesTrustee Recruitment and Succession Planning
Is Your charity Ready For Brexit?
Up to £1,000 available to charities to help defend against cyber attacks
Goodbye Paper Applications - Hello Digital - Apply online to become a charity
5 Excuses for Not Having Young Trustees
7 April 2019
Caithness Model Club Show 2019
2 April 2019
Caithness Will Be Very Busy This Coming WeekendSeveral events this coming weekend wil make Caithness very busy. The John O'Groats Book Festival starts on Friday evening and runs all weekend. The Caithness model club annual show is in Wick for two days on Saturday and Sunday. A craft fair, a beach clean, a coffee morning, coastal boat tour and more so check the Whatson Calendar for times and places
Thurso High Second In Rock Challenge 2019
Thurso
High took second place at the 2019 Rock Challenge event at Eden Court
theatre, inverness last night. Well done to Thurso high.
Dinwall Academy took First Place. The themes for
the
music this year were on wartime tragedies. Thurso
chose -
Iolaire - 1919. The HMY Iolaire was returning war heroes to Lewis on
New Year's Day. During the voyage, the ship struck the infamous rocks
'The Beasts of Holm.' The boat was torn apart and sank. Those that
survived clung to masts and ropes to endure the night. More than 200
people drowned, just yards from their home. We will remember them.
Inside see the list of all the awards with Thurso high listed on
several others.1 April 2019
Fun At Lyth For Easter School Holidays
Towheads/Large Structures Travelling Through Wick
Subsea
7 will be moving three towheads for the Equinor Snorre Project from
Wick Harbour to Wester Site in the next 2-3 days. It is planned that
the towheads will travel along the route through town as in the
photograph. Exact timings will depend on weather conditions and how the
Police direct proceedings.
Beach Clean At Dunnet
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