Wick High 1965 Reunion - Organisers Need To Know Final Numbers
The Wick High 1965 Reunion is set for 30 July in Mackays hotel.  The photo is from the Pulteneytown Academy class of 1961.  If you have not already been in touch about the reunion there is just about still time to get tickets.  But do it now to help the organisers get the numbers right.

Another Holiday Activity Just In - Join The Children's Nature Club For The Holidays
Are you 8-12 & interested in nature & the outdoors? Why not join the nature holiday club this summer?

Summer Visitors Entertain Summer Visitors!
Visitors to Caithness Candles at John O'Groats are being entertained by three pairs of House Martins who have built their nest under the eaves of the building, close to the showroom entrance.  The birds swoop around the front of the building catching insects. We think that they are still sitting on eggs. Judging by last year when there were two nests, they become frantic in their efforts to keep up with their youngsters' growth.  Some people enjoyed watching the young learning to fly last year so much that they have asked to be informed when 'flying lessons' start so that they can witness the few days training the young get before their long trip South.

29 June 2005

Another Sunset
Another sunset photo from Caithness.  This one was taken in Thurso by S Millard on 14 June proving there ar plenty of days to capture great photos.  You just need to be out there with a camera in your hand to capture these moments.  Caithness has such an open landscape that it is easy to be in a positions ready to see a fantastic sunset whether you photograph it or not.  Just head out for a late evening walk and see for yourself.  Sometimes you will hit lucky and hey even if you don't walking is good for you.  Switch that telly off and get out.

Summer Holiday Fun In Ormlie
Ormlie Community Association has organised a jam-packed programme of summer workshops for children and young people, throughout the school holiday period. The scheme will run for six weeks and will include video/new media work, mosaics, mask making, mural design, banner making, circus skills, African drumming, T-shirt design, puppet making, football coaching and sports activities and games. A trip to Achvarasdal Forest and Melvich beach has been organised for the under 9 age group, whilst the older children will be given the opportunity to try their hand at indoor bowling.  For Lots more Across Caithness go to Kids On Holiday page.   If your group, village hall or church are running holiday activities for children and young people this summer send in your details and we will add them to the page.  It's a FREE page so send in details to bill@caithness.org

New SNH Promotion For Caithness Landscapes
A new range of promotional material, featuring the landscapes of Caithness, was launched at a special event hosted by the Highland Council at the Weigh Inn,  Thurso on Tuesday. The full colour posters and postcards have been produced by Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) to raise awareness of the different types of landscapes in the county. An accompanying Landscape schools activity pack prepared by the Highland Environmental Network will also be available for all schools in Caithness.  John Bain from Dunbeath Primary School is quoted on the poster and launched the poster.  The poster and postcards include quotes from local people on how they feel about their landscapes. The schools activity pack provides guidance on fieldwork relating to landscape, and pointers on how to identify key landscape features. It also invites feedback from children on what they think about their landscapes.

Wick Business Licensed To Deal With Asbestos
A Wick based business is now able to provide a service for dealing with the removal, storage and transportation of low-level asbestos waste following a significant investment in equipment, training and premises.  Wick Blast Ltd has successfully been providing a power washing service for householders, businesses and a range of clients, including a local housing association and the Highland Council, since 2001.  However, since the 1st of April 2005, the Highland Council run landfill site at Seater can no longer accept commercial low-level asbestos waste, which runs to an average of 70 or more tonnes each year. Wick Blast Ltd director, Graeme Bain, identified an opportunity for a local business to become a licensed asbestos operator to remove, store and transport the bagged waste material to the nearest licensed tip in Perth.  Full Story

Major Repair Work At Shore Road, Wick
The seafront in the harbour area along shore Road is now being upgraded with major repair works underway to build  a new defensive wall of granite blocks in the water to break the force of the waves that have caused so much damage in the past few years.  The land adjoining the works is privately owned so Highland Council will not be doing work on that.  Our pictures in October last year showed how the damage was being done.  A wall built with large blocks of Caithness Flagstone will complete the works in a few weeks.

Caithness.org What's On Has Almost 300 Entries - Is Your Event Listed Yet? - FREE FREE FREE
The What's On section continues to grow with more and more people checking it all the time.  Events can be placed FREE of charge by completing the submission form in the section.  Multiple dates can be entered quickly by hitting the back button after each submission and changing the date or time.  You can rattle through the dates very fast once you have started.  Get a whole years dates in all at once and let everyone know about your organisations events from coffee morning, dance, or entertainment.  Let everyone know about your event and make it available 24 ours a day anywhere in the world for folk planning trips to the county.  Caithness.org is still experiencing ever growing visitors numbers so let them all have the chance to know about your event.

Street Party Fun Day  - Saturday 2 July 2.00pm - British Legion, Thurso  - Busy Busy Caithness
John Thurso MP will open the fun day at British Legion to be held outside their building  along the riverside in Thurso.  the fun starts at 2.00pm and the afternoon is packed with items - Big Ban, Pop Idol Competition, Bottle Stalls, Tombola, Duck Race, Bouncy Castle, Face Painting, Beat the Goalie, Crazy Golf, Splat the Rat, Old Thurso Display, Buzzer challenge, Play Your Cards Right, Bric-a-brac and much more.  At night entertainment from 8.30pm is from Dave Allen plus a disco and Karaoke.

What Are You Going To Do this Summer?
Kids and Young Folk In Caithness Have Plenty Of Choice
In this new page we are listing some of the events and activities aimed at children and young folk over the summer holidays.  There is plenty to choose from and they can go along with friends for great days of activities.  If you are visiting Caithness with children why not take a look to see if your children can take part.  Some activities require booking.  Some are FREE and others have a small charge.   If you are organising activities get them on this page FREE of charge by emailing details to  bill@caithness.org

Caithness Is Gonna Be Busy This Weekend
Apart from one of the country's most prestigious shooting competitions starting at Castletown bowlers will be here in large numbers for the St Fergus Open Triples competitions taking place over three clubs at St Fergus and Rosebank Wick and Thurso.  64 teams comprising 192 players will arrive with families and over 400 people are expected to be mainly based in Wick.  The competition last year was the first but was so successful that entries for 2005 were made almost immediately after the competition ensuring 2005 was a sell out.  also starting on Saturday are Castletown and Lybster Galas.  Whilst back in Wick, Pipe Band Week kicks off with a parade on Saturday night .  Canisbay show is also on this Saturday.  In fact the whole of July is packed with events in Caithness.

Homebase Shopping Complex Work Begins At Wick
Work began this week on the new shopping complex situated n the outskirts of Wick.  The new complex that will have seven units with the two main shops being Homebase and Argos.  With Tescos planning application about to begin the process Wick will in a very short time have some of the most modern shopping facilities outside Inverness.  Suddenly the tide is changing in Wick's favour.  It has been recognised for some time that a town with an airport, harbour and railhead is ideally situated to make an economic come back.  Few other small towns have all three forms of transport facilities on their doorstep.

Charles in Songs of Praise Tribute to Queen Mother - The Scotsman
The programme that will be filmed in Caithness will go out on the BBC on 11 September. It will come from John O’Groats, a Christian retreat at Freswick Castle and will feature a service at Pulteney Parish Church.

28 June 2005

Caithness Primary Schools Netball Competition 2005 - Halkirk 20  - South School 3
Whilst the final of the football was going on the Caithness primary school girls were battling it out in the final of the county competition.  Halkirk won the final in great style with a 20 - 3 win over South School. The South School girls never gave up but had to admit defeat.  The game was played at Hillhead school with plenty of supporters on both sides.

Caithness Primary Schools Football Competition 2005 - South School 6 - Castletown 4
South School Primary Football Team continued their winning run taking the county schools cup in the final today against Castletown.  The final was played on neutral territory at Hillhead school, Wick.  Castletown dominated the opening few minutes quickly notching up a 3 - 0 lead.  South School obviously settled back on their training and began to open up the game and drew level before taking the score in the second half to 6 - 3.  Castletown managed to take the initiative a few times and score one more goal but could not quite overcome the confidence of the South School players who held off all later attacks to win in the end 6 - 4.  Well done to both teams for an exciting game throughout.

Latheron Show Announces New Highland Dancing Competitions
A new series of Highland Dancing competitions open to entrants on the day will be feature of this years Latheron Show.  New cups have been acquired for the competitions.  All the usual events and dog agility competition. 

Time To Slow Down Near Schools Even Though the Signs Are Not All Up Yet
All Highland schools are part of an ongoing programme for the next four years, which will see all schools in the Highlands with 20mph speed limits.  Roads outside schools can be notoriously dangerous places for children travelling to and from the classroom. Injury accidents have fallen by 60%, child pedestrian accidents by 70% and child cyclist accidents by 48% where these 20mph designated measures are put in place.  School Holidays start at the end of this week so drivers should take every care where children might be about.  With research showing that 20 mph speed limits are an effective vehicle for reducing the number of accidents and severity of casualties on our roads, it is clear to see why all drivers including parents must abide by them. The Highland Council hopes that the new 20 mph signs will raise awareness of the 20 mph speed limit outside Highland schools and encourage drivers to slow down.  Remember these are legally enforceable speed limits and motorists may be charged for speeding within the limits of the signs at certain times.  But the main point is saving children's lives - Slow down and have a nice summer holiday.

South School Wins Wick Town Cup After 10 Years
They won 1-0 on Mon 27/06/05 after a play-off at Hillhead School against North School after both teams had won 3 games and lost 1 game. It has been 10 years since they won this particular cup. South School have also won the Wick Town Netball Cup.  the county finals are at Hillhead School on today.

27 June 2005

Caithness Rugby Club  - Another New Caithness Web Site
Caithness Rugby Club is a huge success story having made the move up the leagues to reach National Division 3.  From the new season they will be facing the competition in Inverness, Edinburgh, Glasgow and the Borders.  They really are taking rugby to a new level for Caithness and deserve congratulations for their achievements.  Support for the team has been growing steadily and crowds for bigger games now reach up to 500.  The club have another team and support young rugby in the county.  Local businesses are supportive but they can always use more help as travelling costs in the new league are a major factor.  Good Luck for the future in the new league to everyone concerned.
Photo is from the 87 - 7 Defeat by Caithness against Orkney on their way up in September 2003

National Shooting Event Starts In Caithness On Saturday
Thurdistoft Airfield, Castletown from Sat 2nd July - Friday 9th July 2005.
The Caithness Small Bore Rifle Association hosts a national event next week.  NSRA 2005 Scottish Meeting for all small-bore rifle shooters around the country. Caithness Small-bore Rifle Associates is delighted to host this years event at Thurdistoft which is expected to attract over 300 competitors from all over the country.  Many competitors will be arriving with friends and families and the county can expect to see up to a thousand people arrive for this major national competition.  The facilities at Thurdistoft Airport have been substantially upgraded to meet the competition requirements.

Mary Scanlon Highlights W8 Conference In Edinburgh
Mary Scanlon was one of eight MSP's who attended the W8 Summit in Edinburgh on June 23rd, to hear eight inspiring and thriving African women address the conference in a celebration of the significant contributions they have made across Africa.  Mary was honoured to represent Alivera Kiiza, a member of the W8 group of African women, in the Scottish Parliament.  Commenting, Mary said; "It was very pleased to attend the W8 conference, to hear the interesting and moving stories of these women, and to meet Alivera Kiiza, a woman who has shown great courage and entrepreneurial spirit in leading a coffee co-operative in her home land of Tanzania.

Summer holiday fun with the Caithness Rangers! - 2005
The Caithness Rangers have devised a number of events for children and young people over the summer holidays.  Some of the events will be very popular so it is advisable to book a lace for them as soon as possible and mark your calendar.  The events can be found listed in the Ranger Pages and in the Galas - Shows Events Pages as well as in the What's On

Caithness Waybaggers 2005 - 06 Walks
If you would like to see some of the most beautiful parts of Caithness and Sutherland why not join the Caithness Waybaggers on one of their outings.  Look HERE to see a few of their previous outings.  You do not have to be fanatically fit to head out on these walks and you will see some great places in the north of Scotland.

Latest Newsletter From North Primary School Wick With Sports and Ceilidh Photos
As end of term approaches North School. Wick has been making sure the youngsters are fit and active ready for the summer holidays at the end of this week

Wick Dounreay Social Club - New Web Site Under Construction
Another new Caithness web site almost completed.  The new site is now listed in the Business Index and in the Caithness sites page to make it easy to find at a later date.

26 June 2005

Wick Banger Derby Attracts Almost 100 Drivers 60 Photos Now In
The First Wick Banger Derby saw around 100 drivers race in front of a big crowd on Sunday.  The day remained dry and conditions were excellent for the cars.  The organisation was excellent although cars were a bit far from the audience to really see what was happening at the far side of the track.  Broken down vehicles were cleared away fast and races continued throughout the afternoon.

Ormlie Young Folk Create Biggest Art Project Ever In Caithness In The Early Hours
In the early hours from midnight onwards young people from Ormlie Community Association visited a number of large structures to create the biggest art show ever devised in the county.  Taking video footage made earlier they then used it to beam pictures on to large structures and filmed the results.  Earlier they had captured digital images on DVD and then later beamed them out in the dark on to the largest structures they could find in the county.  We managed to be there for two of them - the dome at Dounreay and the JGC building at Janetstown.  Unfortunately most of our photos are not too great but here are three to give you the idea.  If you happened to have been passing Janetstown at 2.00am it may have looked like the biggest picture show ever from the main road.  Images included goldfish, trees, Windmills and a butterfly that hatched on Saturday, play park, and water.
Ormlie Community Association

Subsidy scheme aims to bring down cost of Scots air travel - Scotland On Sunday

25 June 2005

COUNCIL COMMITS MORE FUNDING TO COMMUNITY PROJECTS
The Highland Council has made a short and long term commitment to fostering community projects.  It is to allocate £900,000 over the next two years to deal with the backlog of replacing play equipment and upgrading surfaces in Council-owned play areas as well as providing matching capital funding for appropriate community play and skateboard projects.  It is also to spend £150,000 annually to support the maintenance and ongoing costs of community projects, supplementing existing Council funding streams, and to examine how best to provide insurance cover for community projects, which are supported or endorsed by the Council.

COUNCILLORS WILL RESIST ANY PLAN TO MAKE HIGHLAND A NUCLEAR WASTE REPOSITORY
Highland Councillors sent out a very clear message today (Thursday) that they will strongly oppose consideration of any site in Highland for a national nuclear waste repository.  They were responding to a report by John Rennilson, Director of Planning and Development, advising them of recent developments regarding radioactive waste management.  Mr Rennilson reported that, in response to a Freedom of Information request, UK Nirex Ltd had confirmed recently that their short-list of sites for a deep radioactive waste repository compiled in the 1980s had included Dounreay and Altnabreac in Caithness. This site selection exercise was subsequently abandoned in 1997.

The Night Sky Light Show In Caithness Continues - This One Over Thurso - More Inside
The stunning photos continue to come in showing more of the fabulous night sky over Caithness recently.  Thanks to Martina Cross for the latest additions.

Mackays Dance Band - A Few Years Back
This photos has been sent in by Sheila Moir showing Mackays Dance Band.  We will be happy to add some information if anyone can send in details about the band.

More Early Photos

Wildcat Traditional Music Association Newsletter 33
The last Wildcat night attracted a relatively small but very appreciative audience to the Pentland Hotel on a Friday evening to hear a bunch of local artists performing. Alison Birnie and Fraser Bain gave us some of the best singing and accompaniment I've heard for many a year.

Is Your Caithness Event In The What's On?
There are currently over 250 entries in our What's On.  Yes Caithness is a busy place and your event might not get noticed.  But you can make sure it gets to more people and is available for months or even years ahead by placing it in the Caithness.org what's On listings.  It is really simple and FREE.  Just complete the Submission Form in the section and your event can have days, weeks , months or even years of FREE advertising letting both locals and visitors know about your event.  Wondering how many folk might see your event placed on the web site.  Hard to say exactly but many thousands pass through here every day - the numbers can be checked here  They may not all check the What's On every day but it is FREE and online 24 hours a day.  Handy for visitors wanting to plan what to see when they get here as well as locals who forgot the time and date of your event.  Takes seconds to fill out the form for months and months of FREE advertising if you get it on well in advance.

Wick Banger Derby Tomorrow Sunday 26 June

The People Of St John's Wick
Newly published this week is "The People of St. John's, Wick", by Gordon Johnson, which is a history of people in Wick who have been actively involved with St. John's episcopal church, Moray St., since the congregation was founded in 1855.  Many local personalities appear, especially people originally from England who attended St. John's as the nearest in worship to their churches back home.  Successive harbour masters, some landowners, a chief constable, a sheriff, an admiral, and a local solicitor feature, as well as more ordinary folk such as a dyer, a cafe owner, a shoemaker, a governess, a plumber - people from all walks of life. Available from the church or in local shops.

24 June 2005

A Ladies Day Out From Wick - Book Your Tickets Now
Pulteneytown People's Project is running a ladies outing to Cawdor Castle on Wednesday 6/7/05. 
Contact 01955 606950, to book a seat.  The cost of the trip is £17.00 which includes, entry into the castle and grounds and a three course dinner in the Trentham Hotel on the way home.  Pick up at South School or Pulteneytown Post Office at 8.30am.

Wick High 65 Reunion 30 July  - A Few Photos Have Arrived In the Reunion Pages
Send yours in to bill@caithness.org Got your tickets yet.  Don't leave it to the last minute contact the organisers right now.  Help them out and get in touch now to meet all your old classmates.

Caithness Arts Publicity For Arts Week - Advertise Your Event In Free Leaflet
Caithness Arts Week - 30th July - 7th August.  We're about to organise publicity materials for this week of events. Could everyone who has an event planned - however modest - please make sure details are sent for inclusion in leaflets/posters, etc. to katrinathurso@aol.com  by Mon.4th July

Caithness Sky - What Can We Say But "Wow" - They Just Keep Getting Better and Better
Thanks to everyone who has sent us in photos of the fabulous Caithness Midsummer Sky.  It has been great seeing these photos arrive in the email and we hope everyone is enjoying them as much as we are as they come in.  Was half the county out that night watching the sky?  Keep those digi cameras handy.  You never know and as we can see the light show changes minute by minute.

What Caithness Beaches Will You Visit This Summer?
Make sure you get out to a few Caithness beaches this summer.  To be sure the north does not have the hot climates but a walk along a quiet shoreline with a number of different backdrops is a great way to recharge the batteries.  There are many different beaches to choose from  - sandy, rocky, shingle and ones with lost of shells.  One or two stinky  ones where the seaweed might be a nuisance but mostly just great places to relax, take a picnic or take the kids out for the day.  A few feature regularly in Highland Ranger walks so keep an eye out for these then go along and find out some interesting facts about the area.  There are many small beaches not listed on the web site.  Why not get out and explore some.

North School, Wick Does Well In Health Promoting Schools Report
North School got great write up in a report on Health Promoting Schools following an inspection. The Health Promoting Schools initiative in Highland is delivered in partnership between The Highland Council and NHS Highland through guidelines, and advice in the form of a Health Promoting Schools Toolkit which is adopted by each school.  In Highland a health promoting award is based on school self evaluation, confirmed by quality assurance by the Quality Development Team of The Highland Council’s Education, Culture and Sport Service and its partner agencies.

Another Set Of Photos  - 11.00pm Midsummer Night
More photos of the colourful skies on Midsummer night.  This time from Marshall Bowman who took his from the back of Portlands Hotel, Lybster at11.00pm.
If you want more of the Caithness skies in earlier years head over to the Weather In Caithness section

23 June 2005

Lybster Did Not Miss Out On the Colourful Sky
To show that Lybster was included in the brilliant midsummer displays in the skies over Caithness Rachael Taylor has sent us her photos to add to the collection.  Keep those digital cameras ready folks.  You never know which night will produce fantastic pictures above your head.

Another View Of Midsummer From Scrabster and 4.00am This Morning
These photos were sent in by Karen Munro taken from her house at Scrabster.  The Pentland firth can certainly look fantastic at this time of year.

Another Great Sunset View
Pick your spot and wait for the sun to set and have that camera ready. James McLean sends this one from another spot and showing the rapid changes in colours that were on show for midsummers night.

Young People From Caithness Attend Highland Youth Parliament
Young people from Caithness travelled to Sabhal Mor Ostaig, gaelic college in Skye, to attend the Youth Voice Bi annual conference.  The event was opened by Gary Coutts, Chair of Highland NHS Board.  The main theme of the weekend was health. The young people were given the opportunity to have their say on health issues affecting them and identified best practice for addressing these issues.  The weekend programme also included workshops on Youth Voice web development, production of Highland Youth Voice magazine and new media. Presentations were given on domestic abuse, Youth Bank UK and Duke of Edinburgh award.  While the young people had a weekend of hard work, the young people who attended found it a worthwhile experience and enjoyed meeting up with other young people from across the Highlands and enjoyed the evening entertainment.

Another Day Another Sunset In Caithness
Keep looking if you miss one great sunset and another one will be along any night at this time of year.  Graeme Allan who now lives in Melbourne just happened to be back in Wick on holiday and caught this one.  Keep your camera handy and see if you can capture some sky shots over the next few weeks.

More Photos Of The Queen Mary 2 At Invergordon
A few more photos of the magnificent Queen Mary 2 at Invergordon last Sunday.  The latest ones are from photographer Mike Brunton who used to live until recently in Caithness.

Learning Abut Spinning In Technology Project At North School, Wick
Mrs Manson and Mrs Johnson visit the North School to show P 4 how to spin wool as the conclusion of their Technology Project, conducted by their Technology teacher Mrs Belford. During their project they learned to wash, card and dye (with natural dyes) the fleece of local sheep.
North School Index

Heading Over Gillock
This photo taken over Gillock shows the well known farm and building supplies form of Allan's of Gillock.  Better watch out you never know who is flying overhead these days.

More Caithness From Above

22 June 2005

Midnight Sun At Holborn Head
Actually slightly earlier at between 10.30 and 11.00pm last night.  These colourful photos take over Holborn Head last night were sent in by Douglas Gordon.  Did anyone else get any nice photos from around Caithness of the great skies last night.
 

Scrufts Dog Show  - Balmore Fun Day
If you have dog then you might want to take the family out for the fun day at the SSPCA centre at Balmore to enter this fun competition helping to raise funds for the animal centre.

Gibson questions Exec over future of Crofting and farming in the Highlands and Islands
Highlands and Islands SNP MSP Rob Gibson has questioned the Scottish Executive on the effects a renegotiated European CAP policy would have for the crofters and farmers in the Highlands and Islands.  His question comes in the wake of recent comments from Tony Blair that the CAP is outdated and that less European money should go to farmers.  MSP and other related items now in our MSP News section

Crossroads (Caithness) Care Attendant Scheme Annual Report 2004 - 05
the annual report of the Crossroads (Caithness) Care Attendant Scheme delivered an increased total of respite care hours provided by Care Attendants of 8248 hours against 7963 hours in 2003/04 – an increase of 3.5%.  Nevertheless the local charity pointed out the increased costs such as a 300% increase in insurance premiums and the large fees now required by the Care Commission for registration.  the report points out  - "Our application (two 21 page documents) to the Care Commission to register as a care delivery organisation – a statutory requirement - was approved in January 2005 on the payment of £2,000 made in July 2004.  The annual renewal/inspection fee of £1,400 – the proceeds of four to five coffee mornings – will also have to be paid before any carer support is delivered."

WHEELS AND HOOVES CHALLENGE
The beautiful weather attracted a great crowd to the 'Wheels and Hooves Challenge' at Rumster Forest last weekend.  Almost 80 horse riders, cyclists, runners and walkers took part in the joint event organised by the Highland Council Countryside Rangers and Forestry Commission Scotland.  Participants were invited to the 'Enchanted Forest' to find clues hidden around the trails and discover magical properties of plants along the way. Afterwards, energy levels were re-boosted with a sizzling barbecue of tasty venison and vegetarian burgers.

Unemployment Still Heading Downwards In The Highlands
The total number claiming unemployment benefit dropped to 2831 continuing the downward trend of recent months.  In the past month there was a 6.6% drop in the rate and over the 12 months to May 2005 a drop of 12.1%.  Wick remains one of the highest unemployment areas but even there the rate dipped to 3.8%.  the average rate for the Caithness And Sutherland Enterprise area is 3%.  Scotland's number of registered unemployed fell faster than the UK as a whole and Highland reflected that with a decrease of 10.9% (705 claimants) compared to a year ago.  Pulteneytown ward remains the place with the highest number of claimants in the CASE area.   Caithness south East also has a high percentage of claimants.  Thurso figures are almost static.

Have You Got A Day Off On Wednesday 22 June? - Why Not Take a Walk
Dunnet Head. Guided walk (as part of healthy living week) Wednesday 22nd June
A clifftop walk from the most northerly point of the Scottish mainland west to Dwarick pier.
Meet at Dunnet Head lighthouse car park at 10.30am.  Allow 4-5 hours, bring lunch.  Boots essential.
HC Ranger North Caithness 01847821531

Clock Ticking For Wick High 65 Reunion 30 July  - Get Your Tickets Now

Queen Mary 2 At Invergordon
The arrival of the Queen Mary 2 at Invergordon attracted folk for look from all over the highlands on Sunday.  Ted Miller from Thurso sent us this photo of the ship at anchor

Silver Darlings Day At Lybster Sat 25 June 2005 - 11a.m.- 6p.m.
Just one of many events for the family on Silver Darlings Day is this from Scotia Review. Scotia Review has invited Lewis poet, storyteller & artist Ian Stephen to contribute to the programme of activities planned for this family day out at Lybster Harbour.  Given that the theme of this event is to commemorate Dunbeath writer, Neil Gunn and the heyday of the local fishing community, Ian Stephen was the obvious choice of writer and artist to bring a tang of the sea with his storytelling and poetry reading throughout the day. 
An ex-coastguard, Ian’s marine connections form the main thread of his artistic life, in which photography and sculpture also feature.  Check Waterlines page for more information

Four Cadets On Their Gold Duke Of Edinburgh Award Expedition
The photographs show C/Sgt Macdonald, Sgt Perry, Cpl Sutherland and L/Cpl Napier. They are seen at Forsinain climbing up through the forest towards the county march, on the third day of their Duke of Edinburgh gold award expedition.

Gail MacDonald Raises £560 For Cancer Charity In Dad's Memory
Gail MacDonald and her friend Suzanne Robertson from Edinburgh ran the 5k Race for Life in aid of Cancer Research on Sunday the 5th June. The route was around Arthurs Seat in Edinburgh and they ran it in 35 minutes. Gail raised a total of £560 in memory of her dad who died of cancer in 2001

Halkirk Gala

Former Members Of Wick Girls Pipe Band Unveil Plaque To Founder

A plaque in memory of Jim Christie the founder of the Wick Girls Pipe Band and his wife Lily was unveiled today by former members of the a much loved pipe band.  The plaque is on the wall opposite the parish church and not far from the bake house where many girls had their piping lessons from Jim.  the Wick Girls Pipe Band became famous and travelled all over the UK entering many competitions and surprising many male pipe bands when winning the Scottish championships in 1958 and 1962.  Former members of the band held a reunion on Friday evening at the Seaforth Club and photos from the night will be here shortly.
Wick Girls Pipe Band pages