News Archive - November 2002
[October 2002] [December 2002]
30th November 2002
Wick And Thurso Get Caithness Christmas Going
Home
Zone Plans - Consultation
Proposed plans for the pilot
Home Zone project for Ormlie are currently on display in Cormacks
Shop, Provost Sinclair Road. The display is part of the on-going
consultation between residents and Ormlie Community Association and
gives an idea of how the estate could be changed into a Home Zone
area.
the plans are for discussions purposes and we urge residents to go
along to Cormack's shop and have a look at them.
Harbour Walls At Low Tide In Wick On Friday
28th November 2002
Caithness
Civic Awards
Five special Caithness folk were selected from
the people nominated by the public for their contributions to the
county over the years. From five finalists Andy Anderson was
selected as this years winner.
Scrabster Pier Development - Latest
Castle Pictures - Further Examples Of How Andrew Spratt Does It
Here
are a few more examples of castle paintings as work in progress from
Andrew Spratt who has supplied all of our reconstructions. If
you have not seen the section before
Start Here
Sunset Just Outside Thurso At 3.30pm Today
Lidl - New supermarket In Wick Latest Pictures
Relentless Damage At Wick Harbour - Today's Pictures
Captain's Galley Christmas Menus
The newest restaurant in Caithness is
roaring ahead with its Christmas fare. Check out the menus for
December, Christmas day and Parties.
Broadband - Latest Sign Up
Figures
Going Up Slowly. The numbers signing
up as interested in Broadband are -
Wick 66 and Thurso 106 Have you signed up yet? Many
more needed if Caithness is to get the exchanges upgraded. If
you know someone who might want Broadband make sure they get their
interest recorded or Caithness will be on the list for ever.
NORTH HIGHLAND RURAL COMMUNITIES
ASKED TO BID FOR EURO CASH
Communities and organisations in Caithness and Sutherland, Ross and
Cromarty, Skye and Lochalsh, Nairn and rural Inverness areas are invited to
apply for funding now available through the European Union, North Leader Plus
Programme.
Wick Christmas Fun Day
Saturday 30 November 2.00 - 5.00pm
Market Square, Wick - Pipe Band, Salvation Army Band, Stalls.
Christmas Lights Switch On 4.00pm
27th November 2002
Papa
Westray, Orkney
The tiny island of Papa Westray sits next to
Westray and has the shortest scheduled regular flights in the UK as
it takes only about one minute from take off to landing from island
to island.
Westray,
Orkney
Another Orkney island from the air.
Wind Power Coming To Caithness
The Planning
Development Europe and Tourism Committee has granted planning permission to
National Wind Power and Innes Miller for 27 wind turbine generators with a
capacity of 48 megawatts at Causeymire, Achkeepster Farm, Watten, Caithness.
School Exam
Results
Links to the statistical tables at the Scottish Executive.
E Books List Added To Educational Resources Links
AEA TECHNOLOGY
TO OPEN TECHNOLOGY CENTRE IN SCOTLAND
AEA Technology (AEAT), the science and engineering company that
is part owner of the Battery Factory In Thurso has announced plans
to open a £3 million Technology Centre in Scotland with immediate
plans for 96 jobs and the potential for up to 300 jobs over the next
5 years.
26th November 2002
RESEARCH
CHALLENGE FUND WINNERS ANNOUNCED
Three highlands and islands research projects to share £150,000
innovation prize The three winners in a major business research
competition have been confirmed as Biolitec Pharma on the Isle of
Lewis, Map Maker Ltd in Argyll, and the Agronomy Research Institute
in Orkney. They will now share a £150,000 prize to help turn their
projects into reality.
Noss Head Tree Planting
Members
from the Caithness Countryside Volunteers, Caithness Critters, 1st
Wick Scouts and other hardy local volunteers turned out in force on
Sunday the 24th to take part in a tree planting and habitat
enhancement scheme at Noss Head.
Huna
Another small Caithness village with a harbour and
now disused lifeboat shed built in the days before boats acquired
powerful engines.
Castletown Junior
Football Club Prizes
Castletown
Junior Football Club held their annual presentation disco at the weekend.
Here are the main prize-winners pictured with Castletown FC manager Jocky
Begg, who presented the prizes.
25th November 2002
Back To Lairg, Sutherland
A few more from our earlier trip to Lairg a
small town set in one of great areas of Sutherland beside Loch Shin.
Take a trip to Shin Falls and see the visitor centre recently taken
over and being expanded by Mr Al Fayed of Harrods fame.
Sea Picking Away Latest Collapse At Wick Harbour
The hole at the Old Dry dock may not look much bigger but there appears to
be more material being taken out from inside. how long before the
corner finally gives way is anyone's guess. That part of the
structure may not give any immediate cause for concern but it emphasises
that major repair work is long overdue.
New Staxigoe Gallery
New pictures of Staxigoe taken this afternoon.
HIGHLAND
COUNCIL TO HOST TANKER SEMINAR
The Highland Council is to seek European funding to host an international
seminar next year to formulate a policy that protects the most vulnerable
countries from the threat of a major spillage from oil tankers. The
environmental damage caused by the sinking of the tanker, Prestige, off the
North Spain coast together with a recent incident off Skye when a nuclear
submarine was damaged when it hit the seabed.
DOUNREAY
DECOMMISSIONING - OPPORTUNITIES FOR ORKNEY
The decommissioning of the Dounreay nuclear plant is to be highlighted to
Orkney companies as a multi billion pound business opportunity.
How Castlehill Traill Came To Be
24th November 2002
Old Dry Dock
At Wick Sustains Major Damage
The corner of the
Old Dry dock at Wick harbour is collapsing under the constant pounding of
the last two weeks. A large section has collapsed and the corner is
ready to give way. More severe weather is forecast.
Wick Lifeboat Runs The Waves Back To Wick After Two Days At JOG
The Wick Lifeboat confidently rode the waves and heavy seas back
into
the harbour today after spending two days at John O'Groats after
launching in very heavy seas on Friday in case they were needed as a
British Airways plane made an emergency landing at Wick after an
engine failed. They made it safely into the narrow entrance
with wave rolling in front an behind, They picked up some
seaweed as they cleared the entrance into the harbour but no damage.
Raigmore
Hospital, Inverness
Raigmore Hospital, Inverness is
largest medical facility in the region and is part of Highland Acute
Hospitals NHS Trust. These pictures were taken on Friday in
sunny Inverness. Many Caithness and Sutherland folk travel
over100 miles for treatment to this hospital.
Emergency
Landing At Wick For British Airways Plane
This plane landed safely on one engine after and an alert was put
out that one of the engines had failed. The plane on route
from Orkney to Inverness landed at Wick on Friday. The Wick
lifeboat put to sea in the bad weather in case it might be needed if
the plane was forced to ditch in the sea. The lifeboat was
unable to get back into Wick harbour and went round the coast to
John O'Groats.
Mike's
Contemplations
Mike Clark thinks its too early for seed
catalogues but you can join him in contemplating what might be
needing done as he recalls some garden visits and gives a few hints
on the state of Highland coffee.
23rd November 2002
Thurso Kids Help Santa's Grotto With Their Pictures
Thurso school children are helping Santa's Grotto get the word out
with their pictures this year. If any other children want to
add their Christmas pictures to the new gallery just email them to
us.
More From Castletown School Trip To The Rugby At Murrayfield Edinburgh
CAITHNESS VOICES -
Last Few Days To Have Your Say On Health
There is still time for anyone who has a view on health services to
complete a questionnaire and return it before the closing date of
30th November.
North Shore Pottery Christmas
Sale Starts 30 November
Something original and unique from North Shore
Pottery - Salt fired and Raku Pottery. Or why not try making
your own at one of Jenny's Festive workshops on Friday 6 and Tuesday
17 December.
22nd November 2002
Old
Post Office Gets Gutted
Work is finally underway for the new
Wetherspoon Pub and Restaurant to be situated in the Old Post office
building in Market Square, Wick. It's bigger than you think
and rumour has it that it may be ready by February or March 2003.
Machinery
At Spittal Quarry
Some of the machinery that moves the tons of
flagstone around in the quarry
Flotta, Orkney
Flotta from the air. Another Orkney
island which has been an oil terminal for many years storing North
Sea oil.
More Kirkwall From The Air
Another
angle on Kirkwall from the air with a picture added to the gallery
and blown up for closer viewing in sections. There are many
more to come n this section on Kirkwall.
21st November 2002
Wick Harbour Lashed Again Today In Another Big Storm
Making
Journeys - Textile Exhibition
St Fergus Gallery 16 November - 20 December
Great Fun On Castletown School Trip To Murrayfield, Edinburgh
The Castletown kids had a great trip to see Scotland beat Romania at the rugby.
All that and fireworks display thrown in.
Dounreay Staff Raise Over £2000 For Children In Need
Farmers Mart Report From A & N
Latest report from Aberdeen and Northern Marts
plus dates of some
December sales.
Second Homes Discount
May End Soon In Highland
6000 second home owners in Highland may pay an extra £3million in
council taxes when council tax discount ends.
Lupus Support Group Fundraiser A Big Success
The
hall was packed to the door at the Royal British Legion for the
first ever fundraising dance for the Caithness Lupus Support Group.
Everyone was in high spirits as they danced the night away to the
superb Kate Bain Band. However Kate and her band were
not the only star attraction for the evening, the venue also played
host to an appearance by special guest chef Monsieur Le Plonk.
A grand total was £2051.88 was raised.
Mairi Nicolson
Returns To Antarctic Via The Falkland Islands
Mairi Nicolson from Wick is back after six months to work in Antarctic.
She has gone back after a stopover in the Falkland Islands. Here she
tells us what she has seen and sends a few pictures.....
Disco For Primary Kids In
Thurso
1st Thurso Scout Group is organising a disco for primary school age
children which is to be held on the 7th of December (Saturday) in
the Scout hall on the Riverside.
Primary 1 - 3 = 6.30pm until 7.45pm (games organised) Primary 4 - 7
= 8.00pm until 10pm
Entry is £1 and sweets, hotdogs and juice is on sale
20th November 2002
Operation
Freshman Remembrance Ceremony At Skitten
The bad weather in Caithness did not prevent the remembrance ceremonies
today at Skitten. A large crowd with members of the families of the
men who died in Operation Freshman that left from Skitten 60 years ago in
an abortive attempt to destroy the German Heavy Water plant in Norway and
stop Germany developing its own atomic bomb. The Norwegians were
later to succeed and the whole affair became the subject of a film "The
Heroes Of Telemark". Several tributes were paid at a lunch in
Assembly Rooms Wick including one by the Norwegian Consul who had
travelled from Edinburgh.
New Chat Room - Requires Everyone To Re-register
A new chat room has been set up to replace the older
version. This will require everyone to re-register.
Eezymove - Another Scorrie Web Site
Dunbar Hospital - Latest On The Crisis
A meeting on Saturday 16th November 2002 in Thurso heard that the
Dunbar Accident and Emergency (A&E) Department would re-open on 1st
February 2003. By 2004 the hospital would be back to
treating 75% of the patients but it will take another £300,000 every
year to return to a full service and the Trust does not have this
money.
Lidl Supermarket Development Forging Ahead In Wick
Christmas Events
Pouring In
The run up to Christmas is already stacking up with
events - fayres, Santas Grottos and pantomimes. If your group has an
event for the Christmas period send us the details and we will add it to
the page. The page is FREE so the sooner you get it in the better.
Home Composting Boost for
Sutherland and Caithness
Local recycling organisation SCRAP are building on the success of their
home composting scheme, which has already seen over 700 composting bins
taken up in the last year. Paul Castle, for SCRAP, says they now
have a new supply of composting bins, and these are available at the
subsidised price of £5 each.
Flood
Alleviation Review
Highland Council looking at options for dealing with flooding after the
problems of the last week.
Thurso Live Music
Association - Douglas Boyd, Oboe Susan Tomes, Piano
Tuesday 26 November 8.00pm Two leading Scottish artists of their generation have formed an outstanding
duo and will perform music by Schuman, Dorati and Britten. They have
received outstanding reviews from the Bath Festival, Mayfest and their
concert series in Italy.
NEW YOUTH VOICE
PARLIAMENT MEMBERS TO MEET UP FOR THE FIRST TIME
Just before the October school holidays elections were held in
every secondary school in the Highlands to appoint 70 young people
onto Highland Youth Voice - the parliament for young people in the
Highlands. The successfully elected representatives will be
meeting up for the first time this weekend in Drumnadrochit to elect
an executive committee
19th November 2002
Green Award For
Essential Spirit
Sutherland
woman, Marina Heasman is celebrating winning a prestigious 'green' award
with her natural soap and aromatherapy products business. Essential
Spirit has won the regional small business category in the VIBES.
The aim of Essential Spirit is to create, from start to finish, a
handcrafted natural luxury soap, infused with energy and using
fair-trade resources and recycled packaging.
18th November 2002
Orkney
From The Air
With thanks to our flying photographer we start a new section on Orkney
from the air kicking off with Kirkwall the main town. If the places
you know are not in yet then check back at a later date as we have many
more of Kirkwall to come. As we will be adding many more Orkney
pictures a new Orkney index page has been set up. It's easy to find
at www.caithness.org/orkney
CAITHNESS GYMNASTICS CLUB
Presents A Night At The Oscars
The Christmas Show Monday 2nd December Tuesday 3rd December In Thurso High
School - at 7.00pm Tickets - £2.00/Adult ; £1.00/Child & OAP
"Elizabeth's" or telephone Sheenagh on 01847 894751
A colourful display of gymnastics and dance set to music, with a
cast of over 100 Caithness gymnasts
Langwell Strath Walk With Caithness Field Club
Caithness Kidney Dialysis Support Group AGM Report
Group Staggered As Donations Soar.
Chairman Robert Doull on behalf of the committee said he was "staggered"
by the generosity of people. The group received donations of over £22, 000
in one year of which £15,000 has been given to the new Renal Unit in
Caithness General Hospital to purchase equipment.. The Chairman thanked
the public for their enormous support and the Committee members for their
commitment over the past year. Amongst other items it was reported
that a dance will be held Saturday 18th January 2003.
Marie Curie Cancer Care -
Daffodil Campaign Volunteers Wanted
Saturday 8 March 2003 If you can spare a few hours on that day
to help with collections at supermarkets or collecting boxes then
you should contact the organiser Jemma Joyce.
17th November 2002
Field Club At Langwell
Before heading into the forest the Field Club
members took a short walk along the old coach road on the coast
16th November 2002
Prince Henry St Clair Preceptory Heralds Return of Knights Templar To Caithness
15th November 2002
Unemployment Down Again In The North
The number of unemployed in Caithness and Sutherland fell from 797
last month to 752. The revised unemployment rates in the Sutherland,
Wick and Thurso Travel to Work Areas respectively are as follows
(corresponding figures for last month are shown in brackets) 5.2%
(5.4%), 4.8% (5.3%) and 2.8% (3.0%).
Finance for Business Grant Aids Dairy Move
Claymore Dairies Ltd, Wick, were
awarded assistance of £5,300 towards plant and equipment costs relating to
their relocation from their former premises in Station Road to the Airport
Industrial Estate.
Blytheswood Christmas Shoebox Appeal Well On Its Way
Children representing Bower
Primary School and Castletown, Dunnet, Murkle and the surrounding
areas, gathered at Olrig Free Church to help transport one hundred
shoeboxes to the Blythswood Care lorry, which was up on its
monthly visit to Caithness.
Children In Need Day At South School, Wick Today
CAITHNESS ENGINEERING
PARTNERS SCOOP TOP TRAINING AWARD
A partnership of
engineering firms from Caithness scooped a top training award last
night at the 15th National Training Awards, which took place at the
Glasgow Hilton. Overall winner in the Partnership Category was
the Caithness Engineering Training Consortium, comprising Subsea 7
(UK), JGC Engineering and Technical Services Ltd, and D Gow and
Sons.
The Sun Gets Closer To
The Highlands
A major new series of holiday flights to the sun from Inverness
Airport and the first ever charter flight from Stornoway were
announced today. (Friday November 15) This tremendous boost for
holidaymakers in the Highlands and Islands comes courtesy of tour
operator Transun and follows the huge
success of the enterprising companys recent spring, summer and
autumn programmes at Inverness Airport.
14th November 2002
Caithness SWRI Celebrates 80 Years
The 80 years cake was cut by a lady who has been a member of the
Scottish Women's Rural Institute in Caithness for nearly 70 years.
Caithnessians have staying power. The dinner was held in the
Waterfront, Wick.
More Views Of Thurso From The Air
Main Thurso Aerial Index
YOUNG BRIGHT STARS SET
TO TAKE PART IN YOUTH CHALLENGE
No entries yet from Caithness And Sutherland
The organisers of the challenge have had entries from all over
the Highlands and Islands including Orkney, Shetland and the Western
Isles but none from Caithness or Sutherland. The closing date
has been extended until 22 November to allow any late entrants to
get an idea in. The initial idea need not be long and several
entries in already are just a few sentences.
Wildcat Traditional Music Association
8.00pm Fri 22nd November
Presents Jim Reid 'one of the great stalwarts of the Scottish folk
scene' & Sally Edwards and Katrina Scott 'Caithness Singing
Sensations' In the Large Lounge, Pentland Hotel, Thurso.
Members: Free, Members 1st Guest: Free, Non members: £8, Senior
Citizens: £2-50 Accompanied under fourteens: Free.
Police
Station Progress In Wick
Wick's new police station is moving fast now as a
myriad of contractors are now on site. Everything from painters,
electricians, pipe-fitters, joiners and air conditioning. The
station opposite is lined with vans every day as the deadline for
completion approaches.
Papigoe
Pictures
Papigoe just outside Wick on the road to Staxigoe
was once a place where sailing ships picked up pilots to guide them
through the dangerous waters of the Pentland Firth.
HIGHLAND BABIES GET DOWN TO PLAY
New parents in Highland are being
encouraged to start playing early,
through the play @ home programme.
From August, every baby born in the
Highlands has received a copy of the
play @ home baby book, which gives ideas
for exercises that help physical
development.
13th November 2002
Caithness Livestock
Centre - Aberdeen & Northern Marts Special Sale
Sale of 25 cattle and 1180 sheep at their special sale at Quoybrae.
Come
Over The Ord
This new video available in local shops and
direct from Ross Records is sure to be a big hit this Christmas.
Produced by former Wicker Gibson Ross who now runs his own music and
video company. Taking part in the video
are Wick RBLS Scotland Pipe Band led by Pipe Major Bobby Coghill who also
features prominently playing fiddle, accordion and the pipes on various
tracks as well as with The North Highland Fiddlers. Bobbys son Bryan, as
well as playing the accordion, also sings the song that gives the video
its title Come Over The Ord written by Wick man Donald Sutherland.
Caithness Firemen Will
Stay On Call During Firemen's Strike that Begins at 6.00pm
Caithness like most of the Highlands has a
retained service - that is manned by part-time firemen who
have other full-time employment and are on call for emergencies.
The Retained Fire-fighters Union is against the current strikes that
are starting tonight at 6.00pm after several days of cancellations
as talks were held.
COUNCIL COMMITMENT TO
FREE PERSONAL AND NURSING CARE
The Highland Council today (Wednesday) gave a total commitment to
delivering the Scottish Executive's policy of Free Personal and
Nursing Care for older people. This was the message that from
members of the Council's Housing and Social Work Committee, when
they dismissed any suggestion that budget pressures experienced
during the first four months of the scheme would result in the
introduction of a waiting list for free care for lower priority
requests.
Caithness.Org Christmas Pages
Calling Voluntary Groups to get their
ads in the pages FREE. Let us know about your events, shows,
grottos lights and so on. It's all free to charities so just
email us about your events and we will do the rest. Send us
pictures or let us know and we might manage to get along and take a
few. We are always open to new ideas so just send them
in.
CONTAMINATION IN WASTE HANDLING
PLANT
An
investigation is underway after the discovery of radioactive
contamination in a waste handling plant at Dounreay on 12th November
2002. Routine self-monitoring carried out by an operative
revealed contamination to his protective footwear. Follow-up
investigations revealed detectable radioactivity on the protective
footwear of an additional twenty persons. Monitoring of all staff in
the facility revealed that two had detectable radioactivity on their
hands, one of whom also had detectable radioactivity on his face.
Relentless
Sea At North Pier
The work at North Pier, Wick is already being undone by the
sea. The hardcore put in a few days ago by council workers as
a temporary measure has been partly washed out by the sea before the
concrete could be put on top. Bad weather has once again been
the culprit. Property owners in the lower areas round the
harbour area are at risk if the pier wall were to collapse and the
outer harbour took the full brunt of a bad storm.
Proposed
Neil Gunn Readers Group
If you are interested in the
works of Neil Gunn or in beginning to read the books and discuss
them from time to time then get in touch with the organisers of this
proposed group.
WARNING ABOUT
"CHRISTMAS SPIRITS"
Environmental Health officers of The Highland Council are warning
both the licensed trade and the public to be vigilant when buying
alcohol over the Christmas period. They warn there have been
recent instances of counterfeit alcohol being sold, which contains
potentially poisonous substances, and strongly advise that purchases
should be made only from recognised sources.
SCOTTISH YEAR OF
HIGHLAND CULTURE EARMARKED FOR 2006
The Highland Council and Highlands and Islands Enterprise are
gearing up to work with the Scottish Executive to organise a
Scottish Year of Highland Culture in 2006. The agencies have
been given the go ahead by First Minister Jack McConnell to form a
taskforce to progress plans for celebrating a renaissance of
Highland culture. 2006 was being set as a target to coincide
with the opening of a £6.5 million extension to Eden Court Theatre,
Inverness. Bid patron, Sir Cameron Mackintosh, the world
famous musical producer, is also aiming to premier a new musical at
the opening of the theatre extension.
12th November 2002
Coal Delivery And Council Maintenance Yard - Green Road
Slaughter House, Green Road, Wick
Oldfield Farm, Thurso From The Air
Burnett Place, Thurso From The Air
Gardening And
Birds By Mike Clark
Forget the fruit and sit back with Mike enjoying his Elderberry wine and musing
on feeding the birds in winter.
11th November 2002
Clarty
Arties Group
The group will begin again at Miller Academy Art Room, with a Come
and Try evening, on Tuesday 19th Nov, between 6.30-8.30pm, for
those interested in joining. There is no tuition involved,
although local artists do sometimes attend, to provide inspiration.
The parents of children who become involved will be expected to help
on a rota basis.
Piping And
Chanter Competitions - Wick RBLS Pipe Band
Saturday 16 November 10.00am Pipe Band Hall,
Wick - Entry forms from Band. Spectators welcome.
Seals
Back In Thurso River
The seals were enjoying a restful afternoon on
one of the small islands in the Thurso river. They were
unperturbed by the gathering for the Remembrance Sunday parade
opposite them. Only time till tell if they are back for
another long spell or if they will be gone by spring when the river
authorities may try again to move them on.
Seal
Watch Walk With Highland Rangers
Sunday 17th November Start time 10.30am. at Skirza Pier.
A walk from Skirza Pier to John O Groats. The
sights and sounds of seals some of whom will be pupping at this time
of year. This walk can be boggy in parts. During the walk (or in a
cosy café afterwards) we will hear and exchange some Selkie tales.
Distance 10-11km. Approx
See part of this walk from Skirza to Duncansby done in April 2002
A Foot in the Door
- Advice on Buying at Home
Highland householders are being offered help and advice so they can
make the right choices when buying goods and services from home or
when approached on the doorstep. The offer comes from The Highland
Council, whose Trading Standards Officers are focusing on the
pitfalls of buying at home during National Consumer Week, which
begins Monday 11 November 2002.
10th November 2002
9th November 2002
Working Dawn To Dusk To Fill In The Hole In North Pier
Small Boats Lifted Out Of Harbour For Winter At Wick
8th November 2002
Highland Council Funds Temporary Repairs Work At North Pier, Wick
The
Dunbar Hospital And NHS Dentistry In Caithness
A Statement by Highland NHS Primary Care Trust and Caithness Local Health Care
Co-operative following recent meetings.
CHAIRMAN
HIGHLIGHTS ACUTE LACK OF AFFORDABLE HOUSING IN HIGHLAND
Rather than "footering with bureaucracy", the Scottish Executive
should tackle homelessness by making more money available for
affordable housing, especially in rural areas, such as the
Highlands. This is the view of Councillor Garry Coutts, Chairman of
The Highland Councils Housing and Social Work Committee, who
questions whether the Homelessness Etc (Scotland) Bill 2002 will
meet its objectives.
7th November 2002
Murals
At Ormlie, Thurso
Youngsters at
Ormlie Community Association have plenty of handiwork on show.
Farmacres,
Thurso
Another set of new houses that had there
street name unveiled this week by Mrs Elizabeth MacDonald who was
brought up on Ormlie Farm where the houses are now sited. The
houses are owned by Pentland Housing Association.
A
Creel Boat At Scrabster
After the recent storm it was back to work for
the small creel boats round the Caithness coast. This small
traditional style boat was working just out of Scrabster harbour
near the new pier.
Dunbeath
Village Hall
Here is Dunbeath Village Hall as seen from the
hillside opposite. The view point is just down the road from
the Dunbeath Heritage Centre from where you can see several features
mentioned in Neil Gunn's novels. The field in front is also
the site of the annual Dunbeath Highland Games - one of four
Highland Games held in Caithness each year.
Keiss
Beach Broch
On a recent outing to a few castles the
Caithness Field Club stopped briefly to look at the beach broch at
Keiss. An unusual feature is the double entrances similar to
the broch next to Keiss cemetery. No signposts but they are
easy to find.
6th November 2002
New Scrabster Pier Stretching Out In The Sunshine Today
Holborn
Head Lighthouse Today
A superb day in Caithness could really be seen out at Scrabster
today. the weather was completely different to a few days ago
when the sky was cloudy and damp. At Holborn light a great
vantage point overlooking Thurso Bay and the new pier it was almost
like summer.
Pennyland
Primary 40th Anniversary Celebrations
The school invite all pupils,
staff and parents (past and present) to join them at an Open Evening
at the school on Saturday 7th December, from 6.30pm onwards,
for a nostalgic evening and refreshments! Any photographs,
relevant information or memorabelia would be most welcome for
display purposes. All Welcome.
5th November 2002
North Pier Damage From Storm
The North Pier at Wick Harbour sustained considerable damage that
can be seen from the very large hole that was opened up during the
big storm. What is not so certain is how much damage is unseen
along the length of the pier.
New
Flights Inverness To Manchester
A true taste of the Scottish Highlands was
delivered to the heart of Manchester Monday 4 November when Eastern
Airways launched its new direct route from Inverness. A fresh
salmon winged its way south on the inaugural flight from Inverness
for a special meal at the award-winning Le Mont restaurant
Manchesters first elevated restaurant.
CHIEF CONSTABLE IAN
LATIMER'S STATEMENT
On Monday the chief Constable of Highland constabulary Ian
Latimer made a public statement on crime generally in the Highlands
and in particular relating to enquiries relating to the deaths of
Kevin McLeod of Wick nearly six years ago and Kevin Gillies in Skye in December 1999.
A programme on TV tonight on BBC Scotland Frontline Scotland at
10.35pm will examine the police role surrounding the death of
Kevin McLeod.
Everley
Broch 2002 Pictures
The only broch in Caithness to be excavated
for many years is at Everley. The team from Edinburgh are
returning each year in August. Some pictures we took this year
are now in. The site will be opened up again in August 2003 if
you want a look for yourself.
4th November 2002
Wick Harbour Area Took A Battering In High Tides Last Night - Shore
Wall Breaks Up
Sunday night (3 November and into the early hours of the 4 November
2002) saw Wick harbour take one of the worst battering for many
years. The full effect was seen in the flooding all round the
harbour when the sea was pushing in with a combination of wind and
tide.
Fly
Tying For Winter
Hey fishing may be over for the season but if you want to join a few others and
find out about how to improve your catch on the rivers and lochs next year then
check out this new fly tying set up starting on Tuesday 5 November in community
Education in Thurso. Laid back sessions with the odd talk thrown in.
Couple
Back To Caithness For Thurso Wedding
Allison Calder and Ian
Stewart both from Thurso and now living in Edinburgh were married at St
Peters Church, Thurso, on Saturday 2 November 2002. Follow the link
to John Baikie's new photo web site for more pictures of the
wedding.
New Gardening Section With Mike
Clark
We all know how tricky gardening can be in the
far north so we are glad to welcome Mike Clark a self employed
gardener in Caithness to our pages. Mike
Clark likes to write articles on all things Scottish and all things
horticultural, and from time to time dips into the world of humorous
fiction. Look out for his items that will appear from
time to time and email him the odd question if you have any tricky
gardening probs.
3rd November 2002
Hospital
Road, Wick
These pictures were taken in September.
The ground in the field opposite the houses is the site of the new
LIDL supermarket. The site is rapidly being prepared for
construction. Watch progress on the
Lidl
Pages
2nd November 2002
Halloween At South School, Wick
Poetry
Book "Colours Of Grief" Launched In Wick
Angus Calder launched his latest volume of poetry "Colours of Grief" in
Wick on 31 October 2002. After reading some of his latest poems
Angus signed copies of the book for those who had gathered in the
Breadalbane Hotel. His works have appeared in numerous literary
publications including Chapman, Edinburgh Review, Fife Lines, Gaelforce 2001,
Herald, North Words, Poetry Scotland, Scottish Poetry Library and Caithness
based Scotia Review.
Fire At Norseman
Hotel, Wick
About
01:25 hours on Friday 1 November, 2002, Highlands and Islands Fire
Brigade were requested to attend at the Norseman Hotel, Riverside,
Wick following a fire breaking out in the kitchen of the hotel.
All 14 guests and one member of staff had safely left the premises
prior to the Fire Brigade arrival. Ambulance staff also attended as
a precaution. The fire was confined to the kitchen and the
roof area immediately above and was extinguished by HIFB.
Come Over
The Ord - New Video
A new video has just been released today by Ross Records called
"Come Over the Ord", it features traditional Scottish music
performed by Caithness artists and lovely Caithness scenery.
Music Workshops In The Wick Area
March 2003
Fiddle - Accordion - Guitar.
Would you be interested in workshops run by some of Scotland's best
musicians?
A day of workshops is being planned in the Wick area in March 2003.
Contact the organisers soon.
1st November 2002
New Sewage Works At Wick Ahead Of Schedule
Completion is set for June 2003 when trials and tests will begin
running to October when the treatment works will be handed over to
Scottish Water. The Wick treatment works is just one of many
being constructed around Scotland to bring water outfalls up to
stringent standards for waste discharges. Another new
treatment works will begin for Thurso in 2003.
Dunbeath
School Children Walk For Christmas Lights In Dunbeath
The children at Dunbeath Primary gave the Christmas lights
committee a boost by taking part in a sponsored walk to raise funds.
1975 Wick High Reunion
List of folk being contacted and another list of
people the organisers have yet to find. If you have contact
details for any of the missing folk get in touch with the reunion
organisers.
Visitor
Numbers Up Again In October
Hits 4,642,434 Pages
1,365,767 Visitors 92,241
Daily Average Hits 149,755 Pages 44,056
Visitors 2,974
It is now a year since the
web site won the Yell.com awards and traffic has grown steadily way
beyond anything we ever imagined. Once again thanks to
everyone for looking in.
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