NEWS

Opponents claim Mey battery storage site is being ‘railroaded through’

Opponents of a proposed battery energy storage scheme at Mey have claimed the plan is being “railroaded through” with “minimal oversight”.

Most staff at Highland Council getting £60k+ are in teaching which got pay rises of 25% or more since 2019

The total bill for the local authority’s highest earners has risen five fold in the last five years.

Warning of disruption as Far North Line set to close for 3 weeks

Disruption is expected later this month when the Far North Line is closed for three weeks as part of a major upgrade of the track.

Calum MacPhail vs Torridon team up for major Inverness festive gig

The “biggest Christmas party the Highlands have ever seen” has been promised after musicians Calum MacPhail and Torridon announced a joint gig.

A9 works in Caithness to see 10mph overnight convoys

Works to improve the surface of the A9 near Dunbeath will see 10mph convoys and lane closures from next week.

BEAUTIFUL BOTANICALS: Rhubarb’s ancient medicinal qualities were used to cure all ills

Beautiful Botanicals by Joanne Howdle

New book tells of Edwardian con artist and her life in the fast lane

The true story of Violet Charlesworth, a notorious Edwardian confidence trickster, is revealed in a new book from Dunbeath-based Whittles Publishing.

How will the vape ban work?

Selling ‘single-use’ vapes now illegal.

Masonic hall in Thurso will be setting for food and crafts fair

Thurso’s historic Masonic hall will be the setting for a community event featuring food stalls as well as art, jewellery and other creations.

Professional family historian will give online talk to Caithness group

Caithness Family History Society’s last meeting before the summer will look at how to make the most of the world’s largest free genealogy resource.

Local business changes hands, Bay City Roller gear banned from Wick school and ‘Unsung Hero’ vote from boss

LOOKING BACK: News from the John O’Groat Journal of yesteryear

Caithness man warned to ‘say nothing’ as sheriff ponders sentence of repeat domestic abuser

A serial domestic abuse offender might avoid a jail sentence if he is assessed as suitable for a rehabilitation programme.

Crofters group calls for more control over sea eagles after lamb losses

Crofters are asking government to take action to control predation by sea eagles after claims that attacks on lambs have reached unprecedented levels.

Highland spots see boom in numbers of UK’s smallest butterfly amidst conservationists’ delight

A charity has reported an explosion in numbers of one of Scotland’s fastest-declining butterflies, with more than 500 counted at a Highland estate.

Bethany Hall group in Wick looking ahead to centenary Gospel meeting

Christians who meet at Wick’s Bethany Hall are looking ahead to a Gospel meeting on Saturday, June 21, a century on from the opening event.

Flow Country landscape inspires solo-exhibit of over 40 works from Caithness artist

‘The Flows and the Flora’ comprises over 40 pieces including drawings, etchings and paintings from Magi Sinclair.

Tractor and machinery club members get a look at John O’Groats Mill

Members of Caithness Vintage Tractor and Machinery Club had a visit to the newly renovated John O’Groats Mill and were shown round by Rognvald Brown.

‘I wouldn’t be a grandmother without this gift of life’ - heart transplant patient backs organ donation campaign

Discussing with your family whether you want to be an organ donor, and making your decision known on the organ donor register is crucial.

Wick man breached bail by contacting his ex on Snapchat

A Wick man who flouted a bail condition not to contact his former partner avoided a prison sentence and was instead fined £300.

Tractor trek closing in on fundraising goal after mammoth 16-day journey

An epic challenge which saw a semi-retired farmer take a vintage tractor from Land’s End to John O’Groats is closing in on its fundraising target.