A year of Caithness news: July to September
After another busy year, we look back at some of the stories that hit the headlines in the John O'Groat Journal and Caithness Courier during 2023
July
Highland Council had imposed contractual penalties on Eastern Airways after finding that the level of service between Wick and Aberdeen fell “below expectations” in May and June. The local authority had discussions with the airline over “recent performance issues” on the route and said it was confident that these had now been resolved. The action taken by the council emerged after a Caithness man who had been a regular customer of Eastern Airways declared he had given up on the airline and would make the journey by road and rail instead. Kevin Smith, an engineer with an oil and gas company, had become frustrated by the “unbelievable” number of delays and cancellations.
A "murder-suicide" in Keiss had left the entire Caithness community stunned, according to the leader of Highland Council. Raymond Bremner said his thoughts were with everyone affected by the incident which left two people dead. He was speaking as police continued their investigations into the death of a 74-year-old man in the village. The body of a 39-year-old woman linked to the incident was found later the same day near the grounds of Keiss Castle.
Latheron Agricultural Society’s annual show was set to go “from strength to strength” in the build-up to a milestone anniversary in two years’ time. President Raymond Gunn says there was a new enthusiasm among the organisers and the wider community with the 100th show due to take place in 2025. He was speaking after the 98th Latheron Show attracted a huge turnout in glorious sunshine on his land at West Clyth Farm. The county’s Norse heritage was celebrated by a 25-strong group from the Glasgow Vikings, who put on a living history encampment as well as staging battle re-enactments.
More than 6000 people made their way to Wick for the 180th Caithness County Show as rain cleared for the far north’s biggest agricultural event of the year. The main ring attraction was the Stannage Stunt Team and show-goers were entertained by a mix of motorbike jumps, fire runs and high falls before an explosive finale. The Northern Quality Produce marquee was packed with food, drink and craft stands, while the stock was judged across various categories. Caithness Agricultural Society president James Barnetson said: "It has turned out fantastic. The crowd is phenomenal. Everyone is happy that we managed to pull it off."
Organiser Kevin Macgregor praised the volunteers and sponsors who made it possible to stage John O’Groats Strongest Man every year after he tasted defeat in the competition for the first time at the weekend. Liam Goldie (Stirling) emerged as the winner after seven gruelling tests of strength.
Police Scotland’s area inspector for Caithness acknowledged that members of the public wanted officers to be more visible and more accessible. Inspector Stephen Mezals also revealed that some 70 per cent of police work was “not related to crime”, while giving an assurance that Highland communities were still among the safest places to live in the country. Inspector Mezals was speaking at an event in the Pulteney Centre looking at how confidence in policing could be improved.
Vibrant colours and fancy dress were on parade as the opening of Wick Gala Week saw the streets busy with crowds out to share in the fun and frivolities of the decorated floats. The sun shone for the occasion, with the procession headed up by majorettes and Wick RBLS Pipe Band – soon followed by gala queen Abby Dunbar with her court and the outgoing queen Beth Dunnett with her attendants.
August
Organisers of the Halkirk Highland Games had enjoyed a record-breaking day. The games at Recreation Park attracted a record crowd of 3564, up by 200 on the year before. Gate takings at £18,900 were also up almost £2000 on 2022. The weather could not have been better, with sunshine and blue skies throughout the afternoon. The crowd were entertained by keen competition on the field and saw records broken in both the heavy events and on the track.
Revenue from the electricity produced by the MeyGen tidal energy project in the Pentland Firth had risen to £3.9 million the previous year – up by £2.3 million compared with 2021. The figure was highlighted in the financial statement issued by Simec Atlantis Energy.
The annual exhibition by the Society of Caithness Artists began in Thurso, showing the true diversity of local creativity. Chairman Ian Pearson said: “There is a thriving market in Caithness for art and art lovers. Therefore, there is a business model here of having an art gallery in Caithness.”
The King was hailed as “a great advocate for Caithness” after he toured the most northerly distillery on the Scottish mainland. His Majesty officially opened 8 Doors Distillery at John O’Groats before meeting food and drink producers from the county and chatting to community representatives. He sampled a dram in the distillery shop, then was led through the stillroom to the nearby bonded warehouse where he was invited to fill a cask. It was the King's first official appearance in the county since his coronation.
King Charles made his usual appearance as chieftain at the Mey Highland Games in John O’Groats. Conditions were near perfect and the only discernible change was a much heightened security presence due to His Majesty’s new role. The head judge for the games, Charlie Murray, said: “It was a brilliant day and I think everybody in the arena enjoyed themselves."
Volunteers were joined by almost 100 members of the public to celebrate the 30th anniversary of Mary Ann’s Cottage as a heritage attraction. The cottage at Westside, Dunnet, run by Caithness Heritage Trust, had been welcoming visitors since August 1993. The anniversary event was attended by relatives of Mary Ann from West Kilbride. The birthday cake was cut by Mary Ann’s granddaughter Anne Fitzsimmons.
A Caithness creative glass studio with a well-founded international reputation had closed its doors with six staff members losing their jobs. Three full-time and three part-time staff were told that North Lands Creative in Lybster had ceased trading and were further informed, without advance warning, that they had all lost their positions at the glass studio.
A community-led team was aiming to develop a district heating scheme for the Ormlie area of Thurso that could lead to significant cost savings on heating bills. The initiative, labelled the Warmlie-Cosy Community, was launching a survey to gauge interest in the multimillion-pound plans.
A new initiative to upgrade Wick’s High Street lanes would be a “starting point” for town centre regeneration, according to the chairman of the local community council. Allan Farquhar was speaking at a drop-in event marking the launch of the Wick Lanes Pocket Places project. It was set up after the Royal Burgh of Wick Community Council and Highland Council secured funding from Sustrans Scotland’s Pocket Places programme.
A talent showcase on the world’s shortest street was such a success that it was now set to be an annual event. Entertainment ranging from singing and dancing to a visit from a petting farm drew a crowd of up to 200 to Ebenezer Place, part of Mackays Hotel in Wick. Talent on the Shortest Street was the first event of its kind staged by the owners of the award-winning hotel.
A Wick businessman spoke out over “extortionate” rates imposed on retailers, arguing that the system needed to be reformed if town centres were to see an upturn in their fortunes. Sam Salim insisted that cutting the rates bills for businesses in the most prominent High Street locations would be “the best model for regeneration”. Describing passing trade as “a thing of the past”, he said: “The more shops that are open, the more reason people have to come onto the street, so one thing will instigate the other.”
September
Councillor Matthew Reiss was delighted that an independent road safety audit was to be carried out at a controversial crossing in Castletown. He had been told by Highland Council’s roads department that the audit would be undertaken, although no timescale had been given. “I am pleased it is going ahead and hope it will get under way sooner rather than later," Councillor Reiss said. "There’s not a day to lose. What is there at the moment is not safe.”
Dounreay hosted its first family day since the pandemic, with around 1000 staff and their families gathering. Fire engines, robots and ice cream were all part of the occasion. A spokesperson said: “The day was a mix of entertainment and knowledge-sharing, with visitors able to see where their loved ones work and discover more about Dounreay."
A Lybster resident at a supported housing complex claimed his home was “not fit for purpose” and was exacerbating his health conditions. Robert Wright said his house in Jeffrey Street suffered from dampness and highlighted a lack of proper ventilation and a poor heating system which he maintained were making his health “much worse”.
Some trade union and safety representatives had no confidence in the management at Dounreay and had raised health-and-safety concerns at the site. A number of employees told the John O’Groat Journal that they were also worried over how issues on the wellbeing of staff were being addressed. “There are numerous cases of staff members off due to work-related stress – some as a result of bullying and harassment,” one worker said. “Concerns have been raised but do not appear to be addressed."
Organisers of Tunes By the Dunes said they had received “hugely positive” feedback following the 2023 event. The two-day music festival at Dunnet went ahead in glorious weather as a 1200 sell-out crowd enjoyed performances by Callum Beattie, Skipinnish, Torridon, Whisky, Trail West, The Chair, Mànran, the Tumbling Souls, Brandon McPhee and Beinn Lee. Event coordinator Iain Mackay of North Coast Entertainments described singer/songwriter Beattie as “the absolute star of the show”. Mr Mackay said: “The feedback on social media has been hugely positive, and also we’re building up a reputation among the musicians.”
The owners of a Wick restaurant vowed to “come back stronger” after a burst pipe in the town centre sent water cascading through their premises. Chef Daniel Chrétien and his wife Janice said they were devastated by the damage caused to the Bord De L’Eau in Market Street but had been heartened by the support from their staff, customers and neighbours. The flow was likened to a “tidal wave” at one point and the kitchen, dining room and toilets had all been affected.
A former volunteer said there were significant concerns about animal welfare in the far north after the Scottish SPCA announced it was to close its local rescue centre. Vicki Edmunds had set up a petition against the plans to close the Caithness and Sutherland Animal Rescue and Rehoming Centre at Balmore. The SSPCA said at the end of August that it would close two of its “smaller animal rescue centres” – one in Caithness and another rural one in Ayr – as part of a wider strategy to expand services within the community. Ms Edmunds, a project worker who volunteered at the centre before the pandemic and had adopted many animals from there over the years, said it was a lifeline for animals as well as for people looking for pets in the area. She said: “There’s a lot of concern over the animal welfare aspect. What happens to animals now when that centre is gone?"
New safety data that showed 10 out of the 11 most dangerous single-carriageway sections of the A9 were north of Inverness had led to renewed calls for urgent investment in the road to Caithness. The figures – released by Transport Scotland following a Freedom of Information request – revealed there were 11 single-carriageway sections of the A9 between Perth and Scrabster that were more dangerous than the national average. Of these, 10 sections are north of Inverness – with five of them in Caithness.
The £4 million transformation of the 205-year-old mill at Castletown was well under way, and people were given a chance to see the early progress as tours took place as part of Doors Open Days events.
Almost 50 people turned up at Watten village hall to protest against plans for 220-metre turbines to be sited in the area – the tallest in the UK. EDF Renewables UK had submitted a planning application for Watten Wind Farm, which would comprise seven turbines with tip heights of up to 220m and generating a total of more than 47MW. Calvin Wilson, from Watten Wind Farm Opposition Group, said: “These turbines are going to stand almost double the height of the highest ones in the county at Halsary. They are enormous and you will even be able to see them from Orkney.”
No part of the Highlands would be safe from industrialisation if plans for massive new power lines and substations were allowed to go ahead, people living in south-east Caithness had been told. A public meeting in Dunbeath heard that communities would be “bombarded with more and more wind farm applications and lots more infrastructure” unless the controversial proposals by SSEN Transmission were halted. Those backing the project said it was necessary to meet government targets on renewable energy – but campaigners argued that the project was about money rather than the environment, and insisted the transmission lines and the turbines they would serve were not needed. The meeting in Dunbeath community hall was organised by Dunbeath/Berriedale Community Say NO to Pylons, under the umbrella of Berriedale and Dunbeath Community Council, and attracted an audience of well over 100. It was called in response to the plans by SSEN Transmission for a 400kV line between Spittal in Caithness, Loch Buidhe in Sutherland and Beauly in Inverness-shire, including new substations at each location.
Campaigners calling for a rethink of the Balmore closure plan claimed that “no thought” was given to the geographical location of the animal rescue facility or the logistics involved. They also alleged that animal welfare was not the main priority of the Scottish SPCA’s chief executive, who had been defending the decision to shut the Caithness and Sutherland Animal Rescue and Rehoming Centre from October.
A gaping hole that opened up in a Thurso street had been described as “quite alarming” by a Highland councillor. Barriers had been put in place at the affected area near the top of Sir Archibald Road, near its junction with the A836 and across from Sir George’s Park, since a problem was first identified the previous month. Councillor Ron Gunn said more investigation was needed as there was evidence that nearby ground had begun to sink.
The loss of the long-established ferry service from John O’Groats would be “a great blow to the area”, according to the chairman of the local community council. Eric Green was speaking after the 2023 season came to an end for John O’Groats Ferries – potentially its last, unless a buyer came forward. The business had been run by members of the same family for more than half a century and they put it up for sale the previous summer as a going concern. It was on the market for £1.2 million. Mr Green, chairman of Dunnet and Canisbay Community Council, said: “It would be a great blow to the area and to local people if this were to be the final season. We thank the current operators for what has been an iconic service and hope that it is not the end.”
Local authority officials pledged to “get to the bottom” of flash flooding problems that had plagued some shopkeepers in the centre of Thurso. One trader said action was long overdue, with businesses regularly having to mount clean-ups after the Victorian drainage system became overwhelmed during thunderstorms. The latest major incident in August, in which firefighters were called out, led to local Highland councillors asking officials to treat the issue as an emergency.
