Caithness news review of 2024: October to December

OCTOBER

Local MSP Maree Todd hailed Noss primary in Wick as “a standout example” of how schools can promote physical activity in accessible and enjoyable ways after she joined the last weekly bike train for the year. Numbers had risen week by week for the cycle-to-school initiative in which pupils were accompanied by adult leaders. A total of 135 cyclists took part, representing 47 per cent of the school roll.

A series of changes would be made in an effort to improve the reliability of Wick/Aberdeen flights after a catalogue of complaints. The new agreement for the “lifeline” service included timetable changes and guaranteed refunds or taxi transfers for cancelled flights. It came after we reported how Eastern Airways had racked up an £18,000 taxi bill following a number of grounded flights. One passenger accused the airline of “not caring about Wick” after a last-minute cancellation left him and his wife in limbo.

A survey revealed that many families in Caithness felt “helpless, isolated and powerless” over failings in support for people with autism, neurodivergent conditions and additional needs. Members of Encompass Caithness said they were determined to use the findings to highlight shortcomings in service provision. They are calling on the Scottish Government, Highland Council and NHS Highland to “address historic wrongs” and devise an improvement plan for the county.

A little bear made a big impact at John O’Groats when a bench was unveiled to celebrate the latest Paddington movie. Marmalade sandwiches, a favourite treat for the much-loved children’s character, were freely distributed and eagerly devoured as people of all ages gathered on Tuesday for what was described as a “momentous” occasion for the village.

Piling work was nearing completion as part of a programme of improvements costing over £1 million aimed at protecting Wick harbour from potentially disastrous storm damage. Harbour master Ian Cormack admitted that a succession of powerful easterlies last autumn had the potential to close the port completely, making it “a very stressful time for everyone”. Emergency stabilisation was carried out over the winter at the outer harbour entrance and Wick Harbour Authority hoped the current work would result in a permanent fix.

Sutherland Spaceport was set to be “a real prize” for the far north, the chief executive of Highlands and Islands Enterprise said. Stuart Black also reported that Orbex, the company behind the development and operation of the project on the A’Mhoine peninsula on the north coast, had a “very, very positive” order book.

Landowners were praised for supporting the John O’Groats Trail after a 65 per cent increase in walker numbers on the 147-mile coastal route in the past two years. More than 50 stiles had been built over that period, along with a dozen bridges and seven walkways, with feedback suggesting that the JOGT could go on to be regarded as “one of the great trails of the world”.

Thurso’s community-led development organisation was seeking feedback from the public to help shape its plans for the next five years. The newly launched consultation is described as “incredibly important” for Thurso Community Development Trust and for the town as a whole.

NOVEMBER

Organisers of Taste North were already looking ahead to their 10th anniversary event after the 2024 festival attracted a record turnout. More than 2100 visitors attended the far north’s annual celebration of food and drink at Wick High School, with celebrity chef Tony Singh MBE praising the quality of local produce and the “phenomenal” hospitality.

A farming union stalwart from Caithness warned that the UK government appeared to be “hellbent ” on pressing ahead with taxation plans that had caused outrage across rural communities. Arnott Coghill spoke of the “substantial” impact of Labour’s 20 per cent inheritance tax raid on farmland and property worth more than £1 million.

There was an armed siege in Castletown after a call for concern of a man escalated into a lengthy standoff.

Cars had been racing along the back road between Thurso and Reay at speeds reminiscent of the Starship Enterprise, it was claimed. The comparison with the fast-moving fictional spacecraft from the TV and film series Star Trek was made by a concerned resident living close to the Shebster straight. She had noticed an increasing problem with speeding drivers since the temporary deployment of average speed cameras on a notorious section of the A836.

An international group of surfers staged an underwater protest in Caithness to highlight a threat to vital ecosystems from industrial fishing. Dunnet-based Phoebe Strachan, the five-times Scottish women’s surfing champion, was among those who took part in the demonstration at a reef off the north coast. She and four other ambassadors for the outdoor clothing brand Patagonia were supporting calls for an immediate ban on bottom trawling within the UK’s marine protected areas.

Changes to the Wick/Aberdeen flight schedule had brought “positive results”, with fewer cancellations and an increase in passenger numbers. Highland Council reported 95 per cent reliability since a revised timetable was introduced in mid-October, raising hopes for the long-term sustainability of the service. Council leader Raymond Bremner said he was very optimistic and was looking forward to continued improvement.

The volunteers who look after Wick’s historic fishing vessel Isabella Fortuna were honoured in a national award scheme. The Wick Society boat team won the group category of the Marsh Volunteer Awards, part of the 2024 National Historic Ships UK Awards. It was described as “a tremendous accolade” by Alan Miller, the boat team secretary.

An assurance had been given that local radio was “still very much alive” in Caithness and in other parts of the Highlands. Jackie Johnson, company secretary at Thurso-based Caithness FM, was speaking after a controversial decision by Moray Firth Radio to axe its last locally produced show.

DECEMBER

Worried parents joined forces in Thurso to say they wanted to see more investment in play parks in the far north amid concerns that a number were under threat of closure. A Highland Council report had listed 26 Caithness parks as part of a wider Highland-wide list which said they were due to close within five years.

Community and business representatives were reeling from Orbex’s shock decision to halt work on the spaceport it was developing in north Sutherland. It had prompted calls for the company to repay the millions of pounds of public money ploughed into the venture. Others were keen to see whether an alternative operator could be found to take over the site, at A’Mhoine. The Forres-based firm had been gearing up for the launch by summer 2025 of the first of up to 12 orbital rockets a year carrying commercial satellites. But the programme had now been “paused” as it had decided to focus on launching its first rockets from SaxaVord in Shetland.

Consent had been granted by Scottish ministers for changes to a proposed wind farm near Lybster. German developer RWE received the go-ahead for a variation to a previously approved planning application for 19 turbines. The variation would see the number of turbines reduced to 13 but their maximum blade tip height increase from 130m to 200m.

The proposed Highland tourist tax has been condemned by Caithness healthcare campaigners as “a shameful levy on the sick”. Consultation was under way on a visitor levy scheme which could be worth £10 million a year to Highland Council. However, CHAT argued that it would penalise hospital patients and family members from the far north and other parts of the region needing to book overnight accommodation in Inverness.

A “crazy” decision to buy a ruined mill and turn it into a destination whisky distillery on the north coast was finally taking shape – 16 years after businessman Martin Murray dismissed the idea as “too complex and too expensive”. Martin, along with his wife and business partner Claire, hosted a topping-out ceremony to mark the completion of the two traditional roofs on the 200-year-old mill at Castletown.

Hopes emerged that St Fergus Church in Wick could be “developed as a community asset” after it closed as a place of worship at the end of the year. The former Wick Old Parish Church was closing its doors after 194 years of continuous use, having been built in 1830. A statement issued on behalf of the congregation acknowledged that the last service will be “a poignant and emotional moment”. Churches in Watten and Dunbeath were also closing.

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