Iain R. MacLeod graduated from Napier University, Edinburgh, with an MA in Screenwriting. He is the younger son of Mary and John MacLeod, Riverside, Gerston, Halkirk.

Susan McKay graduated from North Highland College UHI with an HNC in Early Education and Childcare. Susan lives in Thurso with her sons Andrew and Stephen and is the daughter of Andrew and Dorothy Anderson.

Kyle Mackay and his twin brother Dane, sons of George and Valerie Mackay, Portskerra, both graduated from Heriot-Watt University in Edinburgh with a BEng in Mechanical Engineering. They are employed as graduate engineers with Halliburton in Aberdeen and are former pupils of Melvich Primary School and Farr High.

Nathan R. Mackay, son of George and Valerie Mackay, Portskerra, graduated with a BSc in Mechanical Engineering from North Highland College UHI, Thurso. He served his apprenticeship with Rolls-Royce at Vulcan, where he was employed until September when he left to spend a year in Australia. He is a former pupil of Melvich Primary School and Farr High.

Shona McNicol (née Oag) graduated from North Highland College UHI with a BA in Child and Youth Studies. Shona was presented with her award at a ceremony in St Peter's and St Andrew's Church, Thurso. She lives in the town with her husband, Jason, and two sons.

Sine Mackay, of Armadale, daughter of William Mackay and Anna MacConnell, graduated from the University of Aberdeen with an LLB (Hons) degree. Sine is a former pupil of Melvich Primary School and Farr High School and is returning to the University of Aberdeen to study for the Postgraduate Diploma in Legal Practice.

Maree Macleod has graduated from the Robert Gordon University with a first-class honours degree in Law and Management. Maree, a former pupil of Castletown Primary School and Thurso High, is the daughter of Alan and Kathleen Macleod, Castletown. She has taken up a post with Marathon Oil in Aberdeen.

Emma Mackay has graduated from Gray’s School of Art, Aberdeen, BA (Hons) in 3-D Design. She is a former pupil of Miller Academy and Thurso High School. Emma is the daughter/step-daughter of Ellen and Tom Sinclair, Rosslyn House, Couper Square, Thurso, and daughter of Leslie Mackay, Aberdeen.

Alisha Mackay has graduated from Edinburgh College of Art BA (Hons). She is the daughter of Robbie and Cathy Mackay, Burnside, Thurso, and is a former pupil of Pennyland Primary School and Thurso High. Alisha will be continuing her Architecture Dip/Masters studies at Edinburgh College of Art.

Kevin A. McGee, eldest son of Alan and Pat McGee, Proudfoot Road, Wick, has graduated from the University of Aberdeen with a BSc (Hons) (2:1) in Sports Studies (Sport and Society). He is a former pupil of Wick North Primary School and Wick High.

Jordan McLean graduated from the University of Glasgow with a BSc (Hons) in Chemistry with Medicinal Chemistry. Jordan is a former pupil of Miller Academy and Thurso High School.

Gavin MacDonald, son of Harry and Janette MacDonald, of Robertson Square, Wick, graduated from the University of Strathclyde with BEng (Hons) in Electrical Energy Systems.

Ian W.A. Mackay (23) graduated from the University of Strathclyde MSc in Environmental Studies. A former pupil of Miller Academy and Thurso High School, he previously studied Molecular Biology and Biotechnology at the University of Glasgow and graduated BSc (Hons) in July 2005.

Neil Mackay graduated from the Robert Gordon University, Aberdeen, with a master's degree in Electrical and Electronic Engineering. Neil is the son of William and Irene Mackay, of Mount Pleasant Road, Thurso.

Kirsty MacDonald, youngest daughter of Neil and Margaret MacDonald, of Blingery Farm, Wick, graduated from the Robert Gordon University, Aberdeen, with a Diploma of Higher Education in Nursing (Adult).

Leigh-Anne Macleod, daughter of the late Marilyn Macleod, Portskerra, graduated from Glasgow Caledonian University with a Diploma in Adult Nursing. She now works in Glasgow Royal Infirmary as a staff nurse.

Suzanne McDougall (née Bremner) graduated from the University of Stirling with a BSc in Psychiatric Nursing. Suzanne, the eldest daughter of Neve and William Bremner, is a former pupil of Pulteneytown Academy and Wick High School. Suzanne is currently working in Newcraigs Hospital, Inverness.

Mairiead MacLennan gained a PhD (Medical Microbiology) from the University of Aberdeen while her son Kenneth (26) was awarded a BSc in Sports and Exercise Science. The family, who now live in Daviot, moved to Caithness in 1985 and settled in Watten, where Mairiead's parents still live. The family moved to Daviot when Mairiead was promoted to run the SAC Veterinary Services laboratory services in Aberdeen in 1993. The couple have a daughter Siobhan. Kenneth was educated at Halkirk Primary School and, for two years, at Thurso High School. He is now working in, and studying, horticulture.

Melanie Murray-Mackay, a former pupil of Melvich Primary School and Farr High, has graduated from the Robert Gordon University with a degree in Adult Nursing. Melanie, who is from Baligill, has accepted a staff development position at Aberdeen Royal Infirmary.

Michael Macleay has graduated with a BA in Accounting and Finance from the Robert Gordon University in Aberdeen. Michael is the eldest grandson of George and Isabel Dickson, Thurso, and Kathleen Macleay, of Ardgay, and eldest son of Ian and Ann Macleay, Dingwall.

Katherine Mackay has graduated with a BA in Accounting from Napier University, Edinburgh. She is a former pupil of Pulteneytown Academy and Wick High School. Katherine’s parents, John and Dorothy, live in March Road, Wick.

Fiona Mackay has graduated from the University of Edinburgh with a PhD in Medicinal Inorganic Chemistry. Fiona, a former pupil of Pulteneytown Academy and Wick High School, is the daughter of John and Elizabeth, of West Banks Avenue, Wick, and granddaughter of Sheila Leith. Fiona is continuing with research at Edinburgh University.

Gordon MacDonald, son of Moira and the late Raymond MacDonald, Wick, has graduated from the University of Edinburgh with a BEd 2:1 honours degree in Physical Education. Gordon is a former pupil of Wick North Primary School and Wick High.

Diane Mackay, daughter of Janice Mackay, of Wick, and George Mackay, of Helmsdale, graduated from Edinburgh University with a first-class honours degree in Primary Education. She will be working in Mount Pleasant Primary School, Thurso, this year. Diane is a former pupil of Wick South Primary School and Wick High.

Kirsty MacLeod has graduated from the University of Aberdeen with a BSc honours degree (2:1) in Conservation Biology. Kirsty is the daughter of George and Nicky MacLeod, Guidibest, Latheron, and is a former pupil of Lybster Primary School and Wick High.

Jenna Mackay, a former pupil of Pennyland Primary School and Thurso High, graduated BSc (Hons) in Aquaculture from the University of Stirling.

Ruth Mackay, daughter of Dan and Fiona Mackay, Wick, graduated BEd (First-class Honours with merit) in Primary Teaching from the University of Aberdeen. Ruth, a former pupil of Hillhead Primary School and Wick High, will begin teaching in Pulteneytown Academy in August.

Mary-Leigh Mackay graduated BSc in Computing Science with E-Business from the University of Aberdeen. She is currently working with the worldwide oil and gas company Aker Kvaerner as a database administrator. Mary-Leigh is a former pupil of Crossroads Primary School and Thurso High. She is the youngest daughter of Harry and Moira Mackay, The Hawthorns, Mey.

Calum Macdonald, Gerston, Halkirk, graduated with an honours degree in Chemical Engineering from Edinburgh University. He is currently working in Finland, researching combustion of biomass products.