David Nicol graduated from the University of Glasgow with a Bachelor of Law degree (second class, upper division). David is the son of Robert and Barbara Nicol, Thurso Road, Wick, and is a former pupil of Pulteneytown Academy and Wick High School. After completing his diploma in legal practice David will take up a post with McGrigors in Glasgow.

Nicola Pearson graduated, in absentee, from the University of Abertay Dundee with a second-class honours degree in Resource Management. Nicola, a former pupil of Thurso High School, is the daughter of Jackie and Graeme Pearson.

Susan Poulton graduated from the University of Edinburgh with a BSc (first-class honours) degree in Mathematics and Statistics. Susan is the daughter of Peter and Carolyne Poulton, Greenfields, Lyth, and is a former pupil of Keiss Primary School and Wick High School. In August she will be joining Prudential UK as a graduate trainee actuary.

James Poulton graduated from the University of Edinburgh MEng (first class) degree in Electrical Engineering. James is the son of Peter and Carolyne Poulton, Greenfields, Lyth, and is a former pupil of Keiss Primary School and Wick High. In September, he will be joining the Rolls-Royce graduate training programme in Derby.

Craig Nicolson has graduated from the University of Edinburgh with an LLB honours degree in Law (first class). Craig, a former pupil of Castletown Primary School and Thurso High, is the eldest son of Andy and Chris Nicolson, of Shalom, Castletown. He will shortly start studying for a Diploma in Legal Practice before joining Edinburgh solicitors Shepherd and Wedderburn for a two-year traineeship in September 2009.

Ailsa Nicol graduated from the University of Aberdeen with a first-class honours degree in Politics and International Relations. Ailsa, a former pupil of Miller Academy and Thurso High School, is the youngest daughter of Robert and Lorna Nicol, Castlegreen Road, Thurso.

Victoria J. Pemberton, a former pupil of Miller Academy and Thurso High, graduated from Napier University, Edinburgh, BSc (Hons) in Biomedical Science. Victoria is going on to train as an anaesthetist in Fife.

Maggie Page graduated with a BSc in Adult Nursing from the University of Stirling. She is a former co-ordinator of Crossroads Caithness and is currently doing bank work at Caithness General Hospital in Wick.

Steven Prince, of Seacliffe Cottage, Scrabster, graduated with a BEng (Hons) (first class) in Mechanical Engineering with Nuclear Decommissioning Studies from the University of Aberdeen in association with North Highland College. Steven was sponsored by Rolls-Royce throughout his full-time BEng degree at Robert Gordon University and again during his honours degree. This was completed on a day-release and evening-class basis at the NHC.

Cheryl Oliphant graduated from the University of Aberdeen with a BSc (Hons) (2:1) degree in Sport and Society. Cheryl is the daughter of Leslie and Clarissa Oliphant, of 'Ballacraine', Milton. She is a former pupil of Pulteneytown Academy and Wick High School.

Edward Page, son of Dr and Mrs Anthony Page, Greenland, Castletown, graduated from Newcastle University with a BA (2:1) in Geography. He plans to go to Sandhurst next year.

Kerry Marie Newlands graduated BSc in Nursing from the University of Stirling. Kerry, a former pupil of Hillhead Primary School and Wick High, is the daughter of Davina Lyall (née Talbot) and Kenneth Newlands.

Stephen Polson has graduated from Napier University, Edinburgh, with a BA in Accounting, with distinction. Stephen was educated at Miller Academy and Thurso High School. He is the son of George and Sherryl Polson.

Keira Patterson, daughter of Catherine Patterson (née Coghill), of Weir Crescent, Milton, has graduated from Glasgow Caledonian University with a BSc (Hons) in Podiatry, State Registered.

Deirdre Punler, of Pennyland Drive, Thurso, has graduated with an HNC in Social Care (incorporating SVQ at level 3) Childcare from Inverness College UHI.

Keith Pentland, son of Mrs P Pentland and the late Colin Pentland, Mackay Court, Thurso, graduated with an HNC in Professional Cooking. He now lives and works in Bournemouth.

Lisa Poulsen graduated from Napier University, Edinburgh, with a BDes honours degree in Design Futures. Lisa is the daughter of Stephen and Angela Williamson and is a former pupil of Mount Pleasant primary and Thurso High School.

James O'Brien has graduated from the University of Leeds with an MEng (First-Class Honours) in Mechanical Engineering. James is a former pupil of Halkirk Primary School and Thurso High.

Laura-Jane O'Kane has graduated from Heriot-Watt University, Edinburgh, with a BA (Hons) in Design for Textiles (Fashion, Interior & Art) (2:1). Laura-Jane, a former pupil of Thurso High School and daughter of Martin and Jane O'Kane, Halkirk, also received the Incorporation of Bonnet Makers and Dryers of Glasgow award for the best fourth-year project for BA (Hons) Design for Textile in the academic year 2005/06.

Claire Oswald, a former pupil of Wick North Primary School and Wick High, has graduated from the University of Dundee with an upper-second-class Bachelor of Design honours degree. Claire is the daughter of Kay and Geoff Oswald, Wick.

Kirsteen Nicol has graduated from the University of Glasgow with a first-class honours degree in Law. Kirsteen, a former pupil of Miller Academy and Thurso High School, is the daughter of Robert and Lorna Nicol, Castlegreen Road, Thurso.

Lesley Oliphant, West Lyth Farm, graduated from the University of Edinburgh with a second-class honours master’s degree in Environmental Chemistry with Industrial Experience.