SIR – With reference to the letter from Fiona Matthews in last week's John O'Groat Journal, "Midwife-led unit is not downgrading".

SIR – In July 2008, in a move which was supposed to stop vandalism in Wick's Harmsworth Park, £2400 towards the cost of erecting gates at the Harrowhill end of the park was allocated from the Highland Council's discretionary budget for the ward.

SIR – As a Caithness mother whose baby is due in three weeks' time, I was interested to read your front-page article last week in the John O'Groat Journal.

SIR – It is beyond belief to think that the Bignold Park is being considered as a site for building a new high school.

SIR – The rumour train gathers momentum from the incident at Castletown Primary School.

SIR – I could hardly take in what I was reading concerning the arrogance of a Castletown headmistress behaving so stupidly over a toilet issue at the school for which she was responsible.

SIR – My wife and I had two purebred Scottish terrier bitch puppies disappear from our indoor/outdoor whelping area on Saturday, January 23.

SIR – I am sure that many local people share the concerns expressed by our local and national politicians following the recent incidents on railway level crossings.

SIR – After reading the headline "Bignold Park option for new high school 'could cause turmoil'" (Caithness Courier, January 13) I almost pinched myself to make sure I had woken up that morning.

SIR – In September 2009 the Scottish Government announced a funding package of two-thirds for a new Wick High School.

SIR – I completely agree with the letter from Bruce Burrowes from Surrey in last week's John O'Groat Journal.

SIR – Having endured an appalling lack of heating on the ScotRail service from Inverness to Thurso, I feel I must share my experiences of the even worse return journey.

SIR – I noted with interest John Thurso's comments in last week's Caithness Courier, where he questioned the Labour Government's commitment to offshore renewable energy.

SIR – As chairman of the Highland Council's Caithness ward business meetings, I would like to respond to recent correspondence in your columns surrounding our meetings.

SIR – Through your columns, Thurso Players would like to say a huge thank-you to everyone who voted for the Mill Theatre extension project in the recent People's Millions competition featured on STV.

SIR – Wick Academy's scintillating cup performance on Saturday was magic!

SIR – I would like through the columns of your paper to comment on the decision by my fellow elected councillors in Caithness to remove me from the position of chairing the council's area business meetings.

SIR – Wick Academy FC are the team this season feared by most sides.

SIR – Invicta New Park Limited's plans for biomass-fuelled combined heat and power schemes at Forss and Georgemas (Caithness Courier, November 11, "£35m scheme to give jobs boost) appear to be good news.

SIR – We must all be aware that the voluntary contributions of the people of Caithness is wonderful.

SIR – I write in reference to the letters "Councillor's assessment of Gaelic is seriously flawed" and "A deep-rooted opposition to all things Gaelic" published in last week's John O'Groat Journal.

SIR – In response to recently reported comments from Thurso Highland councillor John Rosie and parliamentary candidate John MacKay concerning funding for a Gaelic development post in Caithness, I would like to make a number of points.

SIR – First, I would like to thank John Cairns for replying to my letter and inviting me to attend Grey Coast's production of Fields of Barley on October 30.

SIR – Having an appointment in Inverness on Saturday, October 17, I bought return tickets beforehand with First ScotRail to travel on the 6.52am morning train.

SIR – I am writing in response to your article on October 16 about the "drug diktat".

SIR – I write in response to the letter from the "born and bred Glaswegian" Jean Sutherland which appeared in last week's John O'Groat Journal.

SIR – I would like to take this opportunity to put forward the reasons for any strike action which may be taken by Royal Mail staff in the wake of statements released by the CWU (Communication Workers' Union).

SIR – Leslie Rowe has rightly pointed out the Boundary Commission's disregard for county boundaries in its first review of Scottish Parliament constituency boundaries ("One size must fit all is just irrational", Caithness Courier, October 7).

SIR – Time flattens the perspective of the past and if the timing of one's recollections are even slightly out, history gets wrongly recorded.

SIR – I have just returned from a week in Pitlochry to see all the plays in the Festival Theatre.

SIR – I was delighted to hear that Wick Academy are taking on Girvan in the Scottish Cup, with the experience of Richard Hughes, Ian Munro, Pat Miller and background staff at Harmsworth Park behind them.

SIR – For the last year and a half, we and our dedicated staff have worked hard to try and ensure that our business remained viable.

SIR – Does Thurso want a superstore? Yes. Do we want it to be Tesco? No. And why not? Because another Tesco opening in Caithness would give the supermarket giant a monopoly in the area which would allow it to charge any price it likes for goods provided.

SIR – I am writing regarding Duncan Ross's article, "Play review is 'insult' to local culture", which appeared in last week's John O'Groat Journal.

SIR – I fully support the controversial pilot project launched this week by justice secretary Kenny MacAskill.

SIR – Rob Gibson (Holyrood Diary, John O'Groat Journal, August 28) speaks of an illogic in opposing the release of Abdelbaset Ali Mohmed al-Megrahi, and proceeds to deliver priori errors of his own.

SIR – At the time of writing I am enjoying a holiday near Wick and would like to congratulate the residents on the way they care for their town.

SIR – I write in response to your article of August 21 entitled "'Eyesore' signs removed by council".

SIR – Does Wick really want to attract visitors? Is everything done to welcome disabled ones?

SIR – I have been very disturbed to learn recently that plans have been submitted for the construction of a large-scale egg-producing facility at Shore Park, Latheronwheel.

SIR – In last week's Caithness Courier I had an article - "Bloodthirsty battle of warring relations" - featured, in which I described various sea battles which had been significant in our nation's history.

SIR – I have just spent one week in my home town of Thurso, and on taking my grandkids out for a day discovered that neither the tennis courts nor boating pond open until 2pm.

SIR – The complaint from Wick ward councillor Katrina MacNab (John O'Groat Journal, August 7), that the paper does not do enough to report council decisions made in Inverness, strikes me as a bit rich.

SIR – Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) would do well to listen and take note of each and every businessman at the consultation meeting into the regeneration of John O'Groats.

SIR – How many times have we seen different news articles pertaining to the Government, be it national or local, losing either data discs or files containing people's personal information?

SIR – It was interesting to see a letter in last week's John O'Groat Journal from Mr Heller regarding the chicken farm proposal and the fate of the hens.

SIR – In response to the letter of Mrs Whittles in the John O'Groat Journal on July 17, I feel it is necessary to put the record straight.

SIR – I support and sympathise with Sharkey Ward's feelings (Letters, John O'Groat Journal, July 10) about getting lorry traffic off the road onto the rail, using the Dornoch rail link as necessary and existing line upgrades (which the Dornoch Rail Link Action Group is campaigning for) to make this more attractive for rail freight users.

SIR – On behalf of Thrumster Hall Committee, I would like to say a huge thank-you to everyone who attended our recent mini-gala weekend.

SIR – I was delighted and honoured to receive an invitation from the chairman of the Caithness and Sutherland Vintage Vehicle Club, Edward Sutherland, to attend the group's 40th anniversary rally at John O'Groats on June 13/14.

SIR – Petitions have been placed in various Thurso shops, thanks to the generosity of the shopkeepers, and it would be much appreciated by Thurso Heritage Society if the local community and visitors would sign these petitions.

SIR – As organisers of Wick HarbourFest Homecoming '09, may we thank everyone who was in any way involved in helping to make the event the success it undoubtedly was.

SIR – I challenge your readers to a spot the difference competition.

SIR – At last the construction of the new bridge over the River Thurso is well under way.

SIR – I, along with the vast majority of people in Wick, despair of the Highland Council and its neglect on many levels, not the least of these being the insane imposition of Gaelic in many areas.

SIR – On April 24 our daughter was refused a place in P1 at Hillhead Primary by the Highland Council's education, culture and sport service. Their reason for refusal was that the authority would have to employ an additional teacher.

SIR – If the Caithness Chamber of Commerce is really serious about wanting to breathe new life into towns like Wick and Thurso, then it would need more than just a simple upgrade.

SIR – John S. Jappy's letter (John O'Groat Journal, June 19) tries to impugn non-SNP politicians through sleight-of-hand writing. He accuses one MP of trying to say that the Liberal Democrats took the Highlands from the SNP at the Euro election.

SIR – In these times of economic gloom I call upon the good people of Caithness to help us out.

SIR – Was the late George Bruce's campaign in order to save the maternity unit wholly in vain?

SIR – The John O'Groat Journal report on June 12, "HIE boss vows to continue in post", raises two main questions in my mind.

SIR – As convener of the Caithness West Community Council I have to complain about your prominent report last week, "Wind-farm flak 'unwarranted'".

SIR – I read with regret the onslaught against John Thurso MP by his opposition over the last few weeks.

SIR – My father and I were travelling to John O'Groats last Friday as part of our holiday in Scotland.

SIR – May I add my voice to Mr MacKay's call for John Thurso's immediate resignation?

SIR – In response to previous letters imploring that we leave the Berriedale Braes alone, I have to say I am shocked at the arguments the writers are using in suggesting that we do not make any changes.

SIR – I was a passenger on the bus coming from Inverness on Friday, May 29. When we reached Dornoch the driver informed us that the bus had broken down and we were left sitting there for over an hour hoping that we would get help.

SIR – Politics has been brought low by the antics of some MPs; anger is justified.

SIR – In response to Drew Macleod's letter, "Berriedale Braes are a highlight of visits to the county", published in the John O'Groat Journal on May 15, Drew you are not alone.

SIR – I was shocked to read in Wednesday's Caithness Courier of the Labour prospective election candidate's personal and unwarranted attack on John Thurso, our hard-working and extremely ethical MP, whose expenses I do not expect to feature in the Daily Telegraph revelations.

SIR – As reported in the Caithness Courier, John MacKay, the prospective Labour parliamentary candidate for Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross, uses innuendo against the Lord Thurso but offers few actual examples of financial impropriety.

SIR – One of the most irritating, if predictable, outcomes of the current expenses scandal appears to be the seemingly endless list of MPs who have been "campaigning for the reform of the system for a number of years" as claimed by John Thurso in his interview with last week's John O'Groat Journal.

SIR – While looking forward to finding out what John O'Groats might look like after it has had its face-lift, I cannot help but wonder whether these architects and builders might go too far with their own plans and ideas, and that John O'Groats might be in danger of looking like something from either Walt Disney, Vegas, or a Butlin's holiday camp.

SIR – Over the years, as I've travelled around this country of ours, saying that I come from Caithness has elicited a variety of responses.

SIR – While I agree that the council offices in Wick may well be in need of refurbishing and modernising so that all services can be housed in the one building for reasons of, hopefully, efficiency and a better working environment, I would think that the money would be better spent on a new Wick High School.

SIR – I must congratulate Wick Academy football team, their co-manager Ian Munro and Wick Academy Football Club on the progress they have made this season.

SIR – There are fewer greater injustices than unemployment, yet Labour MEPs continue to make it more difficult for businesses – large and small – to employ people.

SIR – I am relieved to read that the Mod will still be coming to Caithness.

SIR – It was with interest I read the report in the John O'Groat Journal of April 10 on the Scottish Government's Regeneration Fund for town centres.

SIR – Although this is our first visit to Caithness we were alarmed to learn that the shop in Wick called Made in Caithness is to close.

SIR – According to last week's letters, John Mackay seems to like revelations. Here are a couple more for him.

SIR – While I am delighted to learn that the long-awaited upgrade to two-lane standard on the last stretch of the A830 Fort William to Mallaig road has at last been completed, I should hope now that Scottish transport minister Stewart Stevenson and HITRANS chairman Charlie King will turn their attention to another popular tourist road on which upgrading is long overdue.

SIR – As of last night (Easter Monday) – and it was the same last weekend – all the coin-operated public phones in central Thurso, except for the one in Rotterdam Street, were out of action. The railway station one, essential for tourists, was not working in any way.

SIR – I write to express my sincere thanks to the communities of Caithness and Sutherland for all their support and generosity towards HomeAid Caithness & Sutherland.

SIR – I read with great interest a recent press article regarding rates relief for town-centre shops in Inverness which have been affected by ongoing work to renew the streetscape.

SIR – I was coming back up the hill from the Co-op in Springpark in Thurso one day recently at around 4.05pm.

SIR – I am writing on behalf of the Wick Flower Basket Committee to express our huge level of disappointment towards the individuals who obviously had nothing better to do than cause such wanton destruction to the floral displays in the Market Square and pedestrian area.

SIR – I write to clear some misunderstanding in respect of access, survey coverage and negotiations caused by your recent article entitled "118th particle found at Sandside".

SIR – A poll in the Sunday Herald just over a month ago showed that support for independence has been rising steadily over a number of months, and that the numbers of those "for" and "against" now varies little.

SIR – Further to the report, "Contractor makes dunes restoration pledge" (John O'Groat Journal, March 13) there are several contentious matters arising from the meeting between the area planning team leader, Iain Ewart, and contractor David Gunn.

SIR – It is comparatively easy to render a dialect as modern standard English as long as it is read in context.

SIR – I have my own complaint about "company policy", in addition to that of H. Lyall (John O'Groat Journal, March 13).

SIR – The language spoken BC is unknown to us, but the Picts used an early form of Gaelic not understood by St Columba who, about AD 500, needed a translator to speak to the Pictish king near Inverness.

SIR – About six months ago I went into Homebase in Wick looking for a petrol chainsaw. The only one that was in store was a demonstration one. I asked them if they could get me one from one of their other stores, they said no.