Election 2021: SNP candidate Maree Todd closes out our series of reports asking Holyrood hopefuls how they would deal with some key issues

Today she tells us how she would go about dealing with the problems of depopulation and housing shortages in Caithness, Sutherland and Ross

Conservatives are standing 'shoulder to shoulder' with armed forces, says Struan Mackie

Conservative candidate Struan Mackie has pledged that his party will ensure military personnel and their families have access to vital services.

Looking Back – news from the John O'Groat Journal of yesteryear

Licence renewals put on hold in 1921, Arion Choir in Edinburgh in 1971 and Video showed piers damage in 1996

New unit at Wick hospital will enhance the experiences of mothers-to-be

WHAT'S THE CHAT? By Ron Gunn, a vice-chairman of Caithness Health Action Team

CORONAVIRUS STATS

New cases, rolling rate & case rate

HNM APP

Not all clouds are the products of natural processes

WEATHER WATCH: Keith Banks with his monthly round-up of the highs and lows of Wick's weather

Tory plan to recruit teachers in Highlands as part of £550 million investment in Scottish education

A pledge to recruit 279 teachers in the Highlands and Islands has been welcomed by Conservative candidate Edward Mountain.

Billy's accordion tunes among the highlights at Caithness macular group virtual ceilidh

Local accordion player Billy Mackay was among the entertainers at Caithness Macular Society Support Group's latest virtual ceilidh.

NATIONAL NEWS

Fans welcomed back to live sport in lockdown easing test case

The FA Cup semi-final between Leicester City and Southampton will serve as a test event with 4,000 fans attending.

Royal family continue to grieve Philip’s death as national mourning ends

After almost 70 years as head of state, the Queen will reign without her husband by her side.

PM warned that lobbying scandal could risk ‘red wall’ gains

A senior Tory said Boris Johnson needed to ensure his Government was ‘more transparent’ than previous administrations.

Royals ‘have never appeared quite so emotional than at Philip’s funeral’

Judi James said the royals appeared ‘surprised at how hard Philip’s death had hit them’ during the service on Saturday.

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SPORT

LISTEN: Ross County manager backs Brora's promotion bid

With question marks over the fate of the pyramid play-off, Ross County boss John Hughes says he would like to see Brora Rangers reach the SPFL.

Surfing championship organisers deliver 'an amazing event' at Thurso

The British Surfing Championships held in Thurso under strict Covid-19 protocols have been hailed an outstanding success.

Local surfer is highest-ranking Scottish competitor in British Surfing Championships

Thurso's Phoebe Strachan put in a superb performance to come fifth overall in the women's division of the British Surfing Championships.

Halkirk United manager would have preferred to see North Caledonian season brought to a close

Halkirk United manager Ewan McElroy has expressed misgivings about the plan to complete the 2020/21 North Caledonian League fixture list.

Thurso boss Reid would have been happy to see North Caledonian title handed to Invergordon

Thurso manager Stevie Reid says he would have had no complaints if the North Caley season had been scrapped and the title awarded to the leaders.

Brora Rangers could be denied promotion chance due to SPFL pyramid system issues — Meeting will take place on April 19.

Tickets for firefighters' match against ex-Rangers stars now on sale at Thurso shop — Preparations for the fundraising game between Thurso firefighters and ex-Rangers stars have been stepped up with tickets now on sale at a local shop.

Listen: ICT make it six wins in-a-row — ICT look unstoppable, tier six appears likely for next season and Thurso will host an Olympic qualifier! All that and more on Balls & Whistles.

Read more sport news

LIFESTYLE

The birth of a new book – or is it twins?

ARTYNESS: Barbara Henderson discovers her forthcoming release has a partner set in the same Scottish island chain

Looking back: The Battle of Culloden

Prince Charles Edward Stuart’s standard was drenched in blood on April 16, 1746, at the Battle of Culloden, the last battle fought on British soil.

Hospitality curfew in Scotland makes no sense

Matt MacPherson of the Malt Room in Inverness argues that there is no justification in closing bars and restaurants early

Recipe of the week: The bang anything in breakfast burrito

Short on time? Try the bang anything in breakfast burrito.

Views over Loch Ness make Great Glen Way high route worth the effort

Active Outdoors: John Davidson links the low-level and high-level Great Glen Way paths to make a fine circuit above the loch

Read more lifestyle news

WHAT'S ON

The British Art Show heads to Aberdeen Art Gallery

Hayward Gallery Touring’s landmark exhibition, British Art Show 9 will open at Aberdeen Art Gallery on July 10 and run until October.

Grampian Transport Museum opens to a bright and sustainable future

Thursday, April 29 will be a big day in Alford as the Grampian Transport Museum opens for the 2021 season.

Nationwide search launched for young eco-writers

The Climate Tales competition has been announced as part of the COP 26 event.

Simple Minds rescheduled Aberdeen gig to 2022

The show has been moved to April 2022, the second time the date has been changed.

Landward returns for a new series on BBC Scotland — The show which celebrates everything to do with the Scottish outdoors from farming to environmental stories returns to our screens.

Eden Court's Empire Theatre to host an audience — For the first time in 16 months, the Empire Theatre at Eden Court will host an audience.

Fresh date for Ross-shire gig by Toploader — A new date for Dancing in the Moonlight stars Toploader's Strathpeffer Pavilion gig has been announced.

Read more What's On news

Election 2021: SNP candidate Maree Todd closes out our series of reports asking Holyrood hopefuls how they would deal with some key issues

Conservatives are standing 'shoulder to shoulder' with armed forces, says Struan Mackie

Looking Back – news from the John O'Groat Journal of yesteryear

New unit at Wick hospital will enhance the experiences of mothers-to-be

CORONAVIRUS STATS

HNM APP

Not all clouds are the products of natural processes

Not all clouds are the products of natural processes

Tory plan to recruit teachers in Highlands as part of £550 million investment in Scottish education

Tory plan to recruit teachers in Highlands as part of £550 million investment in Scottish education

Billy's accordion tunes among the highlights at Caithness macular group virtual ceilidh

Billy's accordion tunes among the highlights at Caithness macular group virtual ceilidh

MOST READ

Common threads of reminiscence reflecting the rich fabric of Caithness life

How to remove tree sap, bird poo and blossom from your car

NATIONAL NEWS

Fans welcomed back to live sport in lockdown easing test case

Fans welcomed back to live sport in lockdown easing test case

Royal family continue to grieve Philip’s death as national mourning ends

Royal family continue to grieve Philip’s death as national mourning ends

PM warned that lobbying scandal could risk ‘red wall’ gains

PM warned that lobbying scandal could risk ‘red wall’ gains

Royals ‘have never appeared quite so emotional than at Philip’s funeral’

Royals ‘have never appeared quite so emotional than at Philip’s funeral’

SPORT

LISTEN: Ross County manager backs Brora's promotion bid

Surfing championship organisers deliver 'an amazing event' at Thurso

Surfing championship organisers deliver 'an amazing event' at Thurso

Local surfer is highest-ranking Scottish competitor in British Surfing Championships

Local surfer is highest-ranking Scottish competitor in British Surfing Championships

Halkirk United manager would have preferred to see North Caledonian season brought to a close

Halkirk United manager would have preferred to see North Caledonian season brought to a close

Thurso boss Reid would have been happy to see North Caledonian title handed to Invergordon

Thurso boss Reid would have been happy to see North Caledonian title handed to Invergordon

Brora Rangers could be denied promotion chance due to SPFL pyramid system issues

Tickets for firefighters' match against ex-Rangers stars now on sale at Thurso shop

Listen: ICT make it six wins in-a-row

LIFESTYLE

The birth of a new book – or is it twins?

Looking back: The Battle of Culloden

Looking back: The Battle of Culloden

Hospitality curfew in Scotland makes no sense

Hospitality curfew in Scotland makes no sense

Recipe of the week: The bang anything in breakfast burrito

Recipe of the week: The bang anything in breakfast burrito

Views over Loch Ness make Great Glen Way high route worth the effort

Views over Loch Ness make Great Glen Way high route worth the effort

WHAT'S ON

The birth of a new book – or is it twins?

The British Art Show heads to Aberdeen Art Gallery

The British Art Show heads to Aberdeen Art Gallery

Grampian Transport Museum opens to a bright and sustainable future

Grampian Transport Museum opens to a bright and sustainable future

Nationwide search launched for young eco-writers

Nationwide search launched for young eco-writers

Simple Minds rescheduled Aberdeen gig to 2022

Simple Minds rescheduled Aberdeen gig to 2022

Landward returns for a new series on BBC Scotland

Eden Court's Empire Theatre to host an audience

Fresh date for Ross-shire gig by Toploader

Top 25 Days Out

John O'Groats Ferries

Go Ape!

NorthLink Ferries

Pitlochry Dam Visitor Centre

25 Great Places to Eat

OldByreSkye

Café Sia, Broadford

Gille Brighde Café & Restaurant, Lower Diabaig

25 Great Places to Stay

Bracken Lodges, Loch Tay

Garth Hotel, Grantown-on-Spey

The Arran Team

Glen Clova Hotel & Luxury Lodges

Everything Wedding

Coylumbridge Aviemore Hotel

Limelight Event Services

Top Class

La-Di-Da Fashion

Great Charities to Support