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Mike Merritt


PICTURES: ‘A special place’ – £1m gardens at Loch Ness-side castle complete after 7 years

06 June 2025
PICTURES: ‘A special place’ – £1m gardens at Loch Ness-side castle complete after 7 years

PICTURES: ‘A special place’ – £1m gardens at Loch Ness-side castle complete after 7 years

06 June 2025

Seven years and more than £1 million in the making, Scotland’s richest man is celebrating the completion of his showpiece and most exclusive garden.


Rare bird recorded singing at Strathy Point in Sutherland

06 June 2025
Rare bird recorded singing at Strathy Point in Sutherland

Rare bird recorded singing at Strathy Point in Sutherland

06 June 2025

The white-throated sparrow normally lives in parts of North America and Canada.


‘Very rare’ American gull recorded at John O’Groats

27 May 2025
‘Very rare’ American gull recorded at John O’Groats

‘Very rare’ American gull recorded at John O’Groats

27 May 2025

A rare visitor from across the Atlantic has turned up in Caithness.


Studio flat at Strathy Point Lighthouse up for sale at offers over £75,000

19 May 2025
Studio flat at Strathy Point Lighthouse up for sale at offers over £75,000

Studio flat at Strathy Point Lighthouse up for sale at offers over £75,000

19 May 2025

Strathy Point Lighthouse was the first lighthouse in Scotland to be built specifically for electrical operation.


Durness family business changes hands after 100 years

15 April 2025
Durness family business changes hands after 100 years

Durness family business changes hands after 100 years

15 April 2025

Richard Mackay & Son has been run by Robbie Mackay for the last 40 years and is the most north-westerly grocery shop in Britain.


Sea eagles attack payouts to farmers and crofters soars towards £1m

18 March 2025
Sea eagles attack payouts to farmers and crofters soars towards £1m

Sea eagles attack payouts to farmers and crofters soars towards £1m

18 March 2025

The bill to taxpayers for crofters and farmers combating sea eagles attacking their lambs is now set to reach almost £1m.


Highland avalanche reports stopped for first time – after lack of snow in hills

08 February 2025
Highland avalanche reports stopped for first time – after lack of snow in hills

Highland avalanche reports stopped for first time – after lack of snow in hills

08 February 2025

Scotland’s avalanche warning service downed tools in January when there was too little snow, and climate change is having a significant impact


Sutherland councillors concerned over NC500 ‘super rally’ plan

18 December 2024
Sutherland councillors concerned over NC500 ‘super rally’ plan

Sutherland councillors concerned over NC500 ‘super rally’ plan

18 December 2024

An Austrian company is planning to include the NC500 in a 140-car rally in June next year.


Highlands and Islands Enterprise confirm Melness Crofters Estate will still be paid for lease of Sutherland Spaceport site despite Orbex shelving the project

06 December 2024
Highlands and Islands Enterprise confirm Melness Crofters Estate will still be paid for lease of Sutherland Spaceport site despite Orbex shelving the project

Highlands and Islands Enterprise confirm Melness Crofters Estate will still be paid for lease of Sutherland Spaceport site despite Orbex shelving the project

06 December 2024

HIE said the crofter would continue to receive a rental income as part of the lease agreement.


Outlander star Sophie Skelton to feature in Caithness-based psychological thriller

04 November 2024
Outlander star Sophie Skelton to feature in Caithness-based psychological thriller

Outlander star Sophie Skelton to feature in Caithness-based psychological thriller

04 November 2024

A film shot in Caithness starring Outlander’s Sophie Skelton has landed a major deal.


New Land’s End to John O’Groats record set by female tandem cycling pair

19 September 2024
New Land’s End to John O’Groats record set by female tandem cycling pair

New Land’s End to John O’Groats record set by female tandem cycling pair

19 September 2024

An NHS worker and a bicycle instructor have set a new women’s Tandem Land’s End to John O’Groats record.


Assynt Mountain Rescue team help lost walkers at Britain's highest waterfall near Kylesku

18 August 2024
Assynt Mountain Rescue team help lost walkers at Britain's highest waterfall near Kylesku

Assynt Mountain Rescue team help lost walkers at Britain's highest waterfall near Kylesku

18 August 2024

The two lost walkers had gone to see the spectacular Eas a’ Chual Aluinn waterfall.


'You're Sheena Easton aren't you?': Star quality at Durness as singer calls in at Cocoa Mountain chocolate shop

29 July 2024
'You're Sheena Easton aren't you?': Star quality at Durness as singer calls in at Cocoa Mountain chocolate shop

'You're Sheena Easton aren't you?': Star quality at Durness as singer calls in at Cocoa Mountain chocolate shop

29 July 2024

Scottish singer Sheena Easton, who lives in America, visited Durness this weekend.


Tiny seal pups ferried to Caithness rescue centre after being found at Stornoway Airport on Lewis

24 June 2024
Tiny seal pups ferried to Caithness rescue centre after being found at Stornoway Airport on Lewis

Tiny seal pups ferried to Caithness rescue centre after being found at Stornoway Airport on Lewis

24 June 2024

Two tiny abandoned seal pups have been saved and ferried to Caithness in a dramatic 182-mile rescue.


Cape Wrath minibus operator fixes Britain’s ‘deepest pothole’ himself after two-week council blitz

20 June 2024
Cape Wrath minibus operator fixes Britain’s ‘deepest pothole’ himself after two-week council blitz

Cape Wrath minibus operator fixes Britain’s ‘deepest pothole’ himself after two-week council blitz

20 June 2024

Britain's "deepest" pothole has been repaired - with a huge metal plate.


Castle of Mey to feature in this weekend’s episode of Royal Kitchen Gardens

10 April 2024
Castle of Mey to feature in this weekend’s episode of Royal Kitchen Gardens

Castle of Mey to feature in this weekend’s episode of Royal Kitchen Gardens

10 April 2024

The Castle of Mey’s gardens are to feature on the small screen this weekend as Raymond Blanc’s Royal Kitchen Gardens visits Caithness.


Teenager with Caithness roots becomes one of Scotland's youngest mountain rescuers

11 March 2024
Teenager with Caithness roots becomes one of Scotland's youngest mountain rescuers

Teenager with Caithness roots becomes one of Scotland's youngest mountain rescuers

11 March 2024

Having climbed Africa's highest mountain aged just 16, a Highland teenager has now become one of the youngest mountain rescuers in the country.


Injured mountain rescue team member stretchered off Cairngorms in blizzard conditions

10 February 2024
Injured mountain rescue team member stretchered off Cairngorms in blizzard conditions

Injured mountain rescue team member stretchered off Cairngorms in blizzard conditions

10 February 2024

An injured member of a mountain rescue team was stretchered nearly two-and-a-half miles in blizzard conditions in the Cairngorms last night.


Record year of whale sightings helped by Caithness spotters

29 January 2024
Record year of whale sightings helped by Caithness spotters

Record year of whale sightings helped by Caithness spotters

29 January 2024

Whale spotters in the far north contributed to a record-breaking year – with more than 10,000 cetaceans recorded around Scotland's coast in 2023.


Anders Holch Povlsen's Wildland Ltd reveals £9.3 million annual loss

15 January 2024
Anders Holch Povlsen's Wildland Ltd reveals £9.3 million annual loss

Anders Holch Povlsen's Wildland Ltd reveals £9.3 million annual loss

15 January 2024

Anders Holch Povlsen, 51, is a Danish businessman who made his fortune in retail.


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