Community

Links between Caithness and Patagonia have been strengthened after a visit to the county by a direct descendant of a noted 19th-century sheep farmer.

Considerable interest has been shown in taking over a popular tearoom on the North Coast 500 route in Caithness.

Reliability on the Wick/Aberdeen air link was running at up to 90 per cent at the start of this year before dropping to 72 per cent in March.

Wick looks set to benefit from the biggest investment in years with more than £2 million awarded to transform the town centre.

Mervyn Hill from the Nethercliffe Hotel kept up a 30-year sponsorship commitment to Wick Groats when he handed over a new strip to the team.

After running the London Marathon, Julieanne Leslie said “the entire day was amazing” while Fiona Miller declared: “It truly was the best day ever.”

Motorists are facing road closures on the A9 at Latheron because of resurfacing being carried out by BEAR Scotland on behalf of Transport Scotland.

Sarah Ruggins put in an “unbelievable effort” to smash the record for cycling from John O’Groats to Land’s End and coming all the way back.

Kimberley Mackay (36), from Wick, has been appointed as a partner at Ralph Sayer, the Edinburgh-based solicitors and estate agents.

Mackays Hotel in Wick is celebrating its 70th year in business with a bumper programme of hotel-hosted food, drink and entertainment events.

A £145,000 upgrade of Wick’s Grizzly Park using Scottish Government funding has been welcomed as “fantastic news for that part of Pulteneytown”.

The Scottish Wildlife Trust, with the Scottish International Storytelling Festival, has announced the return of the Words of the Wild competition.

Nucleus is to host another evening of football reminiscences at the start of next month, following the success of the first event held in March.

The 2025 Young British Farming Awards is officially open for entries and nominations.

The wellbeing charity for farmers and crofters, Farmstrong Scotland has been awarded £20,000 of funding from The National Lottery Community Fund.

As we navigate modern life, the role of community in fostering a supportive environment for mental health has become increasingly evident.

YOUR VIEWS: Readers of the John O’Groat Journal and Caithness Courier have their say on the latest issues

An appeal has been issued for more people to become foster carers as Highland Council revealed it is currently looking after 103 children.

A busy night at the 2nd Thurso Beavers meeting saw several youngster being presented with awards.

Alistair Jack was guest speaker at the May meeting of Spittal SWI, telling members about the Caithness At War heritage trail.