Environment

ACTIVE OUTDOORS On a trip up two familiar Munros, John Davidson contemplates the changing face of a mountain set to become a huge hydro-electric store

Beautiful Botanicals by Joanne Howdle

Litter collectors in Caithness are part of a public-spirited army of more than 22,000 who have been taking part in Spring Clean Scotland.

The problem of outdated and hazardous asbestos water pipes in rural areas like Caithness was highlighted by a local MSP this week.

Pupils at Noss Primary School were praised for their willingness to “get stuck in” as they took part in their first express litter-pick this week.

Thurso Community Development Trust kicked off 2025 with a hugely popular event that saw many flocking to its Tool Repair Café and Seed Swap.

Effective management of land to protect biodiversity is “arguably one of the most important challenges we face”, conference delegates have been told.

'Extreme' and 'very high' wildfire warnings have been issued for the Highlands and Moray.

Jillian Bundy from Caithness West Community Council says Banniskirk Hub represents “an unprecedented level of industrialisation in a rural setting”.

The Banniskirk Hub substation scheme has attracted 249 objections, with opponents saying it will create an “industrial wasteland” alongside the A9.

High temperatures of up to 18C are expected across Caithness this week as Wick experienced its warmest day of the year so far on Monday.

Wick Paths Group (WPG) put out a “last minute” plea for volunteers to help clear up areas of the town on Saturday morning.

An acclaimed active travel programme that has promoted the benefits of cycling to thousands of people in the far north has come to an end.

A John O’Groats stalwart has shared his lifelong experiences of living beside the mighty Pentland Firth in a new video filmed in the village.

The volunteers who helped out at a spring clean around High Ormlie in Thurso were praised for their ‘amazing effort’ to tidy up the area.

ACTIVE OUTDOORS: John Davidson is on the lookout for the elusive Highland tiger on a waymarked walk around the Badenoch village

Construction of Dounreay began 70 years ago in March 1955. It still employs some 1400 people directly, with the focus now on cleaning up the site.

Caithness Astronomy Group will be hosting a public observation event for Saturday’s partial solar eclipse at Castletown.

After a single wild boar went on the run in Caithness back in December, a herd of the animals was spotted in the Camster area this morning.

OUT AND ABOUT WITH RALPH The short-lived walks have gone, the train no longer stops and now there’s a wind farm on the horizon… enjoy it while you can