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





John Gunn, the Castletown shoemaker, outside his shed in 1973 (photo taken by David Topping). Mr Gunn was a well-known figure in the village.
John Gunn, the Castletown shoemaker, outside his shed in 1973 (photo taken by David Topping). Mr Gunn was a well-known figure in the village.

Wick High sports fund to be set up

From the Groat of June 3, 1921

Teachers and pupils at Wick High School, which had opened in 1911, had embarked on a project to improve its sporting facilities.

The school had two spacious playing fields "but wild nature holds practically unchecked dominion over them". The plan was to tackle the wilderness and create a cricket field on the boys' side and a tennis court on the girls' side, which would "greatly enhance the attractiveness of the surroundings and encourage a healthy rivalry in sports that would benefit the school and its pupils".

Other plans were also being mooted, including the institution of an annual sports day with special awards of merit and the compiling of a photographic record of teachers and students of distinction.

In order to meet the expense of the sports fields scheme, a sale of work was to be held in the school in September to coincide with the unveiling of a mural tablet to the memory of the 14 students killed in the war.

A number of ladies and gentlemen had agreed to give their patronage to the sale. Among them were General Baron Horne of Stirkoke and Lady Horne, Brigadier-General Baird of Forse and Mrs Baird, Sir R Leicester Harmsworth and Mrs Harmsworth, and Miss Henderson, Rosebank House.

Changes to Wick's High Street

From the Groat of June 4, 1971

The continuing scheme to widen Wick High Street was to cause a major change in the town's business centre.

The following week would see the demolition of one of the town's oldest and tallest properties, Kirk's Building.

The building faced Bridge Street and its disappearance would "remove a familiar part of the shopping area".

Kirk's Building, which had been erected in 1828, consisted of flats on the upper floors and shops on the first floor.

The main shop used to be that of William Nicolson, grocer, a former provost of the burgh, and so long had he run his business there that the premises became known as Nicolson's Building.

Adjacent to the grocer's shop was the drapery business of Shearer and Mackenzie, and those premises had been taken over 12 years previously by Arthur Bruce, bookseller and newsagent.

The closure of Mr Bruce's shop would bring to an end a business started by his father in 1891 at the Cliff.

Meanwhile, world lightweight boxing champion Ken Buchanan was to be a speaker at Wick Gala Week. The appearance of Mr Buchanan, who had close family connections with the town, was expected to be one of the highlights of the event.

Castles to be partially rebuilt

From the Groat of June 7, 1996

Work was due to begin shortly on the restoration and partial rebuilding of two Caithness castles.

Wick Society chairman Iain Sutherland had met with officials from Historic Scotland to discuss the scheme at Sinclair and Girnigoe castles near the town.

The task force undertaking the work was hoping for support from the Historic Scotland with the technical side of the process.

Mr Sutherland said he was keen to "record everything" and to make the restoration "as much like the original as possible".

A converted lorry trailer was to serve as the scheme HQ and also as a canteen and a workshop.

The project aimed to preserve Sinclair and Girnigoe by taking steps to prevent further deterioration and make the structure more secure and appealing.

It was hoped the project would expand to take in the nearby Noss Head lighthouse, transforming it into a Sinclair museum and information centre, incorporating a nature reserve and a bird observatory.

Future plans would be to expand the scheme even further to take in the Castle of Old Wick, the Dunbar mausoleum, the Pulteney mill lade, the broch at Yarrows and the Sinclair mausoleum, as well as repairs to Whaligoe Steps.

Applications for grant aid for the initial phase had been submitted.


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