Yes Caithness group marks anniversary with pop-up shop and ceilidh
Register for free to read more of the latest local news. It's easy and will only take a moment.
The community group Yes Caithness, set up to promote Scottish independence, is celebrating its first anniversary this month with a series of talks, a pop-up shop and a ceilidh.
Founder member Ian Sinclair said: “Yes Caithness is part of the wider grassroots movement that grew up after 2014. There are now over 100 Yes groups across Scotland. The aim is to encourage people to vote yes for independence.”
The Yes Caithness Hub will be in Thurso’s pop-up shop (3 Princes Street, beside the Commercial Hotel) on Friday, from 11am to 2.30pm, then every Wednesday and Thursday until Christmas. It is intended as an information pick-up point and meeting place for those interested in finding out more about what an independent Scotland has to offer.
After Christmas, the group hopes to have the pop-up shop open on Saturdays as well.
On Saturday, November 16, Yes Caithness will host a talk by well-known columnist and speaker Paul Kavanagh (a.k.a. Wee Ginger Dug) at 7.30pm in the Nethercliffe Hotel in Wick. With a general election set for December 12, Yes Caithness hopes the event will be well attended.
It is free, but to ensure a seat it is best to phone 07517 584196.
Group member Christine Gunn said: “Yes Caithness is an independent organisation, dedicated to the furtherance of Scottish independence. We’re a community group, not a political organisation.
“Although we represent all independence voters, because of the upcoming election we thought it only fair, after Paul Kavanagh has spoken, to give the prospective SNP Westminster candidate Karl Rosie the opportunity to answer any questions folk have for him, to discuss what they have heard, and to share ideas.”
The first anniversary celebrations conclude with a ceilidh of music, stories and poems in the Nethercliffe Hotel on Sunday, November 24 (2pm-5pm). The line-up includes the Saor Alba Boogie Band, Wick singer Nancy Nicolson, poet George Gunn and singer Jamie Riddell with Caithness stories from David Rosie, folk songs from Jackie and John Newton and Donald MacNeil, piano from Peter Dyson, whistle tunes and poems from Johnny McLeod and the pipes and drums of Wick RBLS Pipe Band. Entry is £5 at the door and donations from the event will be made to the Wick and Thurso food banks as well as the Wick pipe band.
For more information on Yes Caithness and these events, contact Ian Sinclair on i.sinclair68@btinternet.com
