Wick High pupils reach UK app final
Sixteen pupils from Wick High School have won through to the final of a UK technology competition. The Apps for Good Awards 2013 involves students designing an application - or app - for mobile phones, tablets or social media sites such as Facebook, with the idea of improving their own…
Searching for a house with a sea view at a bargain price? Caithness towns fit the bill
A Caithness solicitor has said news that Wick and Thurso are two of the cheapest Scottish seaside towns in which to buy a house is great news and will be a big boost to the area. Research from the Bank of Scotland shows an average house in Wick costs £83,555…
Crown Estate planning to make more marine sites available
The Crown Estate (CE) has unveiled plans to lease further wave and tidal sites in an effort to encourage and accelerate technology development. Head of wind Huub den Rooijen told delegates at the opening plenary session of All-Energy that the leasing would focus on test and demonstration projects to be…
Top honour for historic Royal residence
The 400-year-old former home of the Queen Mother has become the most northerly castle on mainland Britain to be officially recognised as environmentally-friendly. The Castle of Mey, near John O’Groats in Caithness, has been awarded the top honour of a Gold Grading from the world’s biggest green accreditation programme for…
Groats revamp hailed as beacon for far north holiday trade
The impending unveiling of the newly-revamped ‘end-of-the-road’ site at John O’Groats can help trigger a step-change in the promotion of Caithness as a holiday destination, it was claimed yesterday. The conversion of the long-time derelict John O’Groats House Hotel into 19 upmarket self-catering apartments follows a series of abortive ventures…
Logistics firm planning to ramp up operations at north port
A Highland logistics firm is planning to add to its workforce after agreeing to extend its activity at a Caithness port. Wick-based Hugh Simpson Contractors said yesterday it would support NorSea’s operations at Scrabster Harbour after the Norwegian business previously announced plans to develop the site. Simpsons, which employs 47…
Scots language expert brings songs and stories to far north
An expert in Scottish literature and folk music is to visit Caithness next week to share his knowledge with children and adults alike. Fred Freeman, from Edinburgh, is the author of two books on Scottish poetry and more than 100 articles on Scottish literature, folk music and history. He has…
Council names Gills as ‘port for action’
A plan to include Gills harbour as a port for action is “a positive move”, according to chairman Bill Moway. He welcomed the initiative which was agreed at Highland Council’s meeting in Inverness last week. Councillors decided the north east Caithness harbour should be considered as a base for marine…
Irish soul band to headline B-fest
The Stars From The Commitments will headline this summer’s B-fest in Wick. The Irish soul band, which includes two members from the hit movie The Commitments, will top the annual one-day event at the town’s Riverside on Saturday, August 17. The 1991 film, adapted from the novel The Commitments by…
Princess Anne to unveil new equestrian centre
A new Caithness equestrian centre aiming to become the number one facility in the UK for equine studies is to get the royal seal of approval this summer. Princess Anne is to officially open the purpose-built facility at Dale Farm, near Halkirk, on July 3. The red-letter day will coincide…
Tourism push key to expanding cruise ship trade at Scrabster
More needs to be done to promote Scrabster as a tourist hub, but progress has been made in attracting visitors to the area. That was the view of Willie Calder, chairman of Scrabster Harbour Trust, speaking ahead of the port preparing to welcome its first cruise ship of the holiday…
Thurso earmarked as HQ in cinema expansion plans
Thurso Cinema operator Rob Arthur is intent on putting the Ormlie Road complex in the vanguard of a major revival of the silver screen in the Scottish hinterland. Speaking this week in the wake of a £350,000 digital makeover of the former All St@r Factory complex, he said discussions have…
Tourism groups calling for teamwork to boost business
Highland hospitality businesses have been urged by two tourism organisations to work together to boost visitor numbers in the region. Venture North, which covers Caithness and North Sutherland, and the Outer Hebrides Tourism Industry Association (OHTIA) are stepping up efforts to draw more people to the Highlands this summer. Tourism…
£80m HIE investment helps support jobs
Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) has invested £80 million across the region over the past year, helping to support the redevelopment of key parts of Caithness. The agency has increased its turnover and international sales for supported businesses and social enterprises while delivering a wide range of projects to make…
Glimmer of hope for failed freezer firm
A private equity company could be involved in taking over the failed Icetech freezer firm in Castletown. The news emerged this week after provisional liquidator Campbell Dallas said it was exploring the possibility of a joint venture buying the Murrayfield business. The Glasgow-based chartered accountants envisage the private equity business…
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