John O'Groat Journal

2 days ago | johnogroat-journal.co.uk | Rachel Smart

A summer programme has been launched for young people in the north of Scotland. Led by Focus North, it includes a series of events designed to inspire and support the next generation in Caithness and Sutherland. The events – named Live Highland, Live Happy – have been created in partnership with Developing the Young Workforce North Highland (DYWNH) in direct response to feedback provided by local secondary school pupils.

3 days ago | johnogroat-journal.co.uk | Scott MacLennan

The £100 million Thurso masterplan could usher in the biggest changes the UK mainland’s most northerly town has seen in more than a generation. The ambitious plans involve some of the most important bodies in the Highlands from the NHS to police and fire service as well as the coastguard and Dounreay. Thurso High has been identified as the main site of investment for a new complex comprising schools, leisure and community facilities.

5 days ago | johnogroat-journal.co.uk | Scott MacLennan

The Scottish Parliament is set to recognise the Highland convention on renewables projects for ‘amplifying the voices’ of those concerned at the ‘industrialisation of natural landscapes’. It comes as efforts for a second gathering involving MPs, MSPs and other elected representatives and statutory bodies gathers momentum with the aim of holding the event in August.

6 days ago | johnogroat-journal.co.uk | Andrew Henderson

Organisers of the first ever Caithness Pride march say the Thurso event exceeded every expectation they had. Police estimates put around 1000 people in attendance between the markets on Rotterdam Street and the march that set off from the harbourIt was a superb turnout for a first of its kind event in Caithness, which was nothing more than a dream only a year ago. Local LGBTQ+ group Stepping Out had not even launched 12 months ago, but were the driving force behind Pride.

1 week ago | johnogroat-journal.co.uk | Alan Hendry

Billy Kay said it was an honour to have been invited to give a talk at the newly refurbished John O’Groats Mill. The well-known writer and broadcaster, a passionate advocate for the Scots language, declared that he’d had a “braw nicht” at the opening event of the 2025 John O’Groats Book Festival. An Evening with Billy Kay came less than a month after the historic mill was reopened as a heritage attraction and community venue following a £4.9 million project led by John O’Groats Mill Trust.