John O'Groat Journal

4 days ago | johnogroat-journal.co.uk | Niall Harkiss

Beautiful Botanicals by Joanne HowdleLemons, like most citrus fruits, grow from a particular type of small evergreen tree scientifically known as Citrus limon which is in the Rutaceae flowering plant family. Lemon trees thrive best in tropical climates that offer heat and humidity and can tolerate poor types of soil. Lemon trees can grow up to 10 metres high, and their branches normally have thorns and shiny green leaves extending from them.

5 days ago | johnogroat-journal.co.uk | Alan Hendry

Applications are open for a funding programme that will help to foster “resilience and innovation” within communities in the Highlands. The Highlands and Islands Climate Hub is working in partnership with Highland Third Sector Interface to deliver the Community Led Local Development Fund on behalf of the Highland Council Community Regeneration Fund. Community-led local development gives communities the power “to tackle local challenges”. Small grants of up to £10,000 are available.

6 days ago | johnogroat-journal.co.uk | Caroline McMorran

A Sutherland community council is taking drastic action in a bid to get rid of a member who is said to be “disruptive” and “behaves like a “football hooligan”. Ardgay and District Community Council (A&DCC) is to dissolve in the hope of reforming without member Samantha Kane, owner of Carbisdale Castle. A motion was passed at the group’s monthly meeting in Ardgay Hall last night when it was agreed to hold an Extraordinary General Meeting shortly to dissolve the council.

6 days ago | johnogroat-journal.co.uk | Niall Harkiss

Caithness is set to feature in a BBC special on Scotland’s coasts which airs later this week. Filming for episode four of this year’s Landward series, presenter Dougie Vipond visits the cliffs and beaches of Caithness. The presenter’s travels will take him to Dunnet, where he drops in to see the work at a seal sanctuary that protects, rescues and rehabilitates sick and injured pups.

6 days ago | johnogroat-journal.co.uk | David G. Scott

A John O’Groats petting farm showed off one of its latest arrivals with Dottie the blind lamb and said it has many activities planned over Easter. Puffin Croft is located on the outskirts of the Caithness village and run by Cara Young, who appeared in the Channel 5 documentary series called Ben Fogle: Make a New Life in the Country. “Dottie is a little orphan lamb who was born prematurely on March 21,” said Cara. “She is the cutest! She’s one of quads, the only one to survive and is blind.