Nwicker60
02-Nov-12, 16:31
John O' Groat Journal headlines: November 2
A 48-year-old
man, recovering from a stroke, has spoken of how he was able to leave Caithness General Hospital while on autopilot and walk along a main road before being found by police, wet and bedraggled eight miles from Wick. Kai Schilling reckons he is lucky to be alive after negotiating from Wick after negotiating the A882 from Wick to Watten, in darkness and in foul weather on Saturday evening.
James Bond
nearly came to Caithness in his latest screen outing. The fact was revealed by writer and director, Murray Watts, who is based at Freswick Castle and was subject to a gag order after meeting the location scout for the recently-released 23rd film in the Bond franchise, Skyfall. Watts met the film's director Duncan Muggoch in March last year, to show him around the castle which is built on the foundations of a 12th century Viking settlement. Muggoch was very impressed with what he found at the coastal keep, just off the A99 to John O' Groats.
A HIGHLAND
councillor has thrown down the gauntlet to supermarket giant Tesco as it looks to renew planning permission for the still vacant, Thurso mart site. Roger Saxon is challenging Tesco to explain its plans for stores in the town as the company announced its intention to apply to extend the consent for another three years.
THE
manager of a Thurso hotel has pleaded with Highland Licensing Board to end the midnight curfew which she claims has damaged the pub trade in the town for years. Jilly Calder said the curfew needs to be extending by an hour or scrapped completely, as the industry tries to survive economic times. Members of the board are set to meet in Inverness next week to come to a decision about the future of the controversial Cinderella curfew which was first imposed in the Highlands in 2003.
SHARKS
in gardens, seals on the sidewalk, murder and suicide, are all part and parcel of living in one of the greatest cities in the world during a superstorm. But for Wick artist, Ian Charles Scott, who lives and works in New York, the past week has been an experience he does not want to relive anytime soon as Sandy came ashore and ripped through the Big Apple on Monday leaving at least 24 people dead and millions of dollars worth of damage.
THE
Captain's Galley in Scrabster celebrates its 10th anniversary this week, but to owners Jim and Mary Cowie, it is much more to them than just a restaurant. For more than a decade, it has been at the forefront of championing fish conservation, sustainability and seasonality to not only protect the stocks at sea, but the livelihoods that depend on an industry that helps make their menu what it is.
THE
owner of a plot of land in Thurso, which has become home to a number of abandoned boats, has remained unknown for decades. But councillors say they are united in solving the mystery once and for all, to help improve the lives of residents who live next door to what has become a dumping ground for vessels. Thurso's three Highland councillors, Donnie Mackay, John Rosie and Roger Saxon have agreed to work together to discover who owns the site at Harbour Court which is currently home to 10 boats.
There
was fur and fun to be had when Caithness Rabbit Fanciers Association recently held a successful show with a wide variety of animals display. The pet rabbit, guinea pig rodent and bird show, took place last Sunday, in Castletown's Drill Hall and attracted a large range of animal lovers. Associaton secretary, Cat Dunbar, said the event was a resounding success and everyone involved, enoyed their day.
AND
finally...The Caithness Big Band and guests take the stage tonight in their latest charity bash at Thurso's Weigh Inn Motel. The aim is two-fold...to pay tribute to band founder Jim Marshall and raise hundreds of pounds for cancer charities.
A 48-year-old
man, recovering from a stroke, has spoken of how he was able to leave Caithness General Hospital while on autopilot and walk along a main road before being found by police, wet and bedraggled eight miles from Wick. Kai Schilling reckons he is lucky to be alive after negotiating from Wick after negotiating the A882 from Wick to Watten, in darkness and in foul weather on Saturday evening.
James Bond
nearly came to Caithness in his latest screen outing. The fact was revealed by writer and director, Murray Watts, who is based at Freswick Castle and was subject to a gag order after meeting the location scout for the recently-released 23rd film in the Bond franchise, Skyfall. Watts met the film's director Duncan Muggoch in March last year, to show him around the castle which is built on the foundations of a 12th century Viking settlement. Muggoch was very impressed with what he found at the coastal keep, just off the A99 to John O' Groats.
A HIGHLAND
councillor has thrown down the gauntlet to supermarket giant Tesco as it looks to renew planning permission for the still vacant, Thurso mart site. Roger Saxon is challenging Tesco to explain its plans for stores in the town as the company announced its intention to apply to extend the consent for another three years.
THE
manager of a Thurso hotel has pleaded with Highland Licensing Board to end the midnight curfew which she claims has damaged the pub trade in the town for years. Jilly Calder said the curfew needs to be extending by an hour or scrapped completely, as the industry tries to survive economic times. Members of the board are set to meet in Inverness next week to come to a decision about the future of the controversial Cinderella curfew which was first imposed in the Highlands in 2003.
SHARKS
in gardens, seals on the sidewalk, murder and suicide, are all part and parcel of living in one of the greatest cities in the world during a superstorm. But for Wick artist, Ian Charles Scott, who lives and works in New York, the past week has been an experience he does not want to relive anytime soon as Sandy came ashore and ripped through the Big Apple on Monday leaving at least 24 people dead and millions of dollars worth of damage.
THE
Captain's Galley in Scrabster celebrates its 10th anniversary this week, but to owners Jim and Mary Cowie, it is much more to them than just a restaurant. For more than a decade, it has been at the forefront of championing fish conservation, sustainability and seasonality to not only protect the stocks at sea, but the livelihoods that depend on an industry that helps make their menu what it is.
THE
owner of a plot of land in Thurso, which has become home to a number of abandoned boats, has remained unknown for decades. But councillors say they are united in solving the mystery once and for all, to help improve the lives of residents who live next door to what has become a dumping ground for vessels. Thurso's three Highland councillors, Donnie Mackay, John Rosie and Roger Saxon have agreed to work together to discover who owns the site at Harbour Court which is currently home to 10 boats.
There
was fur and fun to be had when Caithness Rabbit Fanciers Association recently held a successful show with a wide variety of animals display. The pet rabbit, guinea pig rodent and bird show, took place last Sunday, in Castletown's Drill Hall and attracted a large range of animal lovers. Associaton secretary, Cat Dunbar, said the event was a resounding success and everyone involved, enoyed their day.
AND
finally...The Caithness Big Band and guests take the stage tonight in their latest charity bash at Thurso's Weigh Inn Motel. The aim is two-fold...to pay tribute to band founder Jim Marshall and raise hundreds of pounds for cancer charities.