John O’ Groat Journal review: August 31, 2012

THURSO is moving from the periphery, to the centre of the Scottish economy, according to First Minister Alex Salmond. The SNP leader who was in the far north yesterday, said the area will play a huge part in providing not only Scotland’s energy needs, but those of the entire planet He claimed Caithness is at the centre of a revolution in the production of energy which will see the re-dustrialation of Scotland.

A NUCLEAR cargo boat was expected to arrive at Scrabster early yesterday evening, on a mission to transport a consignment of nuclear waste from Dounreay to the continent. Special security measures will accompany the loading of the radioactive cargo aboard the Atlantic Osprey at the ports deep water Queen Elizabeth pier. The movement, which has been sanctioned by the Scottish Environment Protection Agency, involves 153 tonnes of intermediate-level waste being sent to the BR2 reactor at Mol, in the north-east Belgium over a four-year period. This is believed to be the first of 21 shipments which will have an armed police presence, en passage.

WICK airport needs to wake up to the 21st century according to a passenger who had to fork out hundreds of pounds extra, after a delay meant she missed her onwards connection. Helena Mackay blasted Eastern Airways for not having a crew available to operate the 7am Wick to Aberdeen service on August 21. She was told the crew for the flight needed to take their minimum rest break due to their delayed arrival the previous evening. With no reserve crew available, the scheduled flight was delayed by two hours, which led to Mrs Mackay missing her connecting flight from Aberdeen to Frankfurt with Lufthansa, as well as their third flight from Frankfurt to Marseille where she works as an English teacher.

DISCOUNT store, Poundstretcher, is hoping to open the former Haldanes supermarket in the centre of Wick at the start of October. Spokesman Martin Collinson confirmed the firm has picked up the lease of the 14,205 sq store in Macleay Lane, from owners The Co-operative. Interviews for staff have been ongoing, recently, and work on refurbishing and refitting the derelict store could start as early as next week.

NEW claims made by an anti-windfarm campaigner have been rubbished by the Scottish Government. The study, by Caithness Windfarm Information Forum’s chairman, Stuart Young, professes to explode the myths that all forms of electricity generation are subsidised and that oil and gas receive far more subsidy than renewables. Mr Young reckons he has dispelled a popular myth that fossil-fuelled electricity is funded by the taxpayer to top £1.78 billion in 2012.

FORTY-six coins dating from the 13th century, which were discovered in Caithness, may have been stashed in the ground by thieves. Mikie Aitken (27) of Killimster said the site of his find was a popular spot for robbers to store their stolen goods. After keeping it a secret since February, Mr Aitken finally revealed the site’s location this week –at Wester Rock.

ELEVEN men were killed when two torpedoes struck an oil tanker nine miles off Wick, during the Second World War. The SS Gretafield burst into flames following the attack by a Nazi submarine forcing the crew to abandon the ship which was left to drift before coming to rest 20 miles south at Dunbeath. Over 70 years later, the Caithness branch of the Merchant Navy Association will be honouring the lives of the crew who were killed in the attack on Valentine’s Day in 1940.

WICK Academy face a tough test against Turriff United this weekend. With six points, the Scorries are currently seventh in the table, but a few goals and three points could make all the difference to their position. Manager Davie Kirkwood is confident last Saturday’s Scottish Cup first round win, over Edinburgh Spartans, will give his squad a spring in their step, tomorrow, when they turn out at the Haughs.