Caithness Courier headlines for May 18, 2016

HIGHLAND Council is next month to mount a blitz on the pothole -blighted roads network in Caithness. Road workers are to dedicate 15 days to tackle what has become a widespread grievance from the from the north motoring public.

THE people behind Dunnet Bay Distillers are in celebration mode after being named as one of the UK's most prioneering new businesses. Startups.co.uk's official Startups 100 2016 index has included the Caithness company in their list of Britain's best and brightest fast growth, potential companies, launched in the last three years.

A FINAL investment decision about a massive wind farm development off the Caithness coast is expected to be taken next week. SSE- the Perth-based energy giant behind the £2 billion project, is due to make the announcement "fairly soon" according to a company spokesman. The Caithness Courier udnerstands it could be taken next week and is likely to be positive.

A PLAN to close a far north primary school which has been mothballed for several years will be put before Highland councillors today. Members of the education, children and adult services committee will be asked to proceed to a stautory consultation to formally close Kinbrace Primary in Sutherland.

CAITHNESSIANS are being welcomed along to the opening of what is believed to be the first outdoor classroom in the county. Thrumster Parent Council have been working on a project over the last two years to create an outdoor communal area the local school and community can used to gather in. Now it is complete in the form of a log cabin with the official wraps coming off the scheme on Tuesday afternoon.

TWO former police detectives, hired to investigate the mysterious death of an anti-nuclear campaigner, claim to have identified 25 witnesses. Following a successful crowdfunding bid, the Justice for Willie McCrae campaign hired ex-Strathclyde police detectives John Walker and John Weir to carry out the proble to establish the circumstances surrounding the death of the lawyer in April 1985.

NOSS Primary School in Wick enjoyed a visit from London-based children's writer and illustrator Sarah McIntyre. She has illustrated a large number of books and has also written a range of storybooks and novels.

MICHAEL Gray was the hero for Pentland United as his impressive performance between the posts played a major part in their first round Highland Amateur Cup victory at the Dammies on Saturday. The former Wick Academy goalkeeper denied the hosts with a string of great saves as Acks dominated the second half but were unable to take a clutch of chances that came their way, to find a winner in normal time. The final score was Acks 1, Pentland United, 3.