Caithness Courier headlines for December 28, 2016

HEALTH campaigners are calling for far north mothers-to-be not to be forced to make 200-mile round trips to have baby scans carried out again, after a procedural gremlin. The affected women have been told that they will have to go to Raigmore Hospital in Inverness to be re-scanned after the original ones, produced by a locum at Caithness General Hospital, proved sub-standard.

A CALL has been made for the Scottish Government to provide the funding and a timescale for the upgrade of the Berriedale Braes. The plea comes from Caithness area committee chairman and Thurso Highland councillor, Roger Saxon who wants transport secretary Humza Yousaf "to set the wheels in motion".

OFFENDERS who have committed crimes in Caithness have paid back to the community by carrying out duties to help improve areas in the far north. Highland Council's criminal justice service has reported offenders on the community payback scheme, have been involved in 24 projects across the county over the last 12 months.

A DOUNREAY engineer who began his career at the site in the same year JFK was elected US President, is still working, more than 55 years on. Aged 15, Calder Bain signed up as an apprentice turner/fitter (mechanical engineer). It wasn't long after the old RAF airfield have been converted into a research site and construction activity was everywhere.

BUCKIE Thistle gave their fans the perfect Christmas present when they reclaimed top spot in the Highland League after the first round of festive fixtures. There was however no joy for the Scorries faithful as Saturday's scheduled clash with Strathspey Thistle was called off.