Caithness Courier headlines for May 31, 2017

HEALTH campaigners in Caithness are keeping up the pressure on Holyrood in their fight against the downgrading of local services as it emerged nine out of 10 pregnant women in Caithness are now giving birth outside the county. Caithness Health Action Team launched a postcard campaign on Monday night, aiming to challenge First Minister, Nicola Sturgeon to take notice of the public outcry over service changes in the far north.

AFTER a colourful journey over the last few centuries, the effigy of a revered saint has finally returned to his rightful resting place in the kirk named after him. The parishioners of St Fergus church in Wick were treated to a unique Celtic-inspired rededication ceremony on Sunday afternoon. The Rev. John Nugent and his congregation were delighted to see St Fergus return.

WORK to secure a slope above the A9 in Scrabster, following a minor landslip in March, is set to get under way next month.

HIGHLAND Council's newly-formed administration has big plans to train young people for future careers. The hope is that they will continue to live and work in the Highlands.

NATURE enthusiasts in Caithness are being asked to spend the nex week making a big effort to help Scotland's smallest butterfly. The small blue is rare in the Highlands and urgent conservation work is needed to help stabilise its population and provide the right habitat, so it can spread to new areas.

VOLUNTEERS are to attempt to kickstart plans to carry out much-needed TLC to one of Thurso's oldest landmarks and are asking people in the town to get behind them. Old St Peter's Kirk requires urgent maintenance and an extraordinary general meeting has been arranged to move plans forward to carry out the work.

DID Baltic refugees sail from Sweden to Caithness to escape the ravages of war during World War 11 and Soviet invasion in the late 1940s? A Shetland author is attempting to find out if refugees from Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania landed in the county while travelling to North America fleeing the invasion of their home countries.