John O' Groat Journal headlines for June 23, 2017

A FAR north MSP is "hugely disappointed" a water pipe has burst at the new £15 million Noss Primary School in Wick, for the second time in just over a year. Gail Ross who represents Caithness, Sutherland and Ross in the Scottish Parliament, has called for action and answers from Highland Council.

A GROUP of youngsters from Thurso High School had their "best performance yet" at the finals of the Rock Challenge competition in Dundee. The 80 young people and 15 adult volunteers from the school and community, won awards in a number of categories.

FURTHER investigation will be held into plans to transfer crude oil in the Moray Firth following Holyrood crunch talks. The Scottish Parliament's public petitions committee has ruled that concerns raised about the possibility of an oil spill and the accountability of port authorities, must be given more scrutiny.

HIGHLAND Council faces a "major challenge" meeting the increase in free nursery hours an education chief has warned. Director of care and learning, Bill Alexander, said the local authority is working to provide 1140 hours-a-year of early learning and child care hours, almost double the current 600 hours, in line with national policy.

NOSS Head lighthouse keepers' cottages have been bought by a consortium of professionals with the intention of seeing the building being cared for and preserved for future generations.

WICK Lifeboat Day last Saturday brought in record numbers of visitors who enjoyed a day of festivities all for a good cause. Clouds threatened poor weather at some points but the sun eventually broke through, to further raise the spirits of all those who attended.

AGRICULTURE in Scotland is showing signs of growth as farmers successfully navigate uncertainties linked to currency fluctuations and future subsidies, according to a study by the Clydesdale Bank. The sector saw a drop in total income from farming, from £775 million in 2014, to £653 million in 2015.

A TEAM of students has won the Scottish championship in the Bloodhound Rocket Car Competition after qualifying in a heat held at North Highland College UHI in Thurso. The team of four girls from Tain Royal Academy set the fastest speed out of 32 teams from across the country at the Scottish finals, held at Perth College UHI.