Scrabster

Scrabster Harbour Upgrade and Works
Visited Scrabster beach with the dogs this afternoon and stopped to video and photograph more of the harbour upgrade and work that is going on. Some major changes to the scene I photographed a few weeks ago and it is amazing to see the huge transformation in the harbour. Anyway below is a few photographs along with a video on Scrabster harbour improvements.

Below is the video of Scrabster taken on the 26th January 2012

Scrabster harbour changes

The harbour at Scrabster is undergoing major changes, I just hope everyone is happy with the changes when it is completed. Video below.

Cockerals dumped at Dunnet Forest

Sunday 13th March 2011
11 cockerals have been found dunped at Dunnet Forest and 10 have been rescued by the Scottish SPCA - www.scottishspca.org/news
This is a serious issue as the cockerals would just have ended up being killed by foxes. They are currently at the Caithness and Sutherland Balmore SPCA Centre.

First Cast

First cast on the River Wick for the new seaon of 2011.

For more pictures of the Wick River Salmon Season on the Scotland blog

Pheasant

Caithness is not known for a lot of pheasants and the ones we see are wild ones, not ones raised by gamekeepers for shooting. So it was with surprise and delight when I looked out our kitchen window to an area where we have put out wild bird seed to see a female pheasant along with other birds.

fishing boat which ran aground in the River Thurso on Christmas Day

Three crew members were rescued from a fishing boat which ran aground in the River Thurso on Christmas Day.

Scrabster and Orkney from Thurso Beach

Scrabster and Orkney from Thurso Beach
It is Christmas Eve and Caithness (and most of Scotland) is covered in snow. The pictures below were taken on the 23rd December 2010 and show Scrabster, Scrabster Lighthouse, Orkney Islands taken from Thurso beach when I was walking the dogs. Orkney looks beautiful covered in snow and reflecting the sun.

Thurso lighthouse as seen from Thurso beach


Scrabster harbour surrounded by snow

Distant Orkney covered in snow

Orkney from Thurso beach

Wickers World Christmas Lunches at Wick Caithness

We went to Wickers World down by the harbour for lunch and instead of the fantastic Caithness hamburger I was planning on I decided to have the Turkey and all the trimmings for just £8.50 - it turned out to be brilliant, so thumbs up for Wickers World putting on a great pre-christmas menu at a very good price. It is one of our favourite places to eat out in Caithness and it has just got better.

Ulbster Arms Hotel Christmas Meals

We just has a brilliant 3 course pre-Christmas lunch at the Ulbster Arms Hotel in Halkirk, this hotel has amazing food and we have already booked another Christmas menu lunch for next weekend. The hotel does lunches and dinners and the menu starts (for Christmas) at under £16 for a three course lunch and £23 (under) for diner.
Check it out now and book your Christmas meal out at Ulbser Hotel - www.ulbsterarmshotel.co.uk
This hotel is ideal for a break in the north of Scotland and is ideally positioned for salmon fishing (in season), hunting and just exploring the Scottish Highlands around Caithness and north Sutherland. It is also close to the Castle of Mey and John O'Groats - the castle is well worth a visit during the spring / summer months when it is open to the public.

Cakes for Charity

Update from Pearl about Children in Need at Allans of Gillock
"We had a great day yesterday, and the cake raffle itself raised £425, with the total of baking and donations bringing the total up to £650 and rising by the moment. Lorna from Thurso won the cake and was thrilled to receive it."

Allans of Gillock are holding a home made cake sale on Friday 19th November in aid of Children in Need, if you live in Caithness then pop into their offices at Gillock (5-6 miles from Thurso) and buy some delicious home made cakes. You can find Allans of Gillock contact details on their website http://www.allans.co.uk/ they supply building and agricultural materials.
There is also a fantastic cake to be won by raffle, a £1 a ticket. The cake is amazing and looks too good to eat.