Visitor Attractions News
16/11/2024
Building A Difference - What Happened To Former 'Carbuncle' Towns? - Starting With John O'groats
An article in Holyrood media yesterday 15 November 2024 highlights previously named carbuncle towns such as John O'Groats and the transformation taking place. We are striving to make John O'Groats world-class," says Andrew Mowat, "and we're getting there." or years, the Caithness village traded on its location on the northernmost edge of the UK mainland.
7/10/2024
Ten North Highlands Communities Benefit From Projects To Rebalance Tourism
A series of workshop-based projects are helping ten local areas across the North Highlands pioneer a community-first visitor-second approach to tourism. Following the success of the pilot, the organisers are keen to hear from other communities across the North Highlands who want to use this tailored approach to make tourism work better for them.
10/9/2024
John O'Groats Marks 15 Years Of Remarkable Transformation
The transformation at John O'Groats has attracted millions of pounds in investment through private, public and community-led initiatives. Monday 9 September 2024 marked the 15th anniversary of a masterplan that has helped to transform John O'Groats from ‘Carbuncle of the Year' to a thriving visitor attraction.
2/9/2024
A £5.9m Project To Create A New Whisky Distillery Within The Former Derelict Mill At Castletown In Caithness
A £5.9m project to create a new whisky distillery within the former derelict Mill at Castletown in Caithness has secured a £250,000 investment from Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE). Dunnet Bay Distillers Limited (DBDL) is leading the project, which will create 13 jobs.
23/8/2024
50 Plus Jobs Supported By HIE In Caithness And Sutherland In 2023
As a result of HIE's support, businesses in the area are set to see combined turnover rise by £22.4m, while international sales will grow by £661,000. Figures compiled by Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) show that businesses and communities supported by the agency in Caithness and Sutherland during last financial year are set to create or retain more than 50 jobs.
23/8/2024
A Unique Exhibition Is Being Curated To Celebrate Highland Spirits
When the Inverness Castle Experience opens in mid-2025, visitors will be invited to explore a new exhibition within the West Tower of the Castle, dedicated to celebrating the 'Spirits of the Highlands.' This special showcase will feature a unique collection of Highland spirits, each distilled exclusively within our iconic region of Scotland. The exhibition will offer a fascinating look into the history and flavours that define the Highlands, allowing visitors to immerse themselves in the rich heritage and craftsmanship of our local distillers of whiskies, gins, rums, vodkas and more.
28/11/2023
Caithness Community Have A Whale Of A Time At North Coast Visitor Centre
High Life Highland's Countryside Ranger's gave members of the public an exciting opportunity to ‘dive in' to the world of marine wildlife at the North Coast Visitor Centre recently. The ‘Whale and Dolphin Watching’ presentation took place on Wednesday 15th November at 11am, and was well attended by the local Caithness community.
4/11/2023
Winners Announced At Highlands And Islands Food & Drink Awards 2023 - Dunnet Bay Distillers Visitor Experience
Highlands and Islands. With a total of 15 award categories recognising a range of diverse businesses from best products to food and drink experiences and outstanding retailers, the winners represent the cream of the crop.2/11/2023
New Fellowship Launched To Support Small North Highlands Farms And Make Local Food More Widely Available
A new Fellowship has been launched, providing funding for research into supporting the viability and sustainability of crofts and small farms in the North Highlands. The project seeks to investigate the potential of small to medium sized regenerative farmers to work at a scale that would allow them to supply to local hotels and restaurants, local shops and supermarkets.
8/10/2023
Families Were Crammed Together 'Like Herring In A Barrel' During Wick Fishing Boom
Wick's herring-fishing boom is considered to have been a time of great prosperity for the town - but those living in unsanitary conditions in the streets around the harbour faced a daily struggle with poverty, overcrowding and disease. The hardships endured by families crammed "cheek by jowl" in the Lower Pulteneytown area have been highlighted by Caithness poet and playwright George Gunn in a new recording for Wick Voices, the oral history section of the Wick Society.
15/9/2023
Doors Open Days 2023 - John O'Groats Mill
As part of Doors Open Days 2023 we're inviting you to come along for one last chance to see inside the Mill before works start later this year! It's this Saturday 16th September & we'll be running tours on the hour at 11am, 12pm, 1pm, 2pm and 3pm. No need to book.
26/4/2023
John O'Groat Trail On BBC Landward Programme
We're excited to see the John o' Groats Trail appear on the small screen with Landward on Thursday 27th April 8.30pm on BBC Scotland, as Ken and Jay from the Trail take Dougie and the team around some of the Trail's most scenic sights. If you miss us then don't worry, you can catch the show on Friday 28th at 7.30pm, and then again Sunday BBC2 UK at 9am.
11/4/2023
John O'Groats Mill - Come Help Us Plant Some Trees!
The Mill has made significant progress towards our goal of creating a Must Visit place for Caithness folk and visitors. Both the Mill and its landscape are important.
24/2/2023
Mothers Day Afternoon Tea At 8 Doors Distillery - Limited Places So Book Early
"Treat your mum to a lovely afternoon tea in the whisky lounge at 8 Doors Distillery in John O'Groats. Relax in comfy surroundings and enjoy sweet treats, sandwiches and your choice of tea or coffee for £20 per person.
24/1/2023
Whisky With A Nod To Burns At 8 Doors Distillery - Last Few Tickets
Want something to look forward to in January? Book a ticket to our 'Whisky with a nod to Burns' evening on Saturday 28th Jan, 6:30pm. 8 Doors Distillery, John O'Groats.
19/1/2023
John O'Groats Mill Trust Receives £1.5million From An Investment In Scotland's Neighbourhoods By Scottish Government
Regeneration projects in disadvantaged and rural communities across Scotland will receive a share of almost £27 million funding. The investment will support schemes tackling child poverty and addressing issues like addiction and suicide prevention, while creating jobs and growing local economies.
18/1/2023
Enter The Free Getaway Competitions From Venture North For Caithness and Sutherland
A free to enter competition with getaway prizes to be won. Enter the free competition HERE Keep a note to enter a second free competitions at the end of January 2023.
22/11/2022
North Coast Visitor Centre Achieves 4 Star Status
The North Coast Visitor Centre in Thurso has achieved a four star award by VisitScotland's quality assurance scheme in its first year of operation. Set in the former Thurso Town Hall and Carnegie Library, the visitor centre includes a museum featuring Caithness history, in addition to an art gallery, a shop and cafe.
9/11/2022
Christmas Food At Castle of Mey Dates
See poster.
3/11/2022
