7th May 2026
A snapshot of Caithness in 2026 over the past few days. Big announcements, bigger frustrations, and the quiet competence of local people keeping the place going.
£750k “regeneration” project burns £445k on consultants — locals unimpressed
Only in Scotland could a regeneration scheme spend almost 60% of its budget on itself.
Wick, Thurso, Castletown and Lybster were promised revitalised buildings. What they got was:
“project support”
“facilitation”
“engagement”
and a stack of glossy PDFs
Actual physical change? Minimal.
Hub North Scotland insists this is “laying foundations”. Locals call it what it looks like: money disappearing into the consultancy fog while the buildings continue to crumble.
This is why Caithness rolls its eyes whenever someone says “place‑based investment”.
Arts funding arrives — small wins, but real ones
Creative Scotland has approved new funding for arts and heritage projects across the region.
Unlike the regeneration scheme, this money will actually reach people — community groups, local creatives, and cultural organisations who keep Caithness interesting despite everything.
It’s not transformational, but it’s tangible.
£10,000 Rural Champion Prize opens — Caithness urged to step forward
Scottish Land & Estates has launched a new £10k award for rural leadership.
If Caithness doesn’t produce a contender, something’s wrong — the county is full of people doing the work policymakers only talk about.
Joyce Campbell of Armadale Farm remains the benchmark: peatland restoration, regenerative grazing, and a work ethic that makes most government initiatives look ornamental.
Self‑storage firm eyes Wick — a sign of the times
A self‑storage chain wants to open in Wick.
On one hand, it’s a vote of confidence.
On the other, it’s a reminder that the modern economy increasingly consists of:
storage units
coffee shops
and empty high streets
Still, it’s jobs and investment — and Caithness takes what it can get.
KLICS young carers get full‑fibre upgrade — the week’s most meaningful improvement
While regeneration schemes burn money on “stakeholder mapping”, KLICS quietly delivered something real: full‑fibre broadband for the 120 young carers who rely on the centre.
This is the kind of upgrade that actually changes lives — homework done, support accessed, isolation reduced.
It’s the best news of the week by a mile.
Camster II wind farm goes live — Caithness keeps powering the nation
RWE’s new 10‑turbine wind farm is now generating electricity.
Another reminder that Caithness produces far more energy than it consumes — and yet still waits for basic infrastructure investment.
The promised community benefits package will be watched closely.
Spittal–Peterhead subsea cable progresses — the big one
The major transmission link is moving forward, unlocking future renewable capacity and stabilising the grid.
This is the most strategically important project in the north — the backbone of Caithness’ energy future.
If only the same urgency applied to roads, ferries, and digital infrastructure.
Forss House Hotel shortlisted for three national awards
A rare good‑news story from hospitality: Forss House is up for multiple national awards.
It’s proof that rural excellence still cuts through — even when the wider sector is struggling.
New Thurso café “The Northern Plate” opens strong
A new beachfront café has opened with brisk trade and local enthusiasm.
Independent food businesses are one of the few bright spots in the Caithness economy — small, resilient, and rooted in place.
Strong livestock trade at Quoybrae — agriculture remains the county’s backbone
With 442 cattle and 2,484 sheep sold this week, the agricultural sector continues to show resilience.
While policymakers debate “rural futures”, farmers simply get on with it.
Caithness Keeps Going — Even When the Systems Don’t
This week sums up Caithness perfectly:
local people delivering real value, national systems delivering paperwork.
The county survives not because of the strategies written about it, but because of the people who live in it.
Acknowledgement
The above are notes mainly gleaned from the John O'Groat Journal. Go there for the full details.