Fines for cyclists, alcoholism treatment planning & lottery hopes for Pulteney buildings are highlighted.
In 1925, young men appeared in court for cycling without lights. Each offender got a five shilling fine. The magistrate warned the public about harsher penalties. Three carters also got fined for driving without lights.
Two men fined insisted they loitered on the strand, not pavement. The magistrate didn’t believe them and disliked the behavior. Thurso’s new police station cells were ready. They could detain prisoners for up to 14 days. The old cells were no longer in use.
In 1975, people planned a treatment for alcoholism in Caithness. They wanted to form a council on alcoholism. A report linked drinking to social acceptance. Heavy drinking was common and taught to the young.
Limited recreation made pubs more attractive. The report needed radical prevention via education. 55 of 72 court reports cited alcohol issues. Drinking caused family issues and unemployment. Parental approval of underage drinking worried people.
In 2000, people hoped to get lottery money for Pulteneytown. They wanted to fix old buildings from Thomas Telford. An official said the Lottery Fund was “quite excited.” The project would honor Telford’s work.
Telford designed the town for the herring industry. Many old buildings remain in Pulteneytown now. The project would display industrial architecture. It highlights how residents live near Wick harbor.
A Caithness firm, Celtic Waters Ltd, closed down. They had financial problems after operating for two years. They planned an expansion before going bankrupt.