Today sees the launch of the new Highland Drug & Alcohol advice website. This site is run by the Highland Drug & Alcohol Advice Team, whose purpose is to enable people make healthier choices when it comes to the issue of drug, alcohol and tobacco use.

Why not give it a visit and see what you can learn!

A recent public meeting has just seen the establishment of Rumster Outdoor Centre Management Group. The purpose of this group is to make Rumster Outdoor Centre available to the general public as a base from which a variety of outdoor activities could potentially be undertaken!

Released are the 2004 multiple deprivation rates. This time they're different being based on groups of approximately 500 people - they go right down to small areas in detail. With the addition of telecommunications as a factor to the scoring, this also affects the overall rates. Check it out to see how your area of interest does!

Outdoor Activities your thing? Well, why not come along to the Public Meeting of the above on the 8th July at 7.30 pm? The purpose of this meeting is to look at what's been achieved to date and to look at the possible way forward.   Your involvement is actively encouraged, although we're aware you may not want to be directly involved but kept informed - that's fine also. Come to Scrabster Community Hall, St Clair St, at 7.30pm.

As part of the Healthier Highlander WEEK - 21st to 28th June, Caithness & Sutherland Outdoor Activities Group are promoting 70 k Steps - in a week! Walking is amongst the simplest, economical and healthiest activity that can be undertaken - with this in view 70 k steps is being promoted across Caithness & Sutherland.

All you need is a pedometer! Why not give it a go (if medically fit enough to do so, if unsure seek medical advice first)?

Given the issues around obesity farnortherners.net has decided to reflect this in the Challenge. Up until today Activity, Food & Drink have been included, however now - Weight has joined them!

Why not revisit The Challenge now and see how you get on!

The first ever Caithness Walking Festival was a big success, with over 80 people undertaking the weekend walks. Numbers and greater detail is of people's experiences are yet to formally come in but from the feedback to date, it all appears positive.

Strictly speaking however, the festival should be called the Caithness & Sutherland Walking Festival - with one walk in Forsenard and another being in both Counties.

Promoting the environment to improve the health of those in Caithness & Sutherland is the aim of this group. The membership is open to all and free.

The first project being worked on is the Caithness Walking Festival -15th to 24th May 2004. This will become an annual event with the plan to extend to include Sutherland possibly with it's own festival the week prior or following in future years.

Why not give your views through leaving your message on

08000 27 85 95

This information is being collected to inform future investments into the area childcare and family resources in Caithness.

1st April - North Highland Community Health Partnership

The merging of Caithness, East Sutherland, North West Sutherland Local Health Care Co-operatives and Caithness General Hospital form North Highland Community Health Partnership. The aim of which is to improve the health of all who live, work and play in Caithness & Sutherland.

More links have been added to both Directories and we have the most recent edition of the Caithness Network Newsletter.

We all do! Put together for farnortherners.net is a very basic checklist of hunting out those vital pieces of information. Visit  Hunting Info. Tips in the Local Hot Health Topics section.

There's nothing like a little bit of outdoor adventure to get that adrenalin going. And the adrenalin was running last night as a group got together to bring on stream a new and improved Rumster Outdoor Centre. This process has just started and the group's aiming to raise funds to improve and use Rumster as an Outdoor Activities Centre. Rumster becoming available to the Far North for a far greater age and abilities range.

Keep visiting this site for progress reports.

Are you a budding desk jockey? Why not check out our new section especially designed for You!!! The Desk Jockey Club can be found under the Local Hot Health Topics section of farnortherners.net. A little light hearted entertainment and fitness improvement at the same time! Who said the two just don't go together!!!

15 to 23rd May 2004 - why not check out the walkcaithness.com website for more details. Walkcaithness.com can also now be found in the Far North Directory section.

This weekend www.farnortherners.net goes 'real' at the Caithness Heritage Fair at the Assembly Halls in Wick. Come along, say hello and why not give some suggestions that'll help improve www.farnortherners.net!

03.09.03 - 03.10.03

25.08.03 - 02.09.03

To 24.08.03