the caithness international science festival is one of the largest science festivals in scotland and thousands of people in the highlands attend the festival every year at around a hundred events held in schools, local countryside with workshops, evening lectures and public open days all of which are free of charge. the festival was founded by professor iain baikie, who remains as chair and colin mathieson as treasurer. patrons are john thurso and lord lieutenant anne dunnet. sponsors have included the scottish executive, kp technology, kongsberg and dounreay and subsea 7