The problem with any publically-funded route is that the funding body and/or its local advisers can influence the schedule. The Eastern schedule post-PSO has reverted to a Wick-based aircraft. The sad reality is that most of the demand for this route is inbound and therefore does not favour a Wick-based aircraft pattern. Connectivity at Aberdeen, especially with BAW to/from LHR is vital, but not well supported by the current schedule.
There is a lower than average propensity to fly among local Caithness residents. Those few who do need an early departure can drive to Inverness much faster than used to be the case. Most would prefer to leave the day before and overnight at or near their destination to be in position for morning meetings. This route needs a schedule originating in the South and optimised for connections to/from London over Aberdeen. There are pronounced directional peaks at the start and end of the week. This means that the capacity of the aircraft (up to around 30 seats) detemines what the Monday morning northbound and Friday afternoon southbound loads will be. For the remainder of the week, any aircraft that comes close to meeting those demand peaks will fly with a very low average seat factor.
Caithness is, however, a lovely part of the World.