Latest News

Scots Warned of AI Scams Ahead of Amazon Prime Day

Scottish shoppers are being urged to stay alert ahead of Amazon Prime Day as fraudsters use artificial intelligence to craft increasingly convincing scams.   Advice Direct Scotland, which runs the national consumer advice service consumeradvice.scot, says criminals are exploiting AI to create realistic phishing emails and automated calls that make it harder to spot fraud.  

Urgent investment is needed to secure the future for the state owned shipyard Ferguson Marine Port Glasgow

Urgent investment is needed to secure the future for the state owned shipyard Ferguson Marine Port Glasgow (FMPG).   This conclusion comes in a new report by the Scottish Parliament's Public Audit Committee following the Committee's consideration of the 2023/24 audit of Ferguson Marine by Audit Scotland.  

The Pros And Cons Of Credit Union Saving and Borrowing

Many people want to save and help their community by making funds available at good rates from a local entity such as Hi-Scot Credit Union that covers Highland and Islands.   Credit Unions encourage savings as well as offering affordable borrowing but lets take a closer look.  

The mistakes Keir Starmer made over disability cuts - and how he can avoid future embarrassment

Labour MPs have forced a major government climbdown over disability benefit cuts, in an embarrassing turn of events for Keir Starmer.  The prime minister has blown a hole in his budget by agreeing to scrap plans to tighten eligibility criteria for disability benefits via the universal credit and personal independence payment bill.  

Looking For A New Job - Better Apply Fast - UK employers are shortening closing dates on job ads in 2025

Some UK employers are shortening closing dates on job ads in 2025—but it's not universal, and it depends on the sector and urgency of the role.  We have noticed this here in Caithness in our jobs and vacancies section.  

Amnesty launched as part of mission to halve knife crime

Young people across the country are being urged to surrender bladed weapons including ninja swords to help prevent further loss of young lives to knife crime.   With the support of Word 4 Weapons and FazAmnesty, young people will be able to anonymously hand in any weapons to surrender bins or a purpose-built and fully secure van, across London, Greater Manchester and West Midlands - the 3 highest areas for knife crime in England.  

New recruits at HIE Caithness and Sutherland team

Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) has appointed new members to its Caithness and Sutherland team as the agency settles into its new premises and works to expand its client portfolio.   Claire Wilson has joined as head of business growth and investment.  

UK launches tender for mission to clean up space and safeguard vital services

The UK Space Agency has launched a major new procurement process to tackle the growing threat of space debris.   The UK Space Agency has launched a major new procurement process to tackle the growing threat of space debris, initiating a £75.6 million tender for the nation's first mission to actively remove defunct satellites from orbit.  

Scottish Government publishes the National Transitions to Adulthood Strategy for Young Disabled People

The strategy aims to ensure that every young disabled person feels supported in the transition into adulthood.   Scottish Government published their new National Transitions to Adulthood Strategy for Young People, with a focus on collaborative and co-ordinated approaches to improve outcomes for young disabled people.  

Bringing more empty homes back into use

Additional empty homes officers are being recruited to bring more privately owned houses back into use.   The new posts are being supported as part of a £2 million investment through the Scottish Empty Homes Partnership in 2025-26 which will see staff take a more proactive and targeted approach to tackling local housing issues.