Latest News

Scotland's Chief Medical Officer today reiterated advice for people to guard against the risk of vitamin D deficiency.   Sir Harry Burns and Chief Medical Officers from across the UK have sent a joint letter to health professionals, reminding them of the importance of making people at risk of deficiency aware of the importance of getting enough vitamin D and how they can access daily supplements where necessary.   ... [more]

Legislation to complete a programme of property law reform in Scotland was published earlier this month (Jn 2012 The Long Leases (Scotland) Bill will bring an end to ultra-long leases (let for more than 175 years and with more than 100 years to run) by converting them to ownership.   The Bill forms part of a programme of property law reform put forward by the Scottish Law Commission.   ... [more]

The Scottish retail sector grew in the fourth quarter of 2011 and outperformed the sector in Great Britain over the year according to figures released today by Scotland's Chief Statistician.   The figures show that the volume of retail sales in Scotland grew by 0.7 per cent in the fourth quarter of 2011 and by 0.7 per cent annually.   ... [more]

Seabed-to-surface engineering firm Subsea 7 announced its £63m contract from BP Exploration Operating Company today, safeguarding 100 jobs at the company.   The deal is part of the second phase of the Clair Ridge Project, 75km west of Shetland, which is undergoing £4.5bn investment from BP.   ... [more]

The Highland Council is being recommended to freeze the Council Tax for a fifth successive year and confirm a budget of £602 million for 2012-13 when it meets on Thursday 9 February 2012.   Through its three-year budget setting process, the Council has already identified savings of £18.6 million for 2012-13.   ... [more]

The Highland Council will be asked to agree an additional £2m for road repairs when it meets next Thursday (9 February 2012).   Councillor John Laing, the Chair of TECS Services, said that the extra funding, recommended by the Administration for 2012-13, would be used to address the additional damage to the road network following successive winters when we experienced prolonged periods of very low temperatures, which resulted in damage to roads throughout Scotland.   ... [more]

In a first for the UK, a new map detailing Scotland's wild areas is being published today by Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH).   Some of the country's wildest landscapes are already identified and protected if they fall within national parks or national scenic areas.   ... [more]

The Highland Council will be asked next week at its budget setting meeting to inject an additional £650,000 into classroom support in primary schools.  The recommendation to the full council on Thursday 9 February comes from a Cross-Party Working Group, which has been reviewing the role of classroom assistants in primary schools over the past year.   ... [more]

Income from farming in Scotland in 2011 has risen by £23 million compared with 2010, according to the latest statistics.   Scotland's Chief Statistician has today published Scottish Farm Income Estimates 2011 which gives a national estimate of total income across agricultural holdings, alongside a breakdown of farm outputs, costs and subsidies.   ... [more]

The UK Government's Welfare Reform plans will rob Scotland of over £54 million a year, new analysis has confirmed, Housing Minister Keith Brown claimed today.   The Westminster Bill will reduce the amount of housing benefit support that can be given to tenants in the social rented sector by introducing new size criteria for working-age Housing Benefit claimants, who have extra bedrooms.   ... [more]

Youth employment has topped the agenda at Scotland's ninth National Economic Forum, held today at Edinburgh's Corn Exchange.   As part of the focus on getting more of Scotland's young people into work, First Minister Alex Salmond and Youth Employment Minister Angela Constance have met with a number of young people currently working in training positions across central Scotland.   ... [more]

Children across Scotland are now benefitting from a programme designed to improve their oral health.   The £15m Childsmile nursery, school and practice programmes have now been rolled out across the country, and are being delivered in every health board in Scotland.   ... [more]

Following the introduction of new measures in 2011 to protect seals, including strict licensing conditions for seal shootings, indications are that the first year has worked well.   In the first three quarters of 2011, 362 seals were shot - 27 per cent of the permitted maximum under licence - considerably lower than estimates by environmental groups of over 3,000 seals each year prior to the new system.   ... [more]

Minimum pricing for alcohol, together with the existing ban on irresponsible promotions could prevents thousands of deaths, illnesses and crimes and save Scotland millions of pounds.   These are the findings of a revised report carried out by researchers at the University of Sheffield which was published this morning.   ... [more]

DINGWALL, Dingwall & Highland Marts, (February, 1st) sold 1,879 sheep of all classes.  Lambs (1,041) averaged £65.18 and sold to £97 gross for Beltex crosses from Caberfeidh, Glenurquhart.   ... [more]

The north end of Dunnet Beach in Caithness now looks much tidier following a recent public beach clean (on Sunday 29 January 2012) organised by The Highland Council Countryside Rangers.   In total throughout the day about fifty people volunteered their time to help pick the litter from the beach which had gathered in great quantities during the winter storms.   ... [more]

Help is at hand for Caithness businesses to supply The Highland Council.   A free event aimed at helping businesses to supply The Highland Council will take place on Thursday 9 February 2012 in Thurso.   ... [more]

There will be a contest in five of the six constituencies within the Crofting Commission electoral area.   A total of 28 candidates will contest the five constituencies of: · Shetland; · East Highlands (East Sutherland, Easter Ross, East Inverness and Moray); · Western Isles; · West Highlands (West Sutherland, Wester Ross, Skye and Lochalsh); and · South West Highlands (Lochaber, Argyll and Bute, Arran and Cumbrae, Small Isles).   ... [more]

Introduction to Food Hygiene Training 10.00-1.30pm, Wednesday February 22nd, at Telford House, Williamson Street, Wick.  Covering food law and HACCP, food hygiene management systems, and myths surrounding food preparation.   ... [more]

Infrastructure and Capital Investment Secretary Alex Neil today welcomed news that Scottish Water will freeze household water charges for 2012-13.   In April 2012 household water charges will remain frozen, which means water charges have remained at the same level for four years.   ... [more]