DINGWALL, Dingwall & Highland Marts Ltd, (January 13th) sold 497 store cattle and 84 OTM cattle. Bullocks (329) averaged 452.3p per kg and sold to 527.1p per kg for a pen of 387kg Charolias crosses from Raitcastle Farm, Nairn and £2,460 gross for a 610kg Charolais cross from The Cloy, Fortrose.
Maps of the Council's gritting routes by priority and policy are available online at www.highland.gov.uk/gritting. The information provided is a summary of reports from operational staff and is intended to give a general indication of typical conditions in each area at a point in time.
The MHRA is now setting out the next phase of reforms for 2026, aimed at helping patients access new cutting-edge treatments more quickly and boosting the UK's competitiveness for global clinical research. The UK is ramping up efforts to become a global first choice for clinical trials, as new figures published today (13 January 2026), show a sharp rise in activity in 2025.
A Shetland-based design and signage company has entered an exciting new chapter moving to larger, greener premises with support from Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE). Established in 1992, Artmachine began as a vinyl graphics and design studio and soon expanded into signage services across Shetland and Orkney.
Donald Trump's recent actions toward Iran mark a sharp escalation in tensions between Washington and Tehran, reviving a confrontational approach that defined much of his earlier presidency. Through a combination of economic pressure, military threats and limited diplomatic signalling, the Trump administration has sought to force Iran into strategic concessions while warning that failure to comply could lead to direct conflict.
Illegal working arrests and raids have reached the highest level in UK history thanks to relentless activity by the Home Office's Immigration Enforcement teams. Latest figures reveal the number of raids have soared by 77% in the UK since the government came into power, leading to an 83% rise in arrests (July 2024 to end of December 2025).
In recent weeks, global oil prices have exhibited an upward trend after a period of relative weakness through much of 2025. This move reflects a combination of geopolitical risks, demand signals, and market psychology as traders reassess risk and supply dynamics.
In the UK, as in many other countries, the shift towards electric vehicles (EVs) has been rapid. Incentives, increased choice and some positive PR took the electric car sales to nearly 500,000 vehicles in 2025 - around 24% of the market.
From feudal Scotland's stone fortresses to today’s glass‑walled penthouses, property has always been a marker of privilege. The new mansion tax proposed in the Scottish budget is not just a fiscal measure—it is a reckoning with centuries of imbalance.
Under the Scottish Government's latest budget, the structure of income tax for most people will include: Robison cannot change the level at which people start paying tax, currently £12,571, as that is reserved to Westminster. However, she is now raising the threshold of two of Scotland's other tax bands meaning people will pay the 19% starter rate on more of their money.
A record total of 39 MSPs have announced they will not seek re-election at the next Scottish Parliament election in May 2026. The Scottish Parliament Information Centre (SPICe) and various news outlets have published lists of those stepping down, including former First Ministers, current and former cabinet secretaries, and party leaders.
In 2025, Scotland saw a marked increase in Home Office immigration enforcement activity, reflecting a wider UK-wide clampdown on illegal working. While immigration is reserved to Westminster, the impact of enforcement policy has been felt directly in Scottish towns and cities, with hundreds of workplace raids carried out across sectors such as hospitality, construction, car washes and personal services.
Since May 2024, Fujitsu has secured around £1 million a day in new UK government contract extensions — paid by British taxpayers. Yet despite admitting its role in the Post Office Horizon scandal, Fujitsu still refuses to say how much it will contribute to the £1.8 billion redress bill owed to wrongly convicted sub-postmasters.
After more than twenty‑five years of negotiation, the European Union-Mercosur trade agreement stands on the brink of finally being concluded. This is a milestone that reflects not only long‑running economic interests but also a changing global trade environment shaped by rising protectionism and geopolitical competition.
The home delivery expert Parcelhero reveals its list of dos and don'ts for e-commerce retailers for the year ahead. Green is no longer the new black, droids are glitching, but AI will be crucial.
The 2026-27 Budget will support a stronger NHS, with a record £22.5 billion for health and social care, expand cost of living support and invest in Scotland's infrastructure. Published alongside the latest multi-year Scottish Spending Review, Infrastructure Strategy and Infrastructure Delivery Pipeline, the draft Budget invests almost £68 billion including direct support for families and household budgets.
As Scotland approaches the May Holyrood election, the Scottish National Party faces one of its most serious governing challenges in nearly two decades in power: a growing budget deficit. With limited fiscal flexibility and rising demands on public services, Finance Secretary Shona Robison must balance economic reality with political survival.
Over the past three decades, Poland has undergone a remarkable economic transformation, evolving from a post‑communist transition economy into one of Europe's most dynamic growth stories. This progress has now culminated in a milestone achievement - in 2025, Poland's economy crossed the symbolic US $1 trillion threshold, making it one of the twenty largest national economies in the world.
The Scottish Government's 2026-27 budget paints a familiar picture: big promises, tight resources, and a looming capital funding gap that threatens to derail investment ambitions. For Holyrood, capital funding isn’t just a line in the budget.
Income Tax New 45p tax band introduced for earnings £75,000-£125,140. Top rate rises to 48p above £125,140.