Council Tax frozen as Council sets £607 million budget for 2010-11 The Highland Council will be asked to confirm savings of £12.1 million when they meet on Thursday 11 February to set a revenue budget of £607.2 million for 2010-11 and confirm a freeze on the Council Tax.  The budget is based on the Council Tax at Band D remaining at £1,163 for the fourth successive year.   ... [more]

Readers in the Highlands can now browse a new library catalogue system provided by The Highland Council.  Talis Prism 3 known as High-CAT has been launched by the Council's Highland Libraries, the first local authority Library service in Scotland to provide the service.   ... [more]

Emissions from a plant built to destroy one of Britain's biggest environmental hazards have been up to 4000 times cleaner than its designers expected.   Engineers believed they could reduce the levels of radioactivity in effluent from a new liquid metal destruction plant by up to a thousand times at most.   ... [more]

For many families, winter marks the beginning of their struggle to afford to heat their homes.  However, this year could be different.   ... [more]

A path in Castletown which was overgrown with gorse has been cleared by the Caithness Countryside Volunteers group.   This latest activity of the group took place on Sunday 31st January.   ... [more]

Scotland's expected population increase is likely to be unevenly spread across the country, according to a report issued today by the Registrar General for Scotland.   Commenting on the report, the Registrar General Duncan Macniven said: "Over the next 25 years, we expect the population of Scotland to increase by about 7 per cent.   ... [more]

The Highland Council is advising business people, who sell sporting knifes and daggers as well as ceremonial swords, that they will need a licence to sell these goods in the future.   The Council wants those concerned to apply now to ensure the application has been processed in time for the introduction on 1 June of this year of the new legislation, which is covered by Section 27A of the Civic Government (Scotland) Act 1982.   ... [more]

Hammerfest Strøm and ScottishPower Renewables Closer to Major Tidal Power Project Hammerfest Strøm UK Ltd, subsidiary of the Norwegian tidal power developer Hammerfest Strøm AS, has today (Tuesday 2nd February, 2010) received a £ 3.9 million grant from the Carbon Trust for the construction and testing of a 1 MW tidal power device at the European Marine Energy Centre (EMEC) in Orkney.   The tidal turbine, known as HS1000, is expected to be fully operational in Orkney by 2011.   ... [more]

Work has started on a joint project to produce a unique map for the Highlands which will show the way renewable and other heat sources could be used in years to come.   AECOM have just been awarded the contract to investigate, design and prepare a 'Heat Map' which will bring together information on the demand for heat and the potential sources of supply for renewable and waste heat.   ... [more]

One of the world's leading experts on entrepreneurship is urging businesses in the Highlands and Islands to change their mindset to become globally successful.   Serial entrepreneur and founder of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) Entrepreneurship Center, Ken Morse, believes creating the right environment for businesses to flourish will come about by successful business people passing on their skills to the next generation.   ... [more]

Old Pulteney single malt whisky has helped a separated Cape Wrath couple celebrate their reunion this week with a bottle of their whisky from their Wick-based distillery.   John and Kay Ure, who run an isolated tea room in the UK mainland's most north-westerly tip, were forced to spend the festive season apart for the first time in 35 years when the 'big freeze' hit in December.   ... [more]

The North Highland College, Thurso Limited places are now available on a new course running at the North Highland College, in our recycling centre.  Flexible hours are available.   ... [more]

Speaking in a debate yesterday about underpinning Scotland's post offices, North MSP Jamie Stone called on the Royal Bank of Scotland to allow its customers to withdraw money from post office automated teller machines.  Mr Stone said:- "It is still not possible to use post office automated teller machines to withdraw money from the Royal Bank of Scotland.   ... [more]

People working to grow some of the Highlands and Islands most fragile communities are to benefit from free online access to a range of top tips and advice.   The Scottish Community Land Network (SCLN) website, funded by HIE, has published a training package aimed at supporting anyone involved in community driven activities.   ... [more]

Thinking of starting your own business in the next few months, or developing your existing business - then contact Jennifer Irvine, Regional Development Officer, Business Gateway, Caithness - on 01955 605360; mobile 07921758450 - or email jennifer.irvine[AT]highland-opportunity.com - to book a place on the following FREE workshops: Monday 22nd February: Record Keeping - Naver Centre, Thurso Tuesday 23rd February: Marketing & Selling Skills - Naver Centre, Thurso Thursday 4th and Friday 5th March: 2 Day Business Start-Up - Mackays Hotel, Wick.   ... [more]

In its response to the UK Government's review of the management of the Crown Estate in Scotland, The Highland Council has highlighted its eagerness to achieve substantial change which will result in greater local community benefit from marine developments, such as renewable energy projects.   The Council has warmly welcomed the inquiry by the Treasury Sub-Committee because it has campaigned for major reform of the Crown Estate in Scotland for many years, seeking a strategic shift in the ownership of marine resources away from the Crown Estate.   ... [more]

- Highland Council Trading Standards "Scam Watch" Campaign launched Throughout February 2010, Highland Council Trading Standards are taking part in the 'Scamnesty 2010' national campaign in a bid to end the scourge of mass marketed scams mailings targeting UK consumers.   The 'Scamnesty' national campaign, organised by the Office of Fair Trading (OFT), is entering its third year.   ... [more]

Caithness welcomes a raft of first-time visitors this month, as nuclear industry representatives arrive for the launch of the two-part Dounreay Industry Event on the 5th February.   The first part of the event, which will be held at the Wick Assembly Rooms, is being hosted by the Dounreay Stakeholder Group, with support from the NDA.   ... [more]

DINGWALL, Dingwall & Highland Marts Ltd., (January, 26th) sold 70 prime cattle.  Prime bullocks (39) averaged 167.4p (-0.7p) and sold to 183p per kg and £1,236.70 gross.   ... [more]

Following the recent spell of severe winter weather The Highland Council is encouraging landowners to check trees and vegetation near to public roads which have been damaged by the weight of snow.   Landowners are being asked to check that there are no weakened, damaged, bent or broken boughs suspended at height which may subsequently fall onto roads or footways and should make arrangements to have boughs removed and obstructions cleared without undue delay.   ... [more]