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]

Council pleased with call on companies to register for Framework Agreement An open invitation for consultants, contractors and skilled trades businesses to submit an application to work for The Highland Council on contracts with an individual value of up to £25,000 and consultancy work for projects of all values has received a considerable response.   Over 700 (476 contractors and 242 consultants) submitted an application by the deadline of Friday 22 January for the Council's framework agreement which will begin in April 2010 and will last for two years, with the option of a one-year extension.   ... [more]

DINGWALL, Dingwall & Highland Marts Ltd., (January, 25th) sold 26 Aberdeen Angus cattle at a dispersal sale on behalf of the Executors of Messrs Stark, Aiten Farm, Ardersier, (Findhorn herd).  Bulls (1) sold to 4,400gns for the 5 year old "Duncanziemere Edwin", by "Rawburn Transformer" and out of "Duncanziemere Edwina".   ... [more]

A Caithness and Sutherland charity which helps hundreds of local people every year who are facing hardship is expanding its services.   Homeaid, which redistributes donated household items to the elderly and low income residents, is planning to buy a shop in Wick and extend its warehouse in Thurso.   ... [more]

Nine food and drink businesses from two areas of the Highlands and Islands are taking part in a pilot project which offers customised advice on promoting their products.   The project set up by Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) has targeted a range of large and small companies keen to work with top marketing experts.   ... [more]

Highland Councillors have confirmed that emergency measures to conserve road salt supplies will remain in place until the Council has built up a stock of at least 10,500 tonnes - seven days of treatment.   Emergency measures were taken by the Chief Executive on Friday 15 January when supplies fell to 6,900 tonnes and the Transport Environmental and Community Services Committee agreed today (Thursday) that these should remain in place to conserve stocks.   ... [more]

From 8th January the Highland Council is advertising its vacancies on a new Scottish Local Government Jobs Portal.   Teachers jobs that previously were advertised on TES will no longer be found there.   ... [more]

A local Blind Persons Companion Travel Scheme is to be implemented in the Highlands by The Highland Council in conjunction with First Scotrail from from 23 May 2010.   Members of The Highland Council's Transport, Environmental and Community Service Committee this week approved the scheme which will allow one companion to travel with a blind travel card holder on each journey for a flat fare of 50p.   ... [more]

See Highland Council Website.   Article posted originally on 20 December 2010.   ... [more]

The operator of the Shapla Tandoori Restaurant and take-away at 2 Castle Road, Inverness has been prosecuted this week after Highland Council environmental health officers uncovered a catalogue of poor hygiene offences during inspections in 2008.   In September 2008, officers visited the Inverness restaurant and found evidence of poor hygiene standards, including inadequate cleaning; failing to protect food from contamination; failure to maintain the premises and equipment in good repair, and have in place a food safety management system.   ... [more]

Members of The Highland Council's Planning, Environment and Development committee have unanimously agreed to keep up the pressure on KBR to make a clear decision about the company's intention for the Nigg Fabrication Yard in Easter Ross.   Members also agreed that the Council write to both the Scottish Government and National Government to acknowledge their support to date and requesting their continued support to ensure the considerable potential of the site, which would bring economic benefits to the whole Highlands, is realized.   ... [more]

At today's Planning, Environment and Development Committee members acknowledged the decision of the Scottish Government on the Beauly to Denny power line but expressed concern that the Council's aspirations for the undergrounding and re-routing of the line in certain locations had not been taken up by the Government.   Officers have been asked to approach the Scottish Government and Scottish Hydro-Electric Transmission Limited for clarification on a number of inconsistencies in the requirements of the consent and for discussions on the constitution and operation of the various liaison groups.   ... [more]

Highland Councillors are being asked to review the Council's waste collection strategy to ensure a reduction in the amount of waste going to landfill and to increase the amount of waste recycled.   At the same time, the review is aimed at improving the effectiveness of the service and providing the best value for money.   ... [more]

Efforts continue to tackle potential flood threats.   The number of flood watches across Scotland has dropped from 19 to 3, as freezing temperatures eased over the weekend.   ... [more]