The local office of Highland Opportunity Limited (HOL) - Wick Enterprise Centre, based in Miller Street, Wick - is now delivering locally the business support services of the national Business Gateway.   From the beginning of April 2009, Business Gateway has been delivered by HOL throughout the Highland and Moray regions of Scotland.   ... [more]

Organised and hosted by Mey Selections, and with the support of Highlands and Islands Enterprise, a group of ten top London chefs have, over the past few days, experienced for themselves just what it is about the North Highlands that produces award winning food and drink.   Philip Corrick, Head Chef of the Royal Automobile Club, commented, "I am certain I speak for the rest of the group when I say that the North Highlands is unique in the UK in being able to deliver time after time, such a variety of quality produce - be it beef, lamb, mutton, seafood, cheese or bakery products, and much more." "The winning combination of the unspoilt environment together with the care and traditional skills employed by the region's fine food producers creates wonderful ingredients and products which consistently deliver on taste and performance.   ... [more]

Highland MSP Jamie Stone has called on the Scottish Government to investigate making the anti viral drug Tamiflu available over-the-counter to help prevent the spread of Mexican swine flu.   From this Friday New Zealanders with flu symptoms will be able to buy the drug over-the-counter in pharmacies in a move designed to prevent the annual spread of flu that coincides with their winter.   ... [more]

The Business Gateway will be running the first of a series of Business Start Up courses tomorrow (Thursday 30 April 2009) to provide advice to people who are thinking of starting up their own business or who have just started trading.   The free two day workshop, held at Ness Horizons Centre at the Beechwood Park in Inverness, will cover topics including personal and business planning, managing resources, VAT and tax requirements, setting sales targets and marketing.   ... [more]

For the second year running young Highland people are to benefit from the Duncraig Educational Trust Scheme which provides grants totalling around £25,000 each year.   The Highland Council is the governing body of which makes available scholarship, grants and assistance for young Highland people who have particular or exceptional talents in specific identified areas.   ... [more]

A new online system to enable people in all parts of Scotland to apply for developments, appeal against decisions and track progress of proposals has been launched.   Finance Secretary John Swinney said that the £11.2 million ePlanning initiative will make Scotland's planning system simpler, faster and more accessible, providing a consistent level of service throughout the country.   ... [more]

Of the 24 new suspected cases announced today, only one is resident in Highland.   Their clinical condition is not giving any cause for concern.   ... [more]

Swift action by the Scottish Government is helping households and house builders weather the economic recession, MSPs were told today.   Housing Minister Alex Neil highlighted measures, backed by record investment, that are increasing the supply of good quality, energy efficient homes that people can afford.   ... [more]

The General Register Office for Scotland (GROS) has today published their mid year estimates for 2008.  They show that the population of Highland rose from 217,440 in 2007 to 219,400 in 2008, an increase of 1,960 or 0.9%.   ... [more]

The third annual Scottish Natural Heritage-run nature photography competition is underway with a request for people to showcase the amazing colours of nature in Caithness and throughout Scotland.   This free contest celebrates Scottish Biodiversity Week which runs from 16-24 May 2009 and aims to show in vivid ways how biodiversity surrounds us.   ... [more]

Moves to end the Right to Buy for new build social housing in Scotland were formally published today.   The reforms, part of the consultation on the Draft Housing (Scotland) Bill, are aimed at safeguarding social rented housing for future generations.   ... [more]

Employers who recognise that now is time to invest in skills and training, despite the current economic downturn, are to be honoured at this year's National Training Awards.   A new award category - aptly named "Now is the time"- has just been announced.   ... [more]

Rural communities throughout Scotland can now start to share ideas, experiences and information through the new Scottish National Rural Network.   The network will promote national and regional events and be supported by an interactive website within which communities can share common problems, examples of good practice and development ideas.   ... [more]

Networking Lunches - Open To Members and Non-Members Small Business Finance Seminar Led By John Thurso MP Friday 8th May - The Weigh Inn, Thurso at 1pm - buffet lunch included The Chamber is hosting a Small Business Finance Seminar led by John Thurso MP.  The event will give businesses vital information on what is available and where to source it.   ... [more]

As Scottish Water writes to 4,000 households and businesses across the north to continue to raise awareness of the problem of fat clogging the sewer system, residents of one Highland village are being praised for their help tackling the issue.   Appeals have been made by Scottish Water over the past year in various communities - including Aviemore, Drumnadrochit, Nairn and Thurso - for people to consider what they pour down plugholes and drains, following a spate of serious sewer blockages caused by fat.   ... [more]

The National Council for Work Experience (NCWE) has launched a free online information and recruitment initiative to help Scottish businesses find work placement students.   Currently covering several areas including Edinburgh, Glasgow, Aberdeenshire, Dundee, Perth, Fife, Midlothian, Stirling, the Highlands and Hebrides, Find Me A Student! is available on work-experience.org.   ... [more]

The by-election for a councillor to serve the Inverness West Ward (No 14) on The Highland Council has been won by Mr Alasdair Christie, Liberal Democrat Focus Team.   Mr Christie was one of six candidates, who contested the vacancy, created by the death of Jimmy MacDonald (Independent).   ... [more]

The Highland Council has promised to work with the UK Health Protection Agency (HPA) and NHS Highland to develop a programme of action to help Highland residents, whose homes have been identified as having high levels of the naturally occurring radioactive gas, radon.   The move follows the publication by the Scottish Parliament of new radon maps for Scotland produced by the HPA.   ... [more]

Commenting on the Chancellor's Budget statement, Trudy Morris Chief Executive of Caithness Chamber of Commerce, said: "Businesses had a need to see some positive news out of the Budget and we are fairly encouraged by some of the measures announced.   The Chancellor appears to have taken notice of some of the recommendations put forward by both the British and Scottish Chambers of Commerce.   ... [more]

Dropping a large three metre stainless steel container from a great height might seem like a bizarre concept, but it's all in a days work for the PFR project team.   Storage of the spent fuel from the former fast reactor needs to be safeguarded from all potentially hazardous conditions.   ... [more]