Property owners or managers of old or new fascinating buildings in the Highlands are being invited to welcome people of all ages to "get into" their establishments during the 20th annual Doors Open Days being held this September.   Co-ordinated nationally by the Scottish Civic Trust, Doors Open Days takes place every September and offers free access to buildings and sites normally closed to the public (or that usually charge for entry).   ... [more]

Caithness and North Sutherland businesses and communities are set to benefit from a newly established renewables fund that will go to helping them deliver 'green' sustainable projects.   The fund will be run by a subsidiary company established by Caithness Chamber of Commerce, with the intention that renewable energy developers within the Caithness and North Sutherland area eg wind, marine, tidal and biomass, will have the opportunity to pay into this.   ... [more]

Major investment is great news for Wick The Highland Council has warmly welcomed confirmation that Wick High School is to attract significant funding from the Scottish Government which will help provide a new school on a greenfield site, incorporating community facilities such as a new swimming pool, community library and performance venue.   The grant from the Scottish Government will be £18.4 million and is likely to be available to allow construction work to start in 2012-13.   ... [more]

The Highland Council's new Gaelic Development Manager is Kenneth Murray, a native Gaelic speaker from Lewis, who is a former Chief Executive of Bòrd na Gàidhlig.   He previously worked for the Forestry Commission, both in Edinburgh and Inverness for 25 years, latterly as Parliamentary and Cultural Programmes Manager.   ... [more]

Work began this week on the first two of three phases of the Inverness South West Inverness Flood Relief Channel, which will divert flood water from the south side of Inverness away from residential properties in Hilton, Lochardil, and Holm by collecting overflow water from the burns on the south side of Inverness and channelling it into the River Ness.   The scheme is broken down into three phases and the replacement of Holm Burn Bridge.   ... [more]

The Deloitte Ride Across Britain takes place over nine days.  The first ride in 2010 starts at the crack of dawn on Saturday 12th June in Scotland, and finishes with a party on Sunday 20th June in Cornwall - a chance for our riders to pat themselves on the back and celebrate crossing the finish line.   ... [more]

'Operation Caesar' launched as pearl mussel sites see 'appalling' damage Significant and lasting criminal damage has been found at 75% of internationally important freshwater pearl mussel sites surveyed, Scottish Natural Heritage confirmed today.   Criminal acts ranged from illegal pearl fishing and unauthorised river works which saw the destruction of whole pearl mussel populations.   ... [more]

1st - 31st August At Inverness - Scotland First Housing Expo Over 50 New Houses - See The Competition Winners All Building Now The Highland Council has reaffirmed its continued support for Scotland's Housing Expo which will take place throughout the month of August at Milton of Leys, in Inverness.   Members of the Planning, Environment and Development Committee on Wednesday 26 May 2010 agreed to underwrite the event up to a maximum of £100,000 to provide resources for the Board until ticket sales and all sponsorship funding is received.   ... [more]

Join us at the Centre for Health Science Public Open Day on Tuesday 8 June 2010 from 11am.   Centre for Health Science, Old Perth Road, Inverness IV2 3JH Members of the public are invited to take a journey into the future and tour 'next generation' health facilities at the Open Day.   ... [more]

Council Budget blog focuses on waste collection, street lighting and enquiry services The Highland Council's budget blog will today (26 May) ask the public if the Council can provide waste collection, street lighting and enquiry services more effectively.   The new posting by Budget Leader Councillor David Alston asks:- ·Can we encourage a reduction in the amount of waste we produce and provide fewer bin collections? ·Can we reduce our street lighting costs? ·How should the Council deal with enquiries for services and information? Councillor Alston wonders to what extent the public could cope with moving to fortnightly collections of their green wheelie bin which contains non-recylable waste.   ... [more]

Parental newsletter - May 2010 Issued By Highland Councils Education Service Scotland's education is changing.   Curriculum for Excellence will enable young people to become Confident Individuals, Successful Learners, Responsible Citizens and Effective Contributors to society and at work.   ... [more]

Concordat for the Royal National Mòd in the Highlands signed in Caithness A Service Delivery Contract between An Comunn Gàidhealach and The Highland Council in relation to the delivery of Royal National Mòds in the Highlands was signed this week in Caithness.   The agreement sets out the partnership between the Council and An Comunn for the provision of services by An Comunn associated with the Royal National Mòd within The Highland Council area.   ... [more]

A new hostel at Mallaig, providing residential accommodation for pupils from the islands of Canna, Eigg, Muck and Rum as well as the Knoydart Peninsula, was officially opened today (Tuesday 25th May 2010).   The £4 million facility was built for The Highland Council by Les Taylor Construction.   ... [more]

A value added service offered by The Highland Council in partnership with a number of other national agencies including Scottish Natural Heritage, Scottish Environment Protection Agency and Transport Scotland has received national recognition at the Homes for Scotland Awards 2010.   The Pre-Application Advice Service for Major Developments, a cross Council service led by the Planning and Development Service, received an award in the Key Agency Working category.   ... [more]

Innovative Microsoft archive launched as first Homecoming exceeds all expectations Scotland will build on the outstanding success of the Year of Homecoming by staging a second formal celebration in 2014, First Minister Alex Salmond said today.   Homecoming 2014 will take place in the year that Scotland hosts the Commonwealth Games and the Ryder Cup and marks the 700th anniversary of the Battle of Bannockburn.   ... [more]

Schools throughout the Highlands are to benefit from a training event being held this weekend in Inverness which will see participants learning how to deliver the national programme "Active Learning through Music".   On Saturday 22 May around 70 participants attended the event held at Millburn Academy.   ... [more]

As part of the inspectorate's ongoing strategy for evaluating the educational provision of local authorities, a report is issued today on the inspection by HMIe of the quality of education at Reay Primary School.   The report is based on an inspection visit which was carried out in March 2010.   ... [more]

DINGWALL, Dingwall & Highland Marts Ltd., (May, 19th) sold 171 breeding cattle including consignments from Smallburn Farms Ltd., Duffus, of 25 adult head selling to £2350 and averaging £1755, dispersal from Messrs J G Callum & Co, Milton of Culloden, of 39 adult head selling to £1950 and averaging £1,184.  Bulling heifers (49, including 33 Hi-Health heifers selling to £820 for a Shorthorn from Craigroy, Edderton) sold to £900 for a pair of Simmental crosses from Shantullich, Munlochy.   ... [more]

DINGWALL, Dingwall & Highland Marts Ltd., (May, 19th) sold 46 cattle at their 6th annual sale of pedigree and commercial Highland Cattle.  Bullocks (16) sold to £590 gross from Roseneath Croft, Auchnarrow.   ... [more]

DINGWALL, Dingwall & Highland Marts Ltd., (May, 19th) sold 75 pedigree and commercial Luing cattle at their second annual spring breeding sale.  Pedigree bulling heifers (56) averaged £1,414.31 and sold to 2200gns (£2310) for a pair of 25 month old heifers from Cadzow Brothers Ltd., Isle of Luing, to Ms S.   ... [more]