Loganair is cutting back several routes in 2026, including reducing flights on key Scottish Highland and Island routes (Inverness to Kirkwall/Sumburgh/Stornoway) from mid-July. Additionally, they are axing the Dundee to London Heathrow service in September and reducing frequencies on routes like Newcastle-Southampton, driven by the need for operational stability and financial sustainability.
Last week marked the start of patrols for The Highland Council’s 2026 Seasonal Access Rangers team, a dedicated group working to promote responsible enjoyment of the Highlands natural environment. Funded by The Highland Council, the team will play a key role in supporting visitors and local communities.
The issue is one of the biggest political and economic debates in the UK and Europe today. Consumers often ask, "If Scotland is generating lots of electricity from wind and hydro at very low operating cost, why am I still paying prices linked to expensive gas?" The answer lies in how wholesale electricity markets are designed.
On Wednesday this week (3 June) The Highland Council is aiming to take a major step forward in strengthening its support for Gaelic, recognising the linguistic, educational, historical and cultural connections which exist right across our region. Highland Council’s Gaelic Committee is to consider a recommendation to adopt a Highland‑wide designation as an Area of Linguistic Significance (ALS) for Gaelic under the Scottish Languages Act 2025.
the emergency and strategic oil stocks that governments have been releasing since the Hormuz disruption, the answer is they do not suddenly "run out" on one particular day, but the market is approaching the point where the buffer becomes much less effective. A few key figures help explain the situation.
For households in Caithness and across the Highlands that rely on kerosene heating oil, the same broad forces affecting crude oil apply, but heating oil can sometimes behave even more dramatically than crude oil itself. The chain looks like this: Crude oil → refinery → kerosene (heating oil) → local distributor → your tank So if crude oil rises because of Middle East disruption, heating oil usually rises too.
Changes to end one-sided flexibility and uncertainty for workers through ban on exploitative zero hours contracts set out in consultation. Changes will end one-sided flexibility, help people plan their finances and daily lives, or enjoy benefits of a zero hours contract if they wish to keep one.
UK astronaut John McFall could become the first person with a physical disability to live in orbit, thanks to an agreement signed between the UK government and US commercial space company Vast. Former Paralympian John McFall could become first person with a physical disability to live in orbit through UK government partnership with US space company Vast.
A significant part of the reason oil prices have not exploded higher is indeed demand destruction—people and businesses using less oil because prices rose and economic conditions weakened. But it is only one part of the story.
The Institute for Fiscal Studies (IFS) has delivered a stark warning to Scotland's newly elected government: the easy choices have largely run out. The next few years will force ministers to confront a difficult reality of either raising taxes, cutting spending, or abandoning some of the promises made during the Holyrood election campaign.
New contracts worth £36 million to supply hundreds of Lightweight Multirole Missiles for UK Armed Forces. The Ministry of Defence has signed new contracts with Thales in the UK to supply hundreds more Lightweight Multirole Missiles to the Armed Forces – boosting UK stockpiles and strengthening the protection of British personnel in the Middle East and beyond.
Three weeks ago, I warned that the war involving Iran could trigger a seven-stage economic crisis. Today, I think that risk is much greater than it was then.
School learning environments across Scotland will become phone free under measures announced by Education Secretary Mà iri McAllan. Highlighting the damage phones can cause to pupils’ wellbeing and education, Ms McAllan confirmed forthcoming legislation to restrict their use in all of Scotland’s schools.
Update - President Trump has intervened to say Israel will pull back on attack on Lebanon. Attacks by the USA on Iran in past few days have contributed to the ongoing yoyo affect on oil prices.
The unfolding situation in NHS England where hundreds of overseas staff face losing their jobs without redundancy compensation is more than an administrative reshuffle. It exposes deep structural weaknesses in how the UK treats international workers, and its consequences will be felt far beyond England’s borders.
All eligible young people are being encouraged to apply for a weekly, term time allowance of £30 per week from August 2026. The Highland Council administers Education Maintenance Allowance (EMA) in respect of eligible young people from across its 29 secondary schools.
Walkers finishing the West Highland Way now have a new, scenic option as they arrive into Fort William Town Centre. The West Highland Way is internationally recognised as one of the world’s top long-distance walks.
Nature Restoration Fund update to Economy & Infrastructure Committee Members of The Highland Council’s Economy and Infrastructure Committee have reaffirmed their commitment to supporting community-led projects and Council initiatives that protect and enhance the natural environment. The Nature Restoration Fund report provided Members with an update on the Scottish Government-funded programme.
At The Highland Council’s Economy & Infrastructure committee held on 28 May 2026, members agreed the distribution of Highland Coastal Communities Funding (HCCF) allocation across the local area committees. HCCF funding is allocated to Highland Council from the Scottish Government.
There is currently a growing view among energy analysts that the world is heading into a period of LNG (liquefied natural gas) oversupply, although the picture varies by region and season. Why is there a glut developing?.