Political drama in London might feel distant from Wick or Thurso, but it has a direct line into your mortgage payments. Every bout of instability in Westminster such as leadership speculation, fiscal uncertainty, election noise sends a ripple through financial markets.
The following is a summary of an article by Simon Pittaway published on the Resolution Foundation substack. He digs into the data to figure out why mortgage rates are rising, even as the Bank of England holds off on rate rises.
E.ON has agreed to buy OVO Energy, creating what will become Britain’s largest household energy supplier, with around 9.6–10 million customers once the deal completes. The deal was announced on 11 May 2026.
The Scottish parliamentary elections of May 2026 returned the SNP as the largest party, with 58 seats, supported by a record 15 Greens. Together they form a pro‑independence bloc, though still short of an outright majority.
For most of the past century, the global oil system was built on one assumption. Crude oil would always be plentiful, refineries would always be running, and tankers would always be able to move freely.
Thirty women from across the region are starting out on a new leadership programme launched by Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE). The women, who come from a wide range of sectors, age groups and communities, are taking part in the 16-week HIE Impact Women programme.
A new practical website, Sustainable Screen, has launched to help screen professionals reduce their environmental impact and embed greener practices across productions. Scotland is already over halfway to its target of reaching net-zero emissions by 2045, placing it ahead of the wider UK.
His Majesty’s most gracious speech to both Houses of Parliament. My Lords and Members of the House of Commons.
The King’s Speech – the second under this government – is expected to unveil over 35 bills and draft bills facing up to the big challenges our country faces and put the UK on a stronger, fairer path that unlocks hope for people across Britain. King’s Speech will strengthen public services, reform the state and reverse decline.
Helen Dickinson, Chief Executive at the British Retail Consortium, said, “April’s sales fall was largely driven by the Easter shift, with food hit hardest. But weak consumer confidence also played a role as fears about the Middle East conflict driving up living costs led shoppers to rein in.
DINGWALL, Dingwall and Highland Marts Ltd., (May 12th) sold 229 adult head of breeding cattle at their special sale. The bull show was kindly sponsored by Sellars Agri, Invergordon and judged by Mr Blair Duffton, Huntly.
DINGWALL, Dingwall and Highland Marts Ltd., (May 12th) sold 71 Pedigree and commercial Luing cattle at their annual spring breeding sale. Pedigree Bulling Heifers (63) averaged £3,396.67 and sold to 6,200gns (£6,510) for lots 25 & 26 from A l & A C McCall, Culmaily Farm, Golspie selling to Messrs Jardine, Fairgirth Farm, Dalbeattie.
A pumped storage hydro project proposed near Loch Ness has committed to allocating 5 per cent of its annual gross margin to a Community Wealth Fund estimated to deliver over £20 million a year. Glen Earrach Energy (GEE) has become the second company to sign the Highland Social Value Charter, marking a significant milestone in delivering long-term socio-economic benefits for communities across the Highlands.
When people in Caithness talk about taxes, they usually mean income tax, council tax, or VAT on the weekly shop. But there is another tax, less visible yet just as punishing in the billions swallowed every year by debt interest.
Entries are now open for the Women’s Enterprise Scotland Awards 2026, the awards recognise success and provide a platform for showcasing the achievements of Scotland’s inspiring women-led businesses. There are nine award categories to choose from to enter and you can apply for free now.
From today (12 May 2026), only learner drivers can book and manage their own driving test - part of a crackdown on exploitation by third-party services. The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) has introduced new rules for car driving test bookings, putting learners firmly in control of their own booking.
For weeks the global economy has appeared to survive the Iran crisis better than many feared. Petrol stations remain open, aircraft are still flying and supermarket shelves are still stocked.
A public consultation opens today on proposals to introduce Short Term Let Control Areas (STLCA) in Highland with the aim of striking a better balance between tourism growth and local housing need. The Highland Council is seeking views from residents, communities, businesses and the tourism sector on proposals to introduce two STLCAs: Inverness City STLCA, which would cover the wards of Inverness West; Inverness Central; Inverness Ness-side; Inverness Millburn; and parts of Inverness South, including Westhill, Milton of Leys and Slackbuie, and; Highland Rural STLCA, which would cover the wards of Lochaber; Wester Ross, Strathpeffer and Lochalsh; Sutherland; Skye and Raasay; Aird and Loch Ness; and parts of Inverness South, including Tomatin and Daviot.
For most households, mortgage rates feel like a simple question: Are they going up or down? But behind every shift in a lender’s pricing sheet lies a deeper story and one that begins not in a bank branch or a mortgage broker’s office, but in the bond markets. And over the past few weeks, those markets have been sending a clear and uncomfortable message that UK mortgage rates are under renewed upward pressure, and the hoped‑for easing in 2026 is drifting further out of reach.
Caithness is heading into another 12–18 months of elevated living costs, driven by fuel, food, energy, and mortgage pressures that hit rural households harder than the Scottish average. Even if UK inflation falls on paper, the Caithness lived reality will stay higher because distance, transport, and weak local competition amplify every national shock.