News Archive
6/5/2007
North Airports Record Busiest Ever Year
Passenger numbers at airports in the Highlands and Islands of Scotland have increased by 7% in the past 12 months to a record total of 1,232,782. Figures released today by Highlands and Islands Airports Limited show that an additional 80,000 passengers have used its 10 airports in the year to 31 March 2007 compared to the previous operating year making it the sixth consecutive year of passenger growth.6/5/2007
Unemployment In The Caithness and Sutherland Wards - March 2007
Caithness and sutherland unemploment fell as at March 2007 to 722 claimants for benefit with the percentage dropping for unemployment benfit claimants by 3% between Feb 07 and March 07. The precentage drop between March 06 and March 07 was 11.6%.
6/5/2007
New irrigation initiative to protect Scotland's water
Farmers are going to be increasingly dependent upon irrigation to grow their crops along the east coast according to climate change predictions. Some east coast rivers are already over-abstracted and the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) is concerned that water may run out in some of the small burns which farmers depend on if the current dry weather continues.5/5/2007
CAITHNESS HORIZONS MAKES ITS MARK AT EXPO 2007
Caithness Horizons, the new visitor attraction and community facility that will be housed in the refurbished Thurso Town Hall and Carnegie Library, made its first appearance to the travel trade at Expo 2007 in Edinburgh and received a welcome level of interest from potential buyers. The Centre, which will become the hub for the area and act as a signpost for the many attractions and sites of interest in Caithness, attracted the attention of UK and overseas-based tour operators - as well as the media - who were all interested in receiving a special preview of the project.
New Craft Business For Wick - Made In Caithness
An exciting new business venture is set to open up opportunities for craft people in High Street, Wick. "Made In Caithness" is a new shop given entirely over to high quality craft items.
30/4/2007
Digital Tachographs - One Year On
Today (1 May 2007) marks the first anniversary of the introduction of the digital tachograph to all new commercial vehicles over 3.5 tonnes registered in the United Kingdom. Since 1 May 2006 some 40,000 new lorries have all been required to fit and use the new technology following almost 25 years of the analogue tachograph since its progressive introduction in the early 1980s.29/4/2007
Mey Selections Barrogill North Highland Blended Malt Launched
Inver House Distillers and North Highland Products launched the first ever North Highland Blended Malt Scotch Whisky, Barrogill, as part of the prestigious Mey Selections range of food and drink products, at the Castle of Mey in Caithness today. Mey Selections Barrogill Blended Malt Scotch Whisky takes its name from the history and heritage of the Castle of Mey, the most northerly castle on the Scottish mainland just a few miles from John o'Groats.
19/4/2007
Dounreay Bulletin - Issue 24
PUBLIC RESPONDS TO PARTICLES CONSULTATION The second stage of consultation on the options for dealing with radioactive particles in the marine environment has come to a close. The consultation focussed on the relative importance of the criteria used to assess the 11 combined options identified by a scoring panel as most likely to succeed following the first round of consultation.
16/4/2007
North Firms Benefit From NDA North Highland Regeneration Fund Investment.
The NDA North Highland Regeneration Fund Ltd., the loan fund company established by the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority to help entrepreneurs start up and grow in Caithness & Sutherland. Since the start of the year five local firms in the Dounreay travel to work area have benefited from investment by the NDA North Highland Regeneration Fund.3/4/2007
Captains Galley To Receive EatScotland Silver Award
EatScotland has declared, The Captains Galley will receive one of the first Silver Awards for high standards in Scottish dining. The announcement comes as part of the launch of the organisation's much-anticipated Silver & Gold Award Scheme, which promises to raise the bar in Scotland's eating out scene and boost perceptions of Scottish cuisine worldwide.
2/4/2007
Dounreay Bulletin - Issue 23
FIRST MINISTER'S MESSAGE FOR DOUNREAY STAFF Scotland's First Minister is urging Dounreay workers to secure their own future by demonstrating they are the best in the business at decommissioning. Writing exclusively in the latest edition of Dounreay News, Jack McConnell says a workforce that can decommission safely the fast reactor experiment is a workforce that will be in demand.
2/4/2007
Romanian Street Traders Selling Fake Gold Jewellery
Public Urged To Be On Their Guard Against Romanian Street Traders Selling Fake Gold Jewellery The Highland Council's Trading Standards Unit and Northern Constabulary are urging the public to be on their guard against Romanian street traders who are operating in the Highlands. Trading Standards officers within the Council's TEC Services and Northern Constabulary have received complaints regarding street sellers approaching members of the public and businesses offering "fake" gold rings, chains and bracelets.2/4/2007
SEPA Seeking Views On Waste Management Regulations
The Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) and the Scottish Executive today launched a consultation exercise in a bid to find out how the current regulations governing waste management could be improved. The Better Regulation of Waste initiative aims to determine if existing guidelines are effective and support Scotland's commitment to increase recycling rates and reduce the reliance on landfill.1/4/2007
Public Agencies Join To Assist New Residents Settle In To The Region
A range of new services for people who have recently moved into the Highlands from other countries has won support from the European Social Fund (ESF). Highland Wellbeing Alliance, a partnership of public sector organisations in the area, has secured ESF funding worth £260,500 to back initiatives which will help the area's new residents with issues such as improving their English language skills, gaining employment and finding out how to access services and advice.1/4/2007
Scottish Natural Heritage Highlights Funding Opportunities For Land Managers
Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) is calling on land managers throughout Scotland to ensure that they are not missing out on potential income opportunities from land designated as a nature conservation sites. Under SNH's Natural Care programme land managers can earn extra financial support by signing up to agreements to ensure these important sites will be maintained in the best condition possible.
1/4/2007
New Test Programme At EMEC - Wave Energy Device Back For More Tests
The first wave energy device to generate electricity for the National Grid is back on site for a new test programme at the European Marine Energy Centre in Orkney. Developed by Edinburgh-based Ocean Power Delivery, Pelamis can meet the energy needs of more than 500 homes and is already feeding electricity into the grid once again.
Local Photographer John Baikie Pulls In More Awards
Master Photographers Association Awards Local photographer John Baikie has added some more awards to his collection. On Sunday he attended the Master Photographers Association Scottish Annual Awards Night in Edinburgh for the first time.
28/3/2007
Public Has Spoken On Options For Dealing With Particles In Marine Environment
The second stage of consultation on the options for dealing with radioactive particles in the marine environment has come to a close. The consultation focussed on the relative importance of the criteria used to assess the 11 combined options identified by a scoring panel as most likely to succeed following the first round of consultation.28/3/2007
How Would You Invest 500k In The Scottish Music Industry?
The country's enterprise agencies are inviting anyone involved in the Scottish music community to submit ideas about how they think the new Scottish Music Futures Fund should be invested. Last month, the Scottish Executive allocated �500,000 to Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) to set up a business development fund to help cultivate the music industry in Scotland - supporting the 'music stars of tomorrow'.
26/3/2007
