Mey Selections - the premium product brand launched just over a year ago - was commended in the New Business Award category at the second Highlands and Islands Food and Drink Forum Awards, 2006, held at the Drumossie Hotel, Inverness.   The Award, sponsored by Aquascot Ltd, was presented for the contribution that Mey Selections has made to the North Highlands food and drink economy.   ... [more]

PRINCESS ANNE TO OPEN TEST CENTRE.  Princess Anne is to officially open Britain's first purpose-built nuclear clean-up test, trials, training, research and development centre as part of a visit to Caithness on Tuesday, October 10.   ... [more]

A new £135,000 funding package to restore an area of blanket bog in the Highlands which had been planted with conifers has been announced by Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH).   The money in the form of a grant to the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) will be used to restore the forest block to blanket bog in an area of Caithness west of Altnabreac, 23 miles west of Wick.   ... [more]

The following are funds approved up to the last day of the month.   Please note that the sums relate to approvals, not payments.   ... [more]

The following are funds approved up to the last day of the month.   Please note that the sums relate to approvals, not payments.   ... [more]

If you are looking for an ironing service then the new on started by Caroline and Alsion Gulloch might be worth a try.   The new service called Q-Wick Ironing is open 8.00am - 8.00pm severn days a week and they wil call to collect the clothes etc and deliver tham back fully ironed..   ... [more]

On October 1 2006, new laws will come into force to protect workers from age discrimination.  The Employment Equality (Age) Regulations will make it illegal for employers to discriminate against employees, trainees or job seekers because of their age and ensure that all workers, regardless of age, have the same rights in terms of training and promotion.   ... [more]

SUMMARY The August 2006 unemployment figures were released on 13th September 2006.  During the month, July 2006 to August 2006, the number of people claiming unemployment benefit in Great Britain fell by 0.3%, from 932,191 to 929,498 (2,693 claimants).   ... [more]

Envirowise was launched in 1994.  The programme was designed specifically to encourage the sharing of best practice across UK industry, helping businesses boost competitiveness through improved environmental performance and more efficient use of resources.   ... [more]

UKAEA recently invited a group of Dounreay's retired workers back to site to see the decommissioning work taking place at Dounreay.   During their return to site Gordon Bailey, Frank Sinclair, Sinclair Calder, Ernie Lillyman, Jonathon Kirk and Rolland Shallcross were informed about the shaft isolation project and saw for themselves the changes that have taken place at the shaft including the raised working platform which was recently constructed.   ... [more]

Those looking to start their own business in the creative industries are being given a unique opportunity to take advantage of contracts available from Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE).   The Indiepreneur programme has two contracts available for new, recent or upcoming businesses involved in the creative industries across the Highlands and Islands.   ... [more]

The issues surrounding the employment of migrant workers are the subject of this month's Hot Topic on LearningWorks, the Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) website dedicated to online training and learning.   LearningWorks explores the key issues employers should be aware of when employing migrant workers, with links to new information about work permits and the workers registration team.   ... [more]

FTA has greeted the decision by European Competitiveness Ministers to repeal the Block Exemption from restrictive trading practices for container shipping lines as the dawn of a new era in maritime transport.   The decision means that shipping lines will need to end their long-standing practices of price-fixing and capacity management and submit to the normal disciplines of EU competition rules.   ... [more]

Survey Reveals Large Gap that Threatens Economic Growth Most employees have not been offered language learning opportunity Scottish businesses worst offenders at offering language learning.   More London businesses offer language learning than any other region.   ... [more]

REACTOR CONTROL ROOM IS CONSIGNED TO HISTORY.  What was once the hub of the next generation of nuclear power plant, a hive of activity buzzing with the thrill of ground-breaking technology, is now in stark contrast an empty shell.   ... [more]