Changes to the determination of local planning applications will be introduced later in the year to speed up the decision-making process and encourage inward investment.   The Highland Council has agreed a Scheme of Delegation and establishment of a Review Body, which it has presented to the Scottish Government for approval and implementation by 3 August.   ... [more]

DINGWALL, Dingwall & Highland Marts Ltd., (July, 1st) sold 60 store cattle and 34 OTM cattle.  Bullocks (27) averaged 159.2p and sold to 177.7p per kg and £735 gross.   ... [more]

Thurso Swimming Pool Summer is operating ona sumer schedule so check up on opening times before you go at www.caithness-business.co.uk/business.php?id=111 In Thurso the Tennis Courts and Boating Pond are open Tuesday - Friday 2-5pm, 6-9pm, Saturday and Sunday 12-6pm..   ... [more]

The Highland Council is seeking the views of the public in shaping its policy on allotment gardening.   The Council is keen to promote allotments and the purpose of the policy is to establish the principles which will guide its partnership with community groups and other organisations in establishing and managing allotments.   ... [more]

Today (Thursday 2 July) sees the launch of the new Blog for the Highland wide Local Development Plan.  The Blog will be updated regularly with information on meetings and events hosted and attended by the Development Plans team at The Highland Council.   ... [more]

HEALTH AND SOCIAL CARE APPRENTICESHIPS WILL MORE THAN DOUBLE Cabinet Secretary for Education and Lifelong Learning, Fiona Hyslop, today announced that she would more than double the number of Modern Apprenticeships in Health and Social Care by opening them to all ages of applicants.   The decision to open this Modern Apprenticeship Framework to adults is part of ScotAction - the Scottish Government's skills support package to help support Scotland's economy out of recession and back to economic growth.   ... [more]

A recent sunny Sunday (21 June) saw a strong team of Countryside volunteers turn out to help provide habitat for one of the small blue butterfly colonies in Caithness.   The most northerly colonies of small blues are located within the dune system at Dunnet Bay and also along the coast at Scrabster.   ... [more]

The Assembly Rooms in Wick will be the venue for the 3rd Caithness Conference which will take place on 1st October 2009.   The conference will outline the progress being made by the Caithness and North Sutherland Regeneration Partnership and workshops will be held to help define a vision document and key messages for inward investors.   ... [more]

DINGWALL, Dingwall & Highland Marts Ltd., (June, 30th) sold 77 prime cattle.  Prime bullocks (47) averaged 174.9p (+1.0p) and sold to 185p per kg and £1,280.20 gross.   ... [more]

The Business information and advice service for the Highland and Moray Councils which is delivered by The Highland Council's Enterprise Trust, Highland Opportunity Limited, has just reached its first major milestone today with at total of 500 requests for advice and assistance having been received since the service started on 1st April.   Enquiries to Business Gateway have come via the national website www.bgateway.com and the national telephone number 0845 609 6611 and 30% of enquiries have come from people visiting the walk-in shops in Inverness and Elgin where business advisers are on hand to answer queries and provide information.   ... [more]

Council road safety initiative helps reduce number of people killed and seriously injured on Highlands Roads A road safety initiative aimed at young drivers in the Highlands is helping to assist in the reduction of deaths and serious injuries throughout the area.   The Highland Council's Pass Plus scheme for young drivers aged 17 - 25 years was introduced in 2002.   ... [more]

Eight members of staff with The Highland Council, who represent their trade union colleagues in the workplace, have gained their TUC Occupational Health and Safety Diploma, through a health and safety training scheme sponsored by the Council and the TUC in association with Stow College, Glasgow.  The diploma represents the completion of 55 days of training at the college and in the workplace and will help extend the promotion of health, safety and wellbeing in the workplace.   ... [more]

NORTH OF SCOTLAND RAMPS UP MARINE ENERGY LEAD The North of Scotland strengthened its reputation as the hub of the global marine energy industry this week, with the announcement of £14m investment for energy-related skills development and research projects.   The projects will be based at the North Highland College UHI in Thurso.   ... [more]

A primary school in the Highlands collected a prestigious accolade at the Scottish Education Awards today (Tuesday 16 June 2009), which is sponsored by the Scottish Government to celebrate success and excellence in Scottish education.   Portree Primary School on the Isle of Skye won the Best Enterprise Award after it was nominated by the island's local radio station, Cuillin FM.   ... [more]

Renewable Energy Projects in Caithness Open to General Public as part of Scottish Renewables Festival 2009 The Highlands and Islands of Scotland is set to play a major part in the first Scottish Renewables Festival, offering people in the region a unique opportunity to see renewable energy in action this Saturday 13 and Sunday 14 June 2009.   A range of events are planned across the Highlands and Islands during the weekend, including a special screening of climate change film The Age of Stupid at Caithness Horizons in Thurso and a unique chance to visit Forss Wind Farm turbines in Caithness.   ... [more]

The number of trainees and apprentices employed by The Highland Council is already exceeding the target of 200 set by the Administration for March 2011.   Members of the Council's Resources Committee were told on Wednesday that 203 trainees and apprentices are now on the Council's books and this number is expected to rise to 231 by the end of next year.   ... [more]

New proposals to cut the amount of packaging produced and improve recycling rates in Scotland have been unveiled.   Next month the public and businesses will be asked for their views on measures contained in the UK-wide strategy, 'Making the Most of Packaging', as part of a wider consultation on the Scottish Government's new National Waste Management Plan.   ... [more]

Following the closure on 15 May 2009 of the deadline for pre-qualified companies seeking leases for wave and tidal energy projects in the Pentland Firth strategic area, The Crown Estate is pleased to announce it has received multiple bids for each of the lease types and all capacities made available for the world's first large scale commercial wave and tidal energy leasing round.   The number and range of both bidders and applications emphasises the importance of the Pentland Firth strategic area to the emerging wave and tidal sector.   ... [more]

'Everybody Online - Caithness', the first project of its kind in the Highlands, is being launched to allow locals who have never had the chance to use the internet to discover what it can do.  The project being funded by Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE), with the support of BT Scotland, is run by a national charity 'Citizens Online' and aims to use technology to help communities counter social disadvantage.   ... [more]

Significant fire damage has been caused to Dunnet Head, a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) due to its cliff habitat and nesting seabirds, Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) can now confirm.   The fire burnt for several days in mid April 2009.   ... [more]