BT call centre workers are set to work from home in a trial which could create new jobs and revolutionise the way the offices are run, the telecoms giant has announced.   Around 15 volunteers at the centre in Thurso, Caithness, will operate online from their homes, using high speed broadband links in a practice known as "homeshoring".   ... [more]

The Highland Council has appointed open space experts, Kit Campbell Associates, to help achieve high quality open spaces in new housing developments.  Council planners will work alongside KCA to produce draft guidance that will be used to make sure that residents have high quality and well maintained open spaces close to where they live.   ... [more]

Trading Standards officers of The Highland Council are advising the public to show the door to itinerant traders, who offer to carry out a range of work on the home.   And residents should not hesitate to report to the police any trader who is menacing and threatening in trying to secure a contract and cash payment.   ... [more]

KP Technology Ltd, a high-tech company, located in Wick in the far north of Scotland, has been awarded the prestigious Queen's Award for Enterprise in Innovation for research, design and manufacture of specialist Scientific Equipment called 'Kelvin' Probes.  The Queen's Awards for Enterprise is an awards programme for businesses and other organisations who excel at international trade, innovation or sustainable development.   ... [more]

Tenants of The Highland Council are being urged to consider insuring the contents of their homes to avoid the cost of having to replace furnishings and equipment lost by a major incident, such as flooding, burglary or fire.   With its insurance partner Allianz, the Council is providing low cost home contents insurance for tenants.   ... [more]

You might think the problem of untaxed vehicles is a minor one and that car tax evaders are just trying to 'get one over' on the Government.  The truth is, as well as costing taxpayers an estimated £79 million per year, the blight of untaxed vehicles is also linked to the more significant issues of crime and road safety.   ... [more]

The public is to be asked for its views on proposals by The Highland Council to revise the scale of maximum taxi fares in the Highlands.  The recommended increases will be advertised widely in the Highlands and the public will have a month in which to respond.   ... [more]

ALL CLASSES LAMBS, EWES & RAMS - SALE SUMMARY DINGWALL, Dingwall & Highland Marts Ltd., (10th April) sold 1553 store sheep of all classes.  Lambs (1003) to £60.   ... [more]

DINGWALL, Dingwall & Highland Marts Ltd., (10th April) sold 1593 store sheep of all classes.   Lambs (1003) to £60 for Cheviots & Cross lambs from Simpsons Croft, Kildary & for Texel crosses from Tulloch Muir, Invergordon.   ... [more]

Study Reveals Social, Economic and Environmental Benefits Scottish furniture reuse projects helped more than 105,000 people - more than half from low income families - furnish their homes last year, according to a major new study from Scotland's national community recycling body.   The study, carried out annually by The Community Recycling Network for Scotland (CRNS), revealed that as well helping people to move out of poverty, furniture reuse projects have a host of additional benefits.   ... [more]

The Highland Council's Director of Social Work has issued a statement clarifying proposed changes to Social Work services following a letter issued to the media by Peter Peacock MSP.   Director of Social Work, Harriet Dempster said: "The Council is seeking to avoid compulsory redundancies.   ... [more]

In a move to reduce the amount of waste going to landfill sites, The Highland Council has altered its free Bulky Uplift policy so that from the beginning of July 2008 black bag waste will be removed from the list of approved items for these pre-arranged collections.   Currently the free uplifting service can be booked to remove any article of household waste which cannot fit into a normal domestic bin, any item which weighs over 25kg and up to 10 black bags.   ... [more]

DINGWALL, Dingwall & Highland Marts Ltd., (April, 9th) sold 31 OTM cattle.  Cows (23) averaged 111.7p and sold to 123.8p per kg for a 755kg Limousin from Kinnahaird Farm, Contin and £1,060 gross for a 885kg Limousin cross from 103 Carnan, Lochboisdale.   ... [more]

DINGWALL, Dingwall & Highland Marts Ltd., (April, 9th) sold 257 store cattle in a special show and sale.  Bullocks (114) averaged 145.8p and sold to 206.2p per kg and £1000 gross.   ... [more]

DINGWALL, Dingwall & Highland Marts Ltd., (April, 9th) sold 558 Aberdeen Angus store cattle in a special show and sale.  Bullocks (304) averaged 140.3p and sold to 151.7p per kg and £835 gross.   ... [more]

The Highland Council has been awarded the Charter Mark Standard for excellence in customer service delivery for its network of 37 Service Points and its Service Centre at Alness.   After first achieving Charter Mark status in 1999, this is the fifth time that the Cabinet Office has presented the Council with this UK Government award which recognises top quality service delivery.   ... [more]

Projects across the Highlands and Islands designed to increase economic competitiveness are to benefit from 15.4 million pounds of European funding, First Minister Alex Salmond announced today.   The funding will be distributed amongst 45 projects through the 2007-13 European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) and European Social Fund (ESF).   ... [more]

Ministers have approved the Gordonbush wind farm, near Brora in Sutherland, which will be capable of powering 37,000 homes.   The 87.5 Megawatt, 35 turbine wind farm will be subject to conditions to minimise any potential disturbance to local wildlife and to safeguard local interests.   ... [more]

The Mey Selections brand has now been enhanced by a special range of tweeds designed and manufactured by world leading textiles and cashmere producers, Johnstons of Elgin, and developed in conjunction with HRH The Prince Charles, Duke of Rothesay.   Mey Selections Castle of Mey Estate Tweed was launched at the new Johnstons £1.5million Heritage Centre yesterday where it was received by TRH The Duke and Duchess of Rothesay during their visit where they viewed the weaving of the tweed in one of the only traditional mills left in the country.   ... [more]

There will be another chance for members of the public to look around The Highland Council's new flagship office complex in East Sutherland at Drummuie, Golspie, from 7pm to 8pm on Thursday 10 April.   This evening follows on from the open afternoon on Wednesday 2 April which had to be cut short due to a problem with the lift.   ... [more]