News Archive

Economic benefits of £745m Aberdeen by-pass highlighted

Around 50% of traffic has shifted from Aberdeen city onto the new Aberdeen Western Peripheral Route since it fully opened in February - easing congestion and improving air quality in the north east.   Initial monitoring by Transport Scotland also found key journey times have been reduced by half, even during rush hour, through the 36-mile AWPR route between Stonehaven and south of Ellon.  

Holy Grass Vodka - The Cold Brew Coffee Edition

This May, Dunnet Bay Distillers, will launch a new permanent addition to its portfolio - Holy Grass Vodka - Cold Brew Coffee Edition.   This delicious coffee flavoured vodka has been created in partnership with Glasgow based, the Ovenbird Coffee Roasters.  

Highland Council confirms commitment to Food For Life

Already leading the way when it comes to providing nutritional school meals, The Highland Council has reaffirmed its commitment to put more local fresh seasonal food on school dinner plates.   Catherine Pendreigh, Food for Life Partnerships Manager at the Soil Association gave a presentation at today's Environment, Development and Infrastructure Committee on the accreditation already awarded to Highland Council's school meals and how this could be further developed in the future.  

Community asset transfers approved by Councillors

Two Highland communities have had their requests for buildings to be transferred over to them approved by The Highland Council At todays (Thursday 16 May 2019) Environment, Development and Infrastructure Committee members agreed to transfer the Bettyhill Visitor Centre to the Strathnaver Museum, creating an opportunity for an enhanced cultural heritage and community "hub" in the far north.   Until recently the Visitor Centre with a cafe, situated next to the Strathnaver Museum, was run by Visit Scotland.  

Step forward for trial air services between Skye and Glasgow

At today's 16 May 2019 meeting of the Environment, Development and Infrastructure Committee, Councillors gave the go ahead for the Chair to write to the Transport Secretary on behalf of the Council, HITRANS and HIE seeking financial and technical support to enable the establishment of trial air services between Skye and Glasgow.   In March the Skye and Raasay Committee met to discuss the Skye aerodrome, specifically operational matters, revised fees and the scope to reintroduce trial air services between the island and Glasgow utilising and upgrading the existing airstrip at Ashaig Today the EDI Committee also approved the recommendation of the Skye and Raasay Committee that an additional £170K of funding be provided to undertake further engagement with statutory bodies and for preparation work, including obtaining necessary licenses and upgraded airport facilities.  

Car Parking Charges Have Begun - Watch Where You Park

Parking Enforcement is coming to a street near you.   With the Decriminalisation of Parking Enforcement, and establishment of the Highland Council Parking Services in 2016, the local authority has committed to the roll-out of enforcement activities across all population centres in Highland.  

Vulnerable Witnesses Bill Passed

Legislation to ensure more child witnesses are able to pre-record evidence ahead of jury trials has been passed unanimously by the Scottish Parliament.   The Vulnerable Witnesses (Criminal Evidence) (Scotland) Bill will minimise distress and improve the quality of evidence given as it will be recorded at an earlier stage in proceedings for the most serious offences.  

Sturrock Review Into Bullying At NHS Highland

The Full Sturrock Review Can read HERE The Scottish Government Full Response To the Review Can Be Read HERE Response to Sturrock Review on NHS Highland.   A summit will be held this summer to consider what more can be done to promote positive workplace practices across the NHS.  

Free MOT certificate copies to save motorists £6 million

Motorists in Great Britain are set to save up to £6 million per year thanks to a new DVSA online service.  This allows them to get a free copy MOT certificate if they've lost theirs, instead of paying an MOT centre up to £10 for one.  

Provisional Scottish sea fisheries statistics 2018

Latest figures show that in 2018, Scottish-registered fishing vessels landed 445 thousand tonnes of sea fish and shellfish with a value of £572 million.  This represents an decrease of 20 thousand tonnes[1] (4%) and an increase of £12 million (no significant change in real terms[2]) from 2017.