News Archive
4/11/2015
Step closer for CaSPlan
The Highland Council today (Wednesday 4 November 2015) took a major step in agreeing a future vision and strategy for development of the Caithness and Sutherland area over the next 20 years with councillors approval of the Caithness and Sutherland Proposed Local Development Plan (CaSPlan). Once formally adopted it will replace the Caithness Local Plan and Sutherland Local Plan and will be used to guide decisions on planning applications in both Caithness and Sutherland.2/11/2015
HITRANS appoints officer to spearhead rural airports project
HITRANS, the regional transport partnership for the Highlands and Islands, has appointed a project officer to spearhead a significant European-funded project to assist and develop rural and remote airports with use of new technologies. Jayne Westbrook took over this week as Project Officer of SPARA 2020, which stands for Smart Peripheral and Remote Airports - a three-year £1.8 million Northern Periphery and Arctic Programme area project.2/11/2015
Living Wage Increases From Today
The UK's voluntary living wage, as promoted by the Living Wage Foundation campaign group, is to be increased by 40p an hour. The new rate will rise to £8.25 per hour from £7.85.1/11/2015
Celebrations as Highlands & Islands Food & Drink Awards Winners Announced
New Business Award 2015 Winner: Dunnet Bay Distillers Seventeen businesses across the Highlands, islands and Cairngorms National Park area are celebrating wins from the area's most prestigious food and drink awards. The awards recognise excellence across a range of businesses from artisan producers and large-scale food exporters to restaurants and farm shops.1/11/2015
Strong run of growth continues at HIAL
Airport operator HIAL's strong run of growth in 2015 continued in the last quarter according to latest figures. In the third quarter (July to September), the group recorded an extra 12,522 passengers (up 3.1%) compared to the same period in 2014.
1/11/2015
Caithness and North Sutherland Regeneration Partnership - Update
Week Commencing 26 October 2015 Tourism, Food & Drink (Saturday 31st) sees the official launch at John O' Groats of public art works commissioned by CNSRP partner Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) and supported by Creative Scotland Lottery Fund. The works, entitled "nomadic boulders" will be officially launched at an event at the site on Saturday at 5pm.1/11/2015
Map to Success - Orienteering events generate over £9 million for economy
Hosting two concurrent international orienteering events in the Highlands proved to be a run-away success bringing in £9.4 million to the Scottish economy, VisitScotland can reveal. The 2015 World Orienteering Championships (WOC) and Highland 2015, the 20th Scottish 6 Days Orienteering event, were held between 31 July and 8 August this year.1/11/2015
Six Head Teachers appointed in Highland schools
The Highland Council has appointed 6 new Head Teachers at schools in the Highlands. The appointments include: Nigel Engstrand as Head Teacher at Inverness Royal Academy.1/11/2015
Appeal to private landlords to assist with housing Syrian refugees
The Highland Council is appealing to private landlords or people who own vacant houses who may be able to offer a house for rent to a Syrian Refugee family. The Council is expecting to take around 25 to 30 families from Syrian Refugee camps early in the new year as part of the UK Refugee Resettlement Programme.1/11/2015
Thurso Cinema To Be Re-opened by Merlin Cinemas
Merlin Cinemas who have chain of cinemas are to re-open Thurso cinema. So will you go back to the pictures once gives an opening date? First films to be shown include the new James Bond film 'Spectre' and the final installment of the Hunger Games.1/11/2015
Wave energy first for Scottish aquaculture
Aquaculture will play a key role in the development of future wave energy technology in a new collaboration between the public and private sector. Wave Energy Scotland (WES), a subsidiary of Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE), has announced a £720,000 partnership, which will demonstrate wave energy converters as a means of powering offshore aquaculture installations and potentially, remote island communities.
1/11/2015
We are North Highland College UHI
Filmed in 2015 by Storyboard Films in the North Highlands of Scotland. The North Highland College (NHC) UHI covers almost 4,000 square miles of the scenic Highlands.
1/11/2015
Highlands and Islands marks 50 years of development
Fifty years on from the start of government supported economic and community development in the Highlands and Islands the region has emerged as a major contributor to the Scottish economy. This week (1 November) sees the 50th anniversary of the creation of the Highlands and Islands Development Board (HIDB), which subsequently became Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE).1/11/2015
Developing Scotland's young workforce
£500,000 to deliver elements of Youth Employment Strategy. Schools will receive additional support to help prepare young people for the world of work, it has been announced today.1/11/2015
Scotland's Population Projected to Continue to Rise
Scotland's population is projected to continue to increase into the future. Statistics published today by the National Records of Scotland (NRS) show the population of Scotland is projected to rise from 5.35 million in 2014 to 5.51 million over the next ten years, and then to continue to rise to 5.7 million by 2039 - an increase of seven per cent over the 25 year period.
1/11/2015
Small Businesses Boost
Record numbers benefitting from bonus scheme. Record numbers of small business properties are benefitting from the Scottish Government's Small Business Bonus Scheme (SBBS), according to new figures.1/11/2015
Non-Domestic Rates Relief Statistics for Small Businesses in Scotland 2015
Scotland's Chief Statistician today published Non-domestic Rates Relief Statistics for Small Businesses in Scotland 2015. The publication provides statistics on the Small Business Bonus Scheme (SBBS), which provides non-domestic business rates relief (business rates discounts) to small businesses in Scotland.1/11/2015
Tackling low pay and zero hours
New public sector procurement guidance to promote fair work. As Living Wage Week kicks off, new statutory guidance for the public sector comes into force (Sunday November 1) formalising the Scottish Government's commitment to fair work procurement practices.1/11/2015
Key high value fish stock increase
Monkfish, megrim and West of Scotland langoustine stocks are increasing, according to new scientific assessments published on 30th October 2015. The increased quotas for these high value stocks that are of vital importance to our fishing communities could potentially provide an additional £11 million to the Scottish fleet.1/11/2015
