News Archive
2/7/2015
Finalists announced for a record-breaking Highlands & Islands Food & Drink Awards
Thirty-eight businesses across the Highlands, islands and Cairngorms National Park area have been shortlisted for the area's most prestigious food and drink awards. Finalists ranged from new businesses to established producers; family-run restaurants to Michelin-starred establishments and demonstrated the strength and diversity of food and drink businesses across the region.2/7/2015
Highland Council invites tenders for ICT Core Services
The Highland Council has published its notice to tender for ICT Core Services on Public Contracts Scotland website. The scope of the ICT Core Services to be sourced under this procurement are broadly defined as ‘providing managed technology infrastructure, application systems and desktop services required for the delivery of the Authority's business including educational ICT and online Public Access Services'.2/7/2015
Unique course for North Highland tourist guides available from September
A new course, aimed at students already in the tourist industry or aspiring guides who want to get into the industry in the North Highland area, is now available at seven study locations across the University of the Highlands and Islands. The certificate in higher education tourist guiding (North Highlands) is specifically designed for the North Highland area.2/7/2015
Wick and Arran pupils announced as winners of 'dragon's den' apps competition
Pupils from Wick High School and Lamlash Primary School on the Isle of Arran have been announced as winners of a dragon's den style competition to design apps that solve real-world problems. The Highlands and Islands ‘Apps for Good' final took place today where schools from across the region pitched their products via live videos to a panel of judges based at UHI’s executive office in Inverness.2/7/2015
Highlands MSP gets 573 people to sign i-petition after only four working days
Highlands & Islands (including Moray ) MSP, David Stewart, who is campaigning to keep the Inverness Disease Surveillance Centre open at the SRuC, Drummond Hill facility in the city, is delighted that his efforts are being supported by people from far and wide. Speaking this afternoon David Stewart said " Behind the scenes there are a lot of people working very hard to make sure that the proposals from those on high at the Scottish Rural College are not supported, because frankly they are not thought through and they are at risk of putting disease control backwards".30/6/2015
Dingwall & Highland Marts Ltd - Sale 30 June 2015
DINGWALL, Dingwall & Highland Marts Ltd., (June, 16th) sold 26 prime cattle. Prime bullocks (21) averaged 199.1p (+3.4p) and sold to 211p per kg and £1,408 gross.28/6/2015
Caithness Horizons Museum retains five star Visit Scotland grading for 7th year in a row
Caithness Horizons Museum in Thurso has recently been reviewed by Visit Scotland grading authority and are delighted to keep its Five Star Visitor Attraction status for a seventh year running. The news comes shortly after receiving a Certificate Of Excellence from Trip Advisor earlier in the month.27/6/2015
Caithness and North Sutherland Regeneration Partnership - Update
Week Commencing 22 June 2015. Energy & Business Services Following their attendance at last week's Wick RNLI Open Day this week's Caithness Courier carries a piece on the team from Beatrice Offshore Windfarm Ltd (BOWL), who took a stand at the event to promote the project.26/6/2015
SOLUTION TO BERRIEDALE PROBLEMS A TOP PRIORITY, SAYS CHAMBER
Caithness Chamber of Commerce and Caithness Transport Forum have long been concerned about the economic impact of the Berriedale Braes on the region and are now calling on the Scottish Government to commit to funding a solution this year. "For too long, the Scottish Government has ignored the impact the Berriedale Braes has on those living and working in the North of Scotland and Orkney Isles," said Chamber chief executive Trudy Morris, who also chairs the Transport Forum.
26/6/2015
Provost and Leader of Inverness and Area elected
Councillor Helen Carmichael who represents Aird and Loch Ness Ward was elected as the new Provost and Leader of Inverness and Area today (Thursday 25 June 2015). Nominated by Councillor Margaret Davidson, and seconded by Councillor Jim Crawford, Councillor Carmichael was duly elected at a special meeting of the City of Inverness Area Committee held at Council Headquarters in Inverness.
26/6/2015
Highland businesses benefit from Broadband Voucher Scheme
Eight businesses are the first in Highland to successfully apply for free Broadband Connection Vouchers which will now enable them to boost their broadband to make sure they benefit from new IT opportunities and better productivity. The scheme, which provide grants of up to £3,000 to help small businesses and charities is funded by the UK Government's SuperConnected Cities Initiative and is administered locally by The Highland Council in conjunction with City of Edinburgh Council.26/6/2015
£2.3 Million to be invested in Highland Council roads
The Highland Council has agreed to invest £2.36 million in repairing the regional road network. The non-earmarked balance of reserves from 2014-15 is £5.928 million.23/6/2015
Dingwall & Highland Marts Ltd - Sale 23 June 2015
DINGWALL, Dingwall & Highland Marts Ltd., (June, 23rd) sold 28 prime cattle. Prime bullocks (22) averaged 207.1p (+8.0p) and sold to 219p per kg and £1,530.90 gross.23/6/2015
Disabled consumers should be "bold and loud" about their spending power, says independent commission
The Extra Costs Commission (ECC) publishes its final recommendations today from its year-long inquiry into the extra costs faced by disabled people. Launched in response to research by disability charity Scope, the report reveals that disabled people pay a financial penalty on everyday living costs - on average £550 per month.23/6/2015
LAND REFORM BILL - REAL PROGRESS, BUT NEEDS TO BE BOLDER STILL
Community Land Scotland has welcomed the introduction of the new Land Reform Bill to Parliament as making real and important progress, but is urging the Scottish Government and Parliament to go further in what it proposes. Highlighting the importance of the progress towards a comprehensive and statutory Land Rights and Responsibilities Statement, the creation of a Land Commission, and further powers of intervention to force sales to communities when owners are frustrating sustainable development, Lorne MacLeod, Chair of Community Land Scotland, said, "Community Land Scotland has long argued for more radical land reform to tackle Scotland's unjust land ownership patterns.22/6/2015
New policy for extended opening hours for special events approved by Board
At its meeting on 16 June 2015, the Highland Licensing Board approved the final terms of its Supplementary Licensing Policy Statement on Extended Hours for Special Events of Local or National Significance. This supplements the Board's main Licensing Policy Statement 2013-2016 and will have effect as Board Policy until November 2016, when the main Statement is next due for review.20/6/2015
Caithness and North Sutherland Regeneration Partnership - Update
Week commencing 15th June 2015 Energy & Business Services Good to meet representatives from SSE Power Distribution in Thurso this week as they undertook a final consultation on the proposed route for the new high voltage overhead line from a new substation at Thurso to a new substation at Philips Mains near Mey. The project has been the subject of three separate consultation phases since June 2011, and this phase shows how previous comments on the route have been taken into account before an application for consent is submitted to Highland Council this summer.17/6/2015
Have your say on Pilot Pentland Firth and Orkney Waters Marine Spatial Plan 
A consultation is being launched on a plan that will be used to guide development activity in the Pentland Firth and Orkney Waters. Members of the public will soon have the opportunity to give feedback on the draft plan.
16/6/2015
Enterprise Engineering Services Gains Prestigious Welding Accreditation
International engineering firm Enterprise Engineering Services (EES), which has a base in Caithness, is one of the first fabrication companies to achieve the Welding Fabricator Certification Scheme accreditation, BS EN ISO 3834. This demonstrates EES' capabilities for high integrity welding.
16/6/2015
