News Archive
3/9/2015
Highland MSP Duo Seek City Deal Funding for Lentran Loop Reinstatement
Highlands and Islands (Scottish Labour) MSPs, David Stewart and Rhoda Grant are seeking a commitment from the Scottish Government to progress the reinstatement of the Lentran Loop, north of Inverness, to allow for the passing of trains in order to reduce congestion and improve the rail service north. In June 2015, David Stewart MSP, asked the Scottish Government if they would consider the construction of a length of re-doubled track at Lentran, that would reduce congestion on the line connecting Inverness and the north.3/9/2015
UNISON welcomes end of employment tribunal fees in Scotland
UNISON has welcomed the Scottish Government announcement that it intends to abolish fees for employment tribunals in Scotland. This announcement comes the week after UNISON vowed to go to the UK Supreme Court in its ongoing fight to appeal against the UK government's decision to introduce employment tribunal fees across the UK - after the Court of Appeal rejected UNISON's case.3/9/2015
UNISON calls for Freedom of Information to follow the money
UNISON is calling on the Scottish Government to extend Freedom of Information (FOI) to cover all organisations delivering public services. This call was made in its response (today) to the Scottish Government's consultation on further extension of the coverage of the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002.1/9/2015
Dingwall & Highland Marts Ltd - Sale 1 September 2015
DINGWALL, Dingwall & Highland Marts Ltd., (September, 1st) sold 25 prime cattle. Prime bullocks (3) averaged 209.9p (-0.5p) and sold to 212p per kg and £1,341.60 gross.31/8/2015
Budding cooks invited to enter Young Highland Chef 2015
Budding chefs are being given the chance to win work experience at one of the UK's top restaurants. Entries have now opened for Young Highland Chef 2015.
31/8/2015
Dingwall & Highland Marts Ltd - Sale 28 August 2015
DINGWALL, Dingwall & Highland Marts Ltd, (August, 28th) sold 112 rams at its fourth annual ‘Great from Grass' on farm sale of rams at Fearn Farm, Tain, on behalf of Messrs J Scott & Partners. Texel shearlings (44) averaged £739.77 and sold to 1300 guineas.30/8/2015
NEW COMPETITION FOR ENTREPRENEURIAL YOUTHS LAUNCHED
The North Highland Regeneration Fund (NHRF) and North Highland College (NHC) are delighted to announce the launch of the iStart Challenge, a competition designed to encourage entrepreneurial spirit amongst young people in the area. The competition, which is aimed at young people aged 16-24 living in Caithness and North Sutherland, invites enterprising individuals or teams to come up with a great business idea to be in with a chance of winning a cash prize and support to develop their business.
30/8/2015
Green Isle and Lodesman At Gills Harbour
We thank John Green for his picture of what £4.5 million of marine renewables vessels + kit looks like when alongside at Gills Harbour..
30/8/2015
New Lords will cost £1.2m per year, say experts
Commenting on the Prime Minister's announcement appointing 45 new Peers to the House of Lords, Katie Ghose, Chief Executive of the Electoral Reform Society, said: "At a time when the government is talking about reducing the cost of politics, this announcement is an expensive insult to the public. These new appointments will cost at least £1.2m per year [1], and that's before increased operating costs are taken into account.29/8/2015
Wick High computing success bucks national trends 
The progress of ICT learning by pupils at Wick High School is bucking national trends as more girls at the school take part in the "Apps for Good" programme and teams of boys and girls from the school win UK competitions. Five pupils, Leanne Cormack, Megan Shearer, Konrad Szewczyk, Ellora James, John Sutherland and their Teacher, Chris Aitken impressed Members of the Council's Education, Children and Adult Services Committee with presentations about their experiences in developing Apps and participating in the "Apps for Good" final at London.
29/8/2015
Caithness and North Sutherland Regeneration Partnership - Update
Week commencing 24th August 2015 Energy & Business Services I was able to help with a visit to Caithness this week by representatives from an Aberdeen-based multi-national energy company. I introduced the representatives to some local organisations, and it was particularly good to see immediate interest in practical opportunities to do business in the area.29/8/2015
Campaign to encourage young voters in Highland and Islands to register
A campaign which aims to encourage all 15-17 year olds who will be eligible to vote for the first time in the Scottish Parliament election scheduled for May 2016 to sign up and register has begun across Highland and Islands. The initiative is part of a wider campaign that has been launched nationally across Scotland by the Electoral Commission.29/8/2015
Caithness HVDC Switching Station - Consultation Events
www.ssepd.co.uk/CaithnessHVDC.
29/8/2015
Council to ask Inverness Leisure and High Life Highland to amalgamate
Members of The Highland Council's Education, Children and Adult Services Committee have agreed that the Council should invite the Chief Executives of Inverness Leisure and High Life Highland to work together to agree a process leading to the amalgamation of the two organisations. High Life Highland (HLH) delivers the Council's Public Service Obligations for: Adult Learning; Archives; Arts; Leisure Facilities; Libraries; Museums; Outdoor Education; Sport; and Youth Work across the Highland area through a Service Delivery Contract with the Council.27/8/2015
Dingwall & Highland Marts Ltd - Sale 27 August 2015
DINGWALL, Dingwall & Highland Marts Ltd., (August 27th) sold 10,103 store lambs at their annual sale including 456 on behalf of Lewis Livestock Producers (first sale). Cheviot wedder lambs (5,562) averaged £44.31 (-£3.26 on the year) and sold to £63.00 gross twice from Invereen, Tomatin, and Achterneed Farm, Strathpeffer.26/8/2015
Members seek reassurance that safeguards are in place for major projects
The Corporate Arrears Recovery System Project was to purchase a system which would allow the Council to link all its debtors' associated debts into one system. Funding for the project was approved in 2012, however the project was abandoned in October 2014 at a cost of £287,565.25/8/2015
New Improved Blue Bin Service Begins 
The Highland Council's new improved recycling service begins next week. From 31st August residents can also put plastic pots, tubs and trays (excluding black plastic) into the blue recycling bin - in addition to cardboard food & drink cartons, aerosols and envelopes which were added in earlier in the summer.
24/8/2015
Growing Pains - Running A Craft Business
Thursday 10 September, 12.45 -16.30 Caithness Horizons, Thurso (Please note that lunch is not provided, however you are welcome to have lunch at The Caithness Horizons Cafe prior to the event) Running a craft practice is addictive - there is always more to try, new ideas to explore and projects to develop. Growing your business allows you to confidently pursue these exciting new opportunities to strengthen your profile, expand your range of customers and generate healthy profits.
24/8/2015
Highland MSP Congratulates Far North Kitchen Firm
Highlands and Islands (Scottish Labour) MSP, David Stewart has congratulated Caithness kitchen manufacturer Ashley Ann following its announced expansion plans over the next two years, lodging a motion in the Scottish Parliament. The Caithness based firm, which has its manufacturing site in Wick, which alone employees over 100 people, has announced major plans to expand the site over the next two years with over £1million being invested in the factory.24/8/2015
