News Archive
24/5/2017
Dingwall & Highland Marts Ltd - Sale 24 May 2017
DINGWALL, Dingwall & Highland Marts Ltd., (May, 24th) sold 294 store cattle. Bullocks (154) averaged 251.4p and sold to 339.4p per kg for a pen of 218kg Simmental crosses from Proncy Farm, Dornoch, and £1,200 gross for a 585kg Simmental cross from 87 Torrobole, Lairg.24/5/2017
The Nkt Victoria - New Vessel Laying Cable From Caithness To Moray
The newly launched NKT purpose-built vessel left Abrdeen Harbour on Saturday in preparation for its maiden project to install two subsea power cables connecting Caithness to Moray. The NKT Victoria, which has just arrived following its maiden voyage from Sweden, is being used to lay 113km of high voltage direct current (HVDC) subsea cable across the Moray Firth as part of Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks' £1.1bn Caithness-Moray transmission project.
23/5/2017
Aquaculture supply chain £1m innovation fund open
Small to medium enterprises (SMEs) working in the aquaculture supply chain in the Highlands and Islands can now apply to a £1 million innovation fund, which has opened for applications. Announced in March the 30-month pilot programme, Accelerating Aquaculture Innovation (AAI), is led by HIE, and delivered in partnership with Scottish Aquaculture Innovation Centre (SAIC).
22/5/2017
Surge In Overseas Visitors
Scotland experienced a 6% surge in visitors from overseas in 2016, new figures show. Statistics published by the Office for National Statistics (ONS) today highlight an additional 155,000 overseas visits were made to Scotland last year compared with 2015, strongly supported by a rise in the number of tourists from North America.19/5/2017
New Research Shows Scottish Public Supports Investments To Restore Peatlands
New research has found that the general public is supportive of ambitious plans by the Scottish Government to restore Scotland's peatlands - which benefits water quality, wildlife and carbon storage. The large scale national survey was led by a team of researchers at Scotland’s Rural College (SRUC), the James Hutton Institute and the University of Leeds.
18/5/2017
Highland Council elects Leaders
The Highland Council has elected Councillor Margaret Davidson as Council Leader at its meeting today, 18 May 2017. Councillor Alasdair Christie was elected Depute Leader and Councillor Bill Lobban was elected Convener of the Council.17/5/2017
Dingwall & Highland Marts Ltd - Sale 17 May 2017
DINGWALL, Dingwall & Highland Marts Ltd., (May, 17th) sold 103 pedigree and commercial Luing cattle at their ninth annual spring breeding sale sponsored by W & A Geddes and Harbro Ltd. Pedigree bulling heifers (74) averaged £1,519.52 and sold to 1,995gns (£1,900), twice for 25 month old heifers from Mr F Scott Renwick, Inverbroom Farm, Ullapool, to A & C Matheson, Upper Bogrow, Tain.16/5/2017
Transformers Arrive At Scrabster For The £1.1bn Caithness-Moray project
Four transformers that will play a vital role in the north of Scotland's future electricity network are set to make the final stage of their journey to Spittal substation, Achanarras, over the coming weeks. The transformers, which each weigh approximately 170 tonnes, have been delivered by sea from Sweden to Port of Scrabster where they are due to be loaded on to multi-axel trailers by specialist haulier Allelys, working on behalf of Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks (SSEN) and its lead contractor ABB.
16/5/2017
Dingwall & Highland Marts Ltd - Sale 16 May 2017
DINGWALL, Dingwall & Highland Marts Ltd., (May, 16th) sold 10 prime cattle. Prime bullocks (5) averaged 211.0p (-3.7p) and sold to 219.0p per kg and £1,333.00 gross.15/5/2017
Moray Firth Radio Cash for Kids joins forces with Trading Standards in the Real Deal Scheme
MFR Cash for Kids Charity Car Boot Sale is the latest recruit to be signed up by Highland Council Trading Standards to join the Real Deal scheme. The scheme was launched six years ago in a bid to stamp out the illegal trade in fake goods at markets and to ensure businesses are fully compliant with the relevant laws.
15/5/2017
Non Domestic Rates 2017/18 - Does Your Business Qualify For Reliefs?
The Highland Council is reminding Non-Domestic Rates (NDR) customers of the various reliefs available. NDR is also known as Business Rates.15/5/2017
Retailers' Footfall Up But Worrying Rise In Shop Vacancies
Footfall in Scotland grew by 3.2 per cent in April, the third fastest growth rate of all the nations/regions and the fastest growth in Scotland itself since July 2014. This rate was well above the three-month average of 1.8 per cent, the highest three-month average in Scotland since September 2014, and the 12-month average, which was flat.15/5/2017
MSP asks: how long does it take to undertake a pay review?
A Highlands and Islands MSP is questioning why the Scottish Government is taking so long to settle a long-running dispute over fair pay. Labour's Rhoda Grant asked Environment Secretary Roseanna Cunningham what action it was taking in light of Marine Scotland seafarers' recent vote in favour of industrial action over pay.14/5/2017
A new centre of excellence for testing emerging technologies in the subsea sector
A new centre of excellence for testing emerging technologies in the subsea sector is to be established with support from Scottish Enterprise, First Minister Nicola Sturgeon announced today. Balmoral Offshore Engineering, based in Aberdeen, is creating a new open access hyperbaric pressure testing facility for the oil and gas supply chain, and specifically for the subsea sector.14/5/2017
Update on global cyber attacks from Scottish Government
Impact on Scotland. There have been no further reported problems with NHS systems in Scotland following the global cyber-attack, Health Secretary Shona Robison has confirmed.14/5/2017
MMICS Thematic Inspection Of The Scottish Police Authority - Terms Of Reference
Phase 1 - Review of Openness & Transparency. HM Chief Inspector of Constabulary in Scotland Derek Penman has today published his terms of reference for phase 1 of the thematic Inspection of the Scottish Police Authority (SPA).12/5/2017
Highland Council rail concessions change on 21 May 2017
From 21 May 2017, people aged 60 and over who currently benefit from Highland Council’s rail concessionary travel scheme are being advised that half fare rail concessions for the majority of entitled Highland residents will cease. Free travel remains available by bus, and card holders are advised to keep their entitlement cards which can still be used on bus routes throughout Scotland.12/5/2017
Strategic Partnership Agreement with Hyundai
Atlantis, a global leader in the tidal power generation sector, announces that it has signed a Strategic Partnership Agreement ("SPA") with South Korean offshore construction giant Hyundai Engineering & Construction Co., Ltd ("Hyundai") regarding collaborating on the development of ocean power renewable projects globally. The particular focus for the collaboration is on the development of the domestic tidal stream market in South Korea and internationally as well as tidal range and floating offshore wind projects.12/5/2017
Encouraging Levels of Input to SRUC Strategy Discussions
Principal and Chief Executive of Scotland's Rural College Professor Wayne Powell has expressed his thanks to the many individuals and groups who have given their views about SRUC's new strategy over the last month. SRUC launched its new strategic vision on 19 April 2017 and since then has held 21 discussion meetings across Scotland involving staff, students and stakeholders.11/5/2017
