News Archive
7/10/2016
Two Wick Businesses Pick Up Awards
WINNERS OF HIGHLAND BUSINESS AWARDS 2016 ANNOUNCED. Pultneytown Peoples Project and Mackays Hotel.7/10/2016
Only 25.7% of trains at Wick arriving on time
Highlands and Islands Labour MSP Rhoda Grant is demanding action after official ScotRail statistics show trains at Wick arrive late more often than they arrive on time. The latest ‘Annual On Time Arrival at Destination’ figures show that only 25.7% of trains into the station arrived on time, meaning 74.3% were late.
7/10/2016
Rural retailers asked to take part in HIE study
Community and independently owned shops selling groceries in remote and rural parts of the Highlands and Islands are being asked to take part in a survey into the role they play in sustaining communities. The survey will help understand the factors affecting rural shops, and the strategies that could be adopted to remain sustainable and adapt to changing market conditions.7/10/2016
Culloden and Ardersier by-election result
Trish Robertson has been elected as Culloden and Ardersier Ward Member for Highland Council. The by-election for a councillor to serve the Culloden and Ardersier Ward (No 18) on The Highland Council has been won by Trish Robertson - Scottish Liberal Democrats.6/10/2016
Wick company on the look out for harvesters to pick a local delicacy
A Wick-based firm aims to expand production this autumn by recruiting casual workers to gather a forgotten food from the wild coasts of Caithness. New Wave Foods has been sustainably harvesting high-quality seaweed for food over the last six months.
6/10/2016
Dunnet Bay Distillery launches its third Seasonal Rock Rose Gin: The Autumn Edition
On 7th October, Dunnet Bay Distillery, the UK's most northerly mainland distillery will launch its third seasonal release. As with each limited edition in the range, the Autumn Edition features the same base botanicals as the multi award-winning Rock Rose Gin but with some seasonal variations.
5/10/2016
Council highlights new rules on occasional licences and public entertainment licences
Voluntary organisations and personal licence holders who obtain occasional licences for the sale of alcohol under the Licensing (Scotland) Act 2005 for events they are organising may shortly also require to obtain a public entertainment licence under the Civic Government (Scotland) Act 1982 for the same event. Premises with a premises licence or an occasional licence for the sale of alcohol under the 2005 Act have both up till now been exempt from the requirement also to hold a public entertainment licence ( PEL) under the 1982 Act.5/10/2016
New priorities for policing
Police Scotland to strengthen community focus and deal with emerging threats. Scotland needs an increasingly resilient, flexible, responsive and locally-focused police service to help keep communities safe.5/10/2016
Business Cases worth £48 Million submitted for City-Region Deal money
Business cases totalling a value of around £48 million have been submitted as part of the City-Region Deal. If approved, the money will be drawn down so that work can start on progressing a number of exciting projects in the Highlands.
5/10/2016
Provisional Budget date confirmed by Scottish Government
The timing of the Scottish Government's 2017-18 Budget has been confirmed to Parliament. Finance Secretary Derek Mackay has told MSPs that, subject to Parliamentary approval, the Draft Budget 2017-18 will be introduced to Parliament on 15th December 2016.5/10/2016
Protecting animal welfare
Tough new regulations on the use of electronic training collars for animals will be introduced in Scotland, Environment Secretary Roseanna Cunningham announced today. To help prevent animal suffering the use of electric pulse, sonic and spray collars will be prohibited, unless under the guidance of an approved trainer or vet.5/10/2016
Pesticide Usage in Scotland
Scotland's Chief Statistician today published three reports in relation to Pesticide Usage in Scotland. These were: pesticide use on outdoor vegetable crops in 2015, pesticide use in protected edible crops in 2015 and rodenticide use by local authorities in 2015.
2/10/2016
Waste contract signals Dounreay's community commitment
Amec Foster Wheeluker has been awarded a contract to design and build a new effluent treatment plant at Dounreay. The agreement signals a landmark move for the Caithness site as the first to incorporate socio-economic commitments following the introduction of a new procurement policy earlier this year.
2/10/2016
So you don't want to save? - Then Don't Join A Credit Union!!
You don't want to save so you won't want to read this item about credit unions. It is easy to do now in Highland and Islands now that Hi-Scot credit union is online with its services for savers and borrowers.1/10/2016
Japanese Ambassador visits Dounreay
His Excellency, Mr Koji Tsuruoka, Ambassador of Japan to the United Kingdom, Mr Yosuki Ishigami from the Economic Section of the Japanese Embassy and Mr Daisuke Matsunaga, Consul General of Japan in Edinburgh visited Dounreay during a two-day visit to the north of Scotland as a guest of Dr Paul Monaghan MP. At Dounreay the group toured the Prototype Fast Reactor (PFR), including the reactor hall.
1/10/2016
Caithness and North Sutherland Regeneration Partnership Update
Week Commencing 26 September 2016 Energy & Business Services: Activity at Scrabster harbour has continued this week, as more ballast blocks are transported through Thurso from JGC Engineering Services Ltd’s base at Janetstown. These huge (c.1/10/2016
New funding to support cutting-edge technology announced by the Chancellor
Philip Hammond has today (1 October 2016) unveiled a package of support which includes £220 million for the life science and university sectors to help technology breakthroughs translate into commercial success, as well as action to ensure disruptive businesses thrive in the UK. The package includes: * £100 million of funding to extend and enhance the Biomedical Catalyst, supporting innovative UK life science companies to translate cutting-edge medical technologies into commercial success.1/10/2016
Young Workers Get Boosted Minimum Wage From Today 1st October 2016
Young workers earning the National Minimum Wage are set to receive a pay rise of up to £450 a year from today (1 October 2016). * almost 270,000 of the UK's lowest paid workers to benefit from £450 annual pay rise.30/9/2016
New Year Bookings to Open with NorthLink Ferries
NorthLink Ferries is set to open bookings for travel to and from the Northern Isles for next year from Saturday (1 October). Peter Hutchinson, customer service director at NorthLink Ferries, said: "NorthLink Ferries is happy to announce that bookings for 2017 are to be accepted from Saturday.
30/9/2016
