News Archive

Ancient Artefacts Uncovered By A9 Berriedale Road Scheme

Michael Matheson visited the £9.6m major road improvement project of the A9 at Berriedale Braes, Caithness on Thursday 29th August 2019 to see some of the ancient finds discovered during the archaeological excavations undertaken in advance of construction.   The Cabinet Secretary for Transport, Infrastructure & Connectivity also viewed the progress of the construction work to remove the notorious hairpin bend on the A9, which is on schedule to be completed by next spring, subject to exceptionally adverse weather.  

More electric vehicle charging points

A £7.5 million project between the public and private sectors has been established to deliver more electric vehicle charging points and ensure the infrastructure needed to support these is put in place.   The new strategic partnership will include Transport Scotland, SP Energy Networks and Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks (SSEN).  

£1 Million For Social Enterprises

Rural communities to benefit from digital hub.   Charities and voluntary organisations such as women's aid groups, food banks and youth clubs are set to benefit from £1 million of new funding.  

A new intermediate waste store is being constructed at Dounreay.

The first concrete pour has taken place on a new waste store at Dounreay that will be needed for the closure of the site.   Dounreay awarded the contract to construct the new intermediate level waste store to GRAHAM Construction Ltd.  

Social business programme launches across the Highlands and Islands

People with a business idea that will benefit their local community or environment will soon have access to a new programme of support, being launched across the Highlands and Islands.   Known as the Social Start-Up School, the innovative programme will be delivering four locally focused initiatives.  

Apply now for Community Transport grants

The Highland Council is now inviting applications for Community Transport grant funding, to cover the three-year period from April 2020 - March 2023.   The Council encourages both current grant recipients and new applicants to submit applications.  

Transport Secretary fails to answer MSP's call for PSO on Wick routes

Transport Secretary, Michael Matheson, has failed to answer a Highlands and Islands MSP's call for consideration of a Public Service Obligation on Wick airline routes.   Labour MSP, David Stewart, wrote to Mr Matheson last month following concern from Caithness Chamber of Commerce and airline company Eastern Airways about the continued viability of airline services.  

Best Start Grant Pays Out Nearly £13 Million

The new Best Start Grant package is putting more money in the pockets of low income families than the DWP system it replaced.   Since it started making Best Start Grant payments last December, Social Security Scotland has made more than 42,000 payments to families in Scotland, totalling £12.9 million.  

Dingwall & Highland Marts Ltd - Lamb Sales 22 August 2019

DINGWALL, Dingwall & Highland Marts Ltd., (August, 22nd) sold 14,827 store lambs at their annual district sale to average £49.39 (-£1.52 on the year).   Cheviot wedder lambs (7,417) averaged £45.67 (-£2.22) and sold to £84.00 gross from 9 Lochussie, Dingwall.  

Chromebook rollout prepares pupils for new era of digital learning

The Council has successfully distributed more than 20,000 Chromebook devices to all its schools to support learners to acquire key technology and life skills in facilitating a digitally enabled generation.   Based on the ICT in Learning Strategic Action Plan 2015, The Highland Council started the Chromebook Project in November 2017 where every pupil in P6-S6 will be allocated a Chromebook for their use in school and at home for educational purposes and P1-P5 pupils will have access to Chromebooks at school on a 1:5 ratio.