News Archive
6/9/2015
Preparatory works to begin on Inverness West Link Road, Inverness
Works on the long awaited Inverness West Link Project will begin in mid-September. Funding for the project was unanimously agreed by Council in March this year.6/9/2015
Growing film and TV production
New Production Growth Fund to encourage producers to base major projects in Scotland. A new £1.75m Production Growth Fund will give Film and TV producers a new incentive to base their productions in Scotland.6/9/2015
Employee Survey shows significant positive progress
The initial results of the recent Highland Council staff survey show a very positive trend. There were 3831 responses with a good overall response rate of 36%.6/9/2015
Minimum wage increase for agricultural workers
The Scottish Agricultural Wages Board (SAWB) has agreed, following the annual meeting of the Wages Board on August 26, 2015, proposed increase in minimum wage rates that will come into effect as from October 1, 2015. The minimum rate of pay for agricultural workers with more than 26 weeks continuous employment will increase by 10p per hour to £7.24 bringing the minimum wage for a 39 hour week to £282.36.6/9/2015
Volume and Value of Fish Landings Increase in 2014
Statistics published by Scotland's Chief Statistician show that the value of fish landed by Scottish vessels in 2014 increased by 18 per cent in real terms from 2013. The quantity of fish landed increased by 31 per cent from 2013.6/9/2015
£400,000 to support Scotland's young people
First Minister announces Prince's Trust Scotland investment. Scotland's young people will receive support to kick start their entrepreneurial dreams, First Minister Nicola Sturgeon announced today.6/9/2015
Stagecoach supports drive to regenerate Scotland's communities
Transport operator Stagecoach Group is joining forces with Scotland's Towns Partnership to help support the regeneration of the country’s towns and communities. The aim is to improve connectivity, community and prosperity for towns across Scotland and help facilitate their success by sharing ideas, delivering improved accessibility and raising the profile of Scottish towns.5/9/2015
Scotland responds to humanitarian crisis
First Minister establishes taskforce to co-ordinate refugee action. An operational taskforce is to be established to co-ordinate Scotland's practical response to the humanitarian refugee crisis following a summit convened by First Minister Nicola Sturgeon in Edinburgh today.
3/9/2015
Dingwall & Highland Marts Ltd - Sale 2 September 2015
LOCHMADDY, Dingwall & Highland Marts Ltd., (September, 2nd) sold 2,430 store lambs. Lambs (2,430) sold to £72 per head for Cheviots from 24 Liniclate, Benbecula.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
