News Archive

Multi- agency partners provide support to annual festive safety initiative, Operation Respect

With the approach of the festive season, multi-agency partners have once again joined forces to support Operation Respect with the aim of making the streets of Inverness safer for shoppers and party goers, both day and night, during the festive season.   Supported by Inverness Community Safety Partnership and the Operation Respect multi-agency group, the city will see increased high visibility police patrols, as well as the use of Inverness Business Improvement District (BID) Security Task Team members and Taxi Marshals, the British Red Cross and Inverness Street Pastors.  

Island malt whisky alliances help conserve ancient Scottish crop

A second island alliance between university researchers in Orkney and a distillery on Islay has seen a new single malt whisky made from an ancient barley variety released this month.  Bruichladdich Distillery's Bere Barley 2008 is now available at selected Global Travel Retail outlets.  

Highland Council raises concerns over Universal Credit

Highland Council has raised concerns regarding Council tenants who are affected by Universal Credit, at a meeting of the Resources Committee on 26 November.   Chair of Resources, Maxine Smith said: "The exact number of people affected is unknown, however, we are aware of 32 households who are in receipt of Universal Credit of which 30 households are in rent arrears.  

StepChange Debt Charity Welcomes Government Announcements on Payday Loan Marketing

Following yesterday's announcement that the government has asked the Broadcast Committee of Advertising Practice (BCAP) to broaden the remit of its review of payday loan advertising to include the appropriateness of scheduling as well as content, and that the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) will consult on unsolicited marketing calls for payday loans, Mike O'Connor, chief executive of StepChange Debt Charity, said: "We are extremely pleased that the government has recognised the potential harm caused to millions of people through payday loan marketing.  We know that many people are drawn into a cycle of unaffordable borrowing through tempting offers that are clearly unaffordable and prevention is a welcome step forward." Children and advertising "Today's families are increasingly vulnerable to falling into a cycle of damaging problem debt.  

Dingwall & Highland Marts Ltd - Sale 27 November 2014

DINGWALL, Dingwall & Highland Marts Ltd., (November, 27th) sold 2,585 store sheep.  Lambs (1,740) averaged £53.22 and sold to £87 gross for a pen Suffolks from Garfield, Dingwall.  

Highland Council agrees £164k funding for welfare advice and support

THE Highland Council Resources Committee has approved the use of £163,920 from the Council's Welfare Fund to provide tailored welfare advice clinics across the Highlands, through the CAB network, starting in the New Year, from January 2015 until March 2016.  This includes £3,000 to provide specialist training for CAB workers to provide advice to people with mental ill health.  

Indian Restaurant In Wick Under New Ownership

The former Curry House in Bridge Street, Wick has changed hands.   The new owner Iqbal has chosen the name 'Red Rose Indian Restaurant".  

"End the uncertainty over schools and savings for less than a pound a week" says Highland Council Independent Group

The 34-strong Independent Group at Highland Council is calling on the people of the Highlands to help protect the vital services that the SNP/LibDem/Lab coalition is willing to sacrifice in the name of austerity.   Cllr Carolyn Wilson, Leader of the Independent Group said: "Despite the recent announcement of a u-turn on the length of the school day by Cllr Maxine Smith, Budget Leader on behalf of the SNP/LibDem/Lab coalition, we are still extremely concerned about the lack of clarity around the shortening of the school day.  

Caithness and North Sutherland Regeneration Partnership - Update

Week Commencing 17 November 2014 Energy & Business services: A representative from a large engineering company visited the area this week, and was able to see at first hand the range of companies, facilities and opportunities available in the area.  We had an extremely productive discussion on oil & gas and renewables opportunities.  

uSwitch Mobile Awards 2014

Last night's annual uSwitch.com Mobile Awards, held in London's Gherkin, revealed the UK's most popular mobile manufacturers, networks and retailers, as voted for by consumers and a judging panel of tech journalists.   People's Choice: - Three wins three out of the 10 awards voted for by consumers, including best pay monthly network and best value for money.