News Archive

Save, Borrow, Plan for Tomorrow With Hi-Scot Credit Union

Hi-Scot Credit Union has been in business for over 10 years and initially started in the Western Isles expanding into the other areas of Highlands and Islands a few years ago.   With an increasing membership now standing at over 2500 the group headed up by a small team of staff and a volunteer board of directors Hi-Scot Credit Union is going from strength to strength.  

Roll-out of free WIFI For Inverness

FREE Wifi will be extended across the city centre in Inverness this summer.   The free service, "Ness Wifi", will be rolled out in the second phase of the Inverness City WiFi project.  

Commercial Board to lead economic approach

The Highland Council has agreed to set up a Commercial Board amongst a range of other recommendations to redesign the Council, including strengthening local democracy.   The establishment of Commercial Board aims to create a step change in income generation with a social purpose in mind.  

New SRUC Research Validates Traditional Healers' Claims Over Parasite Infections In Ethiopia

New research from Scotland's Rural College (SRUC) has validated claims of traditional healers in Ethiopia that indigenous plants have strong anti-parasitic properties.   The findings could lead to benefits to Ethiopian farmers - who farm the country’s 24 million sheep and 19 million goats - with local plants being used to fight damaging livestock infections such as worms.  

€2.42 Billion Fine For Google But Appeal Likely

Statement by Commissioner Vestager on European Commission decision to fine Google €2.42 billion for abusing dominance as search engine by giving illegal advantage to own comparison shopping service.   The European Commission has decided to fine Google €2.4 billion for breaching EU antitrust rules.  

Rhoda Grant MSP Raises A Question On Highland Toilets

Highlands & Islands Regional MSP, Rhoda Grant has written to the Chief Executive of Highland Council, Steve Barron and also the Chief Executive of Visit Scotland, Malcolm Roughead, seeking the current position with Council managed toilet facilities available within Highland communities for locals and in particular visitors to these areas.   Rhoda Grant said " We have a unique and wonderful asset in our iconic scenery all across the Highlands & Islands.  

Highland Council To Debate Another 5 Years Of Cuts

Highland council will hear from the finance director Derek Yule on Thursday 29th June 2017 when he speaks on his paper "Financial Outlook 2018 - 2023".   The outlook for council finances as set out in the paper Financial Outlook 2018 - 2023 is for five years of cuts and reductions in services as the forecast is for reduction in grant income of 2%, 3.5% or 5% which would produce a budget gap of £129 million to £187 million over 5 years.  

‘Tell Us Once' automatically updates government departments

A new service for the bereaved in Highland is launched today by The Highland Council called ‘Tell Us Once'.   The service will ensure that when a death is registered in the Highland area, a notification is automatically issued to most government agencies which removes the need for grieving families to notify multiple public bodies.  

Multi-million Pound Contract Awarded For A96 Dualling

July start for £50m design work.   Transport Scotland today announced the intention to award a contract worth up to £50 million, to carry out route option assessment and detailed design work for dualling the 26-mile eastern section of the A96 between east of Huntly and Aberdeen.  

Local Authority Provisional Outturn (2016-17) And Budget Estimates (2017-18)

An Official Statistics Publication for Scotland.   Scotland's Chief Statistician today published 2016-17 Provisional Outturn and 2017-18 Budget Estimates Statistics.