News Archive

£1.42M for six sustainable timber transport road projects in Highland

SIX timber transport projects that benefit communities and the environment on rural roads in Highland are to receive £1.42 million of funding announced today.   These projects will improve rural infrastructure and greatly reduce the impact of timber haulage on local communities.  

Hate Crime Reporting Encouraged

10% decrease in racial hate crime charges brought by police.   People affected by hate crime have been encouraged to come forward to police to ensure perpetrators can be properly dealt with.  

Caithness Sutherland and Easter Ross constituency - UK Parliamentary General Election result

Jamie Stone has been elected as the Member of Parliament for the Caithness Sutherland and Easter Ross constituency at the UK Parliamentary election on 8 June 2017.   The election count was held overnight at the Highland Football Academy, Victoria Park in Dingwall.  

Rock Works On The A890 Stromeferry Bypass

The Highland Council has appointed Geo-Rope Ltd to undertake planned maintenance works to the rock face above the A890 Stromeferry Bypass.   Works are programmed to begin on the 10th of July for approximately 8 weeks.  

Roads Opening On M8, M73 And M74

Keith Brown has announced the opening of the M8, M73 and M74 as part of the £500m M8 M73 M74 Motorway Improvements Project.   The Cabinet Secretary for Economy, Jobs and Fair work said all daytime lane restrictions on the M8, M73 and M74 will be removed progressively, freeing up capacity on the key part of Central Scotland's motorway network.  

Reforms to put children at the heart of the system

Deputy First Minister John Swinney has set out his vision of empowerment and devolution for Scottish education.   At the School Leaders Scotland summer conference, the DFM reiterated his pledge to make teachers and parents the key decision makers in schools.  

Dr Paul Monaghan - SNP Candidate for Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross

Dr Paul Monaghan was elected as the Member of Parliament for Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross in May 2015 and was quickly recognised as one of the hardest working MPs.  Paul was the first Member of Parliament for the far north ever to open an office in the constituency, and over the last two years has assisted over 3,400 constituents, and held over 160 surgeries, public meetings and home visits in every corner of the constituency.  

Cap Reform Payments

Scottish farmers denied the full £190 million.   Scottish hill farmers on average are being denied around £14,000 over a six year period under the CAP convergence uplift Rural Secretary Fergus Ewing has said.  

Leader questions future of Inverness Control Room

Responding to questions asked in the Scottish Parliament, Leader of the Highland Council, Margaret Davidson said: "I am shocked to hear that Police Scotland is considering options other than to have the National Database Enquiry Unity (NDEU) based in Inverness.  This would be going back on promises and commitments made since Police Scotland announced the intended closure of the Control Room in Inverness.  

Oil And Gas Innovation Spend Up

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has welcomed new figures showing oil and gas innovation spend in Scotland almost trebled last year.   Funding of £15.9m from Scottish Enterprise supported 82 companies to deliver 111 innovation projects with a combined value of £43 million to develop and maintain companies' global competitiveness.