News Archive
Following the landslip on the Knoydart Peninsula last Autumn work is progressing well and every effort is being made to get the affected section of single tracked road open to traffic for the Easter weekend. Following the failure immediate steps were taken to re-establish pedestrian and quad bike access, and this has been maintained throughout the works.
Ministers will consider financial assistance for local councils under the Bellwin Scheme following recent heavy snowfalls. Scottish Borders Council requested the scheme was triggered and it is now open for applications from all councils severely impacted by recent weather events, or those at risk from flooding as the snow melts.
Conditions across the Highland region vary considerably and you are advised to consider the forecast, Police advice and local conditions before travelling. If travelling, make sure you are prepared for delays and difficult conditions.
The A835 Ullapool- Ledmore Junction remains closed, An additional 6 inches on the route this morning with further snow showers forecast, drifting snow and high winds hampering treatment of route. Additional workforce has been brought in to the area helping the local squad who are attempting to push back the closure to Strathcanaird to allow access to Rhue, Blughasary and Strathcanaird.
2/3/2018
More and more people are taking work on Zero Hours arrangements but how many know their rights under such an arrangement. Generally paid at minimum wage rates with working hours agreed between the employer and employee.
The Amber warning affecting part of Highland, previously until 1800hrs today, has been extended until 1000hrs Friday 2nd March. This is on the basis of the current and predicted ground conditions, with air temperatures remaining below freezing and strong winds leading to drifting.
Six candidates are standing for election to fill a vacancy for the Caol and Mallaig Ward of The Highland Council. The by-election is being held following the sad death of Councillor Billy MacLachlan who was one of three Councillors representing Ward 11.
The Highland Council is to progress with plans to generate over £4 million profit and significantly reduce its carbon emissions by installing solar panels on its estate. The Council's Corporate Resources Committee yesterday (28 February 2018) approved a self-financing project using £2.3 million of capital to install 2.5 megawatts of solar panels on sites across the Council estate.
A Modern Apprenticeship Programme currently providing employment and training for almost 50 young people in The Highland Council has been welcomed by Members of the Council's Corporate Resources Committee for creating opportunities, empowering young people and serving Highland communities. Cllr Alister Mackinnon, Chair of the Corporate Resources Committee said: "Excellent progress has been made since the introduction of the Modern Apprenticeship Programme in August last year.
DINGWALL, Dingwall & Highland Marts Ltd., (February, 28th) sold 385 store cattle and 2 adult head of breeding cattle. Bullocks (209) averaged 236.9p and sold to 313.7p per kg for a pair of 255kg Simmental crosses from Refouble, Glenferness and £1,310 gross for a pair of 698kg Aberdeen Angus crosses from Raitcastle Farm, Nairn.
People in the Highlands claiming Housing Benefit are receiving the best service provided by any local authority in Scotland. This accolade for Highland Council will be presented to the Council's Corporate Resources Committee on 28 February 2018 in a report highlighting the leading performance achieved for housing benefit recipients across the Highlands.
Highland council have issued notice of a special council meeting on Wednesday, 7 March 2018. The short agenda is now available on the Council's website and can seen at - https://www.highland.gov.uk/meetings/meeting/3943/highland_council The meeting will be Webcast and you can watch live at - http://www.highland.public-i.tv/core There is a strong possibility that some capital projects maybe delayed or scaled back due to the need to service the borrowing from the Revenue Budget which is now under sever strain due to lack of funding..
Ahead of WWF's annual Earth Hour on Saturday 24 March 2018, The Highland Council is again celebrating after being awarded WWF Scotland's Earth Hour Local Authority Runner-up Award for its contribution to the success of Earth Hour in 2017. Some of the Highland's best known landmarks, including Inverness Castle, Spey Bridge, Ruthven Barracks and Eilean Donan Castle, joined the likes of the Eiffel Tower and Sydney Opera House in switching off for an hour last March.
The Highland Council is forecasting a potential financial year end overspend of £2.259m in its winter maintenance budget with the most significant pressures as a result of winter weather. A combination of the weather conditions experienced and the timing of the most severe episodes is causing the pressure on the winter maintenance budget.
28/2/2018
Maps of the Council's gritting routes by priority and policy are available online at www.highland.gov.uk/gritting The information provided is a summary of reports from operational staff and is intended to give a general indication of typical conditions in each area at a point in time. It is not intended to imply that any individual route is entirely snow and ice free and drivers must be aware that conditions can change rapidly and make their own assessment of conditions for travelling.
28/2/2018
At Portfolio Questions today (Culture, Tourism and External Affairs) Highlands & Islands Regional MSP, Rhoda Grant asked the Cabinet Secretary Fiona Hyslop MSP, what plans the Government had to build on the impact of the successful North Cost 500 (NC500). She specifically asked about the state of the roads on the route.
Norscot, the Highlands and Islands manufacturer of timber frame kits, windows and doors, received the Innovation of the Year Award at the prestigious Scottish Knowledge Exchange Awards 2018. The awards, run by Interface, aim to celebrate the achievements of academic and business collaborations and partnerships.
DINGWALL, Dingwall & Highland Marts Ltd., (February 27th) sold 9 prime cattle. Prime bullocks (2) averaged 216.4p (-1.4p) and sold to 219.0p and £1,385.90 gross.
Last week saw The Highland Council's film unit receive its 200th enquiry of the year - a new record that illustrates the level of appeal the area now has as a location for everything from high end movies to online commercials. Enquiries are already 19% ahead of the previous financial year even before what is traditionally the busiest period of production development in March.
26/2/2018
Almost half of shoppers in Scotland put off buying ethical products due to being too expensive. · 48% of respondents were put off by "too expensive" ethical products · 24% of consumers "never" think about the people who produce their food · 50% of shoppers are not aware of exploitation of food and drink producers in developing countries Almost half of shoppers in Scotland are put off buying ethical products because they're too expensive, new research has revealed.