News Archive
7/10/2014
Brits Dicing With Death 12 Times a Week
The average Brit admits to putting themselves at risk 1.7 times a day, on average. • More than one in ten people (11%) admit to finding themselves in 5 or more potentially dangerous situations on a daily basis.7/10/2014
Pensioners Are the UK's Savviest and 'Switchiest' Savers
New research commissioned by Gocompare.com Savings has found that when it comes to looking after their nest eggs, the UK's over 65s are the savviest and 'switchiest' savers. Researchers asked over 2,000 UK adults questions about their attitude towards and knowledge of their savings and found that the over 65s were the most likely age group to regularly review their savings, to know what interest rates they were earning, and be most likely to switch to better-paying accounts.7/10/2014
Employment and Social Situation: Quarterly Review Shows Recovery Still Fragile
The economic recovery which started in the spring of 2013 remains fragile and future employment developments remain uncertain, according the European Commission's latest Employment and Social Situation Quarterly Review. The Review also takes a look at differences in income inequality among Member States, and underlines the relevance of investing in skills through life to increase the employability of workers.6/10/2014
NHC Students win national apprentice awards
Two local apprentices and students of the North Highland College UHI have won awards at the National Scottish Electrical Charitable Training Trust (SECTT) competition. Graeme Robert Gray (22) and Murray Mackintosh (20) broke records earlier this year when they won both the first and second stage categories for the North of Scotland - the first time in the history of the competition that a single college has won both awards.
6/10/2014
Contract For Thurso Library Awarded
High Life Highland (HLH) has announced that that the contract to refurbish Thurso Library has been awarded to local company O'Brien Construction Ltd. The work is set to commence on the 27th October 2014 with completion expected end of June 2015 and the library should re-open to the public early July 2015.
6/10/2014
Head teacher appointed for new Caithness school
Mr Ally Budge has been appointed by The Highland Council to the post of head teacher for Noss Primary School - the new North of the River Primary School in Wick which will replace North and Hillhead Primary Schools. His appointment (in advance of the school opening in August 2015) is to ensure a smooth transition of both Hillhead and Wick North Primary Schools into the new Noss Primary School.6/10/2014
Caithness and North Sutherland Regeneration Partnership - Update
Week commencing 29th September. Energy & Business services: A very successful event was held in Aberdeen this week as part of the ongoing delivery of the Inward Investment Marketing Plan for Caithness & North Sutherland (see communications below for details).6/10/2014
Council clears up and calls on landowners to check wind damaged trees
Following recent high winds last night and this morning (5 - 6 October 2014) The Highland Council is encouraging landowners to check trees and vegetation near to public roads which may have been damaged. Roads affected by fallen trees include the B862, U1667 and the C1068 and the Council's Community Services staff are continuing to clear debris.6/10/2014
SNH Announce New Licence Measures To Reduce Wildlife Crime
Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) will prevent the use of general licences to trap or shoot wild birds on land where there is evidence of wildlife crime against birds. Decisions will be made on the basis of strong evidence provided by Police Scotland, and will be based on a civil standard of proof, rather than the criminal standard of proof.
6/10/2014
Around two thirds of residents in Scotland without life insurance 
Despite life insurance being the cheapest type of cover to protect Brits and their families, many Scottish residents are opting to protect their cars and holidays instead. A study by TopCashback, released today, reveals that around two thirds of the residents in Scotland don't have life insurance and are more likely to have home, travel and motor insurance instead.
6/10/2014
Motorists advised of weight restriction on Dulsie Bridge
Following an inspection of the C1154 Dulsie Bridge crossing the River Findhorn, The Highland Council has imposed an emergency temporary 7.5 tonne weight restriction on the bridge. The restriction was made on 29 September 2014 on the C1154 Cawdor - Clunas - Dulsie - Aitnoch Road at Dulsie Bridge.6/10/2014
Highland Council urges communities not to miss out on Vodafone 3G mobile access
The Highland Council is highlighting a mobile phone access programme to communities in the region who currently have no 3G mobile reception. Vodafone UK has teamed up with the National Association of Local Councils and Countryside Alliance to encourage more communities to apply to its Rural Open Sure Signal programme.4/10/2014
Prison sentences for three convicted rogue traders in Highland
Three brothers from Inverness were jailed for a total of five-and-a-half years at Dingwall Sheriff Court on Thursday 2 October 2014 for doorstep crime offences, defrauding people in their own homes. James Johnstone (42) pled guilty to charges of extortion, fraud and theft.4/10/2014
Council Leader demands action on transport and access from Europe for Highlands and Islands
Leader of The Highland Council, Councillor Drew Hendry has used his position as the UK representative to the Conference of Peripheral and Maritime regions (CPMR) to demand attention to key issues affecting the Highlands and Islands and aligned UK regions at the annual General Assembly of the CPMR last week in Umea, North Sweden. Councillor Hendry said: "People aren't always aware that decisions taken in Europe on funding and support can benefit our regions directly, millions of Euros of spending decisions can be made that can help us in many ways.3/10/2014
Caithness and North Sutherland Fund Grant Awards 2014 - R3
The Caithness & North Sutherland Fund has awarded over £65K at its latest grant assessment round. The funding has been granted to five community/voluntary groups towards projects that will benefit people living in the Caithness & North Sutherland area.
3/10/2014
Dingwall & Highland Marts Ltd - Sale 3 October 2014
DINGWALL, Dingwall & Highland Marts Ltd., (October, 3rd) sold 7,459 store lambs. Lambs (7,180) averaged £48.48 and sold to £68.50 gross for Texel crosses from 15 Achnairn, Shinness.2/10/2014
Time To Check Your Electricity Supplier Charges
Trick No Treat As 31 October Brings Energy Bill Hikes Of Up To £205. Customers on the 12 fixed tariffs that are due to end on Halloween could see bills rise by 10% on average On Friday 31 October, 12 fixed energy deals will come to an end, with eight from just one supplier - ScottishPower - due to expire.2/10/2014
Dingwall & Highland Marts Ltd - Sale 2 October 2014
DINGWALL, Dingwall & Highland Marts Ltd., (October, 2nd) sold 4,981 breeding and store sheep. Breeding ewes (3,163) averaged £63.38 (+ £11.99 on the year) and sold to £121 gross twice for Cheviots from the reduction of the 67 Strathcanaird flock, Ullapool.1/10/2014
Multi-agency Risk Assessment Conference (MARAC) annual report produced for the Highlands
Partner agencies including the Highland Council, NHS Highland, Police Scotland, Witness Support Scotland and local Women's Aid charities, all based in the Highlands, have produced an annual report detailing their involvement in Multi Agency Risk Assessment Conferences, also known as MARACs. This annual report summarises;What is MARAC? What is the purpose of MARAC? How does MARAC work? By using an illustrative example, based on real events, the annual report also demonstrates how MARAC works in practice.1/10/2014
