News Archive

Over 14,000 Households Signed Up To Brown Bin Service

To date over 14,000 households have made payment for their brown bin collections and it is anticipated this figure will rise as we near the deadline for applications.   The Highland Council's new brown bin collection service is due to start on 3rd July 2017.  

Insurance Premium Tax Increase Hits Your Pocket From Today

Hard-pressed households face a further squeeze on their family budgets when the latest increase in the government's Insurance Premium Tax (IPT) to 12% comes into effect on 1 June, only eight months after it rose to 10%.  The tax is payable on most general insurance policies including home, motor, pet, private medical insurance, and cash plans taken out by individuals, as well as commercial insurance taken out by businesses.  

Dingwall & Highland Marts Ltd - Sale 30th May 2017

DINGWALL, Dingwall & Highland Marts Ltd., (May, 30th) sold 4 prime cattle.   Prime bullocks (2) averaged 221.0p (+3.8p) and sold to 222.0p per kg and £1,320.90 gross.  

Partnership agreement to deliver engineering skills

A new three-year partnership agreement between North Highland College UHI and Nigg Skills Academy has been signed to deliver engineering skills and qualifications to the Ross-Shire area at their academy in Nigg.   Nigg Skills Academy works with employers and industry bodies to deliver engineering skills to meet today's industry demands, has established a memorandum of understanding with North Highland College UHI to continue to provide opportunities for those seeking careers within the engineering and energy industry.  

Cold Call Control Zones

Cold Call Control Zones is an initiative that tackles doorstep crime by encouraging residents to say "No" to unwanted doorstep traders.  This is done through the introduction of street signs and double sided door stickers within a zone and the education of local residents in how to deal with a doorstep trader.  

Be alert not alarmed

STATEMENT on behalf of the Highlands and Islands Local Resilience Partnership.   Following the announcement by the Prime Minister of the UK Terror Threat level being increased from 'Severe' to 'Critical' on Tuesday 23 May 2017, the multi-agency members of the Highlands and Islands Local Resilience Partnership met on Wednesday 24 May 2017.  

£300,000 overnight surfacing improvements planned for A9 Cromarty Bridge

Overnight surfacing improvements worth £300,000 are due to get underway on the A9 Cromarty Bridge starting later this week.   The improvements will involve resurfacing almost the full length of the A9 Cromarty Bridge with a high performance road surface, designed to make the bridge smoother for motorists and more resilient to harsh conditions.  

The Nkt Victoria - New Vessel Laying Cable From Caithness To Moray

The newly launched NKT purpose-built vessel left Abrdeen Harbour on Saturday in preparation for its maiden project to install two subsea power cables connecting Caithness to Moray.   The NKT Victoria, which has just arrived following its maiden voyage from Sweden, is being used to lay 113km of high voltage direct current (HVDC) subsea cable across the Moray Firth as part of Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks' £1.1bn Caithness-Moray transmission project.  

Surge In Overseas Visitors

Scotland experienced a 6% surge in visitors from overseas in 2016, new figures show.   Statistics published by the Office for National Statistics (ONS) today highlight an additional 155,000 overseas visits were made to Scotland last year compared with 2015, strongly supported by a rise in the number of tourists from North America.  

Highland Council elects Leaders

The Highland Council has elected Councillor Margaret Davidson as Council Leader at its meeting today, 18 May 2017.   Councillor Alasdair Christie was elected Depute Leader and Councillor Bill Lobban was elected Convener of the Council.