News Archive
24/5/2013
EFC Group launches next phase of expansion in Forres
EFC Group, a leading designer and manufacturer of instrumentation, monitoring, handling and control systems for the global oil and gas industry, has announced the launch of a new manufacturing plant in Moray. The base in the Enterprise Park, Forres marks the Group’s second phase of expansion in the area and a £100,000 investment.23/5/2013
Dingwall and Highland Marts Ltd - Sale 24th May 2013
FORT WILLIAM, Dingwall and Highland Marts Ltd., (May, 24th) sold 165 store cattle, 24 adult head of breeding cattle, 46 OTM cattle and 438 sheep. Bullocks (76) averaged 212.7p and sold to 268.1p per kilo for 235kg Aberdeen Angus crosses from 6 Scotstown, Strontian, and £860 gross for a Simmental cross from 7 Back of Keppoch, Arisaig.22/5/2013
Dingwall & Highland Marts Ltd - Sale 22 May 2013
DINGWALL, Dingwall & Highland Marts Ltd., (May, 22nd) sold 131 pedigree and commercial Luing cattle at their fifth annual spring breeding sale sponsored by W & A Geddes and Harbro Ltd. Pedigree in calf heifers (12) averaged £1,456.88 and sold to 1650gns (£1,732.50) for a pair of 35 month old heifers from Mr J S Murray, West Preston, Kirkbean, to D Macarthur, Ravensview, Achterneed, Strathpeffer.22/5/2013
Road Maintenance Programmes – Caithness and Sutherland
The Highland Council’s Caithness and Sutherland Area Committee has approved the structural maintenance programmes for roads and bridges in the area for the coming year. The budgets allocated to Caithness and Sutherland for structural road and bridge maintenance totalled £2.44 million.22/5/2013
Record Number Of Apprentices In Scotland
RECORD NUMBER OF APPRENTICES FIGURES BOOST SCOTTISH ENGINEERING THE number of Scottish teenagers embarking on Modern Apprenticeships in engineering has topped 1,000 for the first time, new figures reveal this week. In 2012-13 there were a record 1,079 candidates aged 16-19 compared to 907 the previous year.20/5/2013
Partnership approach to skills and workforce development in Caithness and Sutherland
Councillor Deirdre Mackay, Leader of the Caithness and Sutherland Area committee has welcomed a presentation to the committee yesterday (Monday 20 May) which clearly laid out how the various agencies in Caithness and Sutherland are working together to offset the results of Dounreay decommissioning and ensure that clear pathways are in place to prepare our young people for the future needs and demands of industry and business across all sectors. Reports from North Highland College, Caithness and North Sutherland Regeneration Partnership, Caithness Chamber of Commerce and Skills Development Scotland were brought together for the first time outlining the work that is currently underway to ensure young people reach positive destinations when leaving school, college and university.20/5/2013
Work progresses on Caithness & Sutherland Local Development Plan
A further step was taken yesterday towards a new Caithness and Sutherland Local Development Plan – CaS Plan - following a decision made at the Area Committee to issue a Call for Sites over the summer, urging communities to identify land for future development and areas they want to see protected. The Committee members were also looking at ways of taking forward the outcomes from the Wick and Thurso Charrettes, which will help shape the CaS Plan.20/5/2013
Dingwall & Highland Marts Ltd - Sale 21st May 2013
DINGWALL, Dingwall & Highland Marts Ltd., (May, 21st) sold 64 prime cattle. Prime bullocks (40) averaged 232.9p (+1.1p) and sold to 256p per kg and £1,741.35 gross.19/5/2013
Highlands and Islands set to take centre stage at the UK’s largest renewable energy event
The Highlands and Islands of Scotland is set to take centre stage at the All-Energy exhibition and conference in Aberdeen this week (Wednesday 22nd and Thursday 23rd May). Over 70 companies will come together under the banner of HI-Energy to showcase the region’s world-leading renewable energy expertise and supply chain capabilities.18/5/2013
Council staff commended for work on storm damage
Work has been completed on clean ups and repairs at 21 locations throughout the Highlands that were affected by the 14/15 December storm in 2012. Members of The Highland Council’s Transport, Environmental and Community (TEC) Services Committee were updated yesterday on works completed and works still in progress at Portmahomack and Balintore Harbours.18/5/2013
Magic Business Is A Big Hit With Pre Wedding Gatherings
Highland Magician with strong links to Caithness, Clive Grewcock is proving to be a talking point and creating a stir amongst private parties and more notably at pre-wedding gatherings. “At first it all sounds really crazy but from experience and the interest this aspect of performance Magic is attracting groups, and in particular bridal parties before the big day want this mystery magic which combines mental magic, mind reading and uncovering old stories ” The immediate conclusion is that it is paranormal stories but Clive points out that there is most definitely nothing supernatural about this, which is why it has been labelled as mystery magic.
18/5/2013
Fresh help for house buyers
People across Scotland are to be helped on to the housing ladder with a £120 million funding boost announced today by Deputy First Minister Nicola Sturgeon. The funding will be available over the next two years to both first time buyers and existing homes owners who are buying a new build home.17/5/2013
Highland Council takes zero tolerance stance on littering
A zero tolerance approach to littering in the Highlands has received cross party support from members of The Highland Council’s Transport, Environmental and Community (TEC) Services Committee. A number of measures to adopt zero tolerance including extending the powers of Community Wardens to issue fines were overwhelmingly approved by members including: · zero tolerance on littering will be carried out with a degree of discretion; · additional staff will be authorised to enforce the law relating to litter and fly-tipping; · Waste Management and Environmental Health staff carry out joint enforcement days; · the preparation and publication of a calendar of enforcement days on the Council’s website www.highland.gov.uk; and · the Council encourages and supports local communities to organise events aimed at keeping their communities free of litter and improving the overall environment.17/5/2013
Record number of Highlands and Islands companies looking to export
Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) has revealed that more companies than ever before were supported into new overseas markets last year by its international trade arm Scottish Development International (SDI). In 2012/13, SDI worked with 156 companies across the Highlands and Islands to develop their international business, representing an almost 50 per cent increase from 106 the previous year.16/5/2013
£37M development for Nigg Energy Park
Continuing its successful growth journey, the Global Energy Group today announced it has placed a formal planning application with the Highland Council and Marine Scotland for permission to develop the South Quay at Nigg Energy Park. When complete, the development will significantly increase further opportunities for the park offering over 1,000 metres of available quayside for customers in the offshore oil and gas sector providing essential deep-water access, as well as supporting the demand for large laydown areas and fabrication facilities for the renewables industry.
16/5/2013
Caithness and North Sutherland Regeneration Partnership - Update
Week Commencing 13th May 2013 Energy/ Business Services: I met this week with colleagues from HIE, Highland Council, Environmental Research Institute, Dounreay Site Restoration Ltd and business representatives to discuss the evolving concept of an “International Marine Energy Delivery (IMED)” campus in Caithness. It was clear from the meeting that there is a considerable amount of work currently being undertaken in the north that is ready for wider international attention, including the academic work being taken forward by the ERI and European partners, and the international work being undertaken by area businesses.15/5/2013
Gills Harbour Planning For Pentland Firth Energy
Some indicative Pentland Firth energy sketches relating to Gills Bay/Gills Harbour, Caithness, KW1 4YB. The sketches have been drafted for Gills Harbour Ltd by Mark Fresson, a senior architect at Archial Ltd's North of Scotland office in Inverness and kindly donated to community-owned Gills company.
15/5/2013
Dramatic restoration of this iconic hotel nears completion
Natural Retreats is delighted to announce that its revolutionary new concept in the self-catering industry, The Inn at John O’Groats, is on course to open mid-August 2013 and is now taking bookings. The restoration of the iconic former John O’Groats Hotel is part of Natural Retreats’ multi-million pound regeneration of this stunningly picturesque natural wilderness in Caithness in the North of Scotland.
14/5/2013
New Ambulance Staff
New Ambulance Technicians are set to start work across Scotland following a £6.8 million investment. The increase of 150 staff is to allow a change in working hours that ensures ambulance workers get planned rest breaks in their shift, but are still able to attend emergency calls when required.
14/5/2013
