News Archive
1/12/2012
HOW FAR WOULD YOU FAKE IT THIS CHRISTMAS?
Glamorous party nights and buying gifts for friends are two of the things we look forward to most over the festive season. But just how far would you be prepared to fake it this Christmas? With the current economic climate we are all on the look out for bargains.1/12/2012
Focusing on Highland’s Most Disadvantaged Areas
Community and third sector organisations are being invited by The Highland Council to submit applications for the Council’s 2013 Deprived Area Fund. Applications will be welcomed for projects that will help communities to develop activities aimed at improving quality of life and regenerating communities.1/12/2012
“Up to 800 Civil Service Jobs in the Highlands and Islands at risk from separation”
Better Together campaigner David Stewart MSP has used data obtained by Scottish Labour on the number of civil servants working for UK Government departments and agencies in Scotland which has revealed that 30,000 people are currently employed by the UK Government, bringing almost £700 million to Scotland in salaries alone. Up to 800 of those jobs are located in the Highlands and Islands and jobs could be put at risk if Scotland was to become independent.1/12/2012
'Move on Up' in the Highlands
Inverness careers fair to help local youngsters into work or training. Winter school leavers and young job seekers from the Highland area are being invited to take part in a ‘Move on Up’ event which will give them an insight into the range of opportunities available to them in employment, training and learning.1/12/2012
Project Developed to Get Young People Ready For Work
New employer-assessed Certificate of Work Readiness currently being piloted. YOUNG people in the Highlands have been participating in a pilot project enabling them to demonstrate their work-readiness to employers.1/12/2012
Now is the time to enter the 2013 Junior Saltire Award
The search is on to find the pupils who could be Scotland's marine renewables experts of the future and winners of Skills Development Scotland's 2013 Junior Saltire Awards. Schools are being asked to create a blueprint, design, build and test a wave powered generator which would be suitable for Scottish waters.1/12/2012
Supporting Young People Into Work
New contact point for 16 to 19 year olds. 0800 917 8000 is the new number for Scotland's young people to call if they are seeking a place in training or education.1/12/2012
New Skills Service Backs Scottish Businesses
New web service - Our Skillsforce (www.ourskillsforce.co.uk) - will provide skills support information for Scotland's employers. Scotland's employers have given their clear backing to the importance of training and skills in a survey published by the Scottish Council for Development and Industry (SCDI).30/11/2012
North Highland College UHI business student wins £1000 prize in UHI competition
Jenna Forbes (21) from Westerdale beat off strong competition to win £1000 prize money for the Best Student Idea in the UHI Business Ideas competition recently held in Inverness. Jenna, an HNC Business student at The North Highland College UHI pitched her idea to the judging panel at Inverness College UHI’s Longman Campus.
30/11/2012
Pentland Firth & Orkney Waters Leadership Forum Hears About Progress
The Chairman of the north’s Regeneration Partnership has welcomed the interest shown this week by local people in the developments planned for the Pentland Firth and Orkney waters. Sir Anthony Cleaver, independent Chairman of the Caithness & North Sutherland Regeneration Partnership, said “I’m delighted to hear that the first of the two Information Days held by the Pentland Firth & Orkney Waters Leadership Forum in Caithness and Orkney has proved to be a success, bringing local people in to hear about progress directly from Scottish Power Renewables and Meygen, as well as from a range of key supporting agencies such as National Grid, Scottish Hydro Electric Transmission Ltd, HIE, Highland Council, Crown Estate and Marine Scotland.30/11/2012
Police Sieze Weapons and Ammunition From Wick Firearms Dealer
Man reported following warrant executed at registered firearms dealer in Wick. On Thursday 29 November 2012, officers from Northern Constabulary executed a search warrant at a registered firearms dealer in Wick, Caithness.30/11/2012
Caithness & North Sutherland Fund October 2012 Grant Awards 
The Caithness & North Sutherland Fund recently awarded its 4th round of grants for 2012. Six community groups were awarded funding totalling over £114k for community projects that help to improve the attractiveness of their area as a place to live, work and invest.
29/11/2012
Councillors to challenge Welfare Reform
Highland Councillors are united in their condemnation of the far-reaching nature of Welfare Reform changes proposed by the UK Government in a bid to find savings of £18 billion by 2014/15. Councillor Alasdair Christie, Chairman of the Council’s Welfare Reform Working Group, led the criticism of the proposals, which he predicts will seriously affect the wellbeing of the most vulnerable members of the community.29/11/2012
Scottish Renewables Projects To Lead The Way
An expert team will help Scottish green energy projects secure funding from the Green Investment Bank as it is launched today. The team, to be led by Marcia Campbell, former Group Operations Director of Standard Life, will identify and support potential Scottish bidders to make the strongest possible case for funding from the £3 billion publically funded Green Investment Bank.29/11/2012
Tighter Controls For Taxi Firms Planned
Tighter controls on taxi licensing to crack down on rogue firms and support responsible businesses are being consulted on. The Scottish Government today launched a consultation on the plans in response to concerns about the influence of criminality within the trade and the working of the current licensing regime.29/11/2012
Public Service Pension Reform
Finance Secretary John Swinney has today outlined to Parliament the Scottish Government’s continuing commitment to public service pensions that are affordable, sustainable and fair, as he responded to UK reform of public sector pensions. Mr Swinney confirmed Ministers’ objections to the UK Government’s decision to use pension reform as a cover for deficit reduction and to place constraints on Scotland’s ability to negotiate long term reform with public sector workers.29/11/2012
Legislation On Colleges And Universities
New legislation will support better job chances for college leavers and ensure more students from poor backgrounds go to university. The Post-16 Education (Scotland) Bill, published today, will drive forward regionalisation of colleges, the most fundamental change to the sector for two decades.28/11/2012
Car hire available over the weekends In Wick
Mackays Hotel is delighted to announce in collaboration with Richards Garage car hire vehicles will be available from the hotel outwith normal working hours, including Saturday and Sunday. Murray Lamont, of Mackays Hotel, commented that he felt there was a gap in the market and particularly on a Sunday when there was no public transport to John O'Groats.28/11/2012
Locals invited to SNH reception
Local people in and around Caithness are being invited to an evening reception by Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) in the Pentland Hotel, Thurso, at 7pm on Wednesday 5 December. Scottish Natural Heritage is the Scottish Government's advisor on the management, enjoyment, understanding and sustainable use of Scotland’s wildlife, natural habitats and landscape.25/11/2012
