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News Archive


5/4/2013
Council report good progress in contacting Council tenants about Welfare Reform changes
The Highland Council has provided information and advice to more than 600 Council house tenants affected by the reduction in their Housing Benefit due to the implementation of the Bedroom Tax.  This new legislation from the UK Government, that came into effect from 1 April, means a deduction is being imposed on working age housing benefit claimants who live in council or housing association homes where it has been deemed that they are under occupying their home.  
4/4/2013
Exciting Plans For New Developments In InvernessThumbnail for article : Exciting Plans For New Developments In Inverness
Exciting plans for the future development of the Torvean/Ness-side areas of Inverness, together with the timetable for proceeding with the £27.2 million Inverness West Link Road were revealed today (Friday 5th April 2013) by senior members of The Highland Council.   Council Leader Drew Hendry was joined by Depute Leader David Alston, Convener Jimmy Gray, and Leader of the City of Inverness Area Committee Ian Brown and Planning and Development Chairman Thomas Prag in highlighting the huge potential to make Inverness a better connected city, provide much-needed affordable housing and create a recreational/sporting hub in the west of the city, the equal of any in Scotland.  
3/4/2013
Dingwall & Highland Marts Ltd - Sale & Prizes 3rd April 2013
DINGWALL, Dingwall & Highland Marts Ltd., (April, 3rd) sold 1105 store cattle and 29 OTM cattle.  Bullocks (701) averaged 233.7p and sold to 303.8p per kg for a 260kg a Blonde d'Aquitaine cross from Udale, Poyntzfield, and £1,340 gross for a 640kg Limousin cross from Feabuie, Inverness.  
3/4/2013
SSE Opens New Business Portal For Local Firms
SSE is committed to maximising the benefits and opportunities for local businesses and communities in the Highlands and Islands, and is inviting businesses to register on the SSE Open4Business Highlands & Islands Portal.   SSE have a long history of working in partnership with, and in, communities in the Highlands and Islands and are committed to making sure that local businesses benefit from, and have a real part in, what they believe is a very exciting time for the region.  
Pipe Bundle At Subsea 7 At WesterThumbnail for article : Pipe Bundle At Subsea 7 At Wester
A pipeline for Elf Exploration UK Limited in the West Franklin Field is well underway at Subsea 7 site at Wester in Caithness.   A one off pipeline bundle 6.24km long due to be completed in November 2013.  
1/4/2013
Dingwall & Highland Marts Ltd - Sale 2nd April 2013
DINGWALL, Dingwall & Highland Marts Ltd., (April, 2nd) sold 82 prime cattle.  Prime bullocks (51) averaged 228.8p (+4.4p) and sold to 253p per kg and £1,622.60 gross.  
Initiative launched to boost digital skills in Highlands and IslandsThumbnail for article : Initiative launched to boost digital skills in Highlands and Islands
A new package of business IT support for organisations and individuals across the Highlands and Islands is now available.   Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE), in partnership with Business Gateway and with support from the Scottish Government, have launched an IT engagement programme, offering online IT guides and group workshops.  
29/3/2013
Local Connections Of Man Appointed To Lead Tidal Turbines Installations
Local roots of lead installations engineer for first tidal-stream turbies to enter Inner Sound.   A Caithness-descended sub-sea engineer, who is proud of his Canisbay parish roots, is to take charge of the installation of the very first electricity-generating tidal turbine in the Pentland Firth's Inner Sound next year (2014).  
29/3/2013
Caithness Chamber funds retraining for subsea sector at The Underwater Centre
The first graduate to come through The Underwater Centre’s Fort William-based subsea training facility as a result of a Caithness Chamber of Commerce-led funding initiative has already secured a job in the industry.  Kevin Macleod (30), of Caithness, who was working as an instrument technician with Johnson Controls at Dounreay until recently, has been taken on as an apprentice ROV pilot technician with Fugro, one of the world’s largest ROV operators.  
NDA publishes 2013-16 Business PlanThumbnail for article : NDA publishes 2013-16 Business Plan
The Nuclear Decommissioning Authority (NDA) has this week published its 2013-16 Business Plan which sets out its delivery priorities for the period as it continues to focus on accelerating hazard reduction across its 19-site estate.   The focus at Sellafield will remain on driving forward further progress across the site including a programme of major projects required to decommission the high hazard legacy ponds and silos, while also working towards the completion of the contracts at both the Magnox and Thorp reprocessing plants by the end of the decade.  
29/3/2013
Decrofting - New Legislation To Make It EasierThumbnail for article : Decrofting - New Legislation To Make It Easier
Action is being taken to deal with the difficulties owner-occupier crofters are facing when decrofting their croft land.   The Environment Minister Paul Wheelhouse announced that the Scottish Government will bring forward a Bill as soon as possible after the Easter recess to address this issue which will require amending crofting legislation.  
29/3/2013
Subsidies for fallen stock
Compensation is available to help farmers meet the costs of disposing of animals lost due to the current severe weather.   The Scottish Government has made available £500,000 to help meet costs incurred.  
28/3/2013
Four candidates contest Landward Caithness By-Election
Notice of Poll Four candidates will contest the forthcoming by-election to elect one councillor to serve The Highland Council’s Ward 4 – Landward Caithness.   The candidates are: David Baron, Scottish Labour Party Gillian Coghill Hanna Miedema, Scottish National Party (SNP) Barbara Anne Watson, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party Candidate The by-election will be held on Thursday 2 May and voting will take place at 14 polling stations between 7.00 am – 10.00 pm.  
28/3/2013
Schmallenberg (SBV) update
Farmers have been urged to remain vigilant after the first evidence emerged that Schmallenberg Virus (SBV) was circulating in Scotland in 2012.   Eight cows in a dairy herd at the Barony campus of Scotland’s Rural College in Dumfries and Galloway have tested positive for SBV antibodies, indicating exposure to the virus in 2012, although at a low prevalence.  
28/3/2013
Round two of the Scottish EDGE is open for entries
After the first round of the Scottish EDGE competition, where over £500,000 was given to help 17 of Scotland’s brightest entrepreneurs, they are ready to start all over again! This next round will award in the region of £750,000 to young Scottish businesses.   The closing date for round two applications is 5pm Tuesday 16 April 2013.  
27/3/2013
Dingwall & Highland Marts - Sale 27th March 2013
DINGWALL, Dingwall & Highland Marts, (March, 27th) sold 2,805 sheep of all classes.  Lambs (1,267) averaged £42.80 and sold to £78 gross for Cheviots from Lingland, Caithness.  
27/3/2013
Dingwall & Highland Marts Ltd - Sale 26th March 2013
DINGWALL, Dingwall & Highland Marts Ltd., (March, 26th) sold 83 prime cattle.  Prime bullocks (50) averaged 224.4p (+8.3p) and sold to 250p per kg and £1,600.00 gross.  
27/3/2013
Two New Consultants For Caithness General
Who would move from sunny Greece to occasionally chilly Caithness? For Dr Petros Karsaliakos, the weather barely featured in his decision to move to Wick.   “The weather has its own advantages and disadvantages,” he said.  
27/3/2013
Homecoming Boost for Highland Economy
Tourism in the Highlands looks set to enjoy a significant boost as part of the Homecoming Scotland 2014 programme following the announcement of support for a number of events by First Minister Alex Salmond and VisitScotland Chairman, Mike Cantlay at the official launch at Hopetoun House in South Queensferry today.   Caroline Packman, Homecoming Scotland 2014 Director, said: “2014 promises to be a very exciting year for Scotland where we can celebrate all that’s great about our country and place the spotlight on our greatest assets.  
26/3/2013
HIE unveils plans for business space at Inverness Campus
Highlands and Islands Enterprise submitted plans this week for the next phase of construction at Inverness Campus – the first of several state-of-the-art office/lab complexes.   With infrastructure and groundworks now well underway at the 215 acre site, the creation of this speculative unit is part of HIE’s strategy to attract leading life science businesses to the Highlands and Islands.