News Archive
31/7/2012
New Opportunities For Graduates
Graduates in Scotland will be offered more chances to take on internships at Scottish firms following the investment of around £200,000 by the Scottish Government. The funding will support Adopt-an-Intern, a programme with a proven track record of helping graduates into permanent jobs, and will go towards another 110 placements in 2012/13.31/7/2012
Scotland's Food And Drink Sector To Go For Gold
Plans to put Scotland's food and drink sector ahead of the game were revealed today by Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs Richard Lochhead. The Food and Drink 2014 Action Plan - announced ahead of events to promote Scottish Food and Drink at London 2012 - will help to ensure Scottish food and drink companies maximise their competitive advantage and capitalise on the economic opportunity current and future events offer.30/7/2012
Thurso Soap Box Grand Prix Challenge
The Rotary Club of Thurso are inviting budding engineers and willing competitors of ages 8 to 88, to participate in the Thurso Soap-Box Grand Prix, at 1.00pm on 8th September 2012, at The North Highland College. The idea is for individuals or teams to design and construct the fastest, most attractive and most entertaining free-rolling soap-box kart they can.
30/7/2012
Appeal for witnesses - road traffic collision - Caithness
Police in Wick are appealing for witnesses following a reported road traffic collision about 1:45am on Sunday 22 July 2012. This was at A882, Haster, Caithness, two cars collided and one of the cars left the location without stopping or reporting the matter to Police.30/7/2012
Northern Constabulary Home Security Advice
Home security advice. Don't give thieves a chance...30/7/2012
Busy Roads Around Inverness In Next Few Days
Police remind drivers to remain patient during a busy end to the week on the roads in and around Inverness. Police are reminding motorists that this coming week is likely to be busier than normal on roads in and around Inverness with a number of high profile events taking place.29/7/2012
Marine Energy Park Launch For Pentland and Orkney Waters
The Pentland Firth and Orkney Waters in the North of Scotland will today confirm their place on the global marine energy map with the launch of the area as a Marine Energy Park. Energy and Climate Change Minister Greg Barker will welcome the launch of the marine park during a visit to Thurso in Caithness, where he is set to address key players from across the marine renewable energy industry.29/7/2012
Consultation Begins On Night Club Door Entry Policy
The Highland Licensing Board is consulting widely over a review of its policy governing door entry to night clubs (commonly called a curfew), which requires admission by midnight. The Board invites representations on whether the policy should continue and, if so, whether it should be extended throughout the Highlands.26/7/2012
SNH Advice for Hill Walkers
Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) is advising hill walkers to check online about deer stalking on estates before heading out for the hills. The stag stalking season (1st July to 20th October) is a popular time of year for walkers, so three years ago SNH set up the Heading for the Scottish Hills website, www.outdooraccess-scotland.com/hftsh.26/7/2012
West Coast Fishing Concern
The Scottish Government is considering urgent action to address exceptionally high levels of prawn fishing activities in the West of Scotland. Recent months have seen a shift of vessels that normally fish for prawns in the North Sea, where prawns have been scarce this year, moving to the West causing much greater fishing activity than expected.‪ While quota is projected to last the year and overall prawn fishing is at a similar level to 2011 and 2010, the displacement means the annual 'time at sea' constraints for the West Coast - the set limits for each geographic area under the EU's Cod Recovery Plan - will be breached without action being taken.26/7/2012
High Compliance Rate On Sheep Tagging
Only a handful of farmers inspected in 2011 breached the read rates for sheep electronic ID (EID) tags - and very few received any form of penalty. Of the 650 flocks inspected, just 64 received any form of cross compliance penalty - 0.3 per cent of Scottish sheep producers.26/7/2012
State of the Economy
The Finance Secretary today called on the Chancellor to take action, through an immediate stimulus to capital investment, to address the UK double-dip recession and prevent Westminster's economic policy from further hampering Scotland's economic recovery. Mr Swinney's comments follow the quarterly State of the Economy report published today by the Scottish Government's Chief Economist, Dr Gary Gillespie, which provides both an update on recent developments in the Scottish economy and on outlook of future growth prospects.25/7/2012
Future Of Wave and Tidal Leasing
The Crown Estate today opened an industry engagement exercise to shape the future of wave and tidal leasing in the UK. With 37 sites leased to date, the UK already has a global lead in the wave and tidal industry and the exercise aims to help the industry grow further.24/7/2012
Applications Open For Community Transport Fund
The Highland Council is inviting applications from voluntary groups to operate community transport projects for the 2013 - 2014 financial year. 19 voluntary groups are coming to the end of their current funding agreements and they will now be able to apply for new revenue funding.24/7/2012
Renewable Obligation Banding
Commenting on the Department for Environment and Climate Change (DECC) announcement of new Renewable Obligation banding levels, Energy Minister Fergus Ewing said: "I welcome the UK Government's decision to follow Scotland's lead and set its own onshore wind band at 0.9 ROCS, but I am concerned at the UK Government's decision to only set this band for one year, until 2014, pending the outcome of yet another review. "The onshore wind sector needs certainty to enable it to make investment decisions, which is why last week the First Minister wrote to Ed Davey to indicate that the Scottish Government will keep its onshore wind band at 0.9 ROCS for the next four years.
24/7/2012
Radical Rethink On Land Reform Underway
A radical review of land reform will deliver a more successful Scotland with stronger communities and economic growth, First Minister Alex Salmond said on Wednesday 24th July 2012. Speaking in Skye where a summer cabinet meeting was convened, Mr Salmond revealed details of a new Land Reform Review Group that will oversee a wide ranging review of land reform in Scotland.24/7/2012
Same Sex Marriage To Be Legalised In Scotland
The Scottish Government intend to legislate to allow same sex marriage, it was announced today. However, legislation will be accompanied by important protections for freedom of speech and religion.24/7/2012
177 Speeders Caught Last Weekend
Police express frustration over the number of speeding drivers who continue to ignore warnings. Northern Constabulary's Head of Road Policing has expressed frustration that many motorists are continuing to speed and put other road users lives at risk, despite repeated warnings.23/7/2012
TAKE OFF FOR EUROPCAR AT WICK
Europe's leading car hire provider Europcar is to open Wick Airport's first car hire location, offering improved service for passengers. Airport Station Manager William Sutherland said the new car hire location would improve the airport's appeal to business users and inbound visitors.19/7/2012
