News Archive

Tourism operator investigates viability of fishing for bluefin tuna in Outer Hebrides waters

An Isle of Harris fishing skipper and tourism operator, who recently became the star of a US TV show, is working with Marine Scotland to track and trace tuna on the Outer Hebrides coast.   Captain Angus Campbell, from Kilda Cruises, also runs Atlantic Marine Services which provides specialist support for organisations doing marine surveys west of the Hebrides.  

Dingwall & Highland Marts Ltd - Sale 18 March 2015

DINGWALL, Dingwall & Highland Marts Ltd., (March, 18th) sold 606 store cattle, 22 adult head of breeding cattle and 53 OTM cattle.  Bullocks (400) averaged 243.5p and sold to 300p per kg for a 240kg Limousin cross from Rychraggan, Drumnadrochit, and £1,350 gross for a pen of 556kg Charolais crosses from Redfield, North Kessock.  

Diarrhoea and Vomiting - Caithness General Hospital

A ward at Caithness General Hospital, Wick has closed to new admissions and visitors are being asked to stay away while staff deal with several cases of diarrhoea and vomiting.   This is the second closure of the ward in March.  

Landmark City-Region Deal gets approval

The Highland Council have joined with Highlands and Islands Enterprise, HITRANS, and the University of the Highlands and Islands to welcome the support announced today during the budget by making funding available to the Highlands for 2015-16 to deliver a City Deal for Inverness and the wider region.   After the Government signed a City Deal for Glasgow and the Clyde Valley, alongside the Scottish Government and the Glasgow and Clyde Valley local authorities, they decided that there is merit in extending the City Deal model further in Scotland and Wales.  

Highland Council Convener welcomes £100,000 towards City-Region Deal plans

Convener of The Highland Council, Councillor Jimmy Gray has welcomed the UK Government's budget announcement today (18 March 2015) that it will contribute £100,000 to help with the Council work up proposals for a City-Region Deal for Inverness.   Convener Gray said: "We have been working with the UK and Scottish Governments, Scottish Futures Trust and the Scottish Cities Alliance to investigate new ways of enabling major infrastructure development in Inverness which would unlock significant economic opportunities for the City and the region, and would also have benefits for the wider economy.  

Labour welcomes progress on electricity surcharge

Highlands and Islands Labour MSPs, Rhoda Grant and David Stewart, have today welcomed the announcement that a consultation on electricity distribution costs in the North of Scotland is to be launched.   Speaking after the announcement in today's budget, Shadow Islands Minister, David Stewart, said "We have supported campaigners from throughout the Highlands and Islands in bringing the unfair surcharge in the area to the attention of government.  

LABOUR CANDIDATE EXPRESSES CONCERNS OVER LONG TERM FUTURE OF UNIVERSAL SERVICE OBLIGATION

John Erskine, Scottish Labour candidate for Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross in May's General Election, has expressed concerns over the long term future of the universal service obligation (USO) provide by the Royal Mail.   This comes after a report by the UK Parliament's Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS) committee which warned that although the universal service was not currently under threat, this could change in a rapidly changing postal market and that Ofcom needed to protect the Royal Mail in a market which is experiencing a battle for lowest price competition.  

Nominations sought for candidates wishing to stand in Nairn by-election

A by-election is being held in Nairn on Thursday 7 May to find a successor to Councillor Colin Macaulay (SNP) who has stepped down.   Nomination papers are now available from The Highland Council Service Point in Nairn as well as from www.highland.gov.uk/yourcouncil/elections/ .  

HALF OF ROAD COLLISIONS IN SCOTLAND OCCUR WITHIN FIRST THREE YEARS OF DRIVING

‘New to the Road' campaign launches today, to help improve young driver safety in Scotland - www.newtotheroad.co.uk - with events at schools across Scotland 46% of Scottish motorists have had a collision Around half of these incidents occurred when the driver was still new to the road1 A fifth of motorists involved in a collision say it could have been avoided with more road experience 60% admit to breaking the law within their first few years of driving Almost half (49%) of road collisions in Scotland involve motorists who are still within their first three years of driving, according to research for a new road safety campaign targeting young drivers.   The study was conducted for the launch of the ‘New to the Road' campaign, set up to improve the safety of young motorists in Scotland.  

Be Aware of Pension Scams

Approaching retirement is an exciting time with a wealth of new opportunities and experiences on the horizon.   We all work hard to be able to enjoy this time so it is important to be careful about what you do with your money.