CivTech launches phase II of tech accelerator fund. A new Scottish Government-run accelerator programme will revolutionise how technology led businesses work with the public sector.
Education reform is now imperative, Deputy First Minister John Swinney has said following the publication of the final Scottish Survey of Literacy and Numeracy (SSLN). Literacy results for 2016 show a broadly stable performance since 2014, although there has been a drop in writing performance for S2 pupils.
Consent granted for Portobello church purchase. A community group in Edinburgh is set to become the first organisation in an urban area to benefit from community right to buy powers.
Simon Wilkinson has taken his experience and skills north to Sutherland and the move could not have come at better time with the North Coast 500 attracting a growing number of cyclists. Siomn said,"I've been a bike mechanic for 28 years running the family business.
The transformation of future learning in Highland schools was discussed by around 100 head teachers at a Science and Technology Conference last week in Inverness. Key speakers from Highlands and Islands Enterprise, Skills Development Scotland, the Wood Foundation, Education Scotland, FIRST Scandinavia and the Science and Skills Academy addressed the conference on the importance of STEM experiences and qualifications for young people in the Highlands.
Commenting on the UK Government's decision not to challenge the High Court ruling around publication of their air pollution strategy by 9 May 2017, Scottish Labour spokesperson for Environment, Climate Change and Land Reform, David Stewart MSP said: "The UK Government's original air pollution strategy was so weak, it was ruled illegal in a High Court case brought by ClientEarth and in breach of EU Law as well as domestic legislation. That should have been the push they needed to produce something more worthwhile.
Reids of Caithness has been named Scottish Baker of the Year 2017 at a glittering ceremony hosted by Scottish Bakers, the association that supports and promotes the interests of Scottish bakers across the country. The baker won the following awards: Morning Roll - National Bronze and Regional Gold Corn Bread - Regional Gold Buttery - National Bronze "We are extremely pleased to be recognised as Scotland's best baker" said Gary Reid "We take our business very seriously and use traditional methods and craftsmen's skills to deliver quality every time.
The Sunday Post newspaper has today run a story showing how radio-active materials are being moved in the middle of the night with very high levels of security. The full story is HERE.
The results for the 2017 Highland Council elections have been declared. They are as follows: Independent 28 Scottish Conservative and Unionist 10 Scottish Green Party 1 Scottish Labour Party 3 Scottish Liberal Democrats 10 Scottish National Party (SNP) 22 Total elected 74 The first meeting of the new Council will be held on Thursday 18 May when the office-bearers will be confirmed.
The official process to elect Members of Parliament to represent the three UK Highland constituencies has begun. Returning Officer, Steve Barron, Chief Executive of The Highland Council, was yesterday (Thursday 4 May) hand delivered three writs, instructing him to conduct an election for the Highland UK Parliamentary constituencies.
See the article from BQ at - http://www.bqlive.co.uk/scotland/2017/05/03/news/how-we-started-our-business-dunnet-bay-distillers-25777/.
Olivia Bell who currently works for Rhoda Grant MSP has announced she is the Labour candidate in the Caithness Sutherland and East Ross constituency for Westmisnster She said "I am absolutely delighted. It will be a tough challenge but I'm up for it! "Women are under-represented at almost every level of power in Scotland and I am honoured to be one of those selected." "Only Labour can defeat the SNP in seats across Scotland, and by voting Labour in this election we can send Nicola Sturgeon a message that we don't want another independence referendum." PHOTO Olivia Bell with Kezia Dugdale.
People in the Highlands are being invited to drop in to new Digital Café sessions which could save them significant amounts of money. The Highland Council in partnership with other Highland Social Landlords and the social enterprise company Libertie are hosting a series of mobile Digital Café events during May 2017.
Wednesday 24th May 2017..
DINGWALL, Dingwall & Highland Marts Ltd., (April, 26th) sold 784 store cattle and 64 OTM cattle. Bullocks (429) averaged 245.1p and sold to 319.1p per kg for a pair of 257kg Limousin crosses from Trien Croft, Carbost, and £1,355 gross for a pair of 615kg Limousin crosses from Udale, Poyntzfield.
Voters taking part in the forthcoming Highland Council elections on Thursday 4 May are reminded that in filling in their ballot papers they should use numbers against the name of candidates in order of choice, using 1, 2, 3 and so on - and not a cross. The system being used to count the votes is the Single Transferable Vote.
DINGWALL, Dingwall & Highland Marts Ltd., (April, 25th) sold 33 prime cattle. Prime bullocks (12) averaged 215.9p (N/C) and sold to 220.0p per kg and £1,343.75 gross.
Over £948,000 has been awarded to help crofters in some of Scotland's most rural and remote communities benefit from better housing. 29 crofters will share the funding which enables them to build or improve homes, helping to retain and attract people to rural communities.
A design engineer with The Highland Council has been shortlisted in Scottish Renewables' Young Professionals Green Energy Awards. The awards recognise anyone who is contributing to the renewable energy sector in Scotland and who has worked in the industry for five years or less.
The Scottish Welfare Fund continues to help Scottish households in need. Scotland's Chief Statistician today released statistics on the Scottish Welfare Fund covering the period from 1 April 2013 to 31 December 2016.
