News Archive
22/1/2012
MV Hamnavoe Took Short Crossing In Severe Weather
The 'short sea route' came into its own early last Saturday (21.01.12) afternoon in an unusual manner as storm-force Westerly severe gales swept huge Atlantic Ocean breakers into the Pentland Firth … And the crossing of the narrowest Eastern End of the Firth between Canisbay Parish and South Ronaldsay enabled Orkney to maintain its sea-link with Caithness on one of the wildest sea-days of the 2011/12 winter so far, a season where weather patterns have been dominated by a series of deep atmospheric depressions sweeping in from the West in quick succession. The trip was not done by Pentland Ferries' Pentalina, which normally plies the route thrice-daily, but by NorthLink Ferries' Hamnavoe which made an exceptionally-circuitous crossing from Scrabster to Stromness, adding just an hour to her scheduled 90 minutes' of sailing time.
22/1/2012
New Council Offices For Wick
The centre of Wick will see regeneration come to life when work on the new council office begins later this year. Most of the existing council offices at Market Square will be demolished to make way for a modern building whilst retaining Stafford Place - the curved building that is part of High Street.
21/1/2012
Scottish Open Contributes £5.1 Million To Scotland
More than £5 million was contributed to the Scottish economy as a result of the 2011 Barclays Scottish Open, according to a study released today. This figure includes £4 million to the economy of the Highlands and Islands.21/1/2012
New Ferry Timetables at Stromeferry
The introduction on Monday 23 January of an early morning train service between Inverness and Kyle, arriving in Kyle at 8.40 am, has resulted in changes to the timetable of the passenger ferry service which has been introduced between North and South Strome to combat the closure of the A 890 Stromeferry Bypass. Monday - Friday, the 60-passenger Sula Mhor from Plockton will make two return journeys in the morning, leaving South Strome at 8.00 am and 9.20 am, and North Strome at 8.15 am and 9.30 am.21/1/2012
Caithness & North Sutherland Regeneration P'ship - Update
Week commencing 16th January: Energy: Scottish Government has announced that Scrabster harbour is one of 14 sites across Scotland to become an "Enterprise Area". Scrabster is included as one of five sites in the Low Carbon & Renewables - North grouping.21/1/2012
Grants and Funding For Land Managers
SNH recognises the important role that farmers, landowners and crofters play in looking after the wider countryside and our most valuable sites, SSSIs and Natura sites. There are several sources of funding to support land management activities that deliver environmental and nature and landscapes benefits.
20/1/2012
Plans to be drawn up to replace Stromeferry Bypass
As a matter of urgency, Highland Council roads officials have been asked to bring forward options for a long term solution that provides a secure transport link between Wester Ross and Lochalsh. The move came at the Council's Transport Environmental and Community Services Committee today (Thursday) as the result of the closure of the A 890 Stromeferry Bypass - which takes traffic from Lochcarron to Kyle/Plockton and on to Skye - due to landslides and the continuing danger of rock fall.20/1/2012
Deadline Looms For Crofting Commission elections
Eligible candidates are reminded that the deadline for returning nomination papers to seek election to the new Crofting Commission is 4 pm on Thursday 26 January. Six people will be elected by Scotland's crofting community to represent their interests on the Crofting Commission, which will come into effect on 1 April 2012 when it will replace the current Crofters Commission.20/1/2012
Natural Environment For Health, Wealth And More
Natural environment will support wealth, health, lifestyle and culture, says new SNH strategy. Scotland?s natural environment should be valued not just for its own sake, but because it generates wealth and can sustain and improve our health, lifestyles and culture.
19/1/2012
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19/1/2012
Miller Academy, Thurso - Parking Restrictions Enforcement
Parking restrictions at Miller Academy, Thurso will be robustly Policed following concerns. Police in Thurso are warning residents, in particular parents of children at Miller Academy School, that they will be enforcing the various no parking restrictions around the school over the forthcoming period.19/1/2012
Moray Business To Invest In Manufacturing Future
Ambitious, family run Moray business Forsyths Ltd is to make its largest investment to date to expand local manufacturing facilities. Work has begun to build and adapt a range of buildings and install specialist equipment at the company's Rothes site.
18/1/2012
Public Meeting At Lochcarron Hears about Rockfall Solutions
250 packed into Lochcarron Village Hall on Monday night for a public meeting regarding the measures being taken short and longer term to combat the closure of the A 890 Stromeferry Bypass between Lochcarron and Kyle/Plockton due to the danger of further rock fall. The meeting was advised that the road was likely to remain closed until at least 17 February, when The Highland Council hoped to be able to reopen the road on a temporary basis.
18/1/2012
Presentation of Top Toilet Awards
Following The Highland Council's success at the Loo of the Year Awards, staff from the Education, Culture and Sport service responsible for looking after the award winning toilets were presented with their certificates at the start of last week's committee meeting. In total the Council won 8 National Category Awards, a further 3 National Awards and a trophy for Thorr House in Thurso.
18/1/2012
Renewables Research Partnership Moving Forward
Scotland's position as a leading player in renewables has been reinforced this week with the signing of an agreement between First Minister Alex Salmond and one of the world's leading renewables innovators. The signing at the World Future Energy Summit in Abu Dhabi quickly follows discussions between the FM and Dr Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber, Chief Executive of alternative energy company Masdar, during the FM's visit to the UAE in November last year.
18/1/2012
Focussing On Providing Opportunities For Young People
With young people facing increasing challenges in finding employment opportunities the Council is taking positive steps to help by launching an action plan to deliver on six key cross-service pledges. Speaking after today's Planning, Environment and Development Committee, Chairman Ian Ross said: "As a Council we are committed to young people and are being proactive in how we provide support.17/1/2012
Scrabster Selected To Be One of 14 Scottish Enterprise Areas
The Scottish Government today announced that Scrabster will be 1 of 14 sites in Scotland's New Enterprise Areas. There are four sectoral areas, and a total of 14 sites within those areas.17/1/2012
World's Largest Wave Farm Agreement Signed For Orkney
Alstom and SSE Renewables create joint venture to co-develop world's largest wave farm off the coast of Orkney, Scotland Alstom and the leading Scottish marine developer SSE Renewables have signed a new joint venture agreement to develop the Costa Head Wave Project, an up to 200 Megawatts (MW) wave energy site located north of mainland Orkney, in The Crown Estate's Pentland Firth and Orkney Waters Strategic Area. Alstom and SSE Renewables will work together to obtain the necessary permits and intend to populate the site with AWS-III wave energy converters, a technology currently under development by AWS Ocean Energy Ltd, in which Alstom acquired a 40% equity share in June 2011.17/1/2012
Dingwall & Highland Marts Ltd - Sale 17 January 2012
DINGWALL, Dingwall & Highland Marts Ltd., (January, 17th) sold 81 prime cattle. Prime bullocks (42) averaged 196p (-4.8p) and sold to 210p per kg and £1,404.00 gross.17/1/2012
