News Archive
27/11/2010
Transformation of John O'Groats Begins At Caberfeidh House
Caberfeidh House at John o'Groats is to benefit from a major £580,000 improvement programme after being awarded £134,750 funding by Highlands and Islands Enterprise. John o'Groats Leisure Ltd directors, father and son, Walter and Andrew Mowat aim to completely transform Caberfeidh House and provide significantly improved facilities to meet the needs of the modern discerning tourist, through a number of actions aimed at achieving VisitScotland 3-star accreditation.24/11/2010
HIE Board backs £13m investment in major projects
Businesses and communities in Caithness, Orkney and the Outer Hebrides look set to benefit from investment in major infrastructure projects approved today (Monday 22 November) by Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE). The HIE Board (Monday 22 November) has approved grants totalling more than £13m to develop three major projects.23/11/2010
Public Reminded Of Council Gritting Priorities
As forecasters predict snow this week in the Highlands, The Highland Council has published on its web site route maps setting out its snow clearing and gritting priorities for local roads. Eight leaflets outline the Council's route and footpath priorities and provide advice and contact numbers for motorists.23/11/2010
Greater Say In Self Directed Support Services
Plans for greater say in care services Robison announces new Self-directed Support strategy A new strategy to give people more control over how social care and support is provided to them was today (TUES 23rd November 2010) launched by Minister for Public Health Shona Robison. The Self-directed Support (SDS) strategy aims to ensure as many people as possible can choose how their funding for social care support is spent.23/11/2010
Amenity Grass Cutting In Highland
The Highland Council's Transport Environmental and Community Services Committee has agreed savings proposals for grounds maintenance. Earlier in the year, the Council agreed that a tender for routine grass cutting be issued to establish the potential level of savings to be gained from contracting out this area of service.23/11/2010
Challenges and Opportunities Of Computer Trading
Government explores the future challenges and opportunities of computer trading in financial markets The Government Office for Science today embarked on its latest Foresight project, which will examine the challenges and opportunities presented by technological advances in financial markets worldwide. In recent years the ways in which financial markets operate have been transformed by fast-paced technological progress.23/11/2010
Severe Weather Warnings From Thursday 25th November
Met Office Weather Warnings Now In Place For Later In The Week Thursday 25th November Valid for Highland, Grampian, Angus, East Lothian and Scottish Borders Heavy Snow Thu 25 Nov There is a moderate risk of severe weather on Thursday. There is potential for snow showers to become frequent in places giving localised accumulations of 2-5 cm of snow inland with 10 cm or more on high ground in northeast England and Scotland.23/11/2010
16 Police Stations May Close With Staff Cuts
Proposals for cuts aim to maintain highest possible police numbers NORTHERN Constabulary will seek the agreement of the Board, which meets on Friday 26 November, to implement the recommendations of the Best Value Review, which includes the closure of 16 police stations, reduced reception hours at some stations and a new call management structure. Work is still continuing in order to assess the full implications of the Scottish Budget, announced on 17 November, for this Force, however a cut equivalent to around 6%, including inflation, is anticipated.23/11/2010
Scottish Government Launches Commission On Public Services
First Minister Alex Salmond today (Tuesday 23 November 2010) launched the establishment of a high-level Commission to examine how Scotland's public services can be delivered in future to secure improved outcomes for communities across the country. The Commission will be chaired by Dr Campbell Christie CBE, former General Secretary of the STUC and President of Scottish Council for Development and Industry since December 2009.23/11/2010
Scotland's Largest Marine Energy Conference
Companies with an interest in working in the marine renewables sector are being invited to attend Scotland's largest renewable marine energy conference in Inverness next week, 24 and 25 November 2010. The free-to-attend event at the Drumossie Hotel, Inverness is being organised by trade association Scottish Renewables with support from Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE).[Jewelers]
22/11/2010Camoch Jewellery Opened In Thurso
Camoch Jewellery have recently opened a shop at 1 Princes Street in Thurso (next door to the Commercial bar). They stock a wide range of fashion jewellery and accessories such as scarves and handbags.
22/11/2010
Highland Council Welcomes Scrabster Harbour Funding Boost
The Highland Council has welcomed the announcement by Highlands and Islands Enterprise to award Scrabster Harbour Trust £5 million to help develop the harbour as a key component of Scotland's renewable energy infrastructure. Convener Councillor Sandy Park said: "The news of the approval of £5m from HIE should be very welcome not just in the north but throughout the Highlands.22/11/2010
Crimestoppers cracks down on counterfeiting in the Highlands
Scotland Crimestoppers launched a campaign this week in the Highlands to tackle counterfeiting and raise awareness of the more serious links it has to organised crime. Crimestoppers joined forces with other agencies and services at a Highland launch event in the Eastgate Centre, Inverness.22/11/2010
Appointment of new Northern Constabulary Chief Constable
A selection panel of Northern Joint Police Board has appointed George Graham to be Northern Constabulary's new Chief Constable, to succeed Ian Latimer on his retiral in the spring of 2011. Mr Graham joined Dumfries and Galloway Constabulary in 1982 and is currently Deputy Chief Constable, a role he has held since January 2006, following his promotion from Chief Superintendent, Head of Operations.21/11/2010
Community Council Review Stage 3 Consultation
The Highland Council is launching the third and final phase of consultation on a major review of Community Councils. This seeks final comments on a proposed new Scheme for Community Councils, including a model constitution, standing orders and code of conduct for Community Councillors.21/11/2010
Council renews support for Highland community transport groups
Twenty community transport schemes in the Highlands will continue to receive financial support, totalling almost £500,000, from The Highland Council in the next financial year Members of The Highland Council's Transport Environmental and Community Services Committee have agreed to extend grant support into 2011/12, providing that the community groups work with Council officials to identify combined efficiency savings of at least £15,000. Committee members were informed that one service, the Sound of Mull Passenger Ferry, which is jointly funded by Argyll and Bute Council, has seen a reduced level of usage and is currently receiving a subsidy of £49.96 per passenger from The Highland Council.21/11/2010
Council to press Network Rail for improved safety measures
Members of The Highland Council's Transport Environmental and Community Services Committee have agreed that the Council will write to Network Rail to press for improved safety measures at automatic open level crossings in the Highlands. The action follows an update to members on the report by the Rail Accident Investigation Branch (RAIB) into the fatal accident at the Halkirk level crossing in September 2009.21/11/2010
Update on Nigg Yard
At the start of Planning, Environment and Development Committee of Highland Council last week, members were given an update on the latest developments surrounding the Council's efforts to unlock the potential of the Nigg Fabrication Yard. Committee Chairman, Councillor Ian Ross reported that he and the Convener have recently written to the landowners expressing concern that the opportunity to realise the undoubted potential of the site is rapidly closing and time is clearly of the essence.20/11/2010
New Technology Could Increase Output Three Times Over for Caithness Stone Producer
Latest research and technology is allowing a Caithness business to work in new ways with the area's best known natural resource. A&D Sutherland, a family business which has been quarrying and preparing Caithness Flagstone from Spittal for more than 40 years, has traditionally supplied paving and hard stones for large architectural contracts, as well providing items like hearths.
18/11/2010
