News Archive

Single Farm Payment Progress Update

Over 90 per cent of Scotland�s Single Farm Payments have now been made, Rural Affairs Secretary Richard Lochhead confirmed today.   The latest figures show that 17,400 payments (92 per cent) have been made � putting �406 million into bank accounts across Scotland.  

Contractor Appointed For Kessock Bridge Works

Commuters urged to think ahead.   A programme of essential repairs to the Kessock Bridge took a step forward today when Transport Scotland announced that Balfour Beatty Civil Engineering had been appointed to undertake the works.  

No Ferries Sailings From Aberdeen To The Isles

Serco NorthLink Ferries has confirmed that sailings between the Northern Isles and Aberdeen today (21 December) have been cancelled due to adverse weather conditions.   According to current weather forecasts storms will halt sailings until Sun 23 December.  

Dingwall & Highland Marts Ltd - Sale Of Poultry - 21 December 2012

Dingwall, Dingwall & Highland Marts Ltd., (December, 21st) sold 169 lots of Christmas poultry.  Oven ready turkey (80) averaged 293p per lb and sold to 519.1p per lb for an 11.75lb bird from Balnakyle Farm, Aberlour, and �77 gross for a 19.25lb bird also from Balnakyle Farm.  

Caithness and North Sutherland Regeneration Partnership - Update

Energy: Last week a number of local people were able to view a demonstration of a system designed by Nuvia and tested at T3UK near Thurso.  The remote handling equipment, for spent fuel at a power station being decommissioned in Lithuania, is the product of two years of joint work between Nuvia and JGC Engineering Services.  

Further Cancellations on Northern Isles Ferry Services

Serco NorthLink has issued another warning to customers as severe weather continues to disrupt ferry services linking Aberdeen with Orkney and Shetland.   The operator is in the process of contacting customers booked on services between today and Christmas to advise them most sailings are likely to be cancelled.  

Council Welcomes Nigg Jobs Announcement

The Leader of The Highland Council, Councillor Drew Hendry has welcomed today�s announcement that the Global Energy Group, owner of Nigg Energy Park, is launching a Highland-wide recruitment drive to find an additional 400 skilled personnel in a wide range of energy disciplines to support their existing labour force in the delivery of contract work.   Councillor Hendry said: �The Council�s programme places the highest priority on sustainable economic growth and economic recovery.  

Planning For Our Seas

A plan will be prepared next year to guide development activity in the Pentland Firth and Orkney Waters.   The Government Directorate Marine Scotland, Orkney Islands Council and The Highland Council have set up a working group to take forward the project and are encouraging stakeholders to get involved in the development of the plan.  

Dounreay Nuclear Materials Transferred To Sellafield

Dounreay begins returning material to national fuel stocks.   Nuclear material left over from Dounreay's research work in the 20th century is being returned to national fuel stocks as part of the site's clean-up and closure.  

Small Business Bonus saves Highland businesses �37m

Approximately �37 million worth of rates relief have been awarded across the Highlands local areas since the introduction of the Small Business Bonus Scheme (SBBS) in 2008, Enterprise Minister Fergus Ewing said today on a visit to The Drawing Room in Inverness.   The Drawing Room, owned by Highland businesswoman Mairi Fraser, is one of 8,383 businesses premises to have benefited from rates relief since the introduction of the SBBS in 2008.