News Archive
12/9/2012
Scotland's Drinking Water Still High Quality
Scotland's drinking water continues to be of a high quality, according to a report published today. The annual report by the Drinking Water Quality Regulator (DWQR) on the quality of public supplies during 2011 found that well over 99 per cent of tests on samples complied with strict regulatory standards.12/9/2012
UK Parliamentary Boundary Changes
The Boundary Commission for Scotland today (Thursday 13 September 2012) begins an eight week final consultation period with its Sixth Review of UK Parliament Constituencies. The final consultation period allows comments to be made to the Commission concerning any of its revised proposals for constituencies.12/9/2012
Voice For Farming New Entrants
A new expert panel has been established to advise the Scottish Government on how more new entrant farmers can be supported to access opportunities to take up farming. The New Entrants Advisory Panel meets for the first time today and will advise Government on support and assistance for new entrants, including the position of new entrants under the next Scotland Rural Development Programme (SRDP), as part of the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) reforms.12/9/2012
Potentially Biggest Power Transfer Since Devolution
A proposed bill to give more power to Scotland's communities could see the biggest transfer of power since devolution. The proposed Community Empowerment and Renewal Bill would give more power to Scotland's communities.12/9/2012
Science And Engineering Careers For Girls
Gender inequality in key Scottish industries will be addressed by a new £250,000 fund to encourage girls to widen their career options, Scotland's First Minister Alex Salmond announced today. The funding will go towards Careerwise Scotland, a new initiative which will step up action to encourage more girls to consider careers in science and engineering, an issue highlighted previously by the independent Science and Engineering Education Advisory Group.12/9/2012
School Handbook Changes To Help Parents
A guide to help schools provide the information that parents want about their child's education has been published by Minister for Learning Alasdair Allan. School handbooks are an important source of information for parents.12/9/2012
Fishing Income At Record Levels
Statistics published today by Scotland's Chief Statistician show that the value of fish landed by Scottish vessels increased by 13 per cent in real terms in 2011 to reach the highest level in the century. The figures show that 359,000 tonnes of fish were landed by Scottish vessels with a value of £501 million.11/9/2012
Bin your butts campaign proves a success in Inverness
A Highland Council campaign aimed at reducing smoking related litter on the streets of Inverness has seen a 25% reduction in litter with smokers helping out and 'Binning their butts'. The Highland Council ran a week long campaign which saw Officers out and about in the Inverness City centre speaking to smokers and raising awareness of the problems of tackling cigarette litter.11/9/2012
Help For Thousands To Scale The Housing Ladder
A Scottish Government guarantee is enabling Scotland's big banks, building societies and house building companies to back a scheme that will help up to 6000 households gain easier access to new homes. Nationwide and the Royal Bank of Scotland are throwing their weight behind the national mortgage indemnity scheme, developed by home-building industry body Homes for Scotland.11/9/2012
Highland Top Young Entrepreneurs Gain Awards
Café/Gallery owner Elspeth Knight is named Highland's top young entrepreneur at the regional finals of the 2012 Prince's Trust Youth Business Scotland 'Young Entrepreneur of the Year' Awards. The 33 year old founder of Red Roof Gallery Café on the Isle of Skye was announced as regional winner at a ceremony in Inverness Town House today.
11/9/2012
Employment rises in Scotland
The latest labour market statistics, covering the three month period May-July 2012, show that employment in Scotland continues to rise. This is the 6th consecutive statistics release where employment has increased in Scotland and the 22nd consecutive monthly statistics release where employment in Scotland is higher than in the UK.11/9/2012
Funding Drain Threatens Future Of Third Sector
Reserves running out fast for small and medium-sized charities. Smaller charities are disproportionately feeling the brunt of funding cuts, according to figures released today by the Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations, with the majority of them spending more than they have coming in.11/9/2012
Sanctions Closer In Mackerel Fight
A vote by the European Parliament today brings sanction proposals over unsustainable fishing practices a step closer. Scottish Fisheries Secretary Richard Lochhead said:"This is a welcome development and I hope it leads to the European Commission introducing meaningful and effective sanctions as soon as possible against states that fish unsustainably and outwith international agreements.11/9/2012
Parenting Programme Extended To Highland
A pioneering programme which provides support to first-time young parents is to be extended to more areas of Scotland, Health Secretary Alex Neil announced today. The Family Nurse Partnership programme, which aims to give children a healthier start in life, is to be brought in to Lanarkshire and Highland.9/9/2012
Dingwall & Highlands Marts Ltd - Sale 10 September 2012
DINGWALL, Dingwall & Highlands Marts Ltd, (September, 10th) sold 4,207 ewe lambs and gimmers at the Highland Mule Breeders Association annual show and sale. The gimmer judge, Mr E.9/9/2012
11 Arrests In Caithness Awaiting Court Appearances On Tuesday
Over the weekend the police in Caithness have made a number of arrests and they all await court appearances on Tuesday. A range of alleged offences including assaults on police officers mean that they are holding people in custody longer due to the Monday court holiday.8/9/2012
National Recognition for The Highland Council's Plan for the Future
The Highland Council's ambitious vision to support the sustainable economic growth of the Highland's has been commended at a national awards ceremony. The Highland-wide Local Development Plan received a Commendation at the Scottish Awards for Quality in Planning in the Quality of Service Category.8/9/2012
Women's Employment Summit Next Week
The First Minister and Minister for Youth Employment Angela Constance will host Scotland's first ever Women's Employment Summit this week (September 12). The event, at Our Dynamic Earth, has been jointly organised by the STUC and will be attended by 150 delegates, with more dialling in from Inverness and Dumfries.7/9/2012
Wild North Festival 2012
A Festival to Celebrate the Natural and Cultural Heritage of the North Highlands You Like Wild - check the three areas festival programmes here:- 28 September - 2 October 2012 - Mackay Country, Sutherland 3 - 10 October 2012 - Assynt, Sutherland 10 - 14 October - Castletown to John o'Groats, Caithness For full details see the wild North Web site at http://northhighlandsscotland.com/wildnorthfestival/ The Wild North Festival is a new initiative which focuses on encouraging enjoyment, understanding and awareness of the rich natural heritage of the North Highland area through events and activities for visitors and local people. It is hoped that the 2012 pilot festival will be shaped into an annual moveable feast of North Highland culture, activities, nature and heritage.6/9/2012
