News Archive

Scotland's First Marine Bill Outlined

A new future for Scotland's seas, balancing conservation and economic growth, was outlined today.   Proposals in 'Sustainable Seas For All - A Consultation On Scotland's First Marine Bill' include: * Improved conservation to ensure a healthy future for Scotland's unique marine wildlife, including internationally important populations of seabirds * A new marine planning system and a streamlined licensing system to encourage economic investment in areas such as renewable energy * Measures to ensure a viable future for Scotland's traditional and new marine industries * The creation of Marine Scotland combining the efforts of existing bodies to act as a champion for Scotland's seas Launching the consultation at the Storehouse of Foulis, near Inverness, Environment Secretary Richard Lochhead said: "Scotland's seas are special.  

Agreement Reached On New Administration of The Highland Council

The Independent, Liberal Democrat and Labour members of The Highland Council have joined forces to form the new Administration of the Council.  Following a series of meetings, they have agreed to work together to replace the former Independent/Scottish National Party coalition.  

Northern Isles Take Step Closer To Mainland

BT is laying a new fibre optic submarine cable between Orkney and the Scottish mainland to help bring its 21st Century Network to the Northern Isles.  The 70 km cable will run from Skaill Bay in Orkney under the Pentland Firth to Dunnet Bay, around five miles east of Thurso.  

SEPA - New Scheme For Assessing Licence Compliance

Industries and public bodies in Scotland are being given the opportunity to comment on a new scheme to assess compliance with environmental licence conditions.   The Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) is looking to streamline its compliance assessment scheme across four regulatory regimes and is urging operators of power stations, landfills and water & sewerage supply, fish famers and chemical manufacturers to comment on its consultation, published today (7 July).  

Injured Forces Veterans May Get Concessionary Fares In Scotland

CONCESSIONARY FARE REVIEW TERMS PUBLISHED ELIGIBILITY WILL EXTEND TO INJURED VETERANS The Scottish Government is proposing to extend the concessionary fares scheme for elderly and disabled people to ensure that injured forces veterans are included, Finance Secretary John Swinney said today.   Mr Swinney was speaking as the terms for the review of the current concessionary fares scheme were published.  

Notice To Rented Property Owners

Over the past few weks it has become clear that ads in the rented property section arenot being dealt with efficiently.   We have not been removing properties quickly enough after notification manily due to pressure of other work.  

Change to Council's Bulky Uplift Service

As of 1 July 2008 The Highland Council will be changing its policy for the bulky uplift service for certain household wastes, by removing bagged or other contained excess household waste from the list of approved items.  This amendment to the service is designed to help improve the environment by reducing the amount of waste going to landfill.  

New Business Caithness Auctions First Auction 15th June

From paintings fit for royalty and beautiful Parker Knoll furnishings to TVs, smokey BBQ sets and Kenny Rogers CDs, Caithness Auctions has it all!The concept of a local busy auctionhouse is not a new one to our county.   Many have tried and succeeded in bringing the saleroom to Caithness and those who have experienced it will know how fantastic they are.  

Potential Pentland Firth Electricity by Bill Mowat

This article 'Potential Pentland Firth Electricity' generation was commissioned by the Energy Institute; it appears in this month's edition of its magazine aimed mainly at the renewables sector called 'Energy World' ; its monthly 'Petroleum Review' covers international oil and gas matters.   Potential Pentland Firth Electricity by Bill Mowat The Pentland Firth, the narrow channel between Northern Scotland and the Orkney Islands, has been hailed as both the 'Holy Grail' and the 'Saudi Arabia' of British renewables, because of the massive amount of kinetic energy in its swift-moving currents (up to 12 knots).  

Council's Commitment To Highland Tourism Industry

The Highland Council's Planning Environment and Development Committee today agreed funding of £495,000 towards VisitScotland's local operations in recognition of the fact that Tourism is the Highland's biggest industry.  This contribution helps strengthen the close working relationship between the Council and VisitScotland that has been forged since the 2005 reorganisation of VisitScotland.