News Archive

David Stewart MSP Exposes Incapacity Benefit Change Problems

7,500 could be cut from incapacity benefits in the Highlands and Islands.   MSP David Stewart has criticised the way that the government in Westminster intend to cut the number of incapacity benefit claimants.  

Working together for Caithness tourism

Tourism experts from across Scotland are coming together this week in the first of a series of events taking place before the end of the year looking at how working together improves visitor experiences and business growth.   The chairman of VisitScotland, Dr Mike Cantlay will host 'Making things happen for Tourism' in Wick on Friday.  

Highland Leader chosen as Scottish Local Politician of the Year

This year's award for Local Government Politician of the year, sponsored by Improvement Service and Robertson Group, was won by the Leader of The Highland Council, Councillor Michael Foxley, for his campaigning on issues such as the threat to coastguard stations and emergency tugs and for reform of the Crown Estate.   Councillor Foxley received his award at a ceremony in Edinburgh, sponsored by the Herald newspaper.  

Launch of Internet delivery charges survey

In order to understand the extent of the problem of Internet delivery charges, The Highland Council's Trading Standards team are looking to gather evidence from Highland consumers and small businesses about any malpractice they have experienced and to trace and tackle those businesses that fall foul of internet trading law.   They are launching a web survey from The Highland Council's web site: www.highland.gov.uk/deliverycharges to gauge the experiences of Highland consumers and small businesses about what often seems like excessive delivery charging for goods bought online.  

Caithness Wards Discretionary Budget Awards

Caithness Members of The Highland Council have pledged to support this year's "DA DOONIE DAY" Viking Festival which will take place in Wick on Friday 25 November.  The event, which is run by Thurso Rotary Club, will receive financial support of up to �3,000 from each of the three ward discretionary budgets to assist with the cost of staging the event.  

Historic Grave Tidied by Caithness Countryside Volunteers

The Caithness Countryside Volunteers recently turned out in force on Sunday 30 October, tools in hand to tackle the overgrown and wild path to General Patrick Sinclair's Grave, Lybster.   The Sinclairs of Lybster have a long history, going back to the Sinclair Earls who ruled Caithness, and played a significant role in the once booming herring fishing village of Lybster.  

Apple Day Could Blossom Into Annual Event

Organisers of the Highland's first apple day have heralded the event as a blossoming success that has sown the seed for future annual celebrations.   Over 200 people recently attended the inaugural apple day at Inverness Floral Hall on 22 October.  

Shops Pass Under-age Fireworks Sales Tests

Trading Standards of The Highland Council are praising the vigilence of Highland retailers following a recent test-purchasing exercise in which no sales of fireworks were made to an under-age volunteer.   The 15-year-old volunteer attempted to buy rockets when he visited over a third of retailers registered with the local authority to store and sell fireworks.  

Dingwall & Highland Marts - Sale 5 November 2011

DINGWALL, Dingwall & Highland Marts (November, 5th) sold 124 cattle, 344 sheep, 6 goats, 9 ponies, 532 lots of poultry, 7 lots of eggs and 11 lots of poultry equipment at their poultry and rare breeds of livestock sale.  Cattle (124) sold to �780 gross for British Shorthorn bull from 38 Sangomore, Durness.  

UK Government Wants Simpler Regulatory Landscape

Business and Enterprise Minister Mark Prisk today called for a more mature relationship between business and regulators.  He also talked about the need for a more accountable and transparent system of local regulation and a simpler regulatory landscape.