News Archive
7/4/2012
Dutch renewables company 2-B Energy has joined forces with Scottish Enterprise to deliver cutting-edge offshore wind technology with the potential to reduce costs by up to 45 per cent. The organisations will work together to support commercialisation of 2-B's unique two-bladed offshore turbine concept through development of offshore test and demonstration facilities in Scotland - potentially by the end of 2014.
Dounreay today completed the destruction of one of the most hazardous legacies of Britain's earliest atomic research. A purpose-built chemical plant processed the last of 57,000 litres of liquid metal lifted from the primary cooling circuit of the experimental fast breeder reactor.
A new register to demonstrate the skills and experience of workers interested in the financial and business services industry across the Highlands and Islands has been launched by Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE). Due to a number of ongoing discussions with companies interested in investing and creating jobs in the area, the agency is now looking to demonstrate the range and diversity of skills and experience which are available across the Highlands and Islands.
5/4/2012
Due to a previous incident at the above locus whereby the traffic light controlling traffic flowing South and traffic turning right into Tesco was damaged, it has come to the attention of police that drivers are failing to observe the red "repeater" light at the far side of this junction and travelling straight through. There is a high probability of an accident occurring as a result of this.
Today Northern Constabulary joins Scotland's other Police forces for three days of action, coordinated by the Association of Chief Police Officers in Scotland, to target those who drive without suitable insurance. The campaign runs from Tuesday April 3 and concludes on Friday April 6, 2012.
DINGWALL, Dingwall & Highland Marts Ltd., (April, 3rd) sold 67 prime cattle. Prime bullocks (37) averaged 204.3p (+0.3p) and sold to 218p per kg and �1,496.50 gross.
2/4/2012
Scotland's Crofting Commission is now open for business - and Environment Minister Stewart Stevenson met the new commissioners for the first time today. The Crofting Commission - which was established on April 1 and supersedes the Crofters Commission - aims to meet the needs of crofting and crofters in the 21st century.
2/4/2012
The Scottish Government has published details of the referendum consultation responses as at first thing this morning, which show that only 414 responses out of a total of 11,986 were anonymous - just 3.5 per cent of the total. The figures demonstrate there is no evidence that the process is being skewed by anonymous contributions, Cabinet Secretary for Parliamentary Business Bruce Crawford said.
2/4/2012
Energy Minister Fergus Ewing today welcomed the launch of the Department for Energy and Climate Change's (DECC) Carbon Capture and Storage Competition. Energy Minister Fergus Ewing said:"I welcome the launch of DECC's Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) Competition despite two previous false starts, and am keen to work with DECC as part of the competition process to ensure that it results in the development of CCS.
2/4/2012
Social housing in Scotland entered a new era today, as Housing and Transport Minister, Keith Brown MSP, launched Scotland's first Social Housing Charter. Affecting over 600,000 households, the Social Housing Charter sets 16 standards and outcomes that all social landlords should be achieving for the tenants and other customers.
2/4/2012
Warning - phone scam Northern Constabulary has received information from members of the public that a bogus finance company is calling and stating that they have a substantial refund to pay and are requesting the last numbers of a visa/debit card along with other personal details. Police advise members of the public that they should not provide any personal information over the phone to unknown individuals.
Construction work is underway on a new railhead to support the closure of the redundant nuclear site at Dounreay. The facility at Georgemas Junction on the far north rail line will enable fuel belonging to the UK to be returned to national stocks where it can be used to generate electricity.
Businesses in the Highlands and Islands are encouraged to take advantage of business opportunities in Ireland at a free event in Inverness this month. Ireland is the UK's fifth largest export market and the UK's largest export market in sectors such as food and drink, fashion and footwear.
Senior figures from government and industry are gathering at Dounreay today to hear the site's new clean-up team set out their vision to accelerate the demolition of Britain's second largest civil nuclear site. Three of the world's biggest engineering and project management companies - Babcock International, CHM2HILL and URS - have come together to win the largest site closure contract ever let in the UK.
Dounreay Site Restoration Ltd is under new ownership from today. The company is now a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Babcock Dounreay Partnership.
1/4/2012
With the backing of BADA-UK, the charity behind Tick Bite Prevention Week, leading Scottish life sciences company Xeroshield is looking for your help with the completion of a major new study about ticks and Lyme disease in Scotland. Members of the public are being encouraged to take five minutes to complete a short online survey asking them some straightforward questions about their own experience of ticks and Lyme disease in Scotland.
The Nuclear Decommissioning Authority today publishes its business plan for 2012/13, setting out key clean-up goals for sites such as Dounreay to achieve. "Our business plan for 2012/2013 sees us entering into the second year of funding allocated in the last spending review," says NDA chief executive John Clarke.
1/4/2012
An independent advice service has been set up to offer advice and support to NHS patients across Scotland. As part of the Patients Rights Act, from April 2, the Patient and Advice Support Service (PASS) will raise awareness of patients rights and provide support to patients on how to give feedback about their healthcare.
1/4/2012
Scotland is a step closer to having its own rural parliament to empower rural communities and give them a greater opportunity to influence decision-making, network and share expertise. A report, published today, highlights the experiences of countries which already have rural parliaments, including the benefits and potential pitfalls, success stories and the various formats used.
1/4/2012
Energy Minister Fergus Ewing has welcomed new figures that demonstrate Scotland will beat the 2011 renewables target. Statistics published today show that the amount of renewable electricity generated in 2011 rose 45 per cent on 2010 to 13,750 Gigawatt hours.