News Archive
19/9/2011
Enterprise Minister Fergus Ewing today announced �1 million in allocations under the Scottish Government's Post Office Diversification Fund which will help to support business activities around local post offices The Fund, which recognises the vital role that post offices can play in supporting communities, will award up to �25,000 to 48 post offices in 24 areas. Successful applications include plans to create a community enterprise office and internet cafe.
19/9/2011
Fuel companies, government and consumer groups are being asked to take action to minimise the impact of recent energy price hikes on customers. Following today's meeting of the Scottish Energy Advisory Board (SEAB) - which now features customer representation in the shape of Consumer Focus Scotland - First Minister Alex Salmond called on all interested parties to come together for a fuel summit ahead of the onset of winter weather.
New tourism campaign promotes autumn and winter in the Highlands Inspiring ideas are part of the national tourism organisation's marketing campaign, Surprise Yourself, which aims to highlight the more surprising aspects of the Highlands to visitors in the coming months. A new direct mail campaign, created by VisitScotland and in partnership with the Highland Council, will be delivered to around 50,000 households this month, encouraging those who may already be familiar with the Highlands to discover more of what the region has to offer during the autumn and winter months.
18/9/2011
Caithness Petroleum the company that recently drilled for oil at Lybster has made some changes and given an update on the field at Lybster. Caithness Petroleum Limited - Board Appointment Caithness Petroleum Limited ("Caithness" or the "Company"), the privately owned British independent petroleum exploration and production company, is pleased to announce the appointment of Peter de Wit, who recently retired as Chairman of Shell Netherlands, as a non executive director of the Company, with effect from 15 September 2011.
18/9/2011
A new strategy that could lead to �8 billion growth in the British marine and maritime industry has been launched today by Business Minister Mark Prisk at one of Europe's premier on-water shows, the PSP Southampton Boat Show. Drawing on the thinking of business, Government and academia, the Marine Industries Growth Strategy (MIGS) is the first ever integrated UK strategy for the marine industries and establishes a foundation for ambitious but sustainable long-term growth.
18/9/2011
Subpostmasters, customers and communities could be given a say in how the Post Office is run under plans published today by Postal Affairs Minister Edward Davey. The proposals are in a Government consultation, 'Building a Mutual Post Office,' published today setting out options to move the Post Office from Government ownership to a mutual model.
A �7.961 million six month services fee has been set for the arms length organisation "High life Highland" which will deliver community learning and leisure services for The Highland Council. Members of the Council's Education, Culture and Sport (ECS) Service have agreed to a half year budget of �7.082 million and service level agreement costs of �0.879 million from 1 October 2011 to the end of March 2012.
DINGWALL, Dingwall & Highland Marts Ltd., (September, 16th) sold 6,231 store lambs and ewes including 871 on behalf of Lewis Livestock Producers. Lambs (5,198) sold to �60 gross for Suffolk crosses from 22 Achfrish, Lairg.
Inverness is warming up to host Scotland's largest marine conference and exhibition at Eden Court Theatre next week (19th and 20th September). The Scottish Renewables Marine Energy Conference, in association with Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE), will see over 200 delegates and 30 exhibitors attending.
16/9/2011
A leading international business services provider is recruiting in Caithness and Sutherland next week - and is seeking people interested in their innovative self employed home working model. Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) has been working closely with Arise UK and its client, Shop Direct Group, to highlight the range of highly skilled people available in the far north.
16/9/2011
The Highland Council in partnership with NHS Highland have conducted a survey for the second time that provides a snapshot of young people's lifestyles in the Highlands. The survey carried out in March 2011, included responses from over 5,000 pupils in their last year of primary school and second and fourth years of secondary school.
The Highland Council is underlining its commitment to tackling flooding by issuing improved and more detailed guidance to developers on how to address flooding matters when they design and implement their proposals for development. During the autumn, the Council will ask the public and the development industry to comment on a draft of this new advice, which has been prepared in conjunction with technical input from various sources including the Scottish Environment Protection Agency.
Member of The Highland Council's Education, Culture and Sport Committee have welcomed a report on SQA exam results for Highland pupils in 2011. The report stated that: "overall the results were very encouraging, remain above the national average and show a consistent overall performance in most categories of exam results".
The Highland Council's Trading Standards is reminding all businesses selling tobacco that they have less than three weeks to register with the Scottish Government if they wish to continue to sell tobacco products. I October is the deadline for tobacco retailers to register on the Scottish Tobacco Retailer Register which has been open for registration since 1St April 2011.
15/9/2011
*Lairg Community Centre Tuesday 18 October 2011 12 -- 3pm * *What are the challenges for privately owned businesses in the Highlands? * Succession. Sustainability.
15/9/2011
Fifteen ambitious summer placement students based across the Highlands and Islands have faced their dragons, with six being commended for pitches about their projects. The students, who came from across the UK to work for eight weeks with local businesses and social enterprises, are part of the TalentScotland Summer Placement Programme managed by Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE).
15/9/2011
The first graduate to complete the TalentScotland Graduate Placement Programme in the Highlands and Islands has set up her own business. Elizabeth Todd, a marketing graduate from Edinburgh University, secured a 12 month placement with Isle of Eriska Hotel, Golf and Spa in summer 2010.
14/9/2011
Jennifer Easton gained a prestigious award in the Prince's Scottish Youth Business Awards this week. At a presentation ceremony aboard Jacobite Queen on the Caledonian Canal.
Dounreay sets out what will stay and what will go Dounreay's decommissioning contractor today sets out what will happen to an estimated 300,000 tonnes of radioactive material from the clean-out and closure of the former nuclear research site. More than 99 per cent is expected to remain indefinitely at Dounreay.
DINGWALL, Dingwall & Highland Marts Ltd., (September, 15th) sold 6,081 store lambs and ewes including 1,567 on behalf of Lewis Livestock Producers. Lambs (4,133) averaged �51.52 and sold to �70 gross thrice for Texel crosses from Kinnahaird Farm, Contin, Cheviots from Bogburn Farm, Duncanston, and Cheviot Mules also from Kinnahaird Farm.