News Archive

'Everybody Online - Caithness'

'Everybody Online - Caithness', the first project of its kind in the Highlands, is being launched to allow locals who have never had the chance to use the internet to discover what it can do.  The project being funded by Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE), with the support of BT Scotland, is run by a national charity 'Citizens Online' and aims to use technology to help communities counter social disadvantage.  

Fire At Protected Area Gives SNH and Police Cause For Concern

Significant fire damage has been caused to Dunnet Head, a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) due to its cliff habitat and nesting seabirds, Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) can now confirm.   The fire burnt for several days in mid April 2009.  

BUSINESS NETWORKING BREAKFAST TOWN REGENERATION

MONDAY 15 JUNE 2009 CAITHNESS HORIZONS, THURSO 7.30am - 9.30am Presentation by Andy Kennedy Stirling City Centre Manager & Chair of Scotland's Association of Town Centre Management ATCM is Europe`s largest membership organisation dedicated to helping town and city centres realise their natural roles both as prosperous locations for business and investment, and as focal points for vibrant, inclusive communities.   Come along & hear how other town centres in Scotland have realised their potential.  

European Health Insurance Card - don't go on holiday without it!

Having a holiday in the European Union should mean rest and relaxation, but for the unfortunate few, it could turn into an unlucky break.   Breaking your ankle while dancing in a beach club or while mountain climbing is bad enough to deal with, let alone having to cope in a foreign language and even more stressful when you have to worry about treatment procedures.  

Council to Lobby for More Affordable Housing

The Highland Council is to step up its lobbying of both the Scottish and UK Governments for increased investment in new affordable housing.   The impact of the recession and financial constraints affecting housing associations have significantly reduced the Council's ability to meet the growing demand for affordable homes.  

Trading standards warn of �3million bogus car buyer scam

Highland Council's Trading Standards team is participating in an Office of Fair Trading (OFT) campaign to warn consumers about bogus car buyer scams which cost UK consumers nearly �3 million every year.   Bogus car buyer scams, which are sometimes referred to as "vehicle matching scams", target consumers selling cars and falsely promise to match them with definite buyers.  

Focusing On The Future Of Rural Petrol Stations

Following a presentation to The Highland Council's Planning, Environment and Development Committee Members have given their full support for the Council to work with its partners HIE and HITRANS to raise awareness of the economic problems facing rural petrol stations and look at ways of securing a sustainable and accessible network of fuel supply throughout the Highland area.   Experian Catalist were commissioned to produce a comprehensive study looking at the future of the 231 petrol stations currently operating over the Highlands and Islands area.  

Tenant Groups Help To Shape New Strategy For Housing in the Highlands

Tenant housing group representatives from across the Highlands have been working with The Highland Council to produce a new strategy that puts tenant involvement and communication very much at the centre of future housing service delivery and development.   Launched on Monday 25 May 2009 the strategy replaces The Highland Council's previous strategy and, running up to 2012, it aims to improve opportunities for tenant participation across Highland and develop and maintain effective working relationships to progress the design and delivery of housing services.  

100 FEWER BURSTS - NEW NORTH WATER MAINS STOP THE POPS

Scottish Water today (25 May 09) revealed figures showing that its major investment in new water mains across the Highlands and Islands has paid dividends, with 106 fewer burst pipes in the past year.   During 2008/09 Scottish Water dealt with 1,397 burst water mains in the Highland and Western Isles local authority areas, a seven per cent drop from 1,503 the previous year (07/08).  

New weather forecasts for the Northwest Coast of Scotland and the Western Isles

The Maritime & Coastguard Agency (MCA) and the UK Met Office have announced a change to the Inshore Waters Forecasts that are broadcast on VHF radio by Stornoway and Clyde Coastguard during their Maritime Safety Information (MSI) broadcasts.   The change has come about as a result of consultation between the MCA, UK Met Office and the Western Isles Fisherman's Association to better define the difference in the weather conditions between the Atlantic coast of the Western Isles and the Minch, Little Minch & Sea of the Hebrides which is covered by the Ardnamurchan Point to Cape Wrath, including the Outer Hebrides forecast.