News Archive

Banks Agree To Help Caithness Companies With New Government Initiaitives

Highland based banks agree to help Caithness companies benefit from new Government funding initiatives Representatives from the main Banks operating in the Caithness area have agreed to share their understanding of the new government initiatives with local businesses at a specially convened event at the Weigh Inn Hotel, Thurso on 8th May from 1pm.   Businesses have been suffering from the effects of recession and the 'credit crunch' making life more difficult for those seeking to grow or simply survive.  

North Highlands Premier Brand Hosted Premier London Chefs

Organised and hosted by Mey Selections, and with the support of Highlands and Islands Enterprise, a group of ten top London chefs have, over the past few days, experienced for themselves just what it is about the North Highlands that produces award winning food and drink.   Philip Corrick, Head Chef of the Royal Automobile Club, commented, "I am certain I speak for the rest of the group when I say that the North Highlands is unique in the UK in being able to deliver time after time, such a variety of quality produce - be it beef, lamb, mutton, seafood, cheese or bakery products, and much more." "The winning combination of the unspoilt environment together with the care and traditional skills employed by the region's fine food producers creates wonderful ingredients and products which consistently deliver on taste and performance.  

Stone calls for over the counter sales of Tamiflu

Highland MSP Jamie Stone has called on the Scottish Government to investigate making the anti viral drug Tamiflu available over-the-counter to help prevent the spread of Mexican swine flu.   From this Friday New Zealanders with flu symptoms will be able to buy the drug over-the-counter in pharmacies in a move designed to prevent the annual spread of flu that coincides with their winter.  

NHS Highland Statement On Swine Flu

Of the 24 new suspected cases announced today, only one is resident in Highland.   Their clinical condition is not giving any cause for concern.  

Workshops To Offer Support For New Businesses

The Business Gateway will be running the first of a series of Business Start Up courses tomorrow (Thursday 30 April 2009) to provide advice to people who are thinking of starting up their own business or who have just started trading.   The free two day workshop, held at Ness Horizons Centre at the Beechwood Park in Inverness, will cover topics including personal and business planning, managing resources, VAT and tax requirements, setting sales targets and marketing.  

Highland Population Rising Due To Inward Migration

The General Register Office for Scotland (GROS) has today published their mid year estimates for 2008.  They show that the population of Highland rose from 217,440 in 2007 to 219,400 in 2008, an increase of 1,960 or 0.9%.  

Moves To End Right To Buy Houses In Scotland

Moves to end the Right to Buy for new build social housing in Scotland were formally published today.   The reforms, part of the consultation on the Draft Housing (Scotland) Bill, are aimed at safeguarding social rented housing for future generations.  

New Netork To Empower Rural Scotland

Rural communities throughout Scotland can now start to share ideas, experiences and information through the new Scottish National Rural Network.   The network will promote national and regional events and be supported by an interactive website within which communities can share common problems, examples of good practice and development ideas.  

Orbital Welder For Dounreay Tested In New Facility At Bower

Dropping a large three metre stainless steel container from a great height might seem like a bizarre concept, but it's all in a days work for the PFR project team.   Storage of the spent fuel from the former fast reactor needs to be safeguarded from all potentially hazardous conditions.  

Safety Record Earns Charity Windfall

Dounreay's industrial safety record during the last 12 months earned a �22,500 windfall for good causes locally.   Every month the site goes without a lost-time accident earns a �2500 pay-out from UKAEA Ltd, parent company of Dounreay Site Restoration Ltd.