Joint statement from NHS Highland and Riverbank Medical Practice, Thurso Riverbank Medical Practice in Thurso is going through a period of transition but we would like to reassure patients that there will be NO change to general medical services being provided from the practice. Following an exceptionally difficult period, the partners of Riverbank Medical Practice have taken the very difficult decision to end their partnership.
Official statistics published today show that over the year the volume of retail sales in Scotland grew by 0.6 per cent, but with a small fall in the volume and value of retail sales in Scotland in the second quarter of this year. On an annual basis, we continue to see growth in the sector with the volume of retail sales, growing by 0.6 per cent, which is in-line with GB growth rates.
Nominations sought for Scottish Health Awards 2012. The search is on for top health workers and teams across the Highlands as the Scottish Health Awards 2012 open for nominations.
Partners want to ensure a safe and secure Belladrum 2012. Multi-agency partners (Northern Constabulary, NHS Highland, Highland Council, Scottish Ambulance Service, the British Red Cross and Highland Alcohol & Drugs Partnership) want Belladrum 2012 festival goers to have a safe and secure event.
Sales volumes soar whilst average property prices decrease by 0.2 per cent. Registers of Scotland published statistics today showing that the total volume of sales across Scotland registered during the first quarter of 2012/13 was 18,514, an increase of 9.2% on the same quarter the previous year.
Graduates in Scotland will be offered more chances to take on internships at Scottish firms following the investment of around £200,000 by the Scottish Government. The funding will support Adopt-an-Intern, a programme with a proven track record of helping graduates into permanent jobs, and will go towards another 110 placements in 2012/13.
Plans to put Scotland's food and drink sector ahead of the game were revealed today by Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs Richard Lochhead. The Food and Drink 2014 Action Plan - announced ahead of events to promote Scottish Food and Drink at London 2012 - will help to ensure Scottish food and drink companies maximise their competitive advantage and capitalise on the economic opportunity current and future events offer.
The Rotary Club of Thurso are inviting budding engineers and willing competitors of ages 8 to 88, to participate in the Thurso Soap-Box Grand Prix, at 1.00pm on 8th September 2012, at The North Highland College. The idea is for individuals or teams to design and construct the fastest, most attractive and most entertaining free-rolling soap-box kart they can.
Police in Wick are appealing for witnesses following a reported road traffic collision about 1:45am on Sunday 22 July 2012. This was at A882, Haster, Caithness, two cars collided and one of the cars left the location without stopping or reporting the matter to Police.
Home security advice. Don't give thieves a chance...
Police remind drivers to remain patient during a busy end to the week on the roads in and around Inverness. Police are reminding motorists that this coming week is likely to be busier than normal on roads in and around Inverness with a number of high profile events taking place.
The Pentland Firth and Orkney Waters in the North of Scotland will today confirm their place on the global marine energy map with the launch of the area as a Marine Energy Park. Energy and Climate Change Minister Greg Barker will welcome the launch of the marine park during a visit to Thurso in Caithness, where he is set to address key players from across the marine renewable energy industry.
The Highland Licensing Board is consulting widely over a review of its policy governing door entry to night clubs (commonly called a curfew), which requires admission by midnight. The Board invites representations on whether the policy should continue and, if so, whether it should be extended throughout the Highlands.
Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) is advising hill walkers to check online about deer stalking on estates before heading out for the hills. The stag stalking season (1st July to 20th October) is a popular time of year for walkers, so three years ago SNH set up the Heading for the Scottish Hills website, www.outdooraccess-scotland.com/hftsh.
The Scottish Government is considering urgent action to address exceptionally high levels of prawn fishing activities in the West of Scotland. Recent months have seen a shift of vessels that normally fish for prawns in the North Sea, where prawns have been scarce this year, moving to the West causing much greater fishing activity than expected.‪ While quota is projected to last the year and overall prawn fishing is at a similar level to 2011 and 2010, the displacement means the annual 'time at sea' constraints for the West Coast - the set limits for each geographic area under the EU's Cod Recovery Plan - will be breached without action being taken.
Only a handful of farmers inspected in 2011 breached the read rates for sheep electronic ID (EID) tags - and very few received any form of penalty. Of the 650 flocks inspected, just 64 received any form of cross compliance penalty - 0.3 per cent of Scottish sheep producers.
The Finance Secretary today called on the Chancellor to take action, through an immediate stimulus to capital investment, to address the UK double-dip recession and prevent Westminster's economic policy from further hampering Scotland's economic recovery. Mr Swinney's comments follow the quarterly State of the Economy report published today by the Scottish Government's Chief Economist, Dr Gary Gillespie, which provides both an update on recent developments in the Scottish economy and on outlook of future growth prospects.
The Crown Estate today opened an industry engagement exercise to shape the future of wave and tidal leasing in the UK. With 37 sites leased to date, the UK already has a global lead in the wave and tidal industry and the exercise aims to help the industry grow further.
The Highland Council is inviting applications from voluntary groups to operate community transport projects for the 2013 - 2014 financial year. 19 voluntary groups are coming to the end of their current funding agreements and they will now be able to apply for new revenue funding.
Commenting on the Department for Environment and Climate Change (DECC) announcement of new Renewable Obligation banding levels, Energy Minister Fergus Ewing said: "I welcome the UK Government's decision to follow Scotland's lead and set its own onshore wind band at 0.9 ROCS, but I am concerned at the UK Government's decision to only set this band for one year, until 2014, pending the outcome of yet another review. "The onshore wind sector needs certainty to enable it to make investment decisions, which is why last week the First Minister wrote to Ed Davey to indicate that the Scottish Government will keep its onshore wind band at 0.9 ROCS for the next four years.
