Dear members of the Dornoch Rail Link Action Group, General situation 1. Since the production of the last newsletter, the rail improvements south of the Border have been proceeding apace.
NHS Highland recently discussed the new Patients Rights Act. The Patient Rights (Scotland) Act 2011 aims to improve patients' experiences of using health services and to support people to become more involved in their health and health care.
The Highland Council is advising anyone accessing its e-Planning service that they are working to fix problems with the system and the time to respond to current consultations will be extended to take into account the difficulties experienced by users. A Council spokesperson said: "We are aware that people are currently experiencing difficulty accessing planning application documents on line through our ePlanning system.
The number of people in Scotland living for more than a century continues to grow. Figures published today by the National Records of Scotland, based on the 2001 Census, estimate that in 2011 there were 830 centenarians living in Scotland.
The vibrancy of Scotland's creativity was in the spotlight as the recipients of this year's Starter for 6 investment were announced by Culture Secretary Fiona Hyslop. Among the successful companies are a former Hip Hop dancer whose global network is enabling dancers from the USA to Australia to share moves via an app on both the Apple and Android platforms; an innovative, high-tech fashion designer; and a product designer whose drum kit won't upset the neighbours.
Working Abroad Expo Hilton Hotel Glasgow Saturday 13th October & Sunday 14th October 2012 Alberta is booming and it is expected there is skills shortage on a huge scale with tens of thousands of workers wanted in many different sectors. An exhibition to meet with agencies recruiting for Canada and elsewhere this weekend at the Hilton hotel in Glasgow is expected to see a Calgary stampede of Scots looking for information and introduction to further their thinking about moving or even just going on a temporary contract to get a feel for the areas.
Highlands and Islands Social Enterprise Zone (HISEZ) have been running successful networking events across the Highlands and Islands for the last 3 years. With expertise in support for Social Enterprises and advice for anyone wishing to start a social enterprise, these events have been an ideal opportunity for many to find out more information and to meet like-minded organisations.
Tourism businesses urged to capitalise on Scotland's £1.5bn events and festivals market. Scottish tourism businesses are being challenged to look at ways of tapping into Scotland's world-class events and festivals programme in the run up to 2014, when the country will host The Ryder Cup, Glasgow Commonwealth Games and a year-long Homecoming Scotland celebration.
A root and branch review of the way Scotland's £2 billion public construction contracts are awarded was launched recently. The review will look at how public bodies involved in construction-related procurement, including those involved in affordable housing, adopt practices that are streamlined and deliver value for taxpayers' money.
Yes! Once again we are offering FREE advertising on the Caithness Business Index pages to help your business cash flow. In the run up to Christmas send in an article about your offers for Christmas.
Senior Marine Scotland officials are to undertake a tour of Scotland's fishing ports for a series of quayside conversations. The officials will meet with fishermen and others involved in the seafood industry to hear first hand about their concerns.
The European Commission proposed today fishing opportunities for the deep-sea fish stocks in EU and international waters of the North-East Atlantic for 2013-2014. In line with the scientific advice, the Commission proposes to increase total allowable catches (TACs) for 3 stocks, a decrease for 13 stocks, and maintain TACs at the current level for 8 stocks (including zero TACs for 6 stocks), compared to 2012.
The Scottish Government is urging keepers of all breeding herds to think about their Bovine Viral Diarrhoea (BVD) testing before putting calves into the sales this autumn. As part of the Scottish BVD eradication scheme all breeding herds must be screened for BVD by 1 February 2013.
The first stage of the £23 million River Ness Flood Alleviation Scheme, Inverness, which will protect approximately 800 homes and 200 businesses in the city centre, is due to start on 22 October. Work will involve the diversion of gas, water, electricity and telecommunication services required to accommodate the first phase of the construction of piled foundations, a seepage collection system and flood walls/ embankments on both sides of the river between the Ness Bridge and Friar's Bridge.
Three Shetland businesses to be reported to the Procurator Fiscal for allegedly selling alcohol to minors. Northern Constabulary officers have reported three businesses in Shetland to the Procurator Fiscal for allegedly selling alcohol to underagers.
Use The Highland Council offer From Carillion. Trading Standards officers with The Highland Council are warning all residents to be on their guard when answering 'cold-callers' at their home offering 'free home insulation'.
John Erskine - the 6th Highland Youth Convener who took up his post at the beginning of September 2012 - is to step down early from his role to take up a position with the Scottish Parliament, working locally from Inverness. The Youth Convener post is unique in Scotland and is part of the area's commitment to better understanding and engaging with issues important to Highland's young people The search for a new Youth Convener will begin after the Highland Youth Voice Conference which takes place in November.
Advice for pedestrians and motorists ahead of the winter months from Northern Constabulary. The darker nights will soon be upon us and we are already seeing a notable reduction in daylight hours.
Travellers in Scotland will soon be able to find out more about nature and landscapes seen from the carriage on train journeys around the country. In preparation for the Year of Natural Scotland in 2013, Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) is developing a series of new audio tours adding value to journeys by giving information about the natural environment around some of the main rail routes.
One of the most significant contributions to the UK's climate change targets has moved a step closer as the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) today announced a *first-round pass grant of over £4million to restore Europe's largest intact expanse of blanket bog. Flow to the Future is an ambitious plan, co-ordinated by the Peatlands Partnership, to restore seven square miles of globally important peatlands (blanket bog) in Caithness & Sutherland.
