The Highland Council continues to run its 'zero tolerance' campaign on litter and Officers will again be making a targeted effort over the next fortnight. During the two week campaign people caught dropping litter will be issued with Fixed Penalty Notices throughout the Highland Area.
DINGWALL, Dingwall & Highland Marts, (June, 14th) sold 535 sheep of all classes. Lambs (61) sold to £76 gross for a Suffolk cross from Fassock, Kiltarlity.
Energy Minister Fergus Ewing has today refused planning consent for a proposed wind farm at Spittal Hill, Caithness. The Energy Minister found that the impact of the proposed wind farm on the occupants of nearby properties was too high, and that the cumulative impact of the wind farm on views when considered together with existing and consented wind farms nearby, was too high.
Energy secretary Ed Davey, today at the Global Offshore Wind Power conference defended the wind industry in a hard hitting speech. "I believe truly cost-competitive offshore wind is less than a decade away," he said.
Scotland's beef industry must be supported to overcome current challenges and capitalise on the many opportunities there are for future growth. That was the message from Scotland's Rural Affairs Secretary Richard Lochhead today as a report was published looking at market conditions for Scotch Beef, an internationally recognised premium product.
DINGWALL, Dingwall & Highland Marts Ltd., (June, 13th) sold 74 store cattle & 1 breeding bull. Bullocks (35) averaged 208.1p and sold to 247.6p per kg for a 210kg Simmental cross from 3 Tockavaig, Isle of Skye, and £890 gross for a 495kg Limousin cross from Brucefield, Portmahomack.
DINGWALL, Dingwall & Highland Marts Ltd., (June, 12th) sold 63 prime cattle. Prime bullocks (34) averaged 204.6p (+1.2p) and sold to 224p per kg and £1,420.80 gross.
This year is set to be another record breaker for Scotland's seed potato exports. With over a month of the season still to go, exports of seed potatoes to non-EU countries have already hit an all-time high of 77,277 tonnes.
A package of reforms to modernise the tenant farming sector were today approved by the Scottish Parliament. The Agricultural Holdings (Amendment) (Scotland) Bill builds on previous reforms and aims to increase availability of agricultural land for let and encourage new and young farmer entrants into farming.
Right To Buy Consultation. The Scottish Government has today put forward proposals to further restrict the right to buy housing policy.
Next steps in a government drive to cut red tape for farmers were announced by Rural Affairs Secretary Richard Lochhead today. Speaking at Scotsheep 2012 in Ayrshire, Mr Lochhead said that Brian Pack had now completed the initial scoping phase of his review.
Scotland's prawn fishermen will significantly cut their level of fish discarding, following agreement reached for the use of new fishing gear designs. Marine Scotland has worked closely with the fishing industry to develop new trawl and net design solutions, which are highly selective and help avoid catching unwanted species that prawn vessels do not have the quota to land.
Leading youth charity The Prince's Trust will receive £750,000 of European Structural Funds (ESF) to help even more young people into the jobs market. The investment builds on last month's announcement by the Scottish Government that £25 million of ESF would be focused on projects designed to get young people into work.
Negotiations that will shape the future of Scotland's fishing industry for generations to come reach a vital stage in Europe next week. That will be the message Scotland's Fishing Secretary Richard Lochhead will give to MSPs during a debate on the EU Common Fisheries Policy (CFP) in the Scottish Parliament tomorrow (Thursday, June 7).
A massive programme to transform Scotland's ageing houses into energy efficient homes has been announced today by Alex Neil. The Scottish Government hopes to work with energy companies to identify around £200 million a year to assist homes in areas of fuel poverty save money and become more energy efficient.
A fund that nurtures the next generation of entrepreneurial talent in Scotland is to receive a cash injection of £1 million to help more young people get businesses off the ground, First Minister Alex Salmond announced today. The Prince's Trust Youth Business Scotland (PTYBS) will receive the money to enhance its Revolving Loan Fund that offers grants of up to £5,000 to young people aged between 18 and 25 who wish to set up or grow their business.
Scottish taxes to be determined by the people of Scotland. Decisions about the future of Scotland's taxes should be made by the people of Scotland Finance Secretary John Swinney said today.
The latest round of grants under the European Fisheries Fund (EFF) will give support to 68 projects across the sea fisheries, aquaculture and fish processing sectors. Successful applications range from vessel modernisation - such as upgraded equipment to support more sustainable fishing - through to new technology developments for the aquaculture and processors sectors, to improve efficiency and support business diversification.
WE ARE COMING TO INVERNESS! ITV1's highest rated daytime show, hosted by Bradley Walsh, is back for the 6th Series! We are looking for fun & enthusiastic contestants to take on the Chaser; one of Britain's finest quiz brains! Nationwide auditions start soon! If you think you have what it takes and general knowledge is your forte… APPLY NOW! Visit:www.itv.com/thechase to apply online Alternatively you can email: thechase[AT]itv.com All applicants must be 18 years or older.
Princess Royal installed as Chancellor of the University of the Highlands and Islands. HRH The Princess Royal has been installed as the first Chancellor of the University of the Highlands and Islands at a ceremony in Inverness on Thursday 7 June.
