News Archive

Decommissioning Fund Awards For North Sea Oil And Gas Infrastructure

Twelve projects across Scotland will be offered a share of £2.5 million in the third round of the Scottish Government's Decommissioning Challenge Fund (DCF) awards.   The DCF supports infrastructure improvements and innovation to deliver decommissioning of North Sea oil and gas infrastructure.  

Ending Homelessness - People And Prevention At The Centre Of New Action Plan

A shift towards rapid rehousing will see homeless people housed in long-term and settled accommodation solutions that meets their needs as quickly as possible.   This is one of the key aims in the Ending Homelessness Together Action Plan.  

Dingwall & Highland Marts Ltd - Christmas Shows and Sales 27th November 2018

DINGWALL, Dingwall & Highland Marts Ltd., (November, 27th) sold 64 prime cattle at its Christmas Show & Sale sponsored by The Royal Bank of Scotland, John M.  Munro Butchers, Highland Tractors, Parks of Hamilton, Scot JCB and Farmers Guardian and judged by W Cameron Esq, Burnside of Edingight.  

National Consumer Week 2018

Online shopping has now become part of everyday life in the UK.   In 2016, £154 billion was spent online in the UK and the vast majority of consumers (84%) are considered online shoppers.  

Cuts to school support staff could leave vulnerable children at risk, says UNISON

School support staff regularly go home worried about pupils' welfare, safety and emotional state after discussing issues such as grooming, gangs, domestic violence, bullying, loneliness, and sexual abuse with them, according to a survey released by UNISON on Friday 23rd November 2018.   The research suggests that across Scotland a third (33%) of school support staff involved in children's welfare go home worried every day having spoken to pupils about the issues that trouble them both inside and outside of school.  

NorthLink Ferries to operate revised timetable during dry dock period

NorthLink Ferries has published timetables confirming arrangement for the regular planned maintenance of its passenger vessels, with one vessel at a time due to be out of service between 13 January and 25 March 2019.   MV Hamnavoe, which operates between Scrabster and Stromness, will be removed from service for five days from 13 - 19 January and MV Hjaltland and MV Hrossey on the Aberdeen to Kirkwall and Lerwick route from 2 - 18 February and 19 - 25 March.  

Review Into Concerns of Bullying In NHS Highland

An independent review into allegations of a bullying culture at NHS Highland will be conducted by John Sturrock QC.   Health Secretary Jeane Freeman had previously announced plans for an independent review to look into the allegations that were raised in September.  

Caithness And North Sutherland Regeneration Partnership - Update

Weeks Commencing 12th and 19th November 2018 Energy & Business Services: My colleague Keith Muir and I met up last week with the directors of JGC Engineering Services Ltd to catch up on current and future plans, which have been boosted by the news I shared recently that JGC has been awarded a contract by Siemens Transmission and Distribution relating to the Triton Knoll offshore windfarm project of the east coast of England.  Siemens is also the turbine provider for the Beatrice Offshore Windfarm off the Caithness coast.  

Highland Council Statement - Car Parking In Lochaber

Lochaber Area Committee at its meeting on 7th November, 2018 decided to introduce two hours free car parking in the six weeks running up to Christmas for Fort William.   Cllr Allister Mackinnon Budget Leader said, "We are aware of the decision made by the Lochaber Area Committee to offer 2 hours free car parking in the run up to Christmas, however legal advice is that the decision has budgetary consequences and therefore it needs to be considered by the Highland Council when it next meets on 13th December 2018".  

1000s Of Business And Consumers Are Victims Of A ‘Friday Job'

By mid-afternoon on a Friday many 9-5 workers have one eye on the clock as they count down to the weekend - but what about when your job involves working on someone else's home? A survey undertaken by Protecting.co.uk, a health & safety and employment law expert, has shown that a staggering 76% of tradespeople admit to doing at least one ‘Friday job' which they are ‘ashamed of’ - from slapdash plastering to lackadaisical joinery, it seems that the British public are suffering when it comes to pre-weekend work.   The study, which surveyed 500 workers across various trades, showed that a majority of tradespeople - like workers in many other professions - lose concentration as the end of the week edges closer.