News Archive

Pomegranate Now Open In Thurso

Now open in Thurso in the building that was formerly "Elizabeth's" Pomegranate is a health and wellness shop with a mind to an organic, natural and sustainable lifestyle.   We offer beautiful crystals, oracle cards, incense...  

Funding For Libraries To Re-open

A new fund worth more than £1 million that will help libraries re-open is being launched by the Scottish Government.   The Public Libraries COVID Recovery Fund will allow libraries to re-connect with their communities as part of Scotland's recovery from the pandemic.  

Plan To Make Eating Out Healthier

Action to help food industry tackle obesity.   Labelling on menus to show how many calories are in food is a key part of a new plan to make it easier for people to make healthier choices when eating out.  

Are you re-opening your business, or planning to do so shortly?

If you're bringing back your employees part time, you can claim furlough flexibly for them under the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme (CJRS), part of the UK Government's Plan for Jobs.   You have until 11.‌‌59pm this coming Tuesday‌‌ ‌14‌‌ ‌September to claim for Aug‌‌ust.  

£1.5m Further Investment In Visitor Management Approved By Highland Council

Given the importance of tourism to the Highland economy and the need for the tourism experience to be positive for visitors and communities, members have agreed to extend the Visitor Management Plan funding into the 2022 season by a one-off investment of £1.5m.   A one-off Visitor Management Plan investment of £2.4m agreed by the Council in March 2021 for this year's season has enabled a range of service improvements.  

Desperate Covid Measures - Vaccine Certification Plans Approved By Scottish Parliament

Scheme will come into effect on 1st October 2021 The Scottish Parliament has approved the use of Coronavirus vaccination certificates to enter some events and higher risk venues.   MSPs voted in favour of the measure, which will come into effect on Friday October 1, aimed at reducing risk while maximising our ability to keep open certain settings and events where transmission is a higher risk and encouraging uptake of the vaccine.  

Council approves the development of a Future Highlands Strategy

Members at the meeting of Highland Council, on 9 September 2021, have approved the development of a Future Highlands Strategy with the development of a Green Energy Hub in Highland at its heart.   The Future Highlands strategy is intended to take a partnership approach to capitalising on the unique opportunities and natural assets available in the Highlands relating to green energy, tourism, workforce, innovation, science and skills.  

Ferry Crisis Ongoing For Western Coast Ferries

A new ferry could be on the horizon it was revealed on Thursday after Highlands and Islands Labour MSP Rhoda Grant cornered Transport Minister Graeme Dey MSP in the Holyrood Chamber, demanding to know when the Scottish Government was going to increase ferry capacity across the West Coast Network.   Following the initial question, Mr Dey tried to herald the removal of Covid restrictions and the introduction of the MV Arrow, which CalMac are third in the queue of contracts to call on, as solutions to the long running complaints of lack of capacity.  

Gdp Monthly Estimate, Uk: July 2021

Gross domestic product (GDP) is estimated to have grown by 0.1% in July 2021, and remains 2.1% below its pre-coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic level (February 2020).   Production output increased by 1.2% in July 2021 and was the main contributor to GDP growth; boosted by the reopening of an oil field production site, which was previously temporarily closed for planned maintenance.  

Levelling Up & Community Renewal: A Focus On The Highland Council Area

This report by the Fraser of Allender Institute was commissioned by Highland council.  It was first published 8 September 2021.