A new planning policy aimed at influencing some lighting requirements in new developments that are subject to planning control will be considered by members of The Highland Council’s Economy and Infrastructure Committee when they meet on Thursday (28 May 2026). The proposed Dark Skies Draft Planning Policy sets out how the Council could reduce light pollution across Highland, supporting environmental protection, community financial and tourism benefits and sustainable development.
The Highland Council has installed automatic bollards on Fort William High Street as part of the Fort William Pedestrian Improvement Scheme. The High Street pedestrian zone will commence from Monday 25 May 2026.
A new draft Public Transport Strategy for 2026–2036 will be considered by Members of the Economy & Infrastructure Committee on Thursday 28 May 2026, setting out an ambitious vision to strengthen and modernise public and community transport across Highland. The proposed strategy builds on the Local Transport Strategy Delivery Plan agreed in February 2026 and responds to key challenges, including a shrinking local bus network, rising contract costs, and evolving travel patterns.
A £1.25 million project to transform Wick town centre into a more welcoming, attractive and pedestrian friendly space is continuing to make steady progress, with completion now expected this summer. This represents an extension to the original timeline, however, a phased approach to opening, starting this month, will minimise disruption for visitors, local residents, and businesses.
The Highland Council has successfully completed phases one and two of new modular “park-style” homes at the Gypsy/Traveller site at Longman Park, Inverness. Funded primarily through the Scottish Government’s Gypsy/Traveller Accommodation Fund, more than £7 million has been invested to upgrade and future-proof accommodation and site facilities.
Highland Council strengthens Net Zero progress with improved reporting and funding commitments Members of Highland Council’s Climate Change Committee today welcomed progress in delivering the Council’s Net Zero Programme, with new measures to improve carbon reporting, strengthen investment decisions, and secure funding for projects across the Highlands. Taken together, these measures reflect a wider shift towards a more coordinated, programme-led approach to climate mitigation, adaptation and resilience, following the direction agreed by Council in March 2026.
The Highland Council’s performance for homeless households has improved significantly over the past four years, while the national average has continued to rise over the same period. This sustained focus on improvement was acknowledged by the Scottish Housing Regulator at an engagement meeting in early 2026.
The Highland Council is showcasing the region’s ambitious Invest Highland programme at a national event this week at the UK Real Estate Investment and Infrastructure Forum (UKREiiF) 2026 in Leeds. The Leader of the Council, Cllr Raymond Bremner, alongside Council Officers and Calum MacPherson of Inverness and Cromarty Firth Green Freeport will attend this year’s UKREiiF which exists to connect people, places, and businesses to accelerate investment, foster development, and drive sustainable regeneration across the UK.
Highly respected cultural leader and strategist Bryan Beattie has been appointed by The Highland Council as Bid Director of the Inverness - Highland bid for UK City of Culture 2029. He was recently creative director for the Inverness Castle Experience and interim Chief Executive at Eden Court, and a former Chair of Fèis Rois and Scottish Youth Theatre.
The Highland Council will meet on Thursday, 14 May and on the agenda for discussion is a report on the Highland Housing Challenge. The Highland Housing Challenge was declared in June 2024, with a target of 24,000 new homes by 2034.
A pumped storage hydro project proposed near Loch Ness has committed to allocating 5 per cent of its annual gross margin to a Community Wealth Fund estimated to deliver over £20 million a year. Glen Earrach Energy (GEE) has become the second company to sign the Highland Social Value Charter, marking a significant milestone in delivering long-term socio-economic benefits for communities across the Highlands.
A public consultation opens today on proposals to introduce Short Term Let Control Areas (STLCA) in Highland with the aim of striking a better balance between tourism growth and local housing need. The Highland Council is seeking views from residents, communities, businesses and the tourism sector on proposals to introduce two STLCAs: Inverness City STLCA, which would cover the wards of Inverness West; Inverness Central; Inverness Ness-side; Inverness Millburn; and parts of Inverness South, including Westhill, Milton of Leys and Slackbuie, and; Highland Rural STLCA, which would cover the wards of Lochaber; Wester Ross, Strathpeffer and Lochalsh; Sutherland; Skye and Raasay; Aird and Loch Ness; and parts of Inverness South, including Tomatin and Daviot.
The financial pressures facing both the Scottish Government and councils could create major risks for ambitious long-term capital programmes such as The Highland Council’s Highland Investment Plan (HIP), including the proposed £100 million redevelopment of Thurso High School into a major community campus. However, the picture is complicated because projects like Thurso are also politically and economically important for the region.
Highland Council is heading into a tougher financial climate than at any point since the financial crash and the pressure is coming from a direction that residents rarely see: the cost of government borrowing. Following the UK’s latest rise in borrowing costs, the price councils pay for long‑term loans has increased again.
As the energy crisis continues to reshape policy across the UK, a key question keeps coming up. Will national governments override local councils that refuse planning permission for renewable energy projects like wind farms and battery storage sites? The short answer is this is already happening and it’s likely to increase.
Garage rents in Caithness are set to increase by 10% for garage rent 2026/27 and 15% for garage sites, as agreed at the recent Caithness Area Committee (Monday 27 April). There are currently 492 garages and garage sites across Caithness, 126 of which are currently void.
Early indications suggest that the introduction of a Short Term Let Control Area (STLCA) for Badenoch and Strathspey has slowed the growth of secondary short-term lets across the area. The STLCA for Ward 20, which covers Aviemore, Carrbridge, Boat of Garten, Dalwhinnie Grantown-on-Spey, Kingussie, and Newtonmore, has been in place for two years and was one of the first to be designated in Scotland.
The Highland Council has confirmed the recent signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Ivano-Frankivsk Regional State (Military) Administration in Ukraine. The MoU acknowledges bonds of friendship and common aims to promote knowledge transfer, educational and trade exchanges, and encourage investment opportunities between the two regions.
The Highland Council’s Workforce North initiative arrives at a critical moment for the Highlands. On one side, the region is seeing unprecedented levels of investment in renewable energy, infrastructure, and construction.
The latest Highland Council Caithness Committee Housing Management Performance Report (2025–26) offers a detailed snapshot of how social housing services are performing across the region. On the surface, it is a routine governance update—tracking repairs, allocations, rent collection, and tenant satisfaction.