Last week marked the start of patrols for The Highland Council’s 2026 Seasonal Access Rangers team, a dedicated group working to promote responsible enjoyment of the Highlands natural environment. Funded by The Highland Council, the team will play a key role in supporting visitors and local communities.
On Wednesday this week (3 June) The Highland Council is aiming to take a major step forward in strengthening its support for Gaelic, recognising the linguistic, educational, historical and cultural connections which exist right across our region. Highland Council’s Gaelic Committee is to consider a recommendation to adopt a Highland‑wide designation as an Area of Linguistic Significance (ALS) for Gaelic under the Scottish Languages Act 2025.
Walkers finishing the West Highland Way now have a new, scenic option as they arrive into Fort William Town Centre. The West Highland Way is internationally recognised as one of the world’s top long-distance walks.
At The Highland Council’s Economy & Infrastructure committee held on 28 May 2026, members agreed the distribution of Highland Coastal Communities Funding (HCCF) allocation across the local area committees. HCCF funding is allocated to Highland Council from the Scottish Government.
All eligible young people are being encouraged to apply for a weekly, term time allowance of £30 per week from August 2026. The Highland Council administers Education Maintenance Allowance (EMA) in respect of eligible young people from across its 29 secondary schools.
Nature Restoration Fund update to Economy & Infrastructure Committee Members of The Highland Council’s Economy and Infrastructure Committee have reaffirmed their commitment to supporting community-led projects and Council initiatives that protect and enhance the natural environment. The Nature Restoration Fund report provided Members with an update on the Scottish Government-funded programme.
NHS Highland and The Highland Council have today launched Highland Power of Attorney Month. Highland Power of Attorney Month is a joint public awareness campaign running throughout June 2026 to encourage every adult across the Highland region to consider putting a Power of Attorney (PoA) in place.
Highland councillors have agreed to take forward a new planning policy aimed at reducing light pollution across the region. At a meeting of The Highland Council’s Economy and Infrastructure Committee held (Thursday 28 May 2026), members supported the proposed Dark Skies Draft Planning Policy, which will guide lighting requirements in new developments.
The Economy and Infrastructure Committee met today (Thursday 28 May, 2026) and reaffirmed The Highland Council’s strong progress in delivering its Strategic Tourism Infrastructure Development Plan (STIDP), with more than £7 million secured to date through the Scottish Government’s Rural Tourism Infrastructure Fund (RTIF). The investment is supporting a wide range of projects across the Highlands.
Air Charter Scotland – operator of the lifeline public service obligation (PSO) air service connecting Wick and Aberdeen – has announced revised fares designed to make travelling even simpler and more accessible for passengers. In response to customer feedback, passengers will benefit from lower fares across all ticket types, the introduction of new return rates and discounted travel for children.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.