The Highland Licensing Board has granted a general extension of licensed hours for all on sales licensed premises that have: a full premises licence and. televised sport included in their operating plan for the Scotland group stage matches and any further Scotland fixtures should they progress within the tournament, until 30 minutes after the final whistle/end of play.
An estimated £547 million in business rates, generated through the Inverness and Cromarty Firth Green Freeport (ICFGF), will be reinvested in jobs, skills development and infrastructure improvements. On Thursday 26 March 2026 Highland councillors endorsed an Investment Plan, which sets out a framework for the management and spend of retained Non-Domestic Rates (rNDR) from the Green Freeport.
Rising energy and fuel costs are not only a challenge for households and private businesses; they are placing increasing strain on the public sector, where the ability to respond is far more constrained. Local authorities and health boards, responsible for delivering essential services, are particularly exposed.
The Highland Council is pleased to announce the second phase of local businesses to achieve accreditation through the newly established Highland Employer Charter. It recognising employers who demonstrate a strong commitment to fair work and high standards of excellence across the region.
Both the Scottish and UK Governments are set to launch new heating oil support schemes on 1 April 2026. Detailed eligibility rules and application routes for these specific funds are expected to be published in the coming days.
Members of the Corporate Resources Committee have welcomed a progress update report on the Council's Future Operating Model (FOM), including confirmation of an additional £500,000 investment in the Programme which was approved earlier this month. At the meeting, members also agreed the Programme's next steps as it moves further into delivery.
Like private businesses the public sector face the significant price increases from Microsoft. A Highland Council spokesman said: "Highland Council, along with other public sector organisations, benefits from reduced pricing for Microsoft products through a government agreement.
Social Workers and Mental Health Officers in The Highland Council and NHS Highland gather today (17 March 2026) to celebrate World Social Work Day 2026 in a joint forum at The Barn Church, Culloden. Fiona Duncan Highland Council's Chief Social Work Officer and Chief Officer Health and Social Care is also Convenor of Social Work Scotland, the professional leadership body for the social work and social care professions.
The Notice of Election for the 2026 Scottish Parliament Election has been published today (Monday 16 March 2026). The election will take place on Thursday 7 May 2026 with polling taking place in three Highland constituencies.
When Highland Council's North Planning Applications Committee met to consider Boralex Ltd's proposal for a major battery‑energy‑storage system (BESS) near Reay in Caithness, many expected a lively debate. Large energy projects in the Highlands often attract controversy concerns about landscape impact, cumulative development, and pressure on rural infrastructure are common.
Construction on the Corran Ferry Infrastructure Improvement Scheme (CFIIS) begins, marking a major step forward in delivering a modern, reliable, and future‑ready ferry service for the Corran Narrows. Funded through the Inverness and Highland City-Region Deal (IHCRD), the £58m transport/ferry investment marks a pivotal time for one of the busiest single-vessel routes in Scotland.
My Highland Future showcases ambitious plans for employment and apprenticeship growth. My Highland Future's ambitious plans to boost employment, apprenticeships and skills development across The Highland Council are being highlighted throughout Scottish Apprenticeship Week 2026 (2-6 March) with a commitment to expand the Council's in-house apprenticeship and career development pathways, while encouraging and supporting Highland businesses to get involved.
Four architecture and engineering Graduate Apprentices from Highland Council have taken part in an event for local schools to celebrate Scottish Apprenticeship Week 2026. More than 40 students from Inverness schools attended a construction and engineering event at Bught Park Pavilion yesterday organised by engineering company, Rybka and Developing the Young Workforce (DYW).
The New Naver Bridge, located in Bettyhill along the A836, is now open to traffic. Though currently open only as single carriageway, the new bridge, which is part of the North Coast 500, welcomed its first cars at the end of February.
In the Highland Council 2026/27 budget proposals, the council plans to significantly increase council tax premiums on second homes and long-term empty properties to address the region's housing crisis. These "scorching" increases follow the removal of the previous legislative cap under the Housing (Scotland) Act 2025.
For the 2025/26 and 2026/27 budget periods, Highland Council has avoided mass redundancies, instead managing staff reductions through vacancy management and redeployment. Staff Reduction Levels & Strategy Vacancy Management: The primary method for reducing staff levels is "non-replacement"—leaving posts unfilled when staff leave or retire.
The Highland Council will meet on Thursday 5 March to consider a three-year financial plan, which sets out recommendations to deliver a balanced budget, alongside additional investment in adult social care, housing, education, workforce development, and roads. The report outlines the challenges and opportunities faced by the Council alongside the administration's budget proposals, which, if agreed, would see: A 7% increase in Council Tax - 5% to support the delivery of vital Council services, plus 2% to support the Highland Investment Plan, a £2.1 billion, 20-year capital investment programme to deliver improvements in schools, local infrastructure and services.
In the 2026/27 budget proposals, The Highland Council plans for High Life Highland (HLH) to return to a sustainable financial model following its post-COVID recovery period. The key changes and expectations for HLH in the 2026/27 financial year include.
The Highland Council's budget proposals for 2026/27, announced in February 2026, include several key funding allocations for schools aimed at infrastructure and specialized service support. Capital Investment & Infrastructure Highland Investment Plan: The council proposes to set aside 2% of its annual Council Tax revenue specifically for this plan.
Gaelic plays a significant role across the Highlands and Islands, contributing to community resilience, cultural development and sustainable economic growth. Having a powerful social, cultural and economic role in the Highlands and Islands, its value to local people and businesses has never felt stronger.