The Highland Council continues to call for meaningful engagement from the Home Office over its plans to temporarily accommodate up to 300 adult male asylum seekers at Cameron Barracks, Inverness. It follows an email on Monday from Alex Norris MP, Minister for Border Security and Asylum, to Council Leader, Raymond Bremner, which failed to answer questions raised by the Council or address community concerns.
Maps of the Council's gritting routes by priority and policy are available online at www.highland.gov.uk/gritting (external link) The information provided is a summary of reports from operational staff and is intended to give a general indication of typical conditions in each area at a point in time. It is not intended to imply that any individual route is entirely snow and ice free and drivers must be aware that conditions can change rapidly and make their own assessment of conditions for travelling.
The Highland Council continues to work through the procurement process for the provision of the Wick Public Service Obligation for the Highland Council. We have now entered the preferred bidder stage and have entered a standstill period.
Maps of the Council's gritting routes by priority and policy are available online at www.highland.gov.uk/gritting The information provided is a summary of reports from operational staff and is intended to give a general indication of typical conditions in each area at a point in time. It is not intended to imply that any individual route is entirely snow and ice free and drivers must be aware that conditions can change rapidly and make their own assessment of conditions for travelling.
The Inverness Castle Experience has unveiled its very own tartan - a design proudly created and woven in the Highlands, less than 20 miles from the castle, by sustainable fashion house Prickly Thistle. The bespoke tartan celebrates a shared commitment to heritage, skill and community, symbolising the spirit of the Highlands and the sense that there truly is no place like home.
At today's Education Committee (Wednesday 19 November 2025), Members were briefed on My Highland Future priorities and ongoing commitments. Next steps will focus on consolidating feedback from phase one and the Highland Workforce ‘Call to Action’ event on 25 November 2025, which will inform planning for phase two.
Following the success of the Vision 26 family fun day at Eden Court in August 2025, the Highland Integrated Children's Service Planning Board is planning a series of roadshows starting in Wick on Friday 28 November 2025. Ian Kyle, Chair of the Highland Integrated Children’s Service Planning Board said: "The aim of these roadshows is to raise awareness of local support networks and initiatives for families in the Highlands including The Promise, the Whole Family Wellbeing Programme, and the Child Protection Committee.
Wick Street Design project is currently underway, and its total value is around £2.1 million. There are misgivings by local town centre businesses if traffic cannot move smoothly through the main streets.
Expectations are high that a new operator for the Wick - Aberdeen PSO service will be secured very soon. Today the Emergency Tender has gone live, giving prospective operators 72 hours to apply.
Council confirms letter of concern sent to Home Office regarding proposals to accommodate asylum seekers at Cameron Barracks. Council Leader Raymond Bremner, Convenor Bill Lobban and Leader of the Opposition Alasdair Christie have written to the Home Secretary outlining concerns at proposals to accommodate 300 adult male asylum seekers at Cameron Barracks in Inverness.
The Highland Council is taking a significant step forward in addressing the region's housing needs and unlocking development potential by progressing plans to establish three to four Masterplan Consent Areas (MCAs) across Highland. MCAs are a legal planning tool that enable advance consent for large development sites, significantly reducing the time it takes to deliver housing and infrastructure.
The Highland Council's Economy and Infrastructure Committee has today (Thursday 13 November 2025) approved a comprehensive report outlining the condition of its road bridge stock, the inspection regime, and the works required to maintain vital road structures across the region. The report highlights the scale of the Council's responsibility for bridges, culverts, retaining walls, and associated structures on the public road network, and sets out plans for future investment under the Roads and Infrastructure Capital Programme.
Members of The Highland Council's Economy and Infrastructure Committee today (Thursday 13 November 2025) noted the Inverness and Highland City-Region Deal Annual Report for 2024/25. The Inverness & Highland City-Region Deal, a ten-year partnership between The Highland Council, UK Government, Scottish Government, and key partners, continues to deliver transformative investment across the region.
At last week's meeting of the Communities and Place Committee, progress updates were provided on Highland Council’s ongoing work to increase participation and engagement with communities across the Highlands. Members also considered a draft Participation and Engagement Strategy and agreed the Annual Participation Request Report for the Scottish Government.
An annual update on the work of Highland Council's Registration Service was given at last week’s meeting of the Communities and Place Committee, with plans in place to modernise and further promote the service throughout the Highlands. Chair of the Communities and Place Committee, Councillor Graham MacKenzie, said: "Highland Council’s Registration Service provides a vital statutory role to record life events for our communities.
It is time for a new crusade for devolution within Scotland, Scottish Secretary Douglas Alexander will say today. In a speech to council leaders, the Secretary of State for Scotland will make clear that there is no route to a decent and prosperous Scotland without strong and effective councils.
Lochaber Short Term Let Control Area agreed as justified by local members. 'Lochaber has significantly higher short term let properties than the Highland wide average and demonstrates justification for a review to assist with the Highland Housing Challenge.' Following a detailed review of current housing data and short term let (STL) activity, the Lochaber Area Committee unanimously agreed that there is justification for consulting on the introduction a Short Term Let Control Area in Lochaber.
‘From empty properties to homes: Bringing houses back into use for Highland communities' The Highland Council's, Housing & Property Committee met today (Wednesday 5 Nov 2025) and agreed a new strategic action plan titled ‘From Empty Properties to Homes', aimed at addressing the issue of long-term empty homes across Highland. The Council’s plan outlines a coordinated approach to bring these homes back into use for individuals and families in need.