The Highland Council's Education Committee met on (Wednesday 27 August 2025) to update Members on its progress implementing the new structure of the Raising Attainment and Achievement Strategy (RAAS) 2025-2028 and its plans to ensure continuous improvement in Education and Learning. The RAAS will be fully realised over the next three years and annually reviewed.
The deadline for completed nomination forms from people seeking election to thirteen Highland community councils covering areas in Ardgay and District, Arisaig, Aviemore, Avoch and Killen, Conon Bridge, Cromdale and Advie, Lochalsh, Nether Lochaber, Raasay, South Knoydart, Stratherrick and Foyers, Thurso and Uig is now officially less than a week away. Completed forms must be submitted no later than 12 noon on Tuesday, 2 September 2025 Community Councils are voluntary organisations that express the views and concerns of local people within their area across a wide range of issues from new buildings and roads to local services and facilities.
The Highland Council is proud to be supporting Catch the Bus Month 2025 run by Bus Users UK. Buses boost the economy, reduce congestion and pollution, and improve our health and wellbeing.
Members of the Economy and Infrastructure Committee have confirmed approval of all recommendations outlined in The Highland Council's latest Net Zero, Energy, Investment & Innovation (NZEII) Portfolio report, marking a significant milestone in its commitment to delivering low-carbon energy solutions across the region. Members agreed to commence preparation of an Outline Business Case for the development of solar PV arrays on the Common Good Investment lands at Blarlaith North and South in Tain.
At today's meeting of The Highland Council's Economy and Infrastructure Committee, members discussed a report on the latest update on the Community Wealth Building (CWB) Strategy. The update highlighted significant progress across key areas of economic development aimed at retaining and growing wealth within local communities.
The Highland Council is encouraging community groups and organisations to apply for a share of £300,000 available through the 2025/26 allocation of the Nature Restoration Fund. Chair of the Council's Economy and Infrastructure Committee, Councillor Ken Gowans said: "I am very pleased to announce the opening of a new round of the Nature Restoration Fund.
The Highland Council has reaffirmed its commitment to delivering inclusive, low-carbon transport solutions with the publication of its latest Sustainable Transport Team update. The report, presented to the Economy and Infrastructure Committee earlier today, outlines major achievements in active travel, road safety, and public transport improvements across the region.
Highland Council advise that recent radon testing carried out across its estate has identified elevated levels of radon gas in isolated areas of nine properties. These findings follow a comprehensive monitoring programme involving 135 non-domestic workplaces and public buildings, in line with UK Health and Safety legislation.
Nominations are now open for individuals interested in becoming a Community Councillor for Community Councils that have fallen into abeyance or have been successful in submitting a request to re-establish. This is an opportunity to ensure your community's voice is heard by The Highland Council and other public bodies.
Local people and Highland Councillors will be invited to attend stakeholder meetings later this year to focus on the specific housing needs of communities as part of a review of the Highland Housing Register Housing Allocations Policy. Members of the Housing and Property Committee met Wednesday 13 August) and noted the annual performance review of the Highland Housing Register (HHR) Policy for 2024/2025 on housing allocations.
Highland Council's Climate Change Committee has agreed to recommend approval of a Climate Change Adaptation Strategy, setting out how the Council will work with communities, businesses, and partners to build resilience and secure a sustainable future for the region. Chair of the Climate Change Committee, Councillor Kate Willis, said: "The world’s climate is changing faster and more significantly than at any point in recent history.
A further £20 million will speed up actions to make Scotland's buildings safe from dangerous cladding, Housing Secretary Màiri McAllan has announced. Publishing an update to the Cladding Remediation Programme action plan, Ms McAllan confirmed additional funding and expanded eligibility, setting out that social housing will now be eligible for remediation funding.
Caledonia North Offshore Wind Farm - construction and operation of an offshore wind farm comprising up to 77 turbines with a maximum blade tip height of 355m, subsea interconnector and export cabling and associated infrastructure. The north planning committee of Highland council will decide today 6 August 2025.
Following the high winds forecast and experienced due to Storm Floris, The Highland Council is encouraging landowners to check trees and vegetation near to public roads which may have been damaged. Landowners are also asked to check the drainage from their property that it is not blocked and overflowing onto public roads.
Representatives from across the Highlands are being invited to a meeting that will focus on the current provision and future of Community Transport. The event, organised and hosted by The Highland Council, will take place at Council HQ in Inverness on Wednesday 13 August.
Young people in the Highlands can call a dedicated helpline offering expert advice to anyone receiving their full Higher, National, and Advanced results on Tuesday, 5 August 2025. The pupils and students- along with their parents and carers - will be able to get support with their results through Skills Development Scotland's (SDS) Results Helpline, which opens from 8am on results day.
Wick Business Park has welcomed wind energy technology company ENERCON as the first occupant of one of four new units completed last year. ENERCON specialises in designing, producing, installing and servicing onshore wind turbines and has been operating in the Caithness area since 2013.
Additional empty homes officers are being recruited to bring more privately owned houses back into use. The new posts are being supported as part of a £2 million investment through the Scottish Empty Homes Partnership in 2025-26 which will see staff take a more proactive and targeted approach to tackling local housing issues.
The Highland Strategic Local Action Group (LAG) met in June 2025 and considered and agreed funding for 28 projects submitted to the Community-Led Local Development fund (CLLD), which makes up part of The Highland Council Community Regeneration Fund (CRF) programme. CRF is an umbrella term used to cover multiple external funding programmes administered by The Highland Council.
Highland Council has provided 12 ‘Talking Tub' resources for use in primary schools across the Highlands, in partnership with Union Technical who deliver community benefits as part of the Energy Efficient Scotland: Area Based Scheme programme. Chair of Highland Council's Education Committee, Councillor John Finlayson, said: "This is a fantastic initiative being rolled out across Highland primary schools which brings innovation and inspiration to early years children.