As the Scottish Parliament Election approaches on Thursday 7 May 2026, we are ensuring that voting is accessible to voters. Polling stations across the Highlands will be open from 7am to 10pm.
Consultation in Thurso has found strong support for investment in a Community Point of Delivery (PoD) that serves the whole town and delivers wider benefits beyond the replacement of ageing school buildings. Local people described the proposed development of an education campus on the current Thurso High School site and surrounding area as an opportunity to create a civic asset for the whole community, bringing together education, sport, leisure, health, art and social facilities.
Councillors approved grant funding from ward discretionary funds in the year to 31 March 2026. 13 groups in each of the two wards received funding.
Support for Highland businesses may be available. Retail, Hospitality & Leisure Relief.
Scotland's councils are now facing a financial crisis that is deeper and more structural than anything seen since devolution. The pressures have been building for more than a decade, but they have now reached a point where several councils are openly warning that they may not be able to balance their budgets in the coming years.
With the Scottish Parliament election taking place on Thursday 7 May 2026, electors in the three Highland constituencies are being urged to ensure they are registered to vote before the deadline for receipt of applications which is midnight next Monday (20 April). You will receive a poll letter to tell you where to go to cast your vote on Thursday 7 May.
The Highland Council is issuing important updates regarding Non‑Domestic Rates for the 2026/27 financial year. All ratepayers are urged to review the changes, as they may affect liability and the amount payable.
With the clocks now forward and planning for home improvements getting underway, residents are being reminded that this is the time of year when rogue traders and doorstep are becoming more active. To help people stay safe, Highland Council Trading Standards is highlighting simple steps households can take - and promoting the Highland Trusted Trader (HTT) scheme as the easiest way to find reputable local trades.
Following the completion of repairs and successful sea trials, the MV Corran returned to service yesterday (Thursday 2 April) at 18:25 hrs. The MV Corran will operate her usual seven day‑a‑week timetable.
Statements of Persons and Parties Nominated and Notice of Poll Twenty candidates are seeking election on Thursday 7 May 2026 in the three Scottish Parliamentary local constituencies for Highland. Caithness, Sutherland and Ross constituency has attracted 7 candidates; Inverness and Nairn constituency has attracted 7 candidates; Skye, Lochaber and Badenoch constituency has attracted 6 candidates.
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.