For more than a century, armies recruited the same way: find the strongest, the toughest, the most physically resilient. But the rise of drone warfare from Ukraine’s FPV units to long‑range strike teams has flipped that logic on its head.
For once, Caithness is not on the periphery of a national project — we’re right at the landfall. The 1 GW Ayre Offshore Wind Farm, a floating ScotWind development by Qair, will bring its cables ashore at Keiss and feed into the new Banniskirk Hub.
The U.S. is in a bizarre situation in 2026: It’s facing a looming energy shortage, yet the Trump administration is making deals to pay offshore wind developers nearly US$2 billion in taxpayer money to walk away from energy projects.
Drones have rapidly moved from niche military tools to one of the defining technologies of modern warfare. The war in Ukraine, tensions around Taiwan, and the wider global military build up have all demonstrated the same reality.
Oil prices hovering around or above $100 per barrel are about far more than expensive petrol. High oil prices ripple through the entire global economy, influencing inflation, interest rates, government borrowing, mortgage costs, and household finances.
DINGWALL, Dingwall & Highland Marts Ltd, (May 5th) sold 374 store cattle and 62 OTM cattle. Bullocks (181) averaged 428.2p per kg and sold to 591.7p per kg for a pair of 240kg Charolais crosses from Kinnahaird Farm, Contin and £2,420 gross for a 630kg Limousin cross from Glenside, Glenurquhart.
DINGWALL, Dingwall & Highland Marts Ltd., (May 5th) sold 17 Prime Cattle. Prime Bullocks (13) averaged 320.9p per kg and sold to 342.0p per kg and £2385.60 gross.
When Modella Capital bought WH Smith’s high‑street estate last year, the promise was bold: a fresh start, a new name, and a renewed role as the “hub of the high street”. Less than twelve months later, that vision has collapsed into a stark warning — up to 150 stores may close, hundreds of jobs may go, and another familiar name may fade from Britain’s town centres.
New paperless systems shown to significantly reduce processing times, with steps that often take days completed in an hour under pilot conditions. UK exporters could see lower costs and faster access to global markets thanks to the innovative tech.
Australia’s decision to tighten rules around LNG exports (LNG Exporters to Reserve 20% of Gas for Domestic Market) is attracting growing attention across global energy markets. While the policy is not a full export ban, it does signal a shift toward prioritising domestic energy security over unlimited exports.
The near‑collapse of TG Jones — the rebranded WH Smith high‑street chain is more than a corporate misstep. It is a case study in the fragility of the modern High Street, especially in rural Scotland where every closure lands harder and lasts longer.
A snapshot of Caithness in 2026 over the past few days. Big announcements, bigger frustrations, and the quiet competence of local people keeping the place going.
Landlords are leaving the UK rental market at the fastest rate in years. But what does this mean for renters?.
JD Sports Fashion and much of the wider sportswear retail sector are seeing a slowdown in sales growth, especially in the UK and Europe. However, the picture is more of a “consumer slowdown and margin squeeze” rather than a collapse in demand.
Hydrogen‑powered businesses promise a cleaner future but EcoJet’s collapse is a reminder that vision alone isn’t enough. Even with a high‑profile founder like Dale Vince and a compelling mission to decarbonise aviation, the structural barriers facing hydrogen‑electric ventures are enormous.
Administrators handling the sale of collapsed Scottish rocket manufacturer Orbex have received 15 offers for parts of the business and its assets. FRP Advisory, which was appointed after the Moray-based firm went into administration earlier this year, said there had been a “high level” of interest from buyers.
Funding will help develop a numberplate ID system for drones, helping police better protect UK skies and prosecute illegal users. British jobs, innovation and long-term economic growth will be supported by £26 million to bring drones and air taxis to UK skies faster.
Highland Council is heading into a tougher financial climate than at any point since the financial crash and the pressure is coming from a direction that residents rarely see: the cost of government borrowing. Following the UK’s latest rise in borrowing costs, the price councils pay for long‑term loans has increased again.
The Work Foundation at Lancaster University responded to the Sickness absence in the UK labour market figures for 2025 released by the Office for National Statistics. Asli Atay, Senior Policy Advisor, the Work Foundation at Lancaster University commented: “These figures suggest sickness absence from the workplace in the UK has stabilised with the average worker taking 4.4 days off in 2025.
From April 2027, the government will cut the cash ISA allowance for the under-65s from £20,000 to £12,000, forcing the remaining £8,000 into stocks and shares. But the Bank of England is now warning of a "significant risk of a stock market adjustment." Is this really the right moment to push small savers into a volatile market? In this video, I explain why this policy is recklessly irresponsible.