From 21 May 2017, people aged 60 and over who currently benefit from Highland Council’s rail concessionary travel scheme are being advised that half fare rail concessions for the majority of entitled Highland residents will cease. Free travel remains available by bus, and card holders are advised to keep their entitlement cards which can still be used on bus routes throughout Scotland.
Atlantis, a global leader in the tidal power generation sector, announces that it has signed a Strategic Partnership Agreement ("SPA") with South Korean offshore construction giant Hyundai Engineering & Construction Co., Ltd ("Hyundai") regarding collaborating on the development of ocean power renewable projects globally. The particular focus for the collaboration is on the development of the domestic tidal stream market in South Korea and internationally as well as tidal range and floating offshore wind projects.
Principal and Chief Executive of Scotland's Rural College Professor Wayne Powell has expressed his thanks to the many individuals and groups who have given their views about SRUC's new strategy over the last month. SRUC launched its new strategic vision on 19 April 2017 and since then has held 21 discussion meetings across Scotland involving staff, students and stakeholders.
DINGWALL, Dingwall & Highland Marts Ltd., (May, 10th) sold 463 store cattle. Bullocks (231) averaged 245.5p and sold to 294.3p per kg for a 265kg Charolais cross from Corriebheinn Farms, Portree, and £1,390 gross for a pair of 652kg Aberdeen Angus crosses from Wester Moy, Urray.
15 candidates are seeking election on Thursday 8 June for the three Highland UK Parliamentary General Election constituencies. Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross constituency has attracted 4 candidates; Ross, Skye and Lochaber constituency 6 candidates; and Inverness, Nairn, Badenoch and Strathspey constituency 5 candidates.
Highlands and Islands Labour MSP, Rhoda Grant, today raised the EIS strike, going into its fourth day today, with the Nicola Sturgeon during First Minister's Question Time. Commenting afterwards, Ms Grant said: "The college lecturers are being forced to strike for a fourth day today, due to the dispute brought about by the Scottish Government’s pledge to harmonise pay and conditions in the college sector following the mergers of many colleges across the country.
The Scottish Parliament has approved the Railway Policing (Scotland) Bill in principle after a stage one debate. Approval follows the Justice Committee's report last week which supported the Bill's plans to integrate the British Transport Police (BTP) in Scotland into Police Scotland, creating a more effective, joined-up police service on Scotland's railways.
Councillor Margaret Davidson announced today that an agreement had been reached to form anew administration to run Highland council for the next five years. Councillor Davidson will once again be the leader of the council and she said,"We are pleased to announce that a coalition of Independents, Liberal Democrats and Labour Councillors have formed an Administration to take Highland Council forward for the next five years.
A heavy-duty offshore construction vessel arrived in the Inner Sound ... between Gills Bay and Stroma isle ...
DINGWALL, Dingwall & Highland Marts Ltd., (May, 9th) sold 18 prime cattle. Prime bullocks (9) averaged 214.7p (-3.3p) and sold to 220.0p per kg and £1,344.00 gross.
A National Statistics Publication for Scotland. Literacy results from the 2016 Scottish Survey of Literacy and Numeracy have been published by Scotland's Chief Statistician today.
Scotland's biggest NHS union, UNISON welcomes today's debate in the Scottish Parliament on NHS pay, and is calling on all parties to back calls for the Westminster government to drop its austerity pay agenda. Tam Waterson, chair of UNISON Scotland's health committee said, "UNISON will continue to call for the NHS pay review body to scrap the cap on pay for all NHS workers.
CivTech launches phase II of tech accelerator fund. A new Scottish Government-run accelerator programme will revolutionise how technology led businesses work with the public sector.
Education reform is now imperative, Deputy First Minister John Swinney has said following the publication of the final Scottish Survey of Literacy and Numeracy (SSLN). Literacy results for 2016 show a broadly stable performance since 2014, although there has been a drop in writing performance for S2 pupils.
Consent granted for Portobello church purchase. A community group in Edinburgh is set to become the first organisation in an urban area to benefit from community right to buy powers.
Simon Wilkinson has taken his experience and skills north to Sutherland and the move could not have come at better time with the North Coast 500 attracting a growing number of cyclists. Siomn said,"I've been a bike mechanic for 28 years running the family business.
The transformation of future learning in Highland schools was discussed by around 100 head teachers at a Science and Technology Conference last week in Inverness. Key speakers from Highlands and Islands Enterprise, Skills Development Scotland, the Wood Foundation, Education Scotland, FIRST Scandinavia and the Science and Skills Academy addressed the conference on the importance of STEM experiences and qualifications for young people in the Highlands.
Commenting on the UK Government's decision not to challenge the High Court ruling around publication of their air pollution strategy by 9 May 2017, Scottish Labour spokesperson for Environment, Climate Change and Land Reform, David Stewart MSP said: "The UK Government's original air pollution strategy was so weak, it was ruled illegal in a High Court case brought by ClientEarth and in breach of EU Law as well as domestic legislation. That should have been the push they needed to produce something more worthwhile.
Reids of Caithness has been named Scottish Baker of the Year 2017 at a glittering ceremony hosted by Scottish Bakers, the association that supports and promotes the interests of Scottish bakers across the country. The baker won the following awards: Morning Roll - National Bronze and Regional Gold Corn Bread - Regional Gold Buttery - National Bronze "We are extremely pleased to be recognised as Scotland's best baker" said Gary Reid "We take our business very seriously and use traditional methods and craftsmen's skills to deliver quality every time.
The Sunday Post newspaper has today run a story showing how radio-active materials are being moved in the middle of the night with very high levels of security. The full story is HERE.
