"Alasdair Macdonald Driving is the best and surest way to learn to drive in the Highlands - and to get your test with one of the most experienced, knowledgeable and successful instructors in the country. Twenty years of experience.
NorthLink Ferries has published timetables confirming arrangement for the regular planned maintenance of its passenger vessels, with one vessel at a time due to be out of service between 13 January and 25 March 2019. MV Hamnavoe, which operates between Scrabster and Stromness, will be removed from service for five days from 13 - 19 January and MV Hjaltland and MV Hrossey on the Aberdeen to Kirkwall and Lerwick route from 2 - 18 February and 19 - 25 March.
School support staff regularly go home worried about pupils' welfare, safety and emotional state after discussing issues such as grooming, gangs, domestic violence, bullying, loneliness, and sexual abuse with them, according to a survey released by UNISON on Friday 23rd November 2018. The research suggests that across Scotland a third (33%) of school support staff involved in children's welfare go home worried every day having spoken to pupils about the issues that trouble them both inside and outside of school.
Weeks Commencing 12th and 19th November 2018 Energy & Business Services: My colleague Keith Muir and I met up last week with the directors of JGC Engineering Services Ltd to catch up on current and future plans, which have been boosted by the news I shared recently that JGC has been awarded a contract by Siemens Transmission and Distribution relating to the Triton Knoll offshore windfarm project of the east coast of England. Siemens is also the turbine provider for the Beatrice Offshore Windfarm off the Caithness coast.
FORT WILLIAM, Dingwall and Highland Marts Ltd., (November, 23rd) sold 75 store cattle, 20 OTM cattle and 757 sheep. Bullocks (32) sold to 244.7p per kilo for a pair of 235kg Limousin crosses from Tigh Airigh, Blarmacfoldach, and £760 gross a 510kg Luing from Scallastle Farm, Isle of Mull.
An independent review into allegations of a bullying culture at NHS Highland will be conducted by John Sturrock QC. Health Secretary Jeane Freeman had previously announced plans for an independent review to look into the allegations that were raised in September.
the Offshore Wind Industry Council has launched a website (Offshore Wind Careers) which aims to attract new entrants to the sector in the UK by showcasing job opportunities for graduates, apprentices and people seeking to transfer from other sectors The UK offshore wind industry is playing a key role in helping the Government to achieve its clean growth ambitions, cutting the use of fossil fuels. Offshore wind is not only a clean energy source, it is a stable and reliable source of power - enabling us to deliver secure electricity to our homes now, and for future generations to come.
DINGWALL, Dingwall & Highland Marts Ltd., (November, 22rd) sold 2,942 store sheep. Lambs (1,156) averaged £40.99 and sold to £77.50 gross for a Beltex cross from Cypress, Achterneed.
Lochaber Area Committee at its meeting on 7th November, 2018 decided to introduce two hours free car parking in the six weeks running up to Christmas for Fort William. Cllr Allister Mackinnon Budget Leader said, "We are aware of the decision made by the Lochaber Area Committee to offer 2 hours free car parking in the run up to Christmas, however legal advice is that the decision has budgetary consequences and therefore it needs to be considered by the Highland Council when it next meets on 13th December 2018".
By mid-afternoon on a Friday many 9-5 workers have one eye on the clock as they count down to the weekend - but what about when your job involves working on someone else's home? A survey undertaken by Protecting.co.uk, a health & safety and employment law expert, has shown that a staggering 76% of tradespeople admit to doing at least one ‘Friday job' which they are ‘ashamed of’ - from slapdash plastering to lackadaisical joinery, it seems that the British public are suffering when it comes to pre-weekend work. The study, which surveyed 500 workers across various trades, showed that a majority of tradespeople - like workers in many other professions - lose concentration as the end of the week edges closer.
KICKING OF WITH THE CLOOTIE DUMPLING GIN. The UK's most northerly mainland distillery, Dunnet Bay Distillers, has announced the launch of a new Creative Collection Series.
Local authorities and communities will have a stronger voice in the management of Scottish Crown Estate assets. Under reforms passed by Parliament , the Scottish Crown Estate Bill establishes a framework to deliver wider benefits and new opportunities for local control of these assets, while recognising that some may still need to be managed at the national level.
DINGWALL, Dingwall & Highland Marts Ltd., (November, 21st) sold 902 store cattle, 18 adult head of breeding cattle 127 OTM cattle. Bullocks (512) averaged 226.7p and sold to 298.2p per kilo for a 285kg Limousin cross from Wester Tomloan, Ardclach, and £1,280 gross for a pair of 605kg Charolais crosses from Torgormack, Beauly.
The priorities by which The Highland Council will treat roads in Caithness this winter have been approved. At the Caithness Committee meeting today (Tuesday 20 November) members approved a winter maintenance plan for the area which includes priority road lists and maps showing the priority gritting routes.
The Highland Community Planning Partnership has launched an app to help prevent suicide in the north of Scotland. The ‘Prevent Suicide' app, which was developed in Tayside and adapted for use in Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire, is being rolled-out in Highland as part of the Community Planning Partnership’s (CPP) plan to address levels of suicide.
Online fraud victims in Scotland say they have lost an average £1,594.42 each. 50% of victims say they have had money taken from their bank account, 13% have had their credit and debit cards cloned.
DINGWALL, Dingwall & Highland Marts Ltd., (November, 20th) sold 12 prime cattle. Prime Bullocks (1) sold to 210.0p per kg and £1,386.00 gross.
Scottish Police Authority Annual Report and Accounts 2017-18 Published. Report shows improvements in financial management, governance and transparency The Scottish Police Authority (SPA) has published its annual report and accounts for the 2017-18 financial year.
The Highland Council is to invest over £4.2 million into carrying out improvements to its housing stock in Caithness. At today's meeting of the Caithness Committee (Tuesday 20 November 2018) Councillors agreed a two year Housing Revenue Account Capital Programme that will see £4,204,420 spent on making improvements to Caithness council homes over the next 2 years.
While some improvements have been made to the delivery of health and social care services, Integration Authorities, councils and NHS boards need to show a stronger commitment to collaborative working to achieve the real long term benefits of an integrated system. A report for the Auditor General and the Accounts Commission notes some progress, but says the remaining challenges are significant.