Unemployment rate falls over the quarter. Employment in Scotland rose by 51,000 over the last quarter - the largest quarterly rise on record - illustrating the underlying resilience of the economy, according to the latest ONS Statistics figures published today.
DINGWALL, Dingwall & Highland Marts Ltd., (August, 18th) sold 2,338 store lambs. Texel cross lambs (816) averaged £62.24 and sold to £83.00 gross from 189 Fleucharry, Dornoch.
Members of The Highland Council's Planning, Development and Infrastructure Committee have agreed to adopt the Onshore Wind Energy Supplementary Guidance as statutory supplementary guidance to the Highland-wide Local Development Plan. This means that from today the Guidance will be used as material consideration in any applications and will have full weight in the planning process as part of the Development Plan once Scottish Ministers have given it their final scrutiny.
The Inspector of Crematoria Scotland has described Inverness Crematorium as being well run by staff who display a caring and professional approach to their duties. The comments come following a recent inspection focussing on the issues raised following some national high profile investigations and enquiries into the inappropriate scattering of ashes in other areas.
The Highland Council has been made aware by its contractor Hub North Scotland (Wick) Ltd., of delays affecting the completion of the Wick Joint Campus which includes: • A new Wick High School; • East Caithness community facilities which will be managed and operated by High Life Highland (HLH); and • Newton Park Primary School replacing the former Pulteneytown and South Primary Schools. Regrettably it seems unlikely that the campus will be ready to open in October, as envisaged.
The timetable for the election for the return of a councillor for the Culloden and Ardersier ward of The Highland Council has been announced today (Thursday 17 August) The by-election is being held following the sad death of Councillor John Ford. He was one of four Councillors representing Ward 18 which has an electorate of 9,137.
Leader of Highland Council, Cllr Margaret Davidson, has asked the Chief Executive for an overview of the delivery of education capital projects, to see where further improvements can be made and any problems can be avoided. Cllr Davidson said: "During the past year we have learnt many lessons from previous projects and this has led to many improvements in project management and better reporting to elected members.
Grass cutting in Skye and Lochalsh is to be brought in house from next year and the Council is to carry out an options appraisal to allow members to decide how future grass cutting will be carried out in the rest of the Highlands. Grass cutting and burial ground maintenance forms part of the Council's Amenity Services which also includes war memorial maintenance, management of public conveniences, play park maintenance and burial and cremation services.
UNISON members across 20 Scottish further education colleges voted overwhelmingly to strike in support of fair pay. The result of the ballot was announced today (Wednesday) and will cause disruption to 20 colleges when they resume courses at the end of the month.
Thursday, 1st September 2016, Drop in between 1pm - 4.30pm Thurso Police Office, Olrig Street, Thurso, Caithness KW14 7JA Police Scotland are carrying out Preliminary Supplier Engagements, "Meet the Buyer" Events, across a few geographical areas in Scotland as part of their research into deciding the best way forward for their new upcoming tender for joinery and locksmith services in relation to boarding up premises in the Highlands and Islands. They would like to invite any suppliers that are interested in participating, to come along to the above venue for an informal drop in session.
Whether it's immersing your next customer in a digital tour, testing your design concepts before investing in production, or developing ways for patients to receive medical advice virtually, technology is opening up new opportunities for business. #hellodigital has teamed up with Scottish firm Soluis, which specialises in visualisation and 3D animation, to bring augmented and virtual reality technology to Inverness.
The virtual entrepreneurial accelerator programme was be officially launched on 12th August 2016. Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) has teamed up with Entrepreneurial Spark, powered by Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS), to deliver the pilot programme which is the first of its kind in the UK.
DINGWALL, Dingwall & Highland Marts Ltd., (August, 16th) sold 20 prime cattle. Prime bullocks (5) averaged 215.0p (-0.5p) and sold to 220p per kg and £1,351.60 gross.
DINGWALL, Dingwall & Highland Marts Ltd., (August, 17th) sold 237 store cattle and 18 adult head of breeding cattle. Bullocks (108) averaged 218.3p and sold to 272.7p per kg for a 220kg Limousin cross from 1 Ahmore, Lochmaddy, and £1,310 gross for a 595kg Limousin cross from Culbo Mains, Culbokie.
LifeScan Scotland is Scotland's largest life sciences company and part of the Johnson & Johnson family of companies. It currently employs more than 1100 people in Inverness, developing and manufacturing products for the treatment of diabetes.
The Export Hub is a UK Government initiative backed by Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE), Scottish Enterprise and the Scottish Council for Development and Industry (SCDI). It is currently touring Scotland and will be in Sleat on Skye on Wednesday 31 August; Cairndow 29 August; Inverness 2 September; and Forres 5 September.
Rural Secretary asks for extension to cover £360 million of European money. Cabinet Secretary for the Rural Economy Fergus Ewing has called for the EU funding guarantee to be extended to cover the outstanding £360 million that is vital to the Rural Economy.
Views sought on electrofishing methods. A consultation on proposals to amend legislation so that specified forms of electrofishing would be permitted for catching razor clams has been launched today.
Highlands and Islands Labour MSP and Scottish Labour's Rural Economy and Connectivity Spokesperson, Rhoda Grant, has said Audit Scotland's ‘Superfast broadband for Scotland’ progress update report published this week (18.08.16) highlights ‘no surprises in the north’. The report highlights that while the £146m Highlands and Islands contract and the £266 million Rest of Scotland contract are currently on track to provide access to 95% of premises by December 2017, the remainder of the roll-out will be more challenging.
New times have been issued for the turbine movements. Wednesday 17/08 - x 3 components @ 1830 Thursday 18/08 - x 3 Components @ 1830 Friday 19/08 - x 3 components @1830 Saturday 20/08- x 3 components @ 1030 Sunday 21/08 – no escorts Monday 22/08 – x 3 components @1830 Tuesday 23/08 – x 3 components @1830 Wednesday 24/08 - x 3 components @1830 Thursday 25/08 - x 3 components @1830.