The Highland Council has today secured an order from Inverness Sheriff Court against an Inverness tourist business after an investigation by the council's Trading Standards Officers that was initiated following the receipt of a number of complaints about the activities of the business. Ali Raza Mohamed, who owns both the Highlander B&B in Ardconnel Street and Highlander Hostel in High Street, was found on more than one occasion to be falsely claiming membership of VisitScotland's quality assurance scheme.
Changes to ensure public contracts do more to boost jobs, apprenticeships and the Scottish economy were revealed today. The Scottish Government has launched a consultation on new laws designed to improve the way the public sector buys goods, works and services.
Thousands of people across the country are being penalised by poor parcel delivery services, watchdog Consumer Focus Scotland said today. Nearly 1 in 3 people have difficulties getting their parcel because of inconvenient opening hours at local delivery offices and collection points are too far away for over 1 in 10 people.
Back to school: Primary pupils: Autumn term begins on 14th August Secondary pupils: Autumn term begins on 15th August Autumn Autumn term starts - 14 August 2012 (primary pupils) - 15 August 2012 (secondary pupils) Autumn term ends - 5 October 2012 Winter Winter term starts - 23 October 2012 (primary pupils) - 24 October 2012 (secondary pupils) Winter term ends - 20 December 2012 Spring Spring term starts - 7 January 2012 Mid term break - 11 to 15 February 2013 Spring term ends - 28 March 2013 Summer Summer term begins - 15 April 2013 Summer term ends - 28 June 2013 Public holidays Good Friday - 29 March 2013 Easter Monday - 1 April 2013 May Day - 6 May 2013 In-service days The first day back after summer - Monday 13 August 2012 (Primary and Secondary) The second day back after summer - Tuesday 14 August 2012 (Secondary only) The first day back after October break - Monday 22 October 2012 (Primary and Secondary) The second day back after October break - Tuesday 23 October 2012 (Secondary only) Three days following the February mid-term break - Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, 13, 14 and 15 February 2013 (Primary and Secondary).
North Highland communities, landowners and businesses are being invited to make suggestions in a Highland Council 'Call for Sites' exercise which takes place from 8 August to 3 October 2012. The Council hopes the exercise will identify sites which may be suitable to support the marine renewables sector.
Delight at top grades. Highland pupils are celebrating a sharp increase in the number of candidates gaining top grades in this year's Higher exams.
Developers and planners in the renewables sector can now use a new report by Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) on wild birds in an area of international importance to help inform future schemes. The SNH commissioned report 'Survey of the feeding areas, roosts and flight activity of qualifying species of the Caithness Lochs Special Protection Area' deals with Greenland white-fronted geese; greylag geese and whooper swans.
DINGWALL, Dingwall & Highland Marts Ltd., (August, 7th) sold 57 prime cattle. Prime bullocks (30) averaged 208.3p (+1.9p) and sold to 218p per kg and £1,471.50 gross.
SSE is now recruiting for its new innovative training programme which offers 16-24 year olds in the Highlands the opportunity of a career within the energy industry. The 12 month programme will offer 28 young people the opportunity to gain some valuable hands on experience of life in the energy industry and the skills learned will help recruits develop a successful career in the future.
Police in Wick are appealing for information regarding a commercial premises being entered on Rutherford Street, Wick. Police would like to hear from any members of the public who may have seen or heard anything suspicious in this area between about 4pm Monday 30th July and 11am Wednesday 1st August 2012.
After nine years of continuous growth, Scotland's population in mid-2011 reached 5,254,800 - the highest ever. These figures, based on 2001 Census data, show a rise of 190,600 people over that period.
Scotland's Public Health Minister has welcomed figures published today on the causes of death in Scotland. The figures, published by the Registrar General, show that: • Between 2010 and 2011 C.
Police issue warning to public in Western Isles, Caithness and Sutherland regarding UKCASH scams. Police in the Western Isles are advising shop/garage staff to be aware of a scam to defraud their paypoint facilities.
Pentland Firth becomes Scotland's first Marine Energy Park Energy and Climate Change Minister Greg Barker joined local MP John Thurso at Scrabster Harbour on monday to officially announce the Pentland Firth as only the second designated area in the country for marine and tidal energy. The designation is designed to help bring together manufacturers, financiers, developers and university researchers to create a centre of excellence in the sector and is a clear signal of the UK Government's commitment to marine energy.
Joint statement from NHS Highland and Riverbank Medical Practice, Thurso Riverbank Medical Practice in Thurso is going through a period of transition but we would like to reassure patients that there will be NO change to general medical services being provided from the practice. Following an exceptionally difficult period, the partners of Riverbank Medical Practice have taken the very difficult decision to end their partnership.
Official statistics published today show that over the year the volume of retail sales in Scotland grew by 0.6 per cent, but with a small fall in the volume and value of retail sales in Scotland in the second quarter of this year. On an annual basis, we continue to see growth in the sector with the volume of retail sales, growing by 0.6 per cent, which is in-line with GB growth rates.
Nominations sought for Scottish Health Awards 2012. The search is on for top health workers and teams across the Highlands as the Scottish Health Awards 2012 open for nominations.
Partners want to ensure a safe and secure Belladrum 2012. Multi-agency partners (Northern Constabulary, NHS Highland, Highland Council, Scottish Ambulance Service, the British Red Cross and Highland Alcohol & Drugs Partnership) want Belladrum 2012 festival goers to have a safe and secure event.
Sales volumes soar whilst average property prices decrease by 0.2 per cent. Registers of Scotland published statistics today showing that the total volume of sales across Scotland registered during the first quarter of 2012/13 was 18,514, an increase of 9.2% on the same quarter the previous year.
Graduates in Scotland will be offered more chances to take on internships at Scottish firms following the investment of around £200,000 by the Scottish Government. The funding will support Adopt-an-Intern, a programme with a proven track record of helping graduates into permanent jobs, and will go towards another 110 placements in 2012/13.
