First Minister urges confirmation of investment as matter of urgency. A multi-million pound city deal to support Aberdeens position as a global oil and gas hub should be agreed as a matter of urgency, First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has told the Prime Minister.
Today, Living Streets Scotland welcomed the launch of a refreshed transport strategy for Scotland, the first since 2006 [1]. This update sets out the need for a more fundamental rethink on meeting Scotlands transport challenges, after the next election (May 2016).
Labour Market Statistics show record number of Scots in work. The latest figures show the highest employment level for Scotland on record, with a 21,000 rise in the employment level compared to the previous quarter, taking the number of Scots in work to 2,631,000.
What does the Empty Homes Advice Service do? Provide empty homes advice to empty home owners, neighbours and organisations interested in empty homes work. Make referrals to our network of local Empty Homes Officers working in Scotland's Local Authorities.
A Caithness entrepreneur is set to give his business a global boost after attending one of the worlds most renowned business executive development courses. Derek Campbell of Thurso battery and charger manufacturer Denchi Power, will be among 120 entrepreneurs from across the globe taking part in the Entrepreneurship Development Programme at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in Boston at the end of January.
The Scottish Government has laid regulations to extend the requirement on public authorities to publish information on their gender pay gap and equal pay statements. If enacted, public authorities with more than 20 employees will be required to disclose gender pay gap information and statements on equal pay.
Land Reform Minister confirms intention to create public register. The Scottish Government plans to create a public register of who controls land in Scotland and is to amend the Land Reform Bill to make provision to do so.
-- Location Fee Donated to Local Charity NorthLink Ferries is set to make its debut in the BBCs successful Shetland series this month. Passenger ferry MV Hrossey will appear in the third series of the crime television programme, which stars Douglas Henshall as Detective Inspector Jimmy Perez, due to air from Friday 15 January 2016.
Week Commencing 11th January 2016 Energy and Business Services: Beatrice Offshore Windfarm Ltd and independent energy company Danske Commodities have signed a 15-year power purchase agreement for the latter to manage 50% of the output from the Beatrice development to be built off the Caithness coast. As previously reported, CNSRP partners have been involved in helping Wick Harbour Authority as it discusses the opportunity for the operation and maintenance base for the BOWL development to be at Wick.
LOCHMADDY, Dingwall and Highland Marts Ltd., (January, 14th) sold 195 weaned calves and store cattle 10 OTM cattle. Bullocks (110) averaged 205.7p and sold to 260p per kg for a 250kg Limousin cross from 9 Malaglate, Lochmaddy, and £920 gross for a 445kg Charolais cross from 16 Tigharry, Lochmaddy.
Week Commencing 4th January 2016 Energy and Business Services: One of the key elements in transmitting power from renewables in the north - the Beauly-Denny electricity power line - went into operation just before Christmas. For an aerial look at the power line see http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-35146301 As the MeyGen tidal project enters a crucial year Atlantis Resources - the owner of MeyGen - has announced the onshore testing of its AR1500 turbine at the National Renewable Energy Centre (NaREC) facility in NE England.
The Highland Councils Budget team, Councillors Bill Fernie, Alister Mackinnon, Ben Thompson and Matthew Reiss, have been working with Council Leader Margaret Davidson over the Christmas and New year period to discuss the way forward for the 2016/17 budget in the context of an extremely challenging grant settlement from the Scottish Government. On Wednesday 6 January 2016 the Budget Team met with the Councils Chief Executive and Director of Finance to explore wide areas where potential savings could be made.
Experts from Scotlands Rural College (SRUC) are alerting farmers that in light of this winters extreme weather, there is an increased risk of their cows suffering from magnesium deficiency. The condition is commonly known as grass staggers and often affects grazing cattle in spring, but magnesium tetany can also affect overwintered cows fed on silage.
Police Scotland are holding a Candidate Briefing Session on Saturday 16th January 2016 at Wick Police Station, Bankhead Road, Wick. Candidate Briefing Sessions are aimed at those who are interested in joining Police Scotland as a Regular or Special Constable.
DINGWALL, Dingwall and Highland Marts Ltd., (January, 5th) sold 42 prime cattle. Prime bullocks (14) averaged 193.2p (+1.2p) and sold to 202p per kg and £1,346.40 gross.
Wylfa, the last Magnox power station in the world, finally closed today after generating electricity for five years longer than originally planned. The Anglesey power station was the last and largest in a fleet of 11 UK plants based on the ground-breaking Magnox design that gave the nation's scientists a global lead in the race to develop nuclear energy for homes and businesses.
Are you thinking about making a planning application? Have you started a planning application but have not yet submitted it? If the answer is yes, you will need to know about the refreshed ePlanning Portal - ePlanning.scot - which will go live on Wednesday 13 January 2016. ePlanning.scot will replace the existing ePlanning Scotland Portal but there will be a period of dual running of the current and new portal.
First instalments to arrive in bank accounts on Hogmanay. The first direct farm payments are due to arrive in bank accounts within days, Rural Affairs Secretary Richard Lochhead has confirmed.
Advice to avoid close contact with animals giving birth. Pregnant women should avoid close contact with animals that are giving, or have recently given birth, the Chief Medical Officer Dr Catherine Calderwood has advised.
Highland MSP, Rhoda Grant who has spearheaded the campaign for improvements to the Far North Line is highlighting figures from the Office of Rail and Road (ORR) that have recorded a year on year fall in passenger numbers using the line since 2012/2013. With the latest figures showing another drop in passenger numbers.