Pupils from the Lochcarron area will continue to travel to Plockton High School by train for the rest of this week as their normal route - via the A890 Stromeferry By-pass - remains closed due the threat of rockfall. On Monday 9 January 2012 46 pupils from the Lochcarron area travelled to Plockton High School by train.
Raigmore Hospital today 10 January 2012, welcomed Michael Matheson, Minister for Public Health, to officially open the new £5.1 million purpose built, Cardiac and Interventional Radiology Suite. Dr Peter Clarkson, Head of Service for Cardiology, explained that cardiology services being provided in Highland have increased over the past few years and the new unit brings a wide range of benefits to cardiology patients.
Finance Secretary John Swinney today met some of the young people benefitting from Forestry Commission employment programmes in Scotland. Mr Swinney spent the morning with trainees who are gaining employability skills and experience by helping to improve one of Scotland's main cycle routes near Uddingston in South Lanarkshire.
The First Minister Alex Salmond will travel to the Middle East next week to sign a ground-breaking deal on renewables. Mr Salmond will sign Scotland up to a landmark agreement to develop tangible green energy products with the world's leading innovator, Masdar, based in Abu Dhabi.
A drive to cut needless bureaucracy for Scottish farmers was launched today by Rural Affairs Secretary Richard Lochhead. A working group is being established to consider how to reduce the red tape associated with farming.
The Scotland-wide series of public meetings about the reform of the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) have kicked off again this week. After a meeting in Stornoway on Monday, the meetings continue tonight in Lerwick and tomorrow (Wednesday) in Kirkwall.
Drivers are advised that the B9176 Struie Road at New Bridge, which had been closed following a landslide, has now reopened. Single lane traffic, controlled by traffic lights, will remain in effect until repairs can be carried out on the downhill retaining wall which was partially demolished by the slip.
The Highland Council is working to secure the services of a car and a passenger ferry - along with feeder bus services - which it will introduce next week as an emergency measure in the wake of the ongoing closure of the A 890 Stromeferry By-pass between Lochcarron and Plockton/Kyle. The ferries are needed because the Council has been advised by consultants that the road must remain closed to traffic until works to make the rock face safe are completed, following landslides at a point 100 yards west of the Avalanche Shelter, as there is still a significant risk of further rock falls affecting the road.
Scotland Transerv are warning motorists of a four-hour emergency closure of the A 82 Inverness - Fort William road between Invergarry and Spean Bridge at Glen Gloy between midnight tonight (Friday 6 Jan) and 4 am on Saturday (7 Jan). This is to allow ground investigation works to take place without causing delay to the overall remedial works programme taking place at the location following a slope failure.
When Pulteney Centre opens to the public on January 23 there will be plenty of new classes and groups to join, running both during the day and evening. Why not make it your New Year's Resolution to try something different this year with one of the following, all held in Pulteney Centre.
An Interview with Pulteney Centre's New Chef. Pulteney Centre will bring a new high quality and friendly restaurant/bistro to Wick which will be perfect for a hearty breakfast, a quick snack at lunch time or a more substantial meal towards dinner.
Youth Activities in Pulteney Centre There will be lots of fun and exciting activities for local youths to take part in when Pulteney Centre opens to the public on January 23. MONDAYS For Music To start the week off there will be a Monday night music and drama group running from 7.30pm - 10pm.
Pulteney Centre will be a "one-stop-shop" for the community's needs, offering a unique package of social groups, training and facility hiring opportunities all within the same building. The large function room will be available to hire for a variety of different purposes such as: * Birthday parties * Small wedding parties * Children's themed parties with full use of the soft play area and other fun activities such as face painting * Business meetings and community meetings The multi-purpose hall will also be available for hire for a wide use of needs, including: * Use as a sports hall for games of five-a-side football, badminton and lots of other sports * A venue for conferences or large meetings * Perfect for community events or special occasions * All with full use of the changing rooms, showers and other facilities As well as all this Pulteney Centre will be offering: * A band practice room * Youth drop-in * Restaurant/bistro offering good quality food and refreshments for families * Cinema facilities * And lots of classes and groups you can find out about in this newsletter Pulteney Centre will open up a range of possibilities for people and businesses in the local community and the wider area.
First Crofting Commission elections begin as Minister names appointed members. The starting gun for the first ever crofting elections was fired today with the official publication of the Notice of Elections.
An innovative project to recycle thousands of computers for use by communities and deserving children across the Scottish Highlands has been launched, in a festive season boost for many in the area. The huge initiative to renovate equipment for re-use instead of landfill is funded by technology company Fujitsu and The Highland Council.
DINGWALL, Dingwall & Highland Marts Ltd., (January, 3rd) sold 49 prime cattle. Prime bullocks (19) averaged 202.9p (+2.8p) and sold to 216p per kg and £1,362.40 gross.
Local Government Minister Derek Mackay has decided not to implement recommendations of the Scottish Local Authorities Remuneration Committee (SLARC) 2010 review which suggested a range of changes to the salaries of councillors. Instead, Ministers will consider the recommendations next year ahead of 2013-14.
Coinciding with a visit to the Parkhead Youth Project in the East End of Glasgow, Cabinet Secretary for Justice Kenny MacAskill today confirmed that more than £6.5 million has been allocated to youth work projects through the CashBack for Communities Youth Work Fund. The Fund is administrated and delivered by YouthLink Scotland, the national agency for youth work.
Finance Secretary John Swinney has welcomed confirmation that all councils in Scotland have agreed to freeze the council tax for another year. All 32 councils have confirmed, in principle, to accept the Scottish Government's funding offer for next year which also maintains maintain police and teacher numbers.
A wave of improvements to the Blue Badge scheme will help end misuse of disabled parking places. The reforms announced by the Scottish Government, alongside the Department for Transport, include sophisticated new anti-fraud technologies and better managed records of badge holders.
