A programme of over 350 guided walks and events has been published by The Highland Council's Countryside Rangers in conjunction with New Century Publications Group. Councillor Ian Ross, Chairman of The Highland Council's Planning, Environment and Development Committee said: "The 2011 programme runs from April through to the end of the summer with events taking place throughout the Highlands.
A book recording the achievements of Scotland's Housing Expo at Balvonie Braes, Inverness, has now been published in hard copy and electronic formats. The book illustrates and explains the buildings, masterplanning and landscaping showcased by the Expo, the background to the event and what has been learnt from it so far.
DINGWALL, Dingwall & Highland Marts Ltd., (March, 22nd) sold 54 prime cattle. Prime bullocks (33) averaged 166p (-1.2p) and sold to 173p per kg and £1,226.40 gross.
Twelve ambitious Highlands and Islands companies will be pursuing new business after taking part in specialist training to create their own international action plans. The businesses explored how best to identify the most likely international markets for their products, how best to break into these markets, how to improve their e-commerce, and how to manage international contracts.
Rob Gibson SNP MSP for the Highlands and Islands* has warmly welcomed the news that the Flow Country has made it on UK shortlist to bid for world heritage status. Europe's largest blanket bog, which has been described as the Northern hemisphere's answer to the Amazon rain forest, because of it's capacity to store large amounts of carbon, has made it to the short list with two other Scottish sites (the forth rail bridge and iron age remains in Shetland).
Please be advised, the Caithness Partnership will be relocating its offices on Thursday 24th of March 2011 to; Caithness Partnership Ltd Rhind House West Banks Avenue Wick Caithness KW1 5LZ Our telephone and email details will remain unchanged as; Tel 01955 606 483 Fax 01955 606 974 Email koreen[AT]caithness-partnership.org.uk caithnesspartnership[AT]btinternet.com Please update your records. During this transition, we anticipate that our online access will be unavailable from Tuesday 22nd March until Monday 28th March whilst our broadband is transferred to our new tel line at Rhind House.
The redevelopment of Scrabster Harbour received a funding injection. Finance Secretary John Swinney announced that the Scottish Government will contribute £2.2 million to help complete a funding package of around £20 million for the project.
A new booklet entitled "Nature Detectives… The Challenge" was launched at South Lodge Primary School, Invergordon today (Tuesday 22 March). The booklet aims to help children find out more about the wildlife that lives on their very own doorstep in an active and hands-on fashion.
First Minister Alex Salmond today announced plans by energy engineering giant Doosan Power Systems to locate its renewables research and development (R&D) base - and potentially offshore wind turbine manufacturing - in Scotland, creating hundreds of new jobs with investments worth up to £170 million over the next ten years. Doosan and Scottish Enterprise have agreed to enter into a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU).
A new £110,000 project investing in the future of young people and helping to broaden their understanding of the opportunities available locally has been launched in Caithness and North Sutherland. The two year project is funded by Dounreay Site Restoration Limited (DSRL), Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) and the Highland Council.
The first in a series of tenders to create the future design of one of the North's most iconic visitor destinations is being advertised. Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE), supported by project funding from the Scottish Government and the European Community Highland LEADER 2007-2013 programme, is searching for artists to lead on a number of temporary and permanent art projects for John O'Groats.
An organisation set up last year to promote sustainable communities through land ownership across Scotland has received a funding boost from Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE). Community Land Scotland was formed last September to provide a shared voice for the increasing number of communities which now own land assets.
The Scottish Government has published a Plan for Offshore Wind development in Scotland's seas. Blue Seas, Green Energy confirms that offshore renewable developments are viable in at least six sites, with a potential to deliver almost five Gigawatts of electricity generating capacity by 2020.
Around £14.3 million of European funding is to be invested to support Scotland's tourism sector, sustainable public transport, develop SMEs, build links between research and business and provide training opportunities. It includes cash from the European Regional Development Fund for VisitScotland to provide extra support to local tourism businesses and promote attractions, an award to East Ayrshire Council to complete 2,100sq m of small industrial units and cash to assist with the introduction of real time passenger information on bus services.
The Highland Council is inviting tenders for the provision of public bus services and home to school transport services across the whole of the Council area, with a potential value of up to £80 million over the 5 year life of the contracts. The Council are looking to encourage as many suppliers as possible to take advantage of this opportunity which gives local suppliers the chance to bid for services in their community.
Members of The Highland Council's Planning, Environment and Development Committee have agreed a number of measures to help sustain rural petrol stations and address the current high fuel charges affecting people across the Highlands. Top of the list of actions is for the council to continue to monitor fuel prices and their impacts and lobby the UK Government for the extension of any fuel price derogation to mainland Highland communities.
Week commencing 14th March: Energy: Following discussions at the CNSRP Executive Board about the value of pursuing additional mechanisms to encourage inward investment into the area, CNSRP Chairman Sir Anthony Cleaver has this week written to Rt Hon George Osborne MP, Chancellor of the Exchequer, to ask for support in making Caithness and North Sutherland one of the 10 Enterprise Zones announced by the coalition UK Government. Copies of the letter have also been sent to Rt Hon Danny Alexander MP (Chief Secretary to the Treasury) and Michael Moore MP (Secretary of State for Scotland).
Primary school teachers from across the Highlands and Islands will participate in specially devised workshops this month. Funded by Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE), the teachers will receive valuable classroom resources to help them explain renewable energy to Primary Six and Seven pupils.
Local people are being invited along to an informal evening reception by Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) at Mackays Hotel, Wick, Caithness, from 7 pm until 9pm on Wednesday 30 March. SNH is the Scottish Government's advisor on the management, enjoyment, understanding and sustainable use of Scotland's wildlife, natural habitats and landscape.
Two Awards in One Day - National Recognition of Highland Council's Pre-Application Advice Service The Pre-Application Advice Service for Major Developments, a cross Highland Council and other public agency project led by the Planning and Development Service, received a commendation in the Development Management category at the Scottish Awards for Quality in Planning and a Silver Award in the Service Innovation and Improvement category at the COSLA Awards on March 11th 2011. The Service helps to make the planning process more efficient by encouraging early and effective discussion with developers to better inform their subsequent planning applications.
