Rural Affairs Secretary Richard Lochhead saw a little bit of history being made during a recent visit to Wick's Pulteney Distillery. A 40 year old single malt has been launched by the distillery - the oldest whisky the company has ever released.
The latest topic for discussion on The Highland Council's budget consultation blog asks the public for ideas on the recycling and disposal of waste. The questions are posed by Councillor Dave Fallows, Chairman of the Council's Finance Resources and Housing Committee, who is encouraging comment on his budget blog on proposals to deliver Council services more efficiently and effectively.
Issued by the Highlands and Islands Strategic Co-ordinating Group. Members of the Highlands and Islands Strategic Co-ordinating Group (HISCG) are directly involving the public for the first time in their preparations for winter.
The first members of the new Scottish Police Authority (SPA) were announced today by Justice Secretary Kenny MacAskill. The SPA, which will go live on April 1, 2013, will support the Chief Constable and the new Police Service of Scotland as well as holding them to account.
Plans to restore Scotland's peatland landscape will be supported with £1.7 million funding from the Scottish Government. Peatlands cover about 20 per cent of Scotland and are of international importance.
More businesses are saving more thanks to the Scottish Government's Small Business Bonus Scheme (SBBS), according to official statistics published today. The figures show that 89,087 properties are benefitting from SBBS in 2012 -13 an increase of almost 4,000 from this time last year.
The £10 million Legacy 2014 Active Places Fund, part of the Scottish Government's Commonwealth Games Legacy 2014 programme, will give communities across Scotland more and better places to be active. Grants between £10,000 and £100,000 are now available to help build or upgrade local facilities such as new bike or skate parks, outdoor adventure facilities, walking routes, or new projects within school estates.
The independent analysis of the Your Scotland, Your Referendum consultation has been published today, outlining the views of thousands of people and groups in a discussion exercise that had the third highest response rate the Scottish Government has seen. The main purpose of the Your Scotland, Your Referendum consultation was to gather the range and depth of views that individuals and groups have on the set of issues presented in the consultation paper.
Minister for Public Health Michael Matheson has announced he is recommending traffic light colours on all pre-packaged foods sold in Scotland. The red-amber-green guide will sit alongside information about Guideline Daily Amounts, clearly illustrating levels of sugar, fat, saturated fat, salt and energy.
?This publication provides information on higher education student support in Scotland for session 2011-12. Main findings include: The total amount paid in tuition fees, bursaries and grants or authorised in loans for 2011-12 session stands at £570.3 million.
The Scottish Index of Manufactured Exports which is published today, shows that export sales grew at 1.7 per cent in real terms over the year to July, despite experiencing a fall during the first six months of 2012. The latest figures for Q2 2012 show a fall of 4.0 per cent in real terms over the quarter.
Accountant in Bankruptcy (AiB) today released official figures reporting personal and company insolvencies in Scotland for the second quarter of the financial year 2012-13. There were 4,063 personal insolvencies, which include bankruptcy awards and protected trust deeds, for the period - a 27.5 per cent decrease on the previous quarter and a 24.5 per cent decrease on the same period in the previous year.
Scotland's fishermen and fishing communities will benefit from the new European Maritime Fisheries Fund (EMFF). The EMFF will deliver help for both inshore and offshore fleets and the aquaculture sector to adapt to new circumstances, expand and create new jobs and promote fisheries conservation.
Figures released today show that Scottish personal insolvencies have fallen in the second quarter of 2012-13. The Scottish Government's debt management tool, the Debt Arrangement Scheme (DAS), continues to be a viable option for Scots struggling with debt as numbers for the Scheme have increased by nearly 30 per cent from the same period of last year.
The new Poundstretcher store in Wick will open on 26th October. Stock has been flowing to the store over the past few days.
Feedback on Caithness General Hospital inspection welcomed. NHS Highland has welcomed the publication of the Healthcare Environment Inspectorate (HEI) report of the unannounced inspection visit to Caithness General Hospital, Wick, which took place on 3rd and 4th September.
Two pitchers of cocktails for £10 is on offer over the Halloween period at the Alexander Bain pub in Wick from Friday 26th to 31st October. Poison Apple and Devil's Candy might be just the thing for your big night out with friends.
The Alexander Bain pub, Wetherspoons in Wick will be taking part in the Real Ale Festival running in the UK - Wednesday 24th October - 11 November 2012. With beers from 10 countries and many from around the UK.
Sunday 28th October at Castle of Mey.
All 16 and 17 year-olds will be able to have Referendum vote. The Scottish Parliament will be asked to ensure that all 16 and 17 year-olds have the right to vote in the referendum for an independent Scotland, First Minister Alex Salmond announced today.