Improvements to the winter maintenance service provided by The Highland Council were confirmed by the Transport Environmental and Community Service Committee at its meeting today (Thursday). A review of priority routes has resulted in a 76-mile increase in the length of Priority One routes to 1,319 miles (31% of the network).
DINGWALL, Dingwall & Highland Marts Ltd., (September, 24th) sold 47 prime cattle. Prime bullocks (19) averaged 239.3p (-5.5p) and sold to 245p per kg and £1,759.50 gross.
Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) has today published the latest results from the Scottish Recreation Survey which has surveyed more than 100,000 people in Scotland over almost a decade on their use of the outdoors. The Scottish Recreation Survey (ScRS) annual report for 2012 is the 10th and final report in the series.
Up to six turbines will be initially placed in the Inner Sound of the Pentland Firth off the north coast of Caithness, Scotland, the first phase of what developers hope will be a much larger project. MeyGen Ltd.
The creation of a new Local Development Plan for the Inner Moray Firth area has taken a step closer following a decision by The Highland Council’s Planning, Environment and Development Committee to approve the proposed plan which shows how and where the Council thinks the area should be developed over the next 20 years. The go ahead means the Council will now launch a 6 week consultation to allow the public, developers and local businesses to feed back their comments on the future plan.
LOCHMADDY, Dingwall & Highland Marts Ltd., (September, 23rd) sold 3,005 store sheep of all classes. Lambs (2,238) sold to £74 per head for Suffolks from Sidinish, Locheport.
The Highland Council’s Planning and Development Service is pleased to announce that members of the public now have the ability to report alleged breaches of planning control online as well as over the telephone. Customers from across the Highlands can use the on-line form to report any potential enforcement cases they may come across.
Scottish companies that work intensively with Scottish Enterprise (SE) through its account management approach have generated combined turnover growth of £1 billion in the last year. These companies have increased their cumulative turnover by 8% between April 2012 and March 2013, growing from £12.7 billion to £13.7 billion during the period.
Natural Retreats have launched 'The Inn at John O'Groats' following the restoration of the iconic former John O'Groats Hotel, originally built in 1875, part of Natural Retreats' multi-million pound regeneration of this stunningly picturesque natural wilderness in Caithness in the North of Scotland. Over the last two years the hotel has been carefully restored a new Norse style extension added which provides a dramatic splash of colour against the coastal landscape.
Energy/ Business Services: The Scottish Renewables Marine Conference took place in Inverness this week. The event’s key announcement was the news of Scottish Government consent for Meygen Ltd to develop its proposed tidal stream site in the Inner Sound of the Pentland Firth.
A new Fund has been launched to assist small businesses with their business growth and development and promote the economic growth of Caithness and North Sutherland. Caithness Business Fund was created after discussions between Caithness Chamber of Commerce and Baillie Wind Farm Ltd who had a vision to see a wider area of Caithness and North Sutherland benefit from local wind farms.
DINGWALL, Dingwall & Highland Marts Ltd, (September, 21st) sold 381 rams and females at its annual show and sale sponsored by Norvite. The judge, Mr John Pirie, Chapelpark Farm, Kingussie, awarded the overall show champion and winner of the Mountrich trophy to a Texel shearling from Messrs D.
The Leader of The Highland Council and Chairman of the Council’s Planning, Environment and Development Committee have written to the Chief Secretary to the Treasury to welcome the proposed extension of the rural fuel duty to the Highland mainland. They have also highlighted the need to extend the deadline for submissions from operators to ensure none of the eligible filling stations miss out on the rebate.
Highland hopefuls named after record-breaking number of entries. Reids of Caithness once again in the running.
The second of two successful sets of free sessions to help businesses develop their websites to attract a wider market are coming up in Inverness and Forres. The e-commerce sessions, developed as part of the Smart Exporter programme through Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE), are being held in Eden Court on Monday (23 September) and in Horizon Scotland in Forres on 30 September.
A new collaborative centre, designed to host research and education and attract investment and jobs to the Highlands and Islands, is being discussed by two of the region’s foremost organisations. Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) and the University of the Highlands and Islands (UHI) are proposing to build shared premises at Inverness Campus, the 215-acre site which HIE is developing as a location for business, learning and community activities in the east of the city.
Assessor & ERO’s Office at 3A Bridge Street, Wick remains open for business as usual during the renovations at the Town Hall. The works will take around 8 months to complete but the Assessor’s Office will be open as usual during office hours; 9am-1pm & 2-5pm Monday to Friday.
DINGWALL, Dingwall & Highland Marts Ltd., (September, 17th) sold 53 prime cattle. Prime bullocks (20) averaged 239.3p (+4.2p) and sold to 255p per kg and £1,868.30 gross.
Bad Ladz 11 is taking bookings for Sea Angling, diving etc. The boat is a Birchwood GRP performance hull, with a turbo charged Ford engine.
Leader of The Highland Council Drew Hendry has spoken of the staggering potential of the largest tidal energy project in Europe which is planned off the shores of Caithness. In welcoming guests at the Scottish Renewables Marine Conference at Eden Court, Inverness, on Monday evening, he focused on an announcement made earlier in the day by Scottish Government Energy Minister Fergus Ewing granting consent to MeyGen Ltd to develop the largest tidal turbine array in Europe and the first commercial project off these shores.