News Archive

12/12/2013 : Auctioneers

Dingwall and Highland Marts Ltd - Sale 11th December 2013

DINGWALL, Dingwall and Highland Marts Ltd., (December, 11th) sold 109 weaned calves and store cattle, 57 adult head of breeding cattle and 78 OTM cattle.  Bullocks (62) sold to 309.1p per kilo for a 220kg Limousin cross from 13 Inverbreakie Drive, Invergordon, and £1,040 gross for a 455kg Charolais cross from 16 Balvaird, Muir of Ord, and a 480kg Saler cross from Druminlochan, Feshiebridge.  

12/12/2013 : Local Authority

Council Tax freeze for 7th year in a row recommended as budget balances for 2014-15

The Highland Council is being asked next week to freeze the Council Tax for a seventh successive year and confirm a budget of £563.697 million for 2014-15.   The Council Tax bands would remain: Band A: £775.33; Band B: £904.56; Band C: £1,033.78; Band D: £1,163.00; Band E: £1,421.44; Band F: £1,679.89; Band G: £1,938.33; Band H: £2,326.00.  

12/12/2013

Local Shetland man sentenced for dealing drugs

Police Scotland note the sentence issued today at Shetland Sherriff Court of Ralph Halcrow.  He pled guilty to being concerned in the supply of heroin.  

11/12/2013

Scotlands Soils Website Launched

Online resource to help manage and protect our soils for future generations.   A website, which brings together information on one of Scotlands most valuable natural assets, has now gone live.  

11/12/2013 : Other Leisure Activities

 
Give Surfing Lesson Vouchers This Christmas

Thurso Surf are offering gift vouchers this Christmas.   If you knwo someone who would like to try a few lessons on surfing then get in touch with Thurso Surf on their web site, Facebook page or email.  

11/12/2013 : Local Authority

Council backs heavier fines for littering and fly-tipping

The Highland Council is fully backing plans by the Scottish Government to increase fixed penalties for littering and fly-tipping but wants to see more robust action taken against contractors who try to avoid landfill costs by dumping materials indiscriminately.   It agrees that the penalty for littering should rise to £80 and the penalty for fly-tipping should increase to £200, penalties which are due to take effect from 1 April, next year.  

11/12/2013

Fisheries support package

Funding of over £5 million distributed.   The fishing industry and harbours across Scotland have benefitted from the latest package of awards under the European Fisheries Fund (EFF) and the fisheries harbours emergency grant scheme.  

11/12/2013 : Local Authority

Caithness Heat and Power follow up statutory report

The highland Council has received a copy of the Follow Up statutory report on Caithness Heat and Power prepared by Audit Scotland.   This Follow Up statutory report is being considered by the Accounts Commission at its meeting on 12th December 2013.  

11/12/2013

Rural development consultation

Views sought on vision for £1.3 billion programme.   Detailed proposals for the new Scotland Rural Development Programme (SRDP) have been set out by Rural Affairs Secretary Richard Lochhead.  

11/12/2013

Council funding package

Help for early years and childcare as councils receive £10.6 billion.   Funding for Scotland's councils will total almost £10.6 billion next year, John Swinney announced today.  

11/12/2013

UK carbon budget response

Paul Wheelhouse comments on a report from the Committee on Climate Change.   Commenting on the Committee on Climate Change’s final advice to the UK Government that there has been no change in the circumstances upon which the fourth carbon budget (2023-2027) was originally set in 2011, Environment and Climate Change Minister Paul Wheelhouse said: “We strongly endorse the Committee on Climate Change view that there is no case for the UK Government to pull back from its 4th carbon budget and we welcome their view that Scotland has made good progress in key sectors such as energy.  

11/12/2013

Poultry plan

Work taken forward to strengthen foundation of poultry industry in Scotland.   A plan to support poultry farmers and protect the future of the industry in Scotland will be produced by Christmas, Farming Minister Richard Lochhead has said.  

10/12/2013

 
Add A Touch Of Tartan To Your Christmas

"Having trouble finding Christmas gifts that are as unique and individual as your loved ones? Let Tartan at Heart help you out! Ranging from hair accessories to notice boards, cufflinks to Christmas baubles and wreaths, Tartan at Heart has something for everyone.  All items are handmade from the 100% wool tartan from some of the best mills in Scotland and can be personalised including by choice of tartan.  

10/12/2013 : Bakers

 
Traditional Hampers Made To Order By R. G. Macdonalds, Wick

Macdonald's Bakers are offering hampers made to order in time for Christmas.   You can choose from their Caithness Christmas slab, Scotch Bun, Cherry cake or any of the Bakery products.  

10/12/2013 : Local Authority

Trading Standards warns local businesses to be wary of telephone cold callers

Trading Standards Officers at The Highland Council are reminding businesses to be wary of making donations to telephone cold-callers looking for contributions to seemingly good causes.   Reports have come in of Highland businesses being targeted by publishing firms seeking payments for educational publications in return for the business being named as a contributor.  

10/12/2013 : Auctioneers

Dingwall & Highland Marts Ltd - Sale 10th December 2013

DINGWALL, Dingwall & Highland Marts Ltd., (December, 10th) sold 59 prime cattle.  Prime bullocks (19) averaged 232.8p (-1.1p) and sold to 244p per kg and £1,695.00 gross.  

10/12/2013

Success of Think Local food and drink events

Local crofters, caterers, hoteliers and shop owners have attended meetings throughout the West Highlands to discuss buying and selling local food and drink.   These meetings are the first in a series taking place throughout the Highlands over the winter and are part of a Think Local Highland Food and Drink project being co-ordinated by Sarah Allen and Davie MacLeod on behalf The Highland Council.  

9/12/2013

 
Drop Into Eye Candy This Christmas

Drop into Eye Candy in Thurso this Christmas and find gifts for those hard to buy for people! Come in and see the latest Kate HH Studio collection.   Hand made jewellery fashioned from biscuit, sweet and toffee tins.  

9/12/2013

Cabinet answer questions on Scotland’s Future - Live On Youtube

LIVE at http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=2aukdlZIe7o STARTS at 11.00am Tuesday 10th December 2013 Over 300 people from organisations across civic Scotland will meet in Edinburgh tomorrow to put questions to the Cabinet about Scotland’s Future.  The Scottish Government has invited hundreds of people – from large and small businesses, trade unions, the voluntary and public sector, charities and other Scottish organisations to the event at the EICC.  

8/12/2013

Farm payment transfer proposal

Crucial agriculture support maintained & more funding for environment schemes.   Vital rural development support for farmers, including Less Favoured Area support (LFASS), will be protected and funding for agri-environment schemes increased under proposals for the future of Scotland’s farming budgets.