Finance Secretary John Swinney today announced funding to increase the energy and low carbon support available to Scottish companies. The Scottish Government has awarded £3.4 million of European Regional Development Funding to six projects from leading Scottish universities and colleges.
Green energy developer Infinergy is set to showcase its plans for the Limekiln wind farm, near Reay, which could bring in £9.75million to support community initiatives over its lifetime. The proposed wind farm of up to 26 turbines would have a generating capacity of around 78 megawatts (MW), enough to power around 43,600 homes - equivalent to 43% of Highland households.
The Cabinet Secretary for Education and Lifelong Learning, Michael Russell MSP will officially open Acharacle Primary School on Friday (2 March 2012) during a visit to Lochaber which also includes a guided tour around Ardnamurchan High School,now in its 10th year. Arriving at Acharacle on Friday afternoon he will be joined by Leader of The Highland Council, Councillor Michael Foxley and the Education, Culture and Sport Chairman, Councillor Bill Fernie to celebrate the success of the school which opened its doors to pupils in May 2009.
Statement from Highland & Islands Fire Board, Highlands & Islands Fire & Rescue Service, and Representative Bodies. Joint press statement from Highland and Islands Fire Board, Highlands & Islands Fire & Rescue Service, the Fire Brigades Union, Retained Firefighters Union and the Fire Officers' Association A high level seminar involving the Highland and Islands Fire Board, senior staff from Highlands & Islands Fire & Rescue Service (HIFRS), the Fire Brigades Union, the Retained Firefighters Union (Scotland), the Fire Officers Association and senior officers from the HIFRS Peer Support Team was been held on Friday 24th February 2012 to analyse the key issue of risk to communities and firefighters in the area.
Road closures necessary to accommodate flood channel work. A public meeting is being held between 6pm - 7.30pm on Thursday (1 March) at Fairways Golf Club, Inverness, when local residents will be advised of traffic management issues and site progress on Phase 4 of the South West Inverness Flood Relief Channel, which, when completed, will reduce the possibility of flooding in that part of the city.
Tick-borne disease charity BADA-UK (Borreliosis and Associated Diseases Awareness-UK) and its Patron, TV Bushcraft and Survival expert Ray Mears, are warning both outdoor workers and outdoor-pursuits enthusiasts to be vigilant about a potential increased risk of tick bites this spring. The charity is using its annual awareness campaign Tick Bite Prevention Week (26 March - 1 April) www.tickbitepreventionweek.org to highlight the health risks that ticks pose, especially following the recent EU ban of the herbicide Asulam.
Northern Constabulary has completed its draft Gaelic Language Plan for the period 2012-2013 for consultation prior to its submission to Bòrd na Gàidhlig in April. The plan, which has been developed in accordance with the Gaelic Language ( Scotland) Act 2005, outlines Northern Constabulary's commitment to the sustainability of the Gaelic language.
Postal ballot papers were issued on Friday, 24 February 2012 to the 10,877 voters eligible to take part in the forthcoming Crofting Commission elections to elect five new board members representing Shetland, East Highlands, Western Isles, West Highlands & South West, and Highlands. A total of 28 candidates are vying for the five places on the Board.
The Highland Council has taken an important step towards securing the highest level of benefit possible for local communities across the Highlands from renewable energy developments by agreeing a policy on how future funds are allocated. Council Leader Michael Foxley and Councillor Isobel McCallum, Chairman of The Highland Council's Rural Affairs and Climate Change Strategy Group, highlighted the Council's commitment to community benefit at a conference in Inverness on Friday 24th February 2012 organised by the Council.
DINGWALL, Dingwall & Highland Marts Ltd., (February, 23rd) sold 27 registered Cheviot females at its Harbro sponsored show and sale. Hill Register judge Mr A.
Dounreay Site Restoration Ltd has agreed a three-year funding package to support the promotion of science and engineering in local schools. The sponsorship is part of the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority's work to help the local economy adjust to the effects of Dounreay's closure.
Cabinet Secretary for Health, Wellbeing and Cities Strategy, Nicola Sturgeon, today announced the appointment of the Chair to Highland NHS Board. Garry Coutts has been appointed through fair and open competition for a further term as the Chair of Highland NHS Board, with his current term ending on March 31, 2012.
The dates for Wick Gala Week 2012 were confirmed today. The week will begin with the Crowning of the Gala Queen at 7pm on Saturday 28th July 2012.
The Highland Council has been given the go ahead to proceed with plans to replace the four primary schools in Wick with two new purpose built schools serving the North and South of the town. Scottish Education Cabinet Secretary, Michael Russell, who called in the Council's proposals, has confirmed he is content for the Council to amalgamate Hillhead and North Primary Schools in a new school building on land available within North Primary School and to join the South and Pulteneytown Academy Primary Schools in a new school to be built on the site of the existing High School playing field site and the site of Pultneytown Academy PS.
The Justice Secretary today welcomed the announcement that the interim headquarters of the Police Service of Scotland will be based at the Scottish Police College at Tulliallan Castle and the interim operating base for the new Scottish Fire and Rescue Service will be based at Perth Community Fire Station. Subject to Parliamentary approval of the Police and Fire Reform (Scotland) Bill, these arrangements will be in place before the new services are expected to be established on April 1, 2013.
An estimated £18 million programme of essential works is to be started next year on the Kessock Bridge to bring the key route into Inverness and the North of Scotland up to modern standards and ensure public safety. The road surface on the bridge, which carries 30,000 vehicles every day, has reached the end of its working life and the need for ad-hoc repairs has become increasingly disruptive to traffic.
The Scottish Land Fund which will help more rural communities buy their land was launched today by Environment Minister Stewart Stevenson. The £6 million scheme will empower rural communities by helping them acquire land and make their dreams a reality.
National Grid and ScottishPower Transmission have awarded a contract for construction of the first ever subsea electricity link between Scotland and England & Wales. The £1 billion contract has been awarded to Germany's Siemens and Italian cable manufacturer Prysmian.
Almost £300,000 of funding to support the Scottish Government's autism strategy has been announced by Public Health Minister Michael Matheson. Sixteen organisations around Scotland, many working in partnership, have received funding to develop new support services for people with autism and their families.
Fifteen projects designed to boost economic growth and create jobs will receive a share of funding worth £5.3 million, Alex Neil announced today. The projects across the region will focus on supporting people who are finding it hardest to get jobs, those most effected by the current economic challenges and those at risk of redundancy.