The Highland Council Post 2007
Highland Councillors have given Chief Executive Arthur McCourt the go ahead to progress plans to restructure the council.
Dochgarroch Primary school raises second eco-flag
Dochgarroch Primary School is to finish the school term on a high note today (Thursday 29th June) when local Highland Councillor Ron Lyon raises the school’s second Eco flag.
Launch Of Gaelic Song CD - Orain nan Rosach (Songs of the Ross-shire Folk)
A new Gaelic Song CD entitled “Orain nan Rosach”, “Songs of the Ross-shire Folk” has been launched which features The Highland Council’s Mairi Mhor Gaelic Song Fellow, Fiona Mackenzie and talented Ross-shire local musicians as well as Gaelic Medium Pupils from Dingwall Primary School and National Mod Champions, Inverness Gaelic Choir.
Council Agrees to Examine Extending Parking Charges
The Highland Council has agreed to proceed with car parking surveys during this summer at eight locations in the Highlands to establish if the introduction of car parking charges will help with traffic management.
Council Rangers lead on ‘tree top’ walk
Highland Council’s Countryside Rangers have organised a guided walk looking at the wildlife that live in the tree tops around Kiltarlity.
Appointment of Preferred Supplier
A £70 million project which will provide high capacity broadband links to schools, libraries and other council buildings throughout the Highlands and Islands took a step forward today(Thursday) with the appointment of telecommunications company, Thus plc, as the preferred supplier.
Director Clarifies Visiting Teacher Provision
Bruce Robertson, Director of Education, Culture and Sport, The Highland Council, today (Thursday) emphasised he has at no time issued instructions to schools to withdraw visiting specialist teachers from early years of primary schools (P1-3). Indeed in many schools in Highland, specialist teachers will continue to teach in P1-3 classes.
Lottery funding for new Highland Archive Centre
The Highland Council has warmly welcomed the £4.3 million grant awarded by the Heritage Lottery Fund towards the £10.2 million cost of a new Archive Centre which will house the archival heritage of the Highlands. A site has been chosen at the Bught, Inverness, adjacent to the all-weather pitch, and the Floral Hall.
Community Spirit Prevails in West Alness
The residents of West Alness will have a brand new facility and a range of exciting community activities when their refurbished community centre is completed later this year.
Partnership for Diversity - ‘Europe comes to Skye’
The European Bureau for Lesser Used Languages ‘Partnership for Diversity’ conference takes place this week (29th – 30th June) at Sabhal Mor Ostaig on the Isle of Skye.
Work Gets Underway At Cawdor Primary School
Work began today (Tuesday) on the new £4.7 million Cawdor Primary School. Councillor Laurie Fraser was joined by pupils Sophie Forbes and Cameron Duncan from Primary 1, and Alex Ankers and Charlotte Mackintosh from Primary 5 in cutting the first turfs at the new school site in the village.
Glowing Inspection Report as Head Teacher Retires
On the week that Mrs Jean Hunter, the head teacher of Rosehall Primary School, Sutherland, retires, an inspection report has highly commended the school for its work in all areas. Mrs Hunter calls it a day on Friday after nine years at the helm of the school.
Hilton pupils get on their bikes
Thirty pupils from Hilton Primary school recently celebrated national Bike Week by sitting their cycle test and passing with flying colours.
Honorary fellowships for UHI stalwarts
Two staunch supporters of the campaign to create a university for the Highlands and Islands are to be honoured by UHI Millennium Institute.
Highland drivers urged to “Go Slow”
Motorists in Inverness area are being warned that part time 20mph speed restrictions will be introduced at another three schools in the area, for children’s safety.
Highland Youth Action Service
A group of Highland pupils recently took part in a Highland Youth Action Service project in Dingwall to help them prepare for the transition to secondary school after the summer holidays.
Highland Council Launches Home Composting Scheme in Ross-shire
This week The Highland Council launches its Home Composting scheme in Ross-shire, offering residents a lifetime’s supply of free compost if they buy a discounted compost bin for their garden for only £10.
Highland Waste Aware Mascot Named
A pupil at Kyle Primary School has won a Highland-wide competition to name Highland Council’s Waste Aware Highland mascot – a highland cow.
The Highland Council Beyond 2007
Highland Councillors will be asked on Thursday to consider a far-reaching report from Chief Executive Arthur McCourt which recommends changes in management arrangements and staffing numbers to meet the challenges created by the introduction of 22 multi-member wards from May, next year, together with budget restraints, potential housing stock transfer and job evaluation.
Highland libraries respond to new Highlanders
Polish workers who have moved to the Highlands can now read a daily newspaper in their native language at Inverness Library.
Community centre can trigger regeneration of Nairn town centre, says Provost
Work began today (Thursday 22nd June, 2006) on a new centrepiece development in Nairn, which could pave the way for a series of property developments and environmental improvements in the holiday town.
Freeman of Skye and Lochalsh - honour for Dame Ellen
Record-breaking round the world solo yachtswoman Dame Ellen MacArthur was made a Freeman of Skye and Lochalsh at a ceremony held at Portree today (Thursday 22nd June, 2006).
Getting It Right for Every Child in Highland
In supporting the Scottish Executive in the implementation of ‘Getting it Right for Every Child’, public agencies in Highland believe their pathfinding role will help achieve significant reform in children’s services across the country.
Joan marks £480,000 refurbishment at Strontian
A ceremony was held at Dail Mhor House, Strontian, on Tuesday 20 June to mark a £480,000 refurbishment of the resource centre which serves Ardnamurchan, Morvern and the Small Isles.
Second test for methadone proves negative
The NHS, Police and Council in the Highlands have moved to reassure the public that methadone was not the cause of a seven year old Inverness boy becoming unwell at school.
Nairn rector highlights drugs awareness message
The Rector of Nairn Academy, Jean Godden, has advised pupils and their parents/guardians that she is working with Northern Constabulary to reinforce the message that drugs have no place in school.
Inverness councillors approve revised savings target
Revised proposals for identifying £220,000 worth of savings in roads and community works’ services in the Inverness area were approved by The Highland Council’s City of Inverness and Area Committee today (Monday 19th June).
Door to door consultation with tenants over housing transfer
An intensive consultation exercise is under way with 80 members of The Highland Council’s Housing Service embarking on a month-long exercise to advise 14,500 council house tenants of a ballot to be held in October which will ask them to vote on transferring their homes to the not-for-profit organisation, Highland Housing Association.
Joint bid to curb Highland vandalism
With school holidays looming, The Highland Council and Northern Constabulary are working together to highlight to pupils in the 29 Highland secondary schools the burden borne by the Council Tax payer in repairing damage caused by vandalism, the drain on police time in investigating the crimes and the negative impact on communities.
Council seeks views on Sutherland path network plan
A Sutherland-wide consultation exercise starts this week on the development of a path network for the County under the new Land Reform Duties.
Highland Regional Youth Orchestra performs in Scotland's largest cities
Edinburgh and Glasgow are to host performances from the Highland Regional
Mid-summer hills alive with the sound of music
Highland Council’s Great Glen Way Rangers, Inverness Traditional Music Project and Forestry Commission Scotland Rangers will celebrate Mid-summer this week with a guided walk and hilltop concert.
Lifeline bridge replacements completed
Work on the first of two phases of improvements, to remove a 7.5 Tonnes weight restriction on the Letters to Loggie road, near Ullapool, has been completed in record time by The Highland Council's contractor, Carillion.
Motorists warned of delays in Inverness
In the interests of public safety during crane lifting work which forms part of the ongoing works at the Ness Bank Church, Inverness, Castle Road, from its junction with Haugh Road to its junction with Bridge Street will be closed between 6 am and 4:30 pm on Wednesday (21 June).
New primary schools for the Black Isle
Work has begun to build two new community schools in the Black Isle, representing an investment by The Highland Council of £6.8 million. A new school is being built at Resolis to replace Cullicudden and Newhall Primary Schools.
"Old Town" traffic movement orders formally advertised
Proposed changes to road traffic movements in the centre of Inverness are formally published from today (Friday 16 June).
Date fixed for Inverness By-election
A by-election will be held on Thursday 10 August to fill the vacancy on The Highland Council for Ward 53 Lochardil, Inverness.
The Highlands - at the Hub of Europe
More than 450 delegates from nine countries have gathered at Aviemore to attend the second Joint Annual North Sea Conference.
Children jump feet first into competition
Children at Conon Bridge Primary School will today (Thursday 15th June) receive an award for putting their best foot forward in a recent pedometer competition in Ross and Cromarty.
Drug Incident at Merkinch Primary School, Inverness
The Council can confirm an incident occurred at Merkinch Primary School on Friday afternoon when a seven-year-old pupil took ill in class and was taken to Raigmore Hospital, Inverness.
Housing Transfer Response
The Highland Council’s housing spokesperson, Councillor Sheena Slimon has described as “wholly inaccurate” the Scottish Socialist Party’s analysis of housing transfer.
New Head Teacher for Hilton Primary School, Inverness
A new head teacher has been appointed to Hilton Primary School, Inverness.
HMIe Report on Cannich Bridge Primary School
In an HMIe report on Cannich Bridge Primary School, a range of strengths were identified.
Seabird workshop in Wick
Seabird expert and regular seabird monitor, Bob Swann from Tain, led a workshop about the amazing seabird colonies of the East Caithness coast this weekend which was well attended by the Caithness Countryside Volunteers.
Public invited to comment on Council performance
The Highland Council is writing to 9,000 residents this week inviting them to have their say on Council services.
Gift 'fur' dog owners
Dog owners in Alness will receive a surprise package from an oversized pooch on Alness High Street tomorrow Saturday (10th June) to encourage them to clean up after their dogs.
Cycle thro' time at Camster
The first joint meeting of Caithness Critters and Young Archaeology Club took place on Saturday 27th May when the youngsters “Cycled Thro’ Time” along the Camster Cycle trail.
Castletown landfill site, Caithness - Update
Officials of The Highland Council have confirmed that, to date, levels of gas measured at the ex-landfill site at Castletown do not constitute a risk to neighbouring premises.
Appeal for dancers for opening ceremony mass Highland fling
The City of Inverness Highland Games Committee has issued an appeal for Highland Dancers to take part in the annual Mass Highland Fling at next month’s Masters World Championships.
Skye and Lochalsh drivers urged to 'Go Slow'
Motorists in Skye and Lochalsh are being warned that part time 20mph speed restrictions will be introduced at another two schools in the area, for children’s safety.
Official opening of Tain Fitness Suite
Today (Wednesday 7 June, 2006) Tain Councillor, Alasdair Rhind, officially opened the town’s new £340,000 fitness suite at Tain Royal Academy Community Complex.
Make recycling your goal during the World Cup
The Highland Council is helping the Scottish Waste Awareness Group (SWAG) to promote the BIG Recycle for Scotland 2006, an annual event, which kicked off on Monday 5 June featuring the football theme: ‘Make Recycling Your Goal’.
'Scoopy Doo' Campaign - Pupil collars a prize for school.
Amy Clifford, from Bridgend Primary School won a design competition being run by the Alness Community Partnership as part of their ‘Scoopy Doo’ campaign using humour to encourage local dog owners to clean up after their pets.
Highland Youth Voice - The Apprentice!
Seven young people have been given the chance to play the role of an “Apprentice” to senior Highland Council officials.
Badenoch and Strathspey drivers urged to "Go Slow"
Motorists in Badenoch and Strathspey are being warned that new full time 20mph speed restrictions will be introduced at another two schools in the area, for children’s safety.
Rangers offer family and fitness events
A weekend of fitness and family events is being organised by Highland Council’s Countryside Rangers on Saturday 10th and Sunday 11th June.
Nairn town Centre Redevelopment back on track
A major facelift for the centre of Nairn, involving a number of property developments and environmental improvements, is back on track. At the centre of the multi-million pound redevelopment is the construction of a £3.6 million Community Centre centrally located off King Street adjacent to the police station.
Plans for Beaufort Castle withdrawn
An application in outline comprising a golf course and 81 lodges in and around a very sensitive landscape at Beaufort Castle, a grade A Listed building set within a Designed Landscape near Kiltarlity, Inverness-shire, was withdrawn at the last minute.
Highland's Golden Opportunity
Tenants in Highland have a "golden opportunity" to improve their housing if they choose to vote for community ownership.
Road closure during Highland Cross event
Highland drivers are warned of a temporary road closure on Saturday 17 June to ensure the safety of competitors taking part in the Highland Cross event.
Fortrose pupils to forge friendships in Africa
Thirteen pupils from Fortrose Academy are about to find out how accurate their own perceptions are on Malawi in Africa, otherwise known as the ‘warm heart of Africa’.
Lochaber Local Plan Consultation
Friday (9 June) brings to a close The Highland Council’s initial 10-week consultation period on the Lochaber Local Plan.
New Area Administrator for Inverness
The Highland Council has appointed a new area administrator for the City of Inverness and Area. He is David Haas, the Council’s Area Solicitor and Area Administrator for Badenoch and Strathspey.
Highland Successes at Scottish Education Awards
“What a day for Highland education!” This was the reaction of The Highland Council’s Convener Alison Magee on learning of four successes at the annual Scottish Education Awards held in Glasgow today (Friday).
City drivers warned of temporary road closure
Motorists are being advised of the temporary closure between Castle Road, Inverness, from its junction with Haugh Road to its junction with Bridge Street between 6am and 4pm on Monday 5 June 2006.
Sunart Oakwoods - The New Forest of Scotland
Sunart Oakwoods, Ardnamurchan, will emerge as the New Forest of Scotland, according to Highland Councillor Michael Foxley, who is chairman of the local woodland regeneration initiative.