Planning Approval For Tain Foodstore
At The Highland Council's Planning, Development, Europe and Tourism Committee, councillors agreed unanimously to give the go ahead for Lidl UK to build a foodstore on a brownfield site in Tain.
Go ahead for Aviemore transport interchange
A £1.5 million project to significantly improve traffic movement in Aviemore is now set to get underway on site on 12 March. A six-month contract for the Aviemore Transport Interchange was awarded to Morrison Construction on 22 January and preparations for the commencement of work are now underway.
Traffic Routeing in the Minches and West of Hebrides.
Comhairle nan Eilean Siar and The Highland Council have welcomed a major improvement in shipping and environmental safety for the Minches with the introduction of an Automatic Identification System (AIS).
Council’s continues review of homelessness at Huntly House.
Members of the City of Inverness and Area Housing and Social Work Committee yesterday agreed to defer a decision to cease funding of the Residential Care Home Service provided by the Salvation Army at Huntly House, Inverness.
Guided Walks To Look At Winter Wildlife
The Highland Council’s Countryside Rangers have organised two guided walks looking at the habitats and wildlife that survive through the winter.
Highlands set for Faroese tourism boost
A joint marketing campaign between The Highland Council and VisitScotland could see between 5 – 6,000 ferry passengers from Iceland, the Faroe Islands and Norway visiting the North of Scotland and generating around £2.5 million to the Highland economy.
HMIE Report – Community Learning and Development in Lochaber
Community Learning and Development activity in the Lochaber Area makes a positive impact on the lives of learners and demonstrates a positive working relationship between staff and learners.
Investigation of Former Aluminium Smelter Site, Foyers.
The Highland Council is preparing to carry out an investigation of a former aluminium works in Foyers, Inverness-shire, which is currently in use as a hydro electric power station, to establish if any contamination is present.
Record number of new homes built in 2006
A report published by The Highland Council shows that a record number of new homes were built in the Highlands with 1,688 new houses completed – a rise of 26% compared with the 2005 figure of 1,344.
£517 Million Budget Recommended For 2007-2008.
The Highland Council will be asked on Thursday (1st February) to set a budget of £517 million for 2007-08 which will represent a 5.3% increase on the £491 million of 2006-07.
Repairs and Improvements to Golspie Swimming Pool
The structural repairs to Golspie Swimming Pool are progressing well and The Highland Council have been considering how best to make improvements to the overall facility in Golspie along with the time it will take and the costs involved.
Highland makes good progress to protect children and young people
An HMIe report published today, confirms that agencies in the Highlands are working effectively together to make a positive difference to the lives of children and families.
Recognition Of Willie’s Lifetime Of Achievement In Journalism
The winner of the Barron Trophy, which recognises lifetime achievement in journalism in the Highlands and Islands, is Willie Morrison, the Durness-born Gaelic-speaking reporter, who retired recently after 40 years in the business.
Council house rents to rise in Highland.
Members of the Highland Council’s Housing and Social Work Committee today agreed to increase the Council’s housing debt to keep Council rent increases to just under 5%.
Inspection of The Highland Council’s Homelessness Service
Following an inspection of the Council’s homelessness services, a report was presented to the Housing and Social Work Committee today which highlighted the findings and laid out areas where improvements to the service need to be made.
Cawdor receives funding boost for Highland 2007
Members of the Highland Council’s Nairnshire Committee today (Tuesday 23rd January, 2007) approved over £14,000 towards sports development in the area as part of the Highland 2007 capital funding programme.
Pupils to vote for favourite authors in 2007 Highland Book Awards
Authors Simon Puttock and Keith Gray joined 160 primary and secondary pupils from 16 Highland schools today (Tuesday 23 January) for The Big Launch event in Strathpeffer which kick starts the 2007 Highland Children’s Book Awards.
Parents visit new Gaelic School
Construction of the new Gaelic School, Bunsgoil Ghàidhlig Inbhir Nis, is well underway on its site near Inverness Royal Academy. Read this press release in English or Gaelic.
Short List For Celtic Media Festival 2007
The short list has been announced for the Celtic Media Festival 2007, which will be held in Skye in March. The Festival is supported by The Highland Council, Highland 2007, The Events Company, HIE Skye and Wester Ross, Seirbheis nam Meadhanan Gaidhlig, Bòrd na Gàidhlig, Scottish Screen, the National Lottery and BBC Scotland.
Temporary Road Closure On Bridge Street, Inverness
To allow for the safe completion of redevelopment works on the façade of Bridge House there will be a single lane closure on Bridge Street from Monday 5 until Wednesday 14 February.
Building Shelters For Wildlife
Nature-lovers are being invited to help Highland Council and Forestry Commission Rangers to build new homes and shelters for birds and minibeasts which will then be installed in Glenurquhart Forest area of Balnain.
Self-issue scheme widens libraries access in Inverness
A Highland Council pilot project introduced tomorrow (Friday 19th January, 2007) at Inverness Library will enable wider access to library services and allow staff to devote more time to helping their customers make the most of the library service.
Highland Council considers Council house rent levels.
Highland Councillors are being asked to consider increasing the Council’s debt in order to avoid swingeing rent increases for council house tenants.
Councillors Quiz Proposed Changes To The Postal Services
Following the Government’s announcement in December that 2,500 urban and rural post offices across the UK will close, The Highland Council invited representatives from five organisations with interests in the mail network, including the Department of Trade and Industry, to meet with them before the Council’s deadline for submitting a formal response to the consultation.
Audit Scotland report on Highlands and Islands Fire and Rescue Service
A report published today by Audit Scotland following its performance audit of the Highlands and Islands Fire and Rescue Service has been welcomed by the Highland and Islands Fire Board and senior managers of the Service.
Cluster Ceilidh At Charleston Academy
The inaugural Charleston Cluster Ceilidh takes place this afternoon (Thursday, 18 January 2007) at Charleston Academy in Inverness, bringing together 120 primary six pupils from Charleston’s seven cluster primaries.
Shetland Times Retains Newspaper Of The Year Award
For the second year running, the Shetland Times has been voted Newspaper of the Year by the Highland and Islands Media Awards’ judging panel.
Signing up to tackle climate change
The Highland Council is joining forces with Local Authorities across Scotland to support Scotland’s Climate Change Declaration, which will be signed today (Wednesday 17th January, 2007) by Convenor Alison Magee and Chief Executive Arthur McCourt.
New Lease of Life For Highland Woods
Woodlands in and around Inverness and Dingwall are getting a £142,000 funding boost from Forestry Commission Scotland as part of a drive to breathe new life into neglected woods close to populated areas and enhance the quality of life for those living nearby.
‘Waterslides’ Guided Walk
Highland Council’s Countryside Rangers have organised a guided walk looking at the habitats and wildlife that live in a hidden part of Glen Feshie in Badenoch and Strathspey.
Cairngorms National Park Elections
Notice is given today (Wednesday) of an election for five community representatives to serve on the Cairngorms National Park Authority board for a four year period from 15 March.
Pupils' Board Game "The Eagle's Kingdom" goes on show at council headquarters
An educational board game launched last year by schoolchildren which attracted £13,000 funding from Scottish Natural Heritage is set to go on show at The Highland Council's Inverness headquarters.
Fire prevention and safety reinforced in Milnafua
People in the Milnafua area of Alness are being offered free home fire safety visits by officers of the Highlands and Islands Fire and Rescue Service.
Wellie walk at Drummond school
Pupils and staff at Drummond School, Inverness stepped out yesterday (Monday 15 January 2007) on a “Wellie Walk” in the Drummond area of the city.
Newtonhill Community Woodland, Caithness
The Highland Council is preparing to carry out an investigation of a former landfill site in Caithness, which is currently community woodland.
Far reaching climbing equipment introduced at Highland primary school.
A primary school in the Highlands today celebrates the installation of a climbing wall in its playground for pupils to exercise on at the start of Healthy Highland Week.
Year of Culture to showcase "Highland Renaissance" - First Minister
First Minister Jack McConnell today welcomed the official start of Highland 2007, the year Scotland celebrates Highland culture, and said it would be "a fantastic showcase for all that makes the culture of the area so inspiring".
Highland ranger events for Healthy Highland Week
People in the Highlands are being invited by Highland Council and Forestry Commission rangers to join them on an array of guided walks to celebrate Healthy Highland Week.
Fonn's Duthchas - Land and Legacy Exhibition and re-opening of Inverness Museum and Art Gallery
Culture Minister Patricia Ferguson will officially open the newly refurbished Inverness Museum and Art Gallery and launch the Fonn ’s Duthchas – Land and Legacy exhibition on Friday 12 January prior to the Highland 2007 Launch and Lifescan Monster Street Party.
Council awarded grant for three Dingwall woodlands
Highland Council has been awarded £77,000 funding through the Forestry Commission’s Woodland In and Around Town (WIAT) Challenge Fund.
Healthy Highland 2007 to get under way next week
Healthy Highland 2007 begins on Monday (Jan 15) and continues until Sunday (Jan 21).
Regional music groups wear Highland 2007 tartan
Musicians in Highland regional music groups are adopting the official Highland 2007 tartan in the dress code for all their performances.
Century-old city centre water mains to be replaced
Over a thousand metres of water mains under the streets of Inverness city centre, made from cast iron and up to 100 years old, is to be replaced in a major investment by Scottish Water.
Nova Scotian opportunity for Gaelic speaker
The Highland Council is currently trying to identify a Gaelic speaker who would be prepared to live and work in Cape Breton for six months to help with a Gaelic language learning project.
Inspection report into Highland's homeslessness service
The Highland Council’s homelessness service has been given a ‘fair’ rating following an inspection by Communities Scotland, the housing regulator. The council has the largest geographic area in Scotland and this brings its own challenges in delivering services to homeless people.
Highland 2007 launch weekend - update
This weekend, 12 and 13 January, sees a host of events taking place throughout Inverness to mark the official launch of Highland 2007, Scotland’s year of Highland culture.
Ensuring public safety at Highland 2007 Street Party
Motorists are being advised of street closures in Inverness, which are needed to ensure public safety at the Lifescan Monster Street Party being staged between 7 – 10 pm on Friday (12 January) to herald the launch of Highland 2007, the year that Scotland celebrates Highland culture.
Ranger walk beats the winter blues
Highland Council’s Countryside Ranger Service is inviting locals to beat the winter blues and kick start the New Year by joining them on an invigorating walk at the Belladrum Estate, near Kiltarlity.
Self-help scheme widens libraries access throughout the Highlands
A £63,000 Highland Council pilot project launched tomorrow (Tuesday 9th January, 2007) at Lochcarron Library will enable wider access to library services and allow staff to devote more time to helping their customers make the most of the library service.
Re-opening of Inverness Museum and Art Gallery following major facelift
Inverness Museum and Art Gallery opens again on Saturday 13 January with major improvements, to celebrate Highland 2007, the year Scotland celebrates Highland culture.
Drivers urged to go slow near rural schools
Motorists travelling around Dores and Croy are being warned that part time 20mph speed restrictions are being introduced at Aldourie and Croy Primary schools for children’s safety.
Golspie Swimming Pool – Repairs and Improvements
The structural repairs to Golspie Swimming Pool are progressing well and The Highland Council have been considering how best to make improvements to the overall facility in Golspie along with the time it will take and the costs involved.
Highland Woods Granted New Lease Of Life.
Woodlands in and around Inverness and Dingwall are getting a £142,000 funding boost from Forestry Commission Scotland as part of a drive to breathe new life into neglected woods close to populated areas and enhance the quality of life for those living nearby.
Guided Walk To ‘Waterslides’
Highland Council’s Countryside Rangers have organised a guided walk looking at the habitats and wildlife that live in a hidden part of Glen Feshie in Badenoch and Strathspey.