Chief Executive Bows Out
Mr Arthur McCourt bows out as Chief Executive of The Highland Council on 11 July after 12 years at the helm.
Fortrose Team Are European Champions
A team of young entrepreneurs from Fortrose Academy have won the European Business Game Final which was held today in Inverness.
Searching For Aquabeasts
The Highland Council’s Countryside Rangers have organised an afternoon of river dipping for all kinds of underwater bugs and beasties at the River Nairn on Wednesday 4 July.
New north east visitor attraction opens for school holidays
A visitor centre that focuses on the natural heritage of the north coast of Caithness will open in time for the school holidays.
City of Inverness Pipe Band Competition
The Royal Scottish Pipe Band Association has announced details of the competitors for the City of Inverness Pipe Band Competition which will take place on July 21st at the Tulloch Inverness Highland Games.
Tackling Anti-Social Behaviour at Inverness Castle
Talks are taking place to resolve problems being experienced at Inverness Castle concerning the inappropriate use by some car drivers of the access roadways.
Strategy for Waste Management
Reducing waste, increasing recycling and treating residual waste biologically or thermally are key targets of The Highland Council as it aims to make the Highlands a greener and cleaner place and meet waste management targets set by the Scottish Executive.
Council Ends Care Home Procurement
The Highland Council today (Thursday) confirmed a motion presented by the Independent/SNP Administration to end the commissioning of five new care homes from the independent sector and instead agreed to build and run the five new care homes itself.
Gold Medals presented for Duke of Edinburgh Awards
Six young people from the Highlands were presented with their Gold Duke of Edinburgh Awards during a meeting of The Highland Council held earlier today (Thursday 28 June).
Gaelic to the Fore in Council Administration’s Programme
Gaelic features prominently in a four-year action plan revealed today (Thursday) by The Highland Council’s Independent/Scottish National Party Administration.
Highland Children’s Book Awards
Voted by young readers in the Highlands, the winners of The Highland Council’s Children’s Book Awards were announced at a ceremony held earlier last week at Strathpeffer Pavillion.
Temporary road closures for Corrieyairack Challenge.
Motorists and members of the public are being advised by The Highland Council’s TEC Services that temporary road closures will take place on Saturday 30th June 2007 for public safety during the Corrieyairack Challenge.
Highland students complete teacher training
Twenty four Highland students graduated through the University of Aberdeen this week at a ceremony held in the Town House, Inverness.
Council warns on-line buyers to beware!
Trading Standards Officers at The Highland Council are calling on consumers to be on their guard when buying on the internet after a survey highlighted that 40% of on-line business failed to fully comply with the Law.
Council Efficiency Targets
Over the past two years, The Highland Council has achieved £10.2 million of cash savings through delivering services in a more efficient way. A report, being presented to the full Council on Thursday setting out the Council’s Annual Efficiency Statement for 2006/7, says the level of actual and planned efficiency savings is almost three times greater than the annual target set by the Scottish Executive. A total of £6.52 million of cash efficiency savings was delivered in 2006-7, adding to the £3.68 million estimated in 2005-6.
Lochaber Civic Leader Appointed
The seven councillors serving Lochaber on The Highland Council have chosen Independent Councillor Allan Henderson, Caol and Mallaig (North Lochaber Ward) to be the new civic head of the area.
Highland Girls Lift Scottish Title
Highland Schools won the Scottish Schools Girls Golf Team Championships for the first time when the event was played on the famous Gullane No 2 Course.
Joint Meeting of Nairn Partnership and Highland Council Nairn Ward Forum
A joint meeting will be held on Thursday 5 July of the Ward Forum for The Highland Council electoral ward of Nairn and the Nairn Partnership. Held at the newly-refurbished Court House, Nairn, the meeting will commence at 6 pm and will be open to the public. There will be a 20 minute session at the close of the meeting for the public to ask questions.
City tree trimming works
Tree trimming work will start on Wednesday (27 June) in response to complaints about overhanging branches along Dores Road and Island Bank Road, Inverness.
Nairn schools attempt record breaking dance at Victorian Bandstand re-opening
Following the official re-opening of the Victorian Wallace Bandstand in Nairn today (Friday 22nd June, 2007), 1700 pupils from local schools will attempt to enter the Guinness Book of Records by dancing a progressive Dashing White Sergeant continuously for 10 minutes around the links at Nairn.
Highlands Hosts International Final of European Business Game.
Next week the Highlands will play host to young people from Italy, Denmark, The Faroe Islands, Croatia, the Czech Republic and the Slovak Republic all gathered to compete in the final of the 2007 European Business Game.
Council Administration Unveils Four-Year Action Plan
An ambitious four year action plan was unveiled today (Thursday) by The Highland Council’s Independent and Scottish National Party Administration.
CCTV – putting Wick in the picture
Work has started on an eight-week project to install nine extra CCTV cameras in Wick. Locals are being urged to come forward and volunteer to help monitor the cameras.
City play park officially re-opened
Children from Dalneigh Primary School were welcomed to a £200,000 rejuvenated play area today (Wed 20th June, 2007) by Provost Bob Wynd of the City of Inverness.
Tain's New Junior Golf Facility
The new junior facility at Tain Golf Club was officially opened recently by Melvyn Morrow the great, great grandson of Old Tom Morris.
Improving local Public Transport Links in Aird and Muir of Ord/Beauly
The Highland Council is finalising arrangements for two new rural transport services, which will give residents in the Aird and Muir of Ord/Beauly areas much better access to local shops and services and connections to main bus and train routes.
£20,000 book bonanza gifted to Scottish schools and libraries
Scottish Book Trust will deliver a batch of books worth £1,000 to Caol Library, Fort William.
Nairn boy is a winner during Child Safety Week
Three year old Logan Urquhart of Nairn is the winner of a Children’s Traffic Club in Scotland colouring competition.
First Ward Forum For Dingwall and Seaforth
The first Ward Forum for The Highland Council electoral ward of Dingwall and Seaforth will take place at the Council Offices, Dingwall at 7.30pm on Tuesday 26 June.
Tribute to Inverness Pupil Killed in Road Accident
The Rector of Inverness High School has paid tribute to a school prefect killed in a road accident near the city on Sunday night.
Nairn Academy HMIe Report
The Nairn Academy HMIe report published today (Tuesday) states that ‘Nairn Academy is at an important stage of its development’.
Highland pupils compete for sport trophy
Around 240 pupils from schools throughout the Highlands will compete at basketball and football for the annual Macrobert Cup today, (Tuesday 19th June, 2007) at Inverness Royal Academy.
Inverness Primary Head To Retire
Mrs Penuel Howie, Head teacher of Smithton Primary School in Inverness is retiring on the 28th June 2007, having been head teacher at the 230 pupil school for the last 16 years.
Rangers wonderful wildflower walk.
Highland Council’s Countryside Rangers have organised a guided walk to explore the wealth of wildflowers along a section of the Spey.
Highlanders urged to provide homes for migrating birds
People in the Highlands are being urged to take up the offer of free nesting boxes by The Highland Council to provide homes for visiting swifts.
Highland cycle to school initiative attracts national interest.
A cycle to school project co-ordinated by The Highland Council and Healthways has attracted the interest of Sustrans the UK’s leading sustainable transport charity that advises the Scottish executive on walking and cycling issues.
Council warns motorists to slow down near Highland schools
Motorists are being warned that part time 20mph speed restrictions are being introduced at two more schools for children’s safety.
Temporary Road Closure for Highland Cross
Motorists and members of the public are being advised by The Highland Council’s TEC Services that a temporary road closure will take place on Saturday 23rd June 2007 for public safety during the Highland Cross Event.
Highland Housing Fair
Following the grant of outline planning permission earlier this month, an application seeking approval of several of the reserved matters has been lodged with the Council.
Plockton teacher awarded scholarship to Honeywell Educators @ Space Academy
Derek Noble from Plockton High School, Plockton, today (Monday) joined teachers from 21 countries and 43 U.S. states to attend the Honeywell Educators @ Space Academy programmes at the U.S. Space & Rocket Center in Huntsville, Alabama.
Advice About Losing Your Roof Under One Roof
People living in the Dingwall area who are at risk of having nowhere to live are being urged to drop in to an information day being held on Thursday 21 June in the town.
Highland Schools Flying High At Education Oscars
Three Highland schools are celebrating after being recognised as among Scotland's finest in this year's education Oscars.
Highland school celebrates 140th anniversary.
A Highland primary school will mark its 140th anniversary this weekend (Saturday 16th June) with a gala party and exhibition.
Spinning the Yarn with a Literary Meander
This summer, in celebration of the Highland Year Of Culture 2007, libraries in Kingussie, Nairn, Inverness and Glen Urquhart will host a unique event which will bring together weavers of stories and spinners of wool to provide a uniquely Highland literary experience.
Highland High School Creates Community Archive.
A community archive that will assist local history and genealogy research will be launched today Friday 15th June, 2007 at Glen Urquhart High School in Drumnadrochit.
Administration Reviews Council Stance on Care Homes
The new Independent/Scottish National Party Administration on The Highland Council will move to end the commissioning of five new care homes from the private sector at the next Council meeting on Thursday 28 June.
Beauly – Denny 400kV Transmission Line: Mitigation Offer Unanimously Rejected
Highland Councillors have unanimously rejected a mitigation offer made by Scottish Hydro Electric Transmission Ltd (SHETL) linked to the proposal to construct the 400kV overhead power line from Beauly to Denny.
Outstanding Achievement With Three In-A-Row For Ross-Shire
A Dingwall group has received a national award for ‘Outstanding Achievement’, the third Ross-shire residents group to win the award in a row.
Highland Big Band Sweden-bound.
Seventeen members of the Highland Big Band set off from Inverness train station yesterday bound for a five day International Youth Festival in Kristianstad, Sweden.
Industrial Action Suspended
Industrial action has been suspended today regarding changes to transport arrangements at the Corbett Centre, Inverness, a day centre for people with learning difficulties, and the Mackenzie Centre, Inverness, a day centre for older people.
First Ward Forum for Eilean a Cheo
The first Ward Forum for The Highland Council electoral ward of Eilean a Cheo will take place at Tigh Na Sgire, Park Lane, Portree, at 2 pm on Monday (18 June).
Community Warden Initiative reaches three year milestone
Residents in parts of Alness and Invergordon have now had a Community Warden working in their area for three years and locals are being invited to meet staff to tell them what they think of the Service.
Superstore decision deferred on Inverness outskirts
The Highland Council’s Inverness, Nairn, Badenoch and Strathspey Planning Applications Committee today (Tuesday, 12 June 2007) deferred decisions for the development of an Asda superstore, petrol filling station, 5 small retails units and associated works on land at Slackbuie Farm, Inverness.
Council Acts to Relieve City Centre Congestion
The Highland Council will introduce a number of positive traffic management measures this week to relieve the congestion in the city centre before the peak summer season.
Highland children show Scottish Parliament the Big Picture.
Children from an Isle of Skye primary school will present their collaborative community art project to members of the Scottish Parliament today (Tuesday 12th June) at a reception held in Edinburgh.
European pipe band championships preview
The Royal Scottish Pipe Band Association have announced that one of the biggest Massed Pipes and Drums Band ever seen in the Highlands will provide the climax to next month’s European Pipe Band Championships which will be staged in Bught Park in Inverness on Saturday 28th July.
Highland Red Squirrels Given Their Own `Big Brother' Style House
Visitors to the Highland community of Foyers on the side of Loch Ness can now get an inside view into the home life of the local red squirrel population thanks to purpose built nesting boxes kitted out with CCTV cameras.
Eigg: 10 Years Of Progress
The residents of the Hebridean island of Eigg today (Tuesday) celebrate the 10th anniversary of its historic purchase by their community. The period of progress has made a world of difference to their quality of life and created a sustainable and confident community.
Big Brass Day
80 brass playing young musicians from schools across the Highlands meet up in Inverness last Friday (8 June) for a special day of tuition.
Council Welcomes Work On Road To The Isles
The Highland Council has warmly welcomed news that work has started on the fifth and final phase of upgrading of the A830 Mallaig to Lochailort road, known as Road To The Isles.
A Recipe For Success
Two Highland school cooks are preparing to dish up a treat to delegates at Soil Association Scotland’s biennial conference to be held this week (Thursday 14th June) in Celtic Park, Glasgow. The conference will focus on the role of public catering in delivering health and environmental benefits, particularly through school meals.
It's Telford time with the Great Glen Way Rangers
To mark the anniversary of Thomas Telford’s birthday and his achievements in creating the Caledonian Canal - a living history family event will take place on Wednesday 20th June.
Contest winners produce blueprint for 21st century living in Scotland
Innovative designs for sustainable homes by architects from Inverness, Invergordon and Skye will be showcased at Scotland’s first housing fair.
Showcasing The Best New Highland Artists
A new exhibition called Latitudes which assembles the work of fifteen recent art school graduates with a strong Highland connection goes on display at Inverness Museum and Art Gallery from 9th June before touring Highland venues.
Highland Constellation Project - new constellation found in the Highlands!
For the past month the Highland Constellation team, consisting of a writer, artist/astronomer and a bookbinder, have been on the road running workshops to identify a constellation to celebrate Highland 2007, Scotland’s Year of Highland culture.
"Treasure" hunting strengthens the bonds between Inverness Games and sister Games in USA
A brand new global craze is heading to Bught Park in Inverness in time for the Tulloch Inverness Highland Games on July 21-22.
Ross pupils put best foot forward in walk to school competition
Strathpeffer Primary pupils are the winners of Highland Council’s “Golden Boot Award” which encourages children to get more active by recording their number of steps walked.
Chance to fawn over deer calves
A special family event has been organised to watch wild deer and their new born claves as they feed on the lawn at a secret location within Badenoch.
HMIe report on Balloch Primary School, Inverness
A report of a recent HMIe inspection of Balloch Primary School, Inverness, has commended the school.
Call to stop fouling on sports pitches
The issue of dog fouling on city sports pitches is being tackled by The Highland Council following complaints by Highland Rugby Football Club about fouling on their home ground at Canal Park.
New Provost Seeks Remedies for City Centre Congestion
The new provost of Inverness has promised that urgent talks will be held with local businesses, public transport operators and taxi drivers to discuss how best to minimise disruption to traffic during a major revamp of the city centre.
Alness group scoops second award
West Alness Residents Association has scooped another national award for their Westend Community Centre project.
Provost of Nairn.
Councillor Liz MacDonald has been chosen to be the civic leader of Nairnshire, taking on the honorary role of provost for the next four years.
Highland Housing Fair – Balvonie, Inverness
Following the grant of outline planning permission earlier this month, an application seeking approval of several of the reserved matters has been lodged with the Council.