Black Isle Schools Build Bridges
On Friday (1 June) pupils from four Black Isle Primary Schools met up at Resolis School to build a 15 metre cable-stayed model bridge. Working under the supervision of volunteer Civil Engineer John McPartlin, pupils built the free standing bridge and then tested their handy work and its strength by walking across it.
Highland High Life scheme loses VAT appeal.
The Highland Council has expressed its disappointment at losing an appeal at the Court of Session this week resulting in a £140,000 VAT bill for its High Life leisure scheme.
Office-Bearers Elected
The Highland Council today (Thursday) agreed its new committee structure and its team of office-bearers. With the exception of the Audit and Scrutiny Committee, all the office-bearers are members of the new Independent/Scottish National Party Administration.
Ness Bridge Consultation
The introduction of one-way traffic on Ness Walk, Inverness, won the unanimous support of local residents and business people, who attended a consultation meeting held on Wednesday 30 May at the Columba Hotel, with most preferring movement to be in the direction of Ness Bridge to the Cathedral.
Dispute at Corbett Centre, Inverness
The Council is disappointed that the trade union representatives did not postpone the half-day strike action at the Corbett Centre today (Wednesday) after the Council offered to involve ACAS in overseeing discussions between the two parties to resolve the dispute over transport arrangements.
Heavy Rain Causes Early Closure of Inverness Library
Due to the heavy rain today (Wednesday 30th May), Inverness Library has had to close to the public early after water started leaking in from the flat roof between the children’s library and the main lending library.
Highland Social Work Performance Inspection Report
The Highland Council’s Social Work Service has put in place a comprehensive plan of action to respond to issues raised in a Performance Inspection Report published by the Social Work Inspection Agency (SWIA), which states the Council is achieving good outcomes for the many people who use its services.
Alness Group Scoops Top Award
An Alness residents group that expanded and refurbished their local community centre has won a top prize in Scotland’s most prestigious charity awards.
Highland residents urged to transfrom something today in recycle week 2007.
Highland residents are being encouraged to get involved in this year’s national Recycle Week campaign by making a long-term commitment to recycle more household waste.
Ranger walks head for the heights.
Highland Council’s Caithness Rangers are inviting people with a head for heights to join then on two cliff-top walks over the next week.
Highland young musician of the year.
The inaugural competition to find Highland Young Musician of the Year, will take place on Thursday 7th June at the Drumossie Hotel, Inverness.
New monolith marks long distance route terminus at Inverness.
Work takes place today (Monday 28th May) to install a new monolith marking the terminus of the Great Glen Way long distance route at Inverness Castle.
Volunteers Needed To Prevent Residents Group Folding
A successful Invergordon group is in danger of folding because of a shortage of volunteers.
Council rangers lead a rockpool ramble
Children are being invited to join Highland Council’s Rangers on a rockpool ramble at Nairn beach on Saturday 9th June.
Search Begins for Women’s Highland Games Competitors
The Tulloch Inverness Highland Games Committee has announced details of a special women-only Highland Games coaching clinic as entries open for the first women’s championship at July’s event.
Open evenings at Bunsgoil Ghàidhlig Inbhir Nis
Parents and local community groups are being invited by The Highland Council to attend open evenings arranged for them to view the new Gaelic School, Bunsgoil Ghàidhlig Inbhir Nis, near Inverness Royal Academy.
Council Responds to Representations at Ness Walk, Inverness
In response to representations from residents and businesses about the introduction of one-way traffic movement on Ness Walk, Inverness, The Highland Council has reverted traffic to two-way movement.
Council warns motorists to put the brakes on near Highland schools.
Motorists are being warned that 20mph speed restrictions are being introduced at three more Highland schools for children’s safety.
Highland Partnership Project in line for top Care Accolade
A partnership of two Highland deaf projects has been short-listed for a “care accolade” in a national competition sponsored by the Scottish Social Services Council in association with the Scottish Executive.
Council urges young people to apply for allowance.
Young people staying on at Secondary schools in the Highlands are being urged by Highland Council’s Education, Culture and Sport Service "not to miss out" and to apply for an Education Maintenance Allowance (EMA) which could be worth up to £1,500 to each pupil.
Capturing Stories in Local Communities for Plays
Community groups from Alness, the Seaboard Villages, Invergordon, Cromarty and Muir of Ord came together last week in Balintore to share thoughts and ideas on developing their locally researched stories into plays.
First Ward Forums for Lochaber
The first Ward Forums for the two Highland Council electoral wards in Lochaber will take place next week.
Information day for non-English speakers.
People for whom English is not their first language are being invited to an Information Day at the National Hotel, Dingwall on Thursday 24th May for free information and advice about their local community.
Prestigious EatSafe Award for the Wayfarer Restaurant in Helmsdale
A Sutherland restaurant owner, who has worked in the trade for only two years, has won a prestigious award for demonstrating a high degree of excellence in food hygience and food safety in the running of her business.
Council Seek Urgent Meeting Over Safe Route to UCI Mountain Bike Venue
Highland Councillors in Lochaber have expressed their “deep concern and disappointment” at the news that Transport Scotland, the national transport agency for Scotland, will be unable to play a key role in ensuring the success of the UCI Mountain Bike and Trials World Championships to be held in Lochaber in September.
Motorists Advised of Road Closure
Motorists are being advised that Network Rail have to close the level crossing at Harbour Road, Inverness, at midnight on Saturday (26 May) until 8am on Sunday (27 May) for emergency investigation works.
Sunday Concerts at Bellfield Park
A record number of concerts will be played this summer at the bandstand in Bellfield Park, Inverness as part of the Highland Year of Culture.
Nairn initiatives mark Walk to School Week.
A new zebra crossing and safer routes to school leaflet for children will be launched tomorrow Wednesday 23rd May in Nairn by Highland Councillor Liz MacDonald as part of national “Walk to School Week”.
"Century" marks a full house for Invergordon
The arrival of Celebrity Cruise Line’s “mv Century” on Sunday at Invergordon marked a significant milestone for the Easter Ross port. It now means that every major cruise line in the world has visited Invergordon. The liner docked on Sunday morning with 1766 passengers, just short of its 1800 capacity.
"Health Warning" for Local Businesses
Big-hearted local businesses in the Highlands, who are approached to help fund the production of health-related leaflets and booklets for primary schools, are being urged to sponsor only material that has the endorsement of The Highland Council and NHS Highland.
Lochcarron Writers Get Published And Locals Get Animated!
The west coast village of Lochcarron has become a hive of creativity as the local writing group, Lochcarron Writers, have just launched their first publication and village residents are about to undertake an exciting new project that will result in a series of short animated films.
Royal Opening of Dalneigh Play Area
A play area at Dalneigh, Inverness, which is providing a safe play environment for local children, will be opened by His Royal Highness, The Earl of Inverness, on Tuesday (22 May).
Dornoch Service Point Official Opening
Dornoch Service Point was officially opened today enabling customers to access The Highland Council front line services, Sheriff Court services and Tourist Information services from the one building.
Top Two Elected At The Highland Council
The new Convener of The Highland Council is Independent Councillor Sandy Park, one of four members representing Nairn.
Paving the way for Change at Inverness Riverside
A new measure to improve traffic movement in Inverness city centre and pave the way for an attractive riverside feature is being introduced from Monday 21 May.
Temporary Closure of Greig Street Foot Bridge in Inverness
The Greig Street footbridge in Inverness will be closed to all pedestrians for three days next week to allow for the replacement of deck panels and safety inspection works to take place.
Special Storytime Session For Gaelic Nursery Children
Children from the Gaelic Nursery Group at Kinmylies Primary School will celebrate Bookstart in Scotland Day on Thursday (17th May) with a special story-time session in Inverness Library.
Carrot For Growers To Unite
A seed sown by a few Ross-shire residents is about to grow into something bigger during next weeks National Vegetarian Week (21 – 27 May 2007).
Highland Group In Running For Top Award
A Highland residents association has been short listed for Scotland’s most prestigious charity awards.
Highland Couple Front National Campaign
Highland foster carers Tom and Linda Mathieson are fronting UK-wide campaign Foster Care Fortnight to raise the awareness of fostering.
Pupils Get First Glimpse of Their New School
On Saturday (12 May) pupils who will be attending the new £6.6 million primary school at Inshes for the start of the new school term in August, were invited, along with their parents, to a special open day to look around their brand new school.
Council warns motorists to put the brakes on near Black Isle schools
Motorists on the Black Isle are being warned that part time 20mph speed restrictions have been introduced at another two school for children’s safety.
Big Willow - The Story of the Stones
The beautiful woodlands of the Brahan Estate will be transformed with magical creatures, the sounds of Blazin Fiddles, and be set ablaze with fire and light on the evening of May 26 2007.
Watery words to run across Inverness Streetscape
The first phase of the Inverness Streetscape Programme was marked today (Thursday 10th May) by the official re-opening of Church Lane.
Council cracks down on litter louts in Inverness.
The Highland Council is actively pursuing people who drop litter in the centre of Inverness in a campaign to keep the Capital of the Highlands clean and tidy.
Council urges residents to have their say in Alness and Invergordon.
Residents in Invergordon and Alness are being reminded by The Highland Council to return completed questionnaires which are part of a survey on the local Community Warden Service to the Council by Friday 18th May.
Inverness features Six Cities Design Festival exhibitions.
Inverness Museum and Art Gallery is presenting two exhibitions during May and June which are part of the Scottish Executive £3million funded Six Cities Design Festival.
Rangers get up close with nature at Abriachan Forest.
Highland Council’s Countryside Rangers are inviting members of the public to slow down and get up close and personal with nature on a Spring walk this weekend at Abriachan Forest.
Industrial Action In Inverness
A spokesman said the Council was willing to meet with representatives of the trade union to discuss their concerns about 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.
Starring Role For The Highlands - The Highland Constellation Co-reult na Gàidhealtachd
A group of three artists have been chosen to work with The Royal Observatory Edinburgh and local schools to identify a new constellation in the skies above the region in a project run by The Highland Council’s Exhibitions Unit to celebrate 2007, Scotland’s Year of Highland Culture. The project will bring together astronomy, digital art, craft and literature.
Temporary Road Closures During Race For Life Event
The Highland Council wishes to warn drivers in Inverness city centre than during this weekends Race For Life event, temporary road closures will be in place along the route.
Kirkhill Pupil Is National Cross Country Champion
Mhairi Maclennan, a P7 pupil from Kirkhill Primary School, has won the Scottish Power Primary Cross Country Championships which took place at Kirkcaldy High School on Saturday 22 April.
Temporary City Road Closure
Part of Old Perth Road in Inverness will be closed from 8am to 5pm on Friday 4 May to allow for a traffic island to be reinstated.
Young Ross musicians perform final concert.
Seventy-five young musicians of the Ross-shire Schools String Orchestra and The Ross-shire Schools Concert band, played their last concert of the 2006/2007 season recently (Thursday 26th April) in the MacPhail Centre, Ullapool High School.
Replacement Postal Votes Reminder
The Returning Officer for the Highlands, Arthur McCourt, has today (Wednesday) reminded postal voters, who have not yet received their ballot papers or have lost their papers, that they can apply for a replacement postal vote up until 5 pm tomorrow (Thursday) - the day of the election.
Road Traffic Accident – Kingussie Primary School
The Highland Council can confirm that pupils of Kingussie Primary School were involved in a road traffic accident on the A9 near Ralia, south of Newtonmore this morning (Wednesday, 02 May 2007)
Countryside access event proves a hit with dog owners
An event organised by The Highland Council in Caithness during the Scottish Outdoor Access Festival (April 28th to May 7th) has proven a success with local dog owners.
HMIe on Edderton Primary School
A recently published HMIe report on the two-teacher 21-pupil Edderton Primary School, has praised the good standards of attainment in English language and mathematics, together with teachers’ high expectations of pupils’ overall achievements.
£100,000 For Auldearn Community
The residents of Auldearn are celebrating the news that they have received £100,000 from The Highland Council to spend on local projects which will benefit the whole village.
HMIE report on Thrumster Primary School, Caithness
A recently published HMI report on two-teacher Thrumster Primary School in Caithness, has praised the very good standards of attainment in English language and mathematics, together with teachers’ high expectations of pupils’ overall achievements.
Heather Hopper Back To Link Up The Cairngorms National Park
Spring time in the Cairngorms National Park means one thing – the return of the Heather Hopper bus service linking different areas of the Park.