More than Words and Numbers
An Introductory Training in Adult Literacies Learning (ITALL) course in Kingussie has just wrapped up for 2008.
Temporary traffic restrictions during work connected to proposed Whiteness Development
The Highland Council is advising motorists that from Monday 5th January, 2009 there will be temporary traffic restrictions introduced during the installation of a new sewer linking the proposed Whiteness Development with the existing sewerage treatment works at Ardersier.
Ness Islands Lights Show Ends
Mindless vandals have brought to an end the spectacle of the Ness Islands Lights, Inverness. Damage to the main lighting features at the local beauty spot has forced The Highland Council to remove the equipment to avoid further damage.
City Museum To Host Printmakers Exhibition
A limited edition print portfolio produced by students and invited artists of Gray’s School of Art at Robert Gordon University, Aberdeen, is set to continue its journey to exhibitions around the world by debuting at the Inverness Museum and Art Gallery from 10 January to 7 February 2009, and then touring venues in Wick, Thurso and Kingussie.
Council High Life scheme aims to be top of the list of Highland New Year resolutions
Organisers of a local authority leisure access scheme in the Highlands hope to attract a record number of people making New Year resolutions to improve their health and fitness.
Christmas Gifts For Homeless Children In The City
The Highland Council’s Housing and Property Services’ Church Street and Homeless Day Centre Offices have joined forces with Tesco’s Community Champion to ensure around 50 children in Homeless Accommodation will receive a Christmas present this year.
Coaching Highland win UK Award
Coaching Highland won a top prize at the UK Coaching Awards 2008 hosted by Sports Coach UK on Wednesday 17 December in London.
Mark Driving Up Standards
The new Chair of the Scottish Branch for the Trading Standards Institute is Mark McGinty, a Trading Standards Officer with The Highland Council.
More than 10,000 Enjoy Ness Islands Lights Spectacle
The Highland Council estimates that more than 10,000 spectators visited the Ness Islands, Inverness, at the weekend to meet Santa Claus and his reindeer and enjoy the festive lights.
Retiral of Senior Highland Education Official
A long-serving education manager, who served as The Highland Council’s Acting Director of Education Culture and Sport for a spell in 2007, retires today (Friday) after 36 years of service in the Highlands.
Status Quo for Local Planning and Licensing Committees
Highland Councillors have decided to continue with the way it considers local planning and licensing issues.
Advanced Local Plan Aims For Sustainable Growth Of The West Highland And Islands Area
A new draft of the Local Plan for the West Highland and Islands area has been published by The Highland Council and is currently open for consultation.
Electronic Cigarette Refill Cartridges Withdrawn from Sale
Following investigations by Highland Council Trading Standards Officers into the safety of the refill cartridges for an “Electronic Cigarette” product being sold in Inverness under the “Mini Cigarette” or “E, Cig” brand, packs of the refill cartridges, which contain a toxic nicotine solution and the product itself where sold with the refills, have been withdrawn from the market.
Streetscape works completion on Union Street sees return of buses
Inverness Buses are scheduled to return to Union Street on Monday 22 December from the temporary stops in North Church Street.
Council To Lobby Against Decision To Close Wick Tax Office
The Highland Council is to step up its campaign to persuade HM Revenue and Customs and the UK Government to reverse their decision to close the HMRC Office in Wick in 2012.
Highland Youth Gets a Voice at Council Meeting
Highland Councillors were given a presentation today (Thursday) on the issues that young people in the Highlands say are important to them.
Council Opposes Bank Merger
Leader of The Highland Council, Councillor Michael Foxley has written to the Chancellor of the Exchequer and the First Minister to highlight concerns on how the proposed merger of Lloyds TSB and HBOS could have on communities across Scotland.
Shoppers urged to ensure sale bargains measure up
The Highland Council is offering advice to shoppers ahead of the Christmas sales, reminding them that they have the same rights when they buy goods in a sale as at any other time of year.
HMIe Report on St Clement’s School, Dingwall
In a recent HMIe report on St Clement’s School, Dingwall, a range of strengths were identified.
Highland Celebration of Achievement in Learning
People from across the Highlands gathered for the annual Celebration of Achievement in Learning Awards ceremony which took place earlier this month (3rd Dec) at the Ironworks in Inverness.
Council response to the Economic Downturn
Highland Councillors have adopted an action plan to assist Highland businesses, families and individuals cope with the economic downturn.
Ness Islands Lights Switch-on for Santa’s Weekend Visit
One of the highlights of the first Inverness Winter Festival has started to brighten up the winter skies in Inverness.
Black Isle Fencer Ranked Junior No 1 in Britain
Edward Jefferies from Tore is now the British Men’s Junior No 1 after his win at the FIE Junior Foil World Cup in Leszno, Poland and has his sights now firmly set on the 2012 Olympics in London.
Highland first for Wick as HMIe inspect school and community learning
As HMIe inspectors visited Wick High School in September 2008, colleagues were simultaneously evaluating the community learning provision in the area.
Dingwall and Seaforth Development Partnership
People in the Dingwall and Seaforth area are being invited to have their say on how just under £400K LEADER funding will be spent in their area.
Health board’s concern at high pressure sales tactics
NHS Highland is advising members of the public that it never provides the details of patients to commercial companies selling products.
New Highland Youth Gaelic Choir
The Highland Council is delighted to announce that members for its 7th Regional Music Group are now being recruited.
The March of the Highland Flingers
Primary school children in Inverness are being invited to join in the fun of the Inverness Winter Festival’s Hogmanay celebrations, “The Highland Fling”, which will feature the world’s first Hogmanay international Highland Games event – connected via satellite television link-up - between Inverness and athletes from the USA and New Zealand and Australia.
Students Know Their Rights In Young Consumer Competition
Four pupils from Dingwall Academy are the winners of the North of Scotland Heat of the Young Consumer of the Year Competition held on Friday 12th December at The Highland Council Chambers, Inverness.
Postponement of Job Evaluation letters
As a result of two late developments, The Highland Council’s Modernising Employment Sub Committee has agreed to postpone the issue of the job evaluation letters, advising of new pay and grading structures, to its 10,000 non-teaching employees.
Early planning helps mitigate impact of budget savings
Highland Councillors are being advised that the Council’s Administration is making good progress in identifying savings that require to be made to bridge a gap in the budget caused by rising fuel and energy costs, the freeze on Council tax and other pressures.
Digital TV switchover announced
The timetable for Scotland to make the switch to digital TV was announced today (Thursday) by Digital UK, the independent body leading the process.
Praise for Corran Ferry Crews
Staff on the Corran Ferry, which links Nether Lochaber to the Ardnamurchan Peninsula at Ardgour, have been praised for their response to the local emergency when the A 830 Fort William - Mallaig road was closed due to chemical spillage near Corpach.
£10M of European Funding for Highland Communities
Following the official launch of the Highland LEADER programme earlier today the way is now clear for communities across the Highlands to apply for £10 million of funding available to them over the next 5 years with a further £3 million available to assist strategic Highland-wide projects.
Weekend “Nightrider” bus scheme for Inverness
People living on the busiest bus routes in Inverness are to benefit from free late night bus services, starting from tomorrow (Friday).
Highland Councillors Welcome Scotland’s Transport Announcement
The Highland Council has warmly welcomed the outcome of the Scottish Government’s Strategic Transport Projects Review, which sets out the future investment programme for transport in Scotland over the next 20 years.
Wheelie Bin Roll Out begins in Skye and Lochalsh
Over the next few weeks residents in Skye and Lochalsh can expect to take delivery of a new blue wheelie bin for their recycling waste from The Highland Council.
Good Start For Rural Kerbside Recycling Collections In Caithness
Over 10 tonnes of waste has been diverted from landfill in the first week of the rural recycling collections in Caithness with 60% of residents putting out their bins for collection.
Recycling Wheelie Bin Roll-Out begins in Lochaber
Over the next few weeks residents in areas of Lochaber which are not part of the blue box kerbsider scheme can expect to take delivery of a new blue wheelie bin for their recycling waste.
New Kerbside Recycling Collections for Rural East Ross, Mid Ross, the Black Isle, Inverness and Nairn
The Highland Council has invested in a new vehicles and crew to expand the recycling routes in rural East Ross, Mid Ross, the Black Isle, Inverness and Nairn.
Road speeds reduced at Applecross Primary School.
From Monday 15th December, 2008 motorists are being advised that new speed limits will be introduced at Applecross Primary School. Full time 30mph and part-time 20mph speed limits will be in place for children’s safety.
Caithness locals support wildlife over winter
Caithness adults and children did their bit last weekend (Sunday 7th Dec) to support local wildlife throughout winter at events organised by The Highland Council’s Planning and Development Service Countryside Rangers at Seadrift Visitor Centre, Dunnet Bay.
Public to have their say on Dingwall High Street improvements.
Members of the public are being invited by The Highland Council to a ‘drop in session’ on Saturday 13th December, from 10am to 2pm, at The Royal British Legion, High Street, Dingwall to give their views on proposed improvements for Dingwall High Street.
Public Transport Issues In Badenoch and Strathspey
Public Transport was the key theme of the Badenoch and Strathspey Ward Forum held in April this year and local people are now being asked for feedback about how they feel about their local transport services.
Council offers Home Improvement Grants
The credit crunch may be biting but The Highland Council has cash grants available to assist with home improvements, adaptations and repairs.
Additional Winter Payment for Inverness Pensioners and Disabled People
A one-off additional payment of £20 is to be paid to those Inverness residents eligible for winter payments.from The Highland Council's Inverness City Committee.
Go Ahead for Major Inverness Flood Scheme
The Highland Council has cleared all the statutory hurdles and will shortly have the consent in place to allow the first phase of the £10 million South-West Flood Relief Channel in Inverness to be constructed.
Highland Council’s Public Toilets Scoop Top National Award
The Highland Council has been presented with a top trophy at the 2008 Loo of the Year Awards, beating competition from throughout the UK to scoop the national award for Public Conveniences.
Motorists urged to cut their speed at four more Highland Schools
Three more primary schools and one secondary school have had reduced speed limits introduced by The Highland Council for children’s’ safety.
Carers’ Rights Day
The Highland Council is supporting Carers’ Rights Day - a national awareness day organised today (Friday) by Carers Scotland to inform carers of their rights and services available to help support them in their caring role.
Pay Agreement 2008/9
The Highland Council’s Resources Committee has recommended unanimously that the Council, which meets on 18 December, should implement the pay award for most non-teaching employees - despite no national agreement having being reached.
Scotland’s Housing Expo
A major housing fair being held in Inverness in the summer of 2010 is being rebranded to reflect its national importance.
Highland Council - Winter watch update
The Highland Council is advising motorists to be prepared for further possible wintry conditions on roads throughout the Highlands.
Stagecoach Chief to Attend Dornoch Public Meeting
Scott Pearson, Stagecoach Divisional Traffic Manager and their Commercial Manager, William Mainus, will be attending the next East Sutherland and Edderton Ward Forum to listen to views on recent and proposed changes to Stagecoach bus services in the area.
Partnership approach to love scoops top award
A Highland project helping support people with learning disabilities to be informed enough to develop and sustain safe sexual relationships has won the People of the Year Human Rights Award from a top disability organisation.
Laoidhean Gàidhlig on Chomhairle airson na Nollaig
Chaidh leabhar le laoidhean is òrain Ghàidhlig “Duan Nollaig” fhoillseachadh le Caidreachas Màiri Mhòr aig Comhairle na Gàidhealtachd.
Council publishes Gaelic Carol Book in time for Christmas
A Christmas Gaelic song and carol book titled “Duan Nollaig” has been published this week by The Highland Council’s Màiri Mhòr Gaelic Song Fellowship.
Advanced Local Plan aims for sustainable growth of Sutherland
A new draft of the Local Plan for Sutherland has been published and is currently open for consultation.
Winter Festival helps Inverness Homeless
The Highland Council's Inverness Winter Festival Committee are pleased to announce that the St Andrew’s Day Torchlight Procession from Inverness Castle to the Northern Meeting Park Arena raised £1 , 310 for the Inverness Homeless Trust.
East Inverness School Pupils Help Their Community To Travelsmart
Walking, cycling and public transport use have rocketed in Inverness after local school pupils urged family and friends to take advantage of an innovative sustainable travel project.
Cromarty Firth Ward seeks your views on Transport
The Cromarty Firth Ward Forum is due to meet again on Thursday 11 December at Ardross Community Hall where roads and transport issues will be the focus of discussion.
Fort William Waterfront
The Highland Council has built in two significant control mechanisms to ensure that the proposed Fort William Waterfront development meets the aspirations of the local community.
Lochaber road conditions update
The Highland Council has assured residents of Lochaber that its entire winter roads workforce has been in use since yesterday evening (Monday 1st Dec) up till 9pm and from 6am this morning (Tuesday 2nd Dec) in accordance with Council policy.
Skye Councillors Raise Concerns Over Hospital Cover
At the Eilean a Cheo Ward Business meeting held on 24th November, all four elected members raised concerns regarding NHS proposals not to have a doctor at Portree Hospital after 6pm weekday evenings.
National Entitlement Cards delivered in Highland secondary schools
The first issue of High Life ~ Young Scot National Entitlement Cards in thirty Highland secondary schools have been completed. New first year pupils are due to receive their cards before the end of the year.
Caithness Broch Centre
Work commences this week in the transformation of the old Northlands Viking Centre at Auckengill into the Caithness Broch Centre, which is due to open in the spring. This new facility, collaboration between Caithness Archaeological Trust and Highland Council, will celebrate the extraordinarily rich archaeology landscape of Caithness.
Ullapool art project comes home from Holyrood
After recently exhibiting at Scottish Parliament in Edinburgh, a Highland 2007 community art exhibition inspired by the spectacular land and water in around Ullapool is now looking for a home (or homes) in its inspirational place of origin.
Presentation of the Freedom of Nairn
Mr. Ronnie M. Watson will be presented with the Freedom of Nairn during a special ceremony on Saturday (6 December) which will include a March Past by the Nairn and District Pipe Band.
Temporary Road Closures During City’s Santa Run
The Highland Santa Six Fun Run takes place in Inverness on Sunday (7 December) so drivers are being advised that certain city roads will be temporarily closed to traffic during the event.
Review of Canal Bridge Opening Times
Options for a new protocol for the opening of the Caledonian Canal bridges at Muirtown and Tomnahurich in Inverness will be presented to a meeting of The Highland Council’s Inverness West Ward Forum, being held at Kinmylies Primary School, Inverness, on Thursday, starting at 7.30 pm.
Portrait of a Nation Finale
Young people from across the Highlands and Islands set off for Liverpool on Sunday (30 November) to take part in a two-day celebration of the UK’s heritage and cultural identity. They will be joining with young people from all over the country to talk about why their home area is special, discuss what their culture and identity means to them and share their hopes for the future.