Transport Scotland responds to community representation on A830 closures
In response to local representations, weekday closures of the A830 Fort William – Mallaig trunk road - which last between 11 am – 2.30 pm to allow the upgrading of a new stretch of road near Arisaig to proceed - will end before the Easter weekend.
Pupils Prepare For Trip To The Gambia
Eleven S5 and S6 pupils from Inverness Royal Academy are busy packing their bags and making final preparations to fly out to The Gambia on 18 March to work on a project to develop a skills learning centre in the village of Kerewan.
Council Tax and Scottish Water Bills
The first batch of bills notifying householders of their Council Tax and Scottish Water charges for 2008-09 will be dropping through letter boxes from Friday (29 February).
Training Offered to Youth Work Staff
Youth work staff from Drumnadrochit, Dingwall, Ardersier, Nairn, Alness, Golspie, Kinlochleven, Mallaig, Kyle of Lochalsh and Cromarty came together for youth work training organised by The Highland Council last weekend.
Popular town path receives makeover
A riverside footpath in Nairn used by around 10,000 people each year was formally re-opened today (Wednesday 27th February) by Highland Councillor Liz MacDonald, Provost of Nairn.
Seminar Focuses on the end of the Slave Trade and the dawn of Fairtrade
A seminar is being held in the Highlands next week which marks the 200th anniversary of the abolition of the TransAltlantic slave trade and focuses on the dawn of Fairtrade, which guarantees a better deal for Third World producers.
Tain Planning Applications to be Determined in April
The Highland Council has confirmed that three planning applications concerning developments at Craighill Terrace, Tain, will be determined by the Caithness Sutherland and Easter Ross Planning Applications and Review Committee at a special meeting in Tain on Tuesday 15 April.
Locals urged not to miss the boat on Merkinch reserve consultation
A three week public consultation process by The Highland Council on the future of Merkinch Local Nature Reserve (LNR) in Inverness is coming to an end this Sunday 2nd March, 2008.
Kinlochleven students get to grips with mobile phone scams
Students from Kinlochleven High School are to take part in Highland Scam Awareness Month by testing their skills at spotting mobile phone scams.
Pupils Ceilidh CD To Raise Funds For Charity
The musical talents of pupils from Glenurquhart Primary school are set to raise funds for charity thanks to the recording of a Ceilidh CD which was launched today (Tuesday 26 February).
Green award for Floral Hall gardening project
A gardening and training project for adults with learning disabilities in the Highlands has won a national award for its environmental practices.
Locals urged to Leap into Learning and Leisure
An event organised by The Highland Council on Friday 29th February 2008at the Badenoch Centre, Kingussie is encouraging members of the public to “Leap into Learning and Leisure”.
Highland Council in line for top recycling award
The Highland Council is in the frame to be crowned Scotland’s top local authority for community recycling, at a major awards ceremony to be held next month
Road Works In Tain
The Highland Council’s TEC Services are advising motorist in Tain that they will be carrying out major road maintenance in the town from the 17 to 28th March 2008.
Extended Opening Hours For Kyle Library
From Monday 3 March the opening hours at Kyle Library are to be extended.
Local Action for Wildlife
The wildlife of the Highlands is set to benefit from £100,000 of funding for 24 local projects over the next three years.
Drakies and Crown Pupils Share Glory At South Highland Primary Schools Badminton Championships
Pupils from Drakies and Crown Primary Schools scoped the top trophies at the recent South Highland Primary Schools Badminton Championships.
Council calms traffic at Lochaber school
Roads around Ballachulish Primary School in Lochaber will be covered by full time 20mph speed restrictions from Friday 29th February 2008.
District Park at Inshes, Inverness
Proposals for an 80-acre District Park at Inshes, Inverness, will be unveiled at a meeting of The Highland Council’s Inverness South Ward Forum being held on Wednesday (27 February) at Inshes Primary School, starting at 7.30 pm. On view will be displays with maps of what is planned and members of the public will have the opportunity to ask questions about the plans.
Convener Questions Legitimacy of Post Office Consultation Process
The Convener of The Highland Council, Councillor Sandy Park, has written to Government Ministers to register the Council’s “very real concern” that Post Office Ltd appear to have pre-determined the outcome of consultation over post office closures. Councillor Park has complained to Pat McFadden, the UK Minister with responsibility for Post Offices, that the Post Office commissioned BT to put infrastructure in place a number of outreach sites – including the erection of a new telegraph pole at one location – not only before a decision on closure has been made – but even before the consultation period had ended.
Inverness Old Town Arts Programme secures Scottish Arts Council support
The Inverness City Centre Streetscape public art project has received welcome new investment with the award of £100,000 from the Scottish Arts Council National Lottery Capital Programme.
Figures reveal new high in Highland house building
Figures published by The Highland Council’s Planning and Development Service this month have revealed an all time high during 2007 in the construction of new homes in the Highlands.
Protection for children is just a phone call away
A Scotland-wide campaign urging people to speak out and help stop the abuse or neglect of young people was launched by Children’s Minister Adam Ingram today.
East Sutherland projects nearing completion
The Highland Council’s new flagship office complex in East Sutherland is on target to open soon following a £3.5 million redevelopment.
Employee Survey
Given the significant change in the organisation of The Highland Council over the past year, the Chairman of the Resources Committee, Councillor Carolyn Wilson, is pleased that many results from an independent survey of employees show a positive trend.
Shinty history captured in 100 portraits
A photographic exhibition that draws inspiration from the Camanachd Cup Centenary goes on display this weekend (23rd Feb - 22nd March) at Inverness Museum and Art Gallery.
New school to house Highland 2007 art project.
The fruits of a visual arts project involving primary schools in Ross and Cromarty are to be given a home in the new Dingwall Academy when it opens later this year.
Highlanders asked to nominate all-time favourite rhyme
As part of an initiative to encourage literacy development among pre-school children, people in the Highlands are being asked by The Highland Council’s Library Service to nominate their favourite nursery rhymes.
Primary Cross Country Event at Kirkhill Primary
The Charleston Primaries Cluster Cross Country Event takes place Thursday, 21st February 2008 at Kirkhill Primary School.
Council calms traffic around City School
All roads around Smithton Primary School in Inverness will be covered by 20mph speed restrictions from Monday 25th February.
City River Crossing To Be Illuminated
Work begins on Sunday (17 February) on a £167k project to light the city of Inverness’s main river crossing.
Highland Welcome for CashBack for Communities Scheme
The Highland Council has welcomed news that young people in Scotland are to benefit from a new £3 million grant scheme for youth projects to be funded from the proceeds of crime. Councillor Bill Fernie, Chairman of The Highland Council’s Education, Culture and Sport Committee, was quick to applaud the announcement by Justice Secretary Kenny MacAskill at the launch held in the MP33 youth drop-in centre, Grant Street, Inverness.
A82 Tomnahurich Swing Bridge Re-Waterproofing and Re-Surfacing
Scotland TranServ will commence works on Monday 18 February on the waterproofing and re-surfacing of the Tomnahurich Swing Bridge, Inverness. Works will continue until Sunday 30 March.
Council Elects New Resources Committee Vice-Chairman
The Highland Council has elected Councillor Pauline Munro (Scottish National Party) to be Vice-Chairman of the Resources Committee.
Council Confirms Council Tax Freeze and Growth in Key Services
A freeze in the Council Tax and a growth in spending to accommodate priority front line services has been confirmed by The Highland Council.
Training For Young Volunteers
Sixteen young people from Highland will this year receive the accolade of Young Quality Scot for their contribution to their communities.
A Bug’s Eye View – Ardersier and Airport Arts Project
Pupils from Ardersier Primary School recently visited Ardersier Common with The Highland Council’s Countryside Ranger, John Orr, to learn about the natural heritage in their surrounding area.
Blue Peter Team To Visit Glen Nevis Centre
A team from the popular children’s TV show, Blue Peter, will be setting off from the Glen Nevis Visitor Centre on Wednesday (13 February) for the final leg of their attempt to climb the four highest peaks in the British Isles.
Ullapool Young People Investigate Youth Bus Project
Four members of the Ullapool and District Youth Group travelled down to Manchester at the end of last year with youth worker Yvonne Boa, to visit a mobile youth bus facility in the hope of setting up a similar scheme in Ullapool and the surrounding area.
Locals urged to have their say on future of Highland’s only Local Nature Reserve
Members of the public are being invited by The Highland Council to have their say on the future of the Merkinch Local Nature Reserve (LNR) in Inverness which is Highland’s only LNR.
Ranger walk takes a ramble on old A96
An abandoned coastal road on the Moray Firth is the unlikely location for a winter wildlife walk with Highland Council’s Countryside Ranger this weekend (Saturday 16th February).
Council’s cooking classes are a recipe for success
A series of cookery classes for young people in the Ullapool area has proven so successful that The Highland Council’s Education, Community Learning and Leisure Service is extending the classes.
Highland Focus on Scams Awareness Month
Trading Standards Officers of The Highland Council are taking part in a national campaign – Scams Awareness Month - to crack down on the misery and heartache caused by unscrupulous scammers, whose sole aim is to persuade consumers to part with their money.
Temporary Access Restriction on Crown Road, Inverness
The Highland Council is advising motorists that due to ongoing works being carried out by HQC Ltd to install a bus priority system at Eastgate, Inverness - temporary traffic restrictions will take place from Wednesday (13 February ).
Streetscape and Water Mains Replacement Progresses in South Church Street, Inverness
Implementation of the Inverness city centre streetscape works will progress in south Church Street, from Monday (11 February). In the interests of public safety, the section of Church Street from the end of Baron Taylor’s Street to the junction with Union Street will be closed to vehicular traffic. Pedestrian access will be maintained at all times and access for emergency vehicles, refuse and delivery vehicles will be controlled by the contractor.
£8 million boost for nuclear archive
The NDA has announced today (Friday) that it will invest £8 million in plans to create the UK’s National Nuclear Archive (NNA) in Caithness, Scotland.
Council sets out concerns on Post Office Closure Consultation
The Highland Council has highlighted a number of concerns in its draft response to Post Office Ltd’s consultation on post office closures across the UK. The response will be considered by councillors at a special meeting of the full Council on Thursday 14 February.
School Introduces Memorial Prize for Popular Pupil
Culloden Academy, Inverness, is to inaugurate a new prize in memory of a fifth year pupil who died in an accident last weekend. The Roddy Stewart Memorial Prize will be an annual award for Excellence in Expressive Arts.
Independent/SNP Administration recommends Council Tax freeze and growth in key services
A freeze in the Council Tax and a growth in spending to accommodate priority front line services is being recommended by the Independent/Scottish National Party Administration of The Highland Council when the Council holds a special meeting on Thursday 14 February to confirm the 2008/9 Council Tax levels.
Faroese Ferry service operators get familiar with the Highlands
Advance bookings for this summer’s Smyril Line ferry service between the Faroe Islands and Scrabster are already three times higher than this time last year.
River Ness Flood Alleviation Options exhibition gets one-day extension
The public is being extended another opportunity to attend an exhibition where options for a major flood alleviation scheme for the centre of Inverness will be on view.
Council Delegation Briefed on Lochaber Developments
BSW Timber’s sawmill at Corpach, Rio Tinto’s Fort William smelter as well as Lochaber High School were among the ports of call for a senior delegation from The Highland Council this week.
Council sets conditions for Slackbuie retail planning application
Members of The Highland Council’s Inverness, Nairn, Badenoch and Strathspey Planning Applications and Review Committee today (05 February 2008) approved the legal terms and conditions for granting outline planning consent for a retail superstore, petrol filling station, five smaller retail units and associated works on land at Slackbuie, Inverness.
Dog fouling, call to bag it and bin it
Dog owners in Nairn who fail to clean-up after allowing their dogs to foul on the streets, play areas and public open spaces are being urged to ‘bag it and bin it’.
Grant Street Park Common Good Fund decision deferred
Members of The Highland Council’s Inverness City Committee today (4 February, 2008) considered a report on the current position regarding the leasing arrangements in place for Grant Street Park which is presently let to Clachnacuddin Football Club (1990) Ltd.
Culloden Rector Pays Tribute to Talented Pupil
The Rector of Culloden Academy, Inverness, has paid a glowing tribute to a 5th year schoolboy who died at the weekend.
Journalist of the year
Keith MacKenzie, Reporter, West Highland Free Press, has been named Journalist of the Year for the Highlands and Islands. Keith received his award from Stewart Stevenson, Scottish Minister for Transport, Infrastructure and Climate Change, at the Highlands and Islands Press Ball which was held at Nairn on Friday (1 February).
Re-opening of Pulteney House, Wick
Pulteney House, Wick, a care home for 18 older people, was officially reopened today (Friday 1st February).
Council Welcomes Court Ruling on Skye Wind Farm
The Highland Council has welcomed the Court of Session judgement of Lord Hodge to reject the petition of the Skye Windfarm Action Group for judicial review of decisions taken by the Council to grant planning permission for a wind farm development at Edinbane, Skye.