Highland Youth Voice - The Apprentice!
Young people from across the Highlands recently got the chance for the third year running to play the “Apprentice” by shadowing senior officials within The Highland Council’s Glenurquhart offices in Inverness and partner agencies.
Highland Youth Big Band Promote Their First CD
`Born to be Wild', `Route 66’, `Little Brown Jug’, `Summertime’, `Family Guy’ and `Respect’ are just some of the tracks on a CD recorded by talented young school musicians from across the Highlands who make up the Highland Youth Big Band.
Costumed Characters to Bring History Tour to Life
Costumed characters from the past will add an authentic touch to a guided walk led by The Highland Council’s Countryside Rangers against the dramatic backdrop of Culloden House and woods in Inverness.
Capturing The Coastline Exhibition To Tour The Highlands
Winning images from a national photographic competition have been brought together to form a year-long touring exhibition entitled “Capturing The Coastline” which opens in Inverness next weekend (Saturday 29 March) before visiting other Highland venues in Thurso, Wick and Kingussie.
Housing Consultation Reminder
Communities are being reminded of an ongoing consultation on proposed changes to The Highland the Council’s supplementary planning guidance on Affordable Housing.
Open Day at Drummuie, Golspie
The public is being invited to look around the The Highland Council’s new flagship office complex in East Sutherland at Drummuie, Golspie, from 1-3 pm on Wednesday 2 April.
Record Backing for A82 Epetition
The support for the campaign to upgrade the A82 road between Tarbet and Inverness has resulted in the epetition to the Scottish Parliament exceeding the previous record of 4,187 signatures.
Rangers call for voluntary help to maintain footpaths
The Highland Council Rangers in Skye and Lochalsh are looking for volunteers to help them undertake two days of upland footpath maintenance
New Dingwall Planning Office
The Highland Council is relocating its Planning and Building Standards Service in Dingwall from 2 Achany Road to its main office accommodation in the town at Council Offices, High Street.
Training Day at Skye
The Highland Council Rangers in Skye and Lochalsh are coordinating a National Amphibian and Reptile Recording Scheme (NARRS) training day at Breakish Hall on Skye on Saturday 9th April 2008.
Volunteers sought for Adult Basic Education
The Highland Council’s recently appointed Adult Basic Education Co-ordinator for Nairn, Badenoch and Strathspey is seeking volunteers to help locals with their learning.
Lion King Star comes to the Highlands
The Highlands will be treated to some entertainment with a difference over Easter when the original star of the Lion King Broadway musical, hits the streets of Inverness.
Small Business Bonus Scheme
Small businesses in the Highlands are being encouraged to take advantage of a new rates relief scheme introduced by the Scottish Government, which takes effect from Monday 1 April.
Council Backs Action Plan to Improve Buildings Standards
The Highland Council has approved an action plan to improve its performance in dealing with building warrants.
Young Quality Scot Award Winners 2008
Volunteering and active citizenship is alive and well in Highland! Thirteen of sixteen Young Quality Scot Award winners were presented with their certificates at the national celebration event, supported by Youth Development staff from the Education, Culture and Sport Service.
Education provision in Brae Lochaber
Following earlier discussions with members of the Roy Bridge community, the future of education provision in Brae Lochaber was discussed at the Chief Executive’s meeting with The Highland Council’s Administration Business Group today (Wednesday).
Increased Funding For Highland Opportunity’s Community Loan Scheme
Highland Opportunity has just announced increased funding totalling £500,000 for community and social enterprises across the Highlands for the next five years.
Hilton Environmental Project
Hilton, Milton and Castle Heather Community Council, greeninverness and The Highland Council are carrying out a number of improvements to the Hilton Village area.
Newtonhill Community Woodland, Caithness
The Highland Council has received the consultants report on the investigation of a former landfill site in Caithness, which is currently a community woodland.
Go Ahead for Inverness Business Improvement District
Inverness businesses have voted to play a leading role in the transformation of the city centre by creating a Business Improvement District (BID). The yes vote makes Inverness the first city in the world to incorporate property owners as well as businesses in a BID - a move expected to be copied elsewhere.
Highland Pilots Climate Change Project
The Highland Council is one of four local authorities in Scotland which has signed up for a pilot climate change project.
HMIe Report on Craighill Primary School, Tain
A report of a recent HMIe inspection of Craighill Primary School, Tain, has identified key strengths.
Opinions sought for public park improvements
Public opinion is being sought by greeninverness and The Highland Council about the installation of new play equipment at Bellfield Park, Inverness.
City councillors give hydro-scheme the green light
A feasibility study to investigate re-instating a 32-year-old hydro-scheme on the River Ness, Inverness has been given the go-ahead from members of The Highland Council’s Inverness City Committee. Council’s Inverness City Committee.
Highland to Benefit from Scottish Government’s Extra Spending on Interactive Care Services at Home
Minister for Public Health Shona Robison, has pledged an additional £8 million to develop interactive care services for vulnerable people in their own homes.
Inverness Campsie Club Apprentice Boys Of Derry March
Following consultation between The Highland Council, Northern Constabulary, and the event organisers, permission has been granted for the Apprentice Boys of Derry Inverness Campsie Club to hold a march in Inverness on Saturday 5 April 2008.
Council Assist in Finding Future for Clachnacuddin FC
Two members of The Highland Council’s Inverness City Committee and City Manager David Haas are to sit on a working group, which is being established to find a way forward for cash-strapped Clachnacuddin FC.
Rangers rise with dawn chorus
Early risers are invited to get some spring into their step and join The Highland Council's countryside rangers on a dawn guided walk on Saturday 15th March.
Return of Faith, Hope and Charity Statues
Greeninverness and The Highland Council are preparing to carry out a city-wide community engagement exercise. They hope to encourage people to give their opinion on which option they feel is most suitable for the much anticipated return of the Faith, Hope and Charity statues.
Putting Planning For The Future in the Picture
Young people from across the Highlands are being invited to photograph their communities as part of a new planning initiative. Images of what they like and don’t like about the places they live in, and what would make it a better place to live, as well as inspiration for ‘great places’ from beyond the Highlands, will help Council planners develop a Highland wide local development plan.
Council conference invites parents to participate
Parents in the Highlands are being encouraged by The Highland Council to engage in a partnership in their children’s education.
Young Choir Sings For Gaelic Committee
Eleven young pupils from six different Lochaber primary schools entertained Highland Councillors at the start of yesterdays Gaelic Committee held in Inverness.
Council Commitment on Delayed Hospital Discharge
The Highland Council has reaffirmed its commitment to work jointly with the NHS to reduce the number of people whose discharge from hospital is delayed and to reduce the length of delay.
Council to consult on new care homes sites
The Highland Council is to consult staff, trade unions, carers and families on the progress being made in identifying sites for five new care homes for older people.
Training Of Gaelic Tutors
This week The Highland Council has been running a special six day immersion training course for Gaelic language tutors in Portree, with 12 students signed up for the introductory course.
Tribute to the work of Gaelic Early Education and Child Care Officer
During a meeting of The Highland Council’s Gaelic Committee, acting Chairman, Councillor Jimmy MacDonald paid tribute to Lochaber based Gaelic Early Education and Child Care Officer, Catriona MacIntyre who retires at the end of March after 40 years working with young people in the Highlands.
£6m of New Leader Funds for the Highlands
The Highland LEADER 2007-13 programme is set to benefit from £6m of EU/Scottish Government funding aimed at supporting community and economic development in rural areas.
Education Provision in Brae Lochaber
The Chairman of The Highland Council’s Education, Culture and Sport Committee, Councillor Bill Fernie, and Councillors John Finnie and Allan Henderson along with the Director of Education, Culture Sport, Hugh Fraser met today (14th March 2008) with members of the Roy Bridge community to discuss the review of the consultation process on the future of education provision in Brae Lochaber.
Highland Success at Community Recycling Awards
The Highland Council has featured on the prize list at the Community Recycling Network for Scotland (CRNS) annual awards and conference held in Perth on Tuesday March 11.
Tooth-brushing lessons for Pulteneytown pupils
In the fight against dental decay the pupils at Pulteneytown Academy Primary School in Wick are armed to the teeth.
Rangers rise to dawn chorus
Early risers are invited to get some spring into their step and join The Highland Council's countryside rangers on a dawn guided walk on Saturday 15th March.
Post Office Ltd Decision on Highland Area Plan - Highland Council Response
The Highland Council is extremely disappointed at today’s (11th March 2008) announcement that Post Office Ltd intends to proceed with closing 28 post offices across the Highland area.
HMIE Reports – Altnaharra and Lairg Primary Schools
Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Education inspected Lairg Primary School in November 2007 and Altnaharra Primary School in December 2007 as part of a national sample of primary education. Reports, published today (11th March 2008) identify key strengths, use quality indicators to relate evaluations and identify the main points for action in both schools.
Highland pupils enjoy Great Glen by boot, boat and bike
To celebrate the completion of a £200,000 public access and interpretation project, 127 school children, from ten schools within the Great Glen are taking part in some of the Glen’s most popular outdoor activities.
Applicants Reminded to Complete New Highland Housing Register Form
People on housing lists in the Highlands are being urged to respond to correspondence advising them of the creation of a new single Highland Housing Register, which aims to make it easier for them to apply for Council or housing association housing.
New Bus Service to Fort William Medical Centre
Residents of Fort William will benefit from a greatly improved Monday to Friday bus service to Fort William Medical Centre starting on Friday 21 March.
Provost Makes Plea To Keep Chewing Gum Off City Streets
The Provost of Inverness, Councillor Bob Wynd has renewed his plea for the public to play their part in keeping the city streets free from chewing chum and reduce the annual bill of £35,000 it costs the council to combat chewing gum.
Caithness pupils Promote the Recycling Message
As part of a drive to encourage everyone in the Highlands to recycle more of their waste, the Council’s Waste Awareness team have recently visited 13 primary schools in the Caithness area to raise awareness of the Reduce, Reuse and Recycle message.
Highland Toddlers Invited to take part in Bookstart + Week
Bookstart in the Highland’s is gearing up to celebrate Bookstart + week, held from 10th – 16th March with a selection of special events especially geared toward toddlers.
Campaign launched to win upgrade of Scotland’s most dangerous road
A major campaign was launched today (Monday) to win improvements on one of the most scenic but dangerous stretches of trunk road in the United Kingdom. The A82 Tarbet – Fort William - Inverness road is famous for passing the landmark destinations of Loch Lomond, Loch Rannoch, Glencoe, Ben Nevis and Loch Ness.
Work commences on Raasay Ferry Terminal
Work began today (Friday) on a £12 million ferry terminal and overnight ferry berth at Churchton Bay, Raasay, which serves the ferry route operated by Caledonian MacBrayne between Sconser, Skye, and the island of Raasay.
Review of Political Arrangements
The Highland Council has agreed to form a working group to review the political arrangements that have been in place since the new council was elected in May, last year
Council Calls for 4th Scottish Parliamentary Boundary for Highland
Highland Councillors are calling on the Boundary Commission for Scotland to reconsider proposals for new Scottish Parliamentary boundaries in the Highlands so that the area is represented by four directly elected constituency MSPs instead of the current three.
Council Progresses Inverness Flood Prevention Schemes
The Highland Council has agreed to progress two flood prevention schemes in Inverness, which are aimed at reducing the risk of flooding to properties adjacent to the River Ness. It is proposed to construct flood mitigation measures which will extend from the lower end of the Ness Islands down to the mouth of the river. These measures will be built on both sides of the river.
Council confirms commitment to Gaelic Plan
The Highland Council has confirmed its Highland-wide policy on bi-lingual road signs.
MSP celebrates World Book Week with Highland pupils
Cabinet Secretary for Education and Lifelong Learning Fiona Hyslop MSP will tomorrow (Thursday 6th March at 11:15am) celebrate World Book Week on World Book Day by reading from her favourite book via video-conference link to pupils at Marybank Primary School in Ross and Cromarty in the Highlands.
Rock Solid Showcase
Eight secondary school rock bands from Caithness, Sutherland, Ross and Cromarty, Lochaber, Inverness and Nairn secondary schools will be under the spot light when they take to the stage for a special showcase event.
Study Aims to Identify How Best to Access Credit in Rural Highlands
A feasibility study has been commissioned to identify how best to provide affordable credit across the Highlands. Working under the umbrella of the Wellbeing Alliance Financial Inclusion Working Group, The Highland Council in partnership with the Albyn Housing Ltd, Highland Opportunity Ltd and Citizen’s Advice Scotland has appointed consultants – Knowledge Partnership – to carry out the study and recommend a way forward.
Highland Minority Ethnic Pupil Forum
Pupils from across east Highland met at Dingwall today (Wednesday) for the first meeting of the Highland Minority Ethnic Pupil Forum. More than two dozen youngsters from primary and secondary schools across the greater Moray Firth area, together with youngsters from the Gypsy/Traveller community, met to discuss issues relating to their schooling.
Crafty Developments - Gàidhealtachd of Scotland and Nova Scotia
A Highland craft worker will be downing tools and packing her suitcase as she prepares to swap jobs with a fellow craft worker based across the Atlantic Ocean in Cape Breton.
Open Invitation to 3 Virtues Public Space Launch
The public is being invited to attend a special event at Church Street, Inverness, on Thursday (6 March) to celebrate the launch of an art installation symbolising Inverness’ three new virtues - perseverance, open-heartedness and insight.
Muriel Gray launches Great Glen Ways Initiative
Top Scottish author, broadcaster and business woman, Muriel Gray, today (4th March 2008) officially launched celebrations that mark the completion of a £200,000 public access and interpretation project along the Caledonian Canal and Great Glen Way.
Highland primary school celebrates World Book Week
Marybank Primary School in Ross-shire is holding a week long series of events to celebrate World Book Week 3rd – 7th March and World Book Day on Thursday 6th March.
Working in Health in Highland
A two day convention for young people interested in careers in health takes place this week in Inverness.
Finding the Findhorn with Council Ranger
The Highland Council’s Countryside Rangers will be leading a guided walk this Sunday (9th March, 2008) in the Findhorn Valley from 2pm to 4.30pm.
Fortrose Band To Play At Rock Solid Showcase
An exciting “Battle of The Bands” was held at Fortrose Academy last Wednesday night to choose a band to represent the school at an event showcasing Highland secondary school rock bands.
Gaelic Song Awareness Day for City
The Mairi Mhor Gaelic Song Fellowship for The Highland Council is organising a special day on Saturday 8 March with events happening in and around the City centre to raise awareness of Gaelic singing activities available locally.
City Roads Closed To Traffic During Half Marathon
The Inverness Half Marathon and Fun Run takes place on Sunday 9 March and motorists in the city are being warned that during the event, roads along the route will be temporarily closed to traffic.
Highland libraries have sustainability in the bag
Libraries throughout the Highlands are now offering readers the chance to borrow books in a more environmentally friendly fashion by purchasing specially designed jute library book bags.
Council Appoints New Director of Planning and Development
The Highland Council has appointed a new Director of Planning and Development. He is Dr Stuart Black, Director of Global Connections with Highlands and Islands Enterprise.