Hi-Visability Vests To Help Kids Stay Safe
Children in the Highlands are being helped by partners stay visible and safe over the dark, winter months with hi-visibility vests featuring road safety messages for drivers.
Work progressing well at new Highland Archive and Registration Centre - Tasglann agus Ionad-Claraidh na Gaidhealtachd
The team working on the Highlands £10.5 million Archive and Registration Centre – set to showcase archives that are of world significance – is feeling on top of the world with the completion of the main roofing works.
St Andrew's Day Celebrations
The highlight of the Highland celebration of St Andrew’s Day on Sunday is a free concert being held at the new Northern Meeting Park Arena, Inverness, commencing at 7 pm.
Launch of Nigg Masterplan Consultation
An 11-week period of public consultation begins on Monday 1 December to agree a development masterplan for the Nigg oil complex, Easter Ross.
Daviot Pupil Presented With National Award
A P7 pupil from Daviot Primary School has won a Kindness Scotland award and was today (Thursday 27 November) presented with his certificate and prize at his school by the Chair of the charity.
Plans Go On Display For New Aviemore Community School
Members of the public are invited to view the proposals for the new Aviemore Community School at Aviemore Library, units 1 and 2, Market Hall, Aviemore on Monday 1 December 2008.
Homecoming Advent Calendar and Precious Cargo exhibition
A seasonal exhibition is about to open at Inverness Museum and Art Gallery.
Events and festivals are focus of Highland Council tourism seminar.
Tourism operators from across the Highlands will be gathering in Inverness this week (Thursday 25th Nov) for The Highland Council’s annual Tourism Seminar.
Roadworks on the A855 Portree to Staffin Road
The Highland Council is carrying out works between Portree and Loch Fada on the A855 Staffin road in Skye to improve the carriageway to twin track width.
Inverness Museum and Art Gallery celebrates St. Andrew’s day with Scotland’s largest midge.
Inverness Museum and Art Gallery (IMAG) will have a new addition to its collections on November 30th when it becomes home to Scotland’s largest Midge.
Fort William Waterfront – Public Meeting
The Fort William Waterfront development continues to progress and a public meeting is to be held on Monday 1 December when more details will be made known about what is to be included in the project, which offers a mix of retail, commercial, leisure and housing uses.
Highland Homecoming to Explore How One Small Nation Changed the World
An international conference celebrating the impact and influence of Scots around the globe will be the centrepiece of a programme of events in the Highlands to mark the Year of Homecoming 2009.
Highland pupils join Junior jogscotland campaign
Pupils in Highland Primary schools are getting the chance to take part in a national running and jogging campaign aimed at improving their health and fitness.
Line-up unveiled for Inverness Hogmanay Party
The Highland Council has announced details of the programme for the spectacular – and free - five-hour Hogmanay Party that will end the first Inverness Winter Festival.
Constructive Meeting With Strathaird Salmon
Following the announcement yesterday (Thursday) that The Seafood Company was entering a 90-day consultation on the proposed transfer of Strathaird Salmon in Inverness to its operation in Fraserburgh, a meeting described as “very constructive” between Strathaird Salmon, HIE and The Highland Council was held earlier today.
Competition pool Now Open At Inverness Leisure
The competition pool at Inverness Leisure reopened today (Friday) following repaiirs to damage caused by a recent fire. The spa will reopen at 9 am tomorrow (Saturday).
24 Charities Benefit from Advent Calendar Project
The Highland Council’s Inverness Winter Festival Steering Group has announced the names of the 24 local charities and community groups that
Council to increase charges for commercial and industrial waste collection.
Highland councillors have agreed to increase charges by 20% for the collection and disposal of commercial and industrial wastes from 1st April, 2009.
Highland 2007 Evaluation Report
The Highland 2007 Evaluation Report on Scotland’s Year of Highland Culture was released today by The Highland Council, Highlands and Islands Enterprise and the Scottish Government.
New Developments For Planning Service
At a meeting of The Highland Council’s Planning, Environment and Development Committee Councillors agreed a number of recommendations that will have a significant impact on the future of the Planning Service.
Strathaird Closure is Blow to Highland Economy
The Seafood Company has announced it is entering a 90 day consultation on the proposed transfer of its smoked salmon production at Strathaird Salmon in Inverness to its operation in Fraserburgh. If the move goes ahead, Strathaird, which employs 354 staff, will close in August 2009.
Stagecoach Bluebird Strike Action – Friday 21 November 2008
A number of school bus services in Highland provided by Stagecoach Bluebird will not be operating tomorrow (Friday) or on Monday as the result of strike action.
City Centre Streetscape Project: Programme Update Union Street and Church Street
The Highland Council and their contractor ROK Civil Engineering are notifying City centre businesses and members of the public that carriageway resurfacing works within Union Street and Church Street will commence on Monday 24 November 2008.
High tea at Inverness Victorian Market
Regular visitors to Inverness Victorian Market are invited to participate in a novel event this Friday afternoon (21st November) when the Market traders, friends and customers will partake of “High Tea” in the main Market Arcade.
Highland pupils receive health and fitness checks
Pupils throughout Highland Council’s 184 primary schools are currently receiving health and fitness checks.
Council cuts speeding at 7 more Highland schools
As part of The Highland Council’s 20 mph limit at schools programme, 7 more primary schools throughout the Highlands now have 20mph speed limits around their buildings helping to protect children.
Recycling Points Removed from Hilton, Inverness
Five recycling containers located near Dow’s Diner, Hilton, Inverness, are being removed as the result of complaints that the containers have attracted anti-social behaviour.
A Celebration Of Cellists
Sixty young cellists and bassists from Highland primary and secondary schools gathered in Inverness yesterday (Tuesday 17 November) for a day of workshops, and master-classes and to play en-mass in celebration of the cello.
Tackling Impacts of Credit Crunch
The Highland Council is giving top priority to tackling the impacts on Highland communities of the Credit Crunch and large rises in energy bills.
Building a Fairer and Healthier Highland
The Highland Council, NHS Highland and Jobcentre + joined forces today to discuss ways they can work better together at getting people back into and in retaining employment.
HMIe report - Farr Primary School and Nursery Class
Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Education (HMIe) inspected Farr Primary and nursery class, Sutherland in the course of September, 2008. At the time of the inspection visit, the roll was 30 in the primary school and 4 in the nursery class.
Council invites bids for Care at Home Services
Plans by The Highland Council to modernise and significantly extend home care services to cope with more referrals and provide 24/7 cover take a step forward this week.
Inverness take-away fined for food safety offence
The owner of The Spice Malabar, 32A Church Street, Inverness has been fined £695 at the Sheriff Court, Inverness for failing to comply with food hygiene requirements.
Winter Festival Sparkles Into Life
The Highland Council has announced details of the programme for this year’s Christmas Lights Switch On Ceremony in Inverness, which will officially start the city’s eagerly- anticipated Winter Festival on Thursday (20th November).
Competition Pool at Inverness Leisure Re-Opens
The team at Inverness Leisure are delighted to announce that the competition pool at the centre will re-open to the public on Saturday 22nd November 2008, more than a week ahead of schedule.
Council supports Nairn bid to host international Golf Championship
A bid by Nairn Golf Club to attract and host the Senior Open Golf Championships in 2011 has received The Highland Council’s support.
How to be a "savvy shopper" this Christmas! - Know your shopping rights!
With only a few weeks left to shop till you drop, Highland Council’s Trading Standards in partnership with Consumer Direct Scotland want to take the opportunity to give Christmas consumers some timely shopping tips.
Good News for Highland Foster Carers
Highland’s 100 foster carers, who look after around 130 children and young people, have received a double boost.
Standalone Gaelic Primary Schools
The Highland Council’s Education, Culture and Sport Committee has agreed the principle of establishing a Gaelic Medium School to serve Greater Fort William and another to serve Portree and communities currently served by the Gaelic Medium provision in Portree Primary School, Skye.
Highland Council makes further progress on affordable housing developments
Members of The Highland Council’s Housing and Social Work Committee have agreed a number of recommendations that will see the provision of another 20 affordable new homes throughout the Highlands
£16 Million Upgrade for Garden of Skye
The completion of the fifth and final phase of improvements to one of Scotland’s most popular tourist routes was celebrated today (Friday) with an opening ceremony. £16 million has been invested in Sleat, Skye, on the upgrade of 14.5 miles between Broadford – Armadale, transforming the tortuous A851 single track road into a modern six-metre wide two- lane carriageway on a free-flowing alignment.
New Head Teacher for Ardnamurchan High School
Ardnamurchan High School, the newest secondary school in the Highlands, has a new head teacher. He is Christopher Millar-Craig, who has been acting head teacher of the 140-pupil school over the past year.
People in Lochaber invited to help shape new cancer information and support service
A new drop-in service offering information and support is due to open in Fort William Library next spring to help ensure that people affected by cancer in the Highlands get the right information, at the right time, in the right way.
Class size reduction implementation costs in Highland
Members of The Highland Council’s Education, Culture and Sport (ECS) Committee have reluctantly delayed implementation of the Scottish Government’s policy to introduce maximum class sizes of 18 in P1 - P3 as no funding is in place to meet the additional teaching staffing costs.
Operation Respect: aims to enhance city environment
A multi-agency group today (Thursday 13 November) launched a new initiative, which aims to enhance the cleanliness and safety of Inverness City Centre during the forthcoming Winter Festival, which runs from 20 November until 3 January, next year.
Good News for City Flat Tenants
The Highland Council has written to the tenants of 62 Council-owned flats at Glendoe Terrace, Inverness, to advise them of plans to modernise their homes in a phased programme of upgrading estimated to cost more than £3 million over a five year period.
Sports Facility Development Planning
In determining priorities for future investment in community sports facilities over the next five years, The Highland Council is to follow the principle of equalisation of provision across the Highlands, taking into account population and travel times to facilities.
Highland launches new Homelessness Strategy
The Highland Council’s Housing and Social Work Committee approved a new homelessness strategy today (Wednesday).
Young Musicians To Perform At Eden Court
Around 250 Highland musicians will be appearing on stage at Eden Court’s Empire Theatre on Monday 17th November.
Sutherland Swimming Pool re-opens
Sutherland Swimming Pool in Golspie has re-opened today (12 November 2008) following a temporary two-day closure by The Highland Council.
Brora streetscape enhancements consultation day
Residents in the Brora area are invited to an informal drop in session to view outline proposals for the improvements to the streetscape in the vicinity of Fountain Square and Gower Street.
Locals invited to have their say on transport issues.
Transport is the theme of the next Highland Council Dingwall and Seaforth Ward Forum.
Wind Turbine is Something to Shout About at Gairloch
Pupils at Gairloch High School have something to “Shout About” as a result of their success in a national Friends of the Earth climate change competition.
Charity Benefits from “High Societies” Website Competition
A Highland charity is to benefit from a competition to find a name for a new interactive web site, which will establish a database of groups, clubs and societies in the Highlands.
Alcohol awareness play tours Lochaber schools.
“A is for Alkie”, a play written by Ilona Munro, Lochaber’s Drama Worker with Eden Court Theatre, will be touring the area’s schools from Monday 17th November. The play takes the audience through the alphabet exploring issues around alcohol and its effects on individuals and the wider society.
Kate is Employee of the Year
Kate Birch, The Highland Council's Children's Services Manager for Inverness, Nairn and Badenoch and Strathspey, has been chosen at the Council's Employee of the year.
Fresh Public Engagement over Inverness Trunk Link Road Route
A joint meeting of The Highland Council’s Inverness Millburn and Inverness South Ward Forums will be held at Inshes Church, Inverness, on Thursday 20 November to update the public on proposals for routing the Eastern/Inshes Section of the proposed Inverness Trunk Link Road, which will link the A96 at Smithton to General Booth Road, Torvean.
Temporary closure of Sutherland Swimming Pool, Golspie.
The Highland Council has temporarily closed Sutherland Swimming Pool at Golspie today and tomorrow (10th, 11th Nov).
School bus transport affected by industrial action
It is anticipated that a number of school buses in the Inverness, Ross and Cromarty and Nairn areas will not be running tomorrow (Tuesday 11 November, 2008) due to industrial action being taken by drivers at Stagecoach Bluebird.
Moving Forward at Badaguish near Aviemore
Highland Youth Voice, the elected youth parliament for the Highlands, meets this weekend (14-16 November 2008) at Badaguish Outdoor Centre near Aviemore, when transport will be the focus of discussion.
Food For Thought at Highland Conference
Local food in the Highlands was the flavour of the day today (Friday) at a conference organised in Inverness by The Highland Council’s Planning and Development Service which attracted over 90 participants from across the Highlands and Islands.
Telford Street Traffic Update And Work On the B851
A problem with a Scottish Water underground service connection to the new ‘ALDI’ store on Telford Street means that Raynesway Construction are currently unable to switch westbound traffic from one side of the road to the other as planned.
Highland 2007 Legacy Programme - Round 1 Grants Awards Announced
Members of The Highland Council’s Education Culture and Sport Committee have been advised that 53 awards, totalling £388,649, have been approved in the first round of the new Highland 2007 Legacy Programme.
New Rural Recycling Collection service for Skye and Lochalsh
The Highland Council has invested in a new vehicle and crew to begin kerbside recycling collections in Skye and Lochalsh.
Ambassadors To Champion Council’s Commitment To Becoming Greener
Each Service of The Highland Council has elected Green Ambassadors in a move to raise awareness of important environmental issues, champion steps to cut down on energy usage and to promote the Reduce, Reuse, Recycle message to all staff.
Young Musicians Tune Up For Busy Month Of Performances
Young musicians from schools all over Highland are gearing up for what promises to be a very busy month.
Freedom Ceremonies For Two Highland Residents
The Highland Council is to bestow the title of Freeman, a prestigious honour which is rarely presented, to two Highland residents in recognition of their outstanding contributions to their communties.
Back to school for Ward Forum with lessons on Education and speeding
Officials hope that residents living in the Tain and Easter Ross Ward will rush to attend their Ward Forum next Thursday (13 November 2008) but not literally.
New design and features on Am Baile website
The Highland Council's awarding-winning bi-lingual Highland history and culture website - Am Baile - has been refreshed with a new look design, improved navigation and new features.
New Kerbside Recycling Collections for Rural Areas in Lochaber
The Highland Council has invested in a new vehicle and crew to expand the kerbside recycling routes in Lochaber.
Update on sites for new Care Homes
The Highland Council is giving care home residents and their families as well as interested parties the chance to learn more about plans for new care homes which will replace existing Council-run homes at Fort William, Inverness and Muir of Ord.
New Look For Caithness Countryside Volunteers
The Caithness Countryside Volunteers met last week to undertake path improvement works and vegetation control at Latheronwheel woodland.
Flying The Flag At Balloch Primary
Pupils at Balloch School are now able to show off their Eco School Green Flag which they achieved in June.
Open Day in Dingwall
The Highland Council’s Community Learning and Leisure team are holding a special open day in Dingwall next week for people to find out more about the services on offer.
Addressing Climate Change Issues in Glenurquhart
The Highland Council is hosting a workshop to explore the implications of climate change for the Glenurquhart community.
Update on Sites for New Care Homes
The Highland Council is giving care home residents and their families as well as interested parties the chance to learn more about plans for new care homes which will replace existing Council-run homes at Fort William, Inverness and Muir of Ord.
Raigmore Primary School Closed Due to Vandalism
Raigmore Primary School in Inverness is closed to pupils today (Tuesday) following a break-in last night (Monday), which resulted in damage being caused to the school.
Portree’s enterprising Gaelic project
The children of Portree Primary School and a school enterprise company called De-an- Duigh have produced the first DVD/CD dualdisc for children. This dualdisc is a single CD which can be played as a DVD on a TV and then turned over and played as a CD in any music system.
£26 million Inverness school opens
The £26 million new Millburn Academy, Inverness, opened its doors today (Monday) for the first time.
Bus services are focus of Ness-side Forum
Local people in The Highland Council’s Inverness Ness-side Ward have an opportunity to hear directly from bus operator Stagecoach this Thursday night (6th November).