Highland school previews animated film
An animated film made by pupils of Ferintosh Primary School on the Black Isle will be previewed on Thursday 2 October, 2008 from 6:30pm to 7:30pm at Kinkell House Hotel.
Enterprising pupils help reduce plastic bag usage
Pupils at an Inverness Primary School are helping local people to cut down on their use of plastic bags through a school enterprise project.
UK Flagship Housing Project Receives Funding Boost
A new funding package of £205,000 is being pieced together to ensure that The Highland Housing Fair, the UK’s first housing exhibition, goes ahead in the summer of 2010. The Highland Council's Planning Environment and Development Committee is an active promoter and supporter of the event and has agreed to submit a bid to the Council’s Resources Committee for additional funding of £40,000. The Forestry Commission has already confirmed support of £30,000.
Highland Archaeology Festival - 4 to 19 October 2008
A programme of events for this year’s Highland Archaeology Festival, which runs from October 4th - 19th inclusive, has now been published.
A890 road closes for essential maintenance works
To enable essential rock removal works to proceed along the A890 Auchtertyre to Strathcarron road at the Stromeferry bypass, The Highland Council requires closing the road next weekend.
Drugs Alert in Skye
The Head Teacher of Portree High School, Catherine MacDonald, has written to parents to alert them to the need for vigilance against the misuse of drugs in the community
Flying the Eco Flag
Kirkhill Primary School by Beauly, who were awarded an Eco School Green Flag in June, will be holding a short flag raising ceremony next Wednesday afternoon to celebrate their achievement.
Motorists urged to slow down at three Highland Schools
Three more schools in the Highlands have had 20 mph speed limits introduced for children’s safety.
Chance To Convert Waste Into Energy On Isle of Skye
Residents in Skye and Lochalsh could see their waste converted to energy if Council plans to develop the first Highland small Energy from Waste (EfW) plant in Portree go ahead.
First Minister to Attend Caithness Conference
The second annual Caithness Regeneration Conference takes place next week, arranged by key organisations in the area.
Culbokie 3 Bin Trial To Continue
Since February, 125 volunteer households in Culbokie have been taking part in The Highland Council’s recycling trial and due to the success of this scheme, members of the TECs Services Committee agree for the trial to continue.
Strike Action – Wednesday 24 September
Services provided by The Highland Council will be disrupted on Wednesday 24 September as the result of industrial action, which is part of nationwide action by Unite the Union, GMB and Unison members in respect of the National Pay Award.
Highland libraries raise a cheer for Inverness Book Festival
A range of events and activities have been organised by Highland Council’s libraries in the City of Inverness and surrounding area during the 5th Inverness Book Festival (30 September – 3 October 2008).
Benefit backdate rules to change
Despite the worsening credit crunch, The Highland Council warns that there are still too many people missing out on money they are entitled to in welfare benefits.
Company Statement from Inverness Leisure - incident update
Following a meeting today with representatives from the Landlord, the insurers, Senior Management Representatives and the Company’s Project Manager, James Martin, General Manager of Inverness Leisure issued the following update. He said, “We have had a very positive and productive meeting today and my team from Inverness Leisure are working very closely in partnership with our insurers representatives in order to get the facilities open as soon as possible
The Freedom of Ross and Cromarty
At a ceremony held in Tulloch Castle on Friday evening, The Highland Council presented James Hamilton (Hamish) Menzies from Dingwall with the Freedom of Ross and Cromarty.
Work to Start on Environmental Improvements for Kyle of Lochalsh
Works are due to begin on up-grading Main Street in Kyle of Lochalsh at the end of this month.
Highland Council gets Fit for Girls funding
The fitness of secondary school aged girls in the Highlands is set to improve with the introduction of a ‘Fit for Girls’ programme.
Council Chiefs to Attend Tain & Easter Ross Ward Forum
The Convener of The Highland Council, Sandy Park and Chief Executive, Alistair Dodds will be attending the Tain and Easter Ross Ward, on Thursday 2 October 2008, to discuss with community representatives ‘How can we influence and improve Council services at a local level?
Charleston Academy Cook up a Highland Feast
Two pupils from Charleston Academy have won the coveted title of Highland Feast Junior Chefs of the Year at the Tesco Battle of the Chefs. They were Caitlin Grainger and Leanne Maitland, from Charleston Academy.
Community Safety to Be Top of Agenda
The Cromarty Firth Ward forum meets on Thursday 9th October, and the focus will be on keeping communities safe.
Railway Bridge Maintenance Work In The Inverness Area
During the month of October, Atkins Rail, on behalf of Carillion Rail, will be carrying out maintenance work at various bridges around the Highland road network. Road users are being advised that although disruption will be kept to a minimum, they may find some delays in the journeys during the period of works.
Temporary Road Closures During Loch Ness Marathon
On Sunday 5 October the 2008 Loch Ness Marathon and Festival of Running takes place and Highland drivers are being advised that temporary road closures will be in place during the day.
Ward Forum to Focus on Canal Bridge Opening Arrangements
The public will get a chance later this week to have their say on a review of the existing arrangements for the opening of the Caledonian Canal Bridges at Muirtown and Tomnahurich, Inverness.
Young Musicians Rehearse For November Showcase Gala
Tomorrow (Saturday 20 September) the Highland Regional Youth Orchestra and the new Highland Youth Pipe Band will be busy rehearsing for a special musical gala showcase in November that will celebrate 20 years of Regional Music Groups in the Highlands.
Evening Temporary Traffic Management In City Centre
On four consecutive Monday evenings, starting next week, the permanent traffic lights on Academy Street at it’s junction with Margaret Street will be switched off from 8pm to midnight and a temporary traffic management system will be in operation.
Rising Energy Costs Impact on Council Budget
The Highland Council’s new Budget Leader has warned that the Council faces a £19.6 million gap in its 2009/10 budget, £14 million of which is due to spiralling energy costs.
New Enforcement Officer
The Highland Council and Northern Constabulary are joining forces this week to launch a crack down on litter in the centre of Inverness. £1.2 million will be spent on street cleaning in Inverness and another £1.4 million on grounds maintenance next year.
ECS Chairman Highlights Benefits of PPP Programmes
The Chairman of The Highland Council’s Education Culture and Sport Committee, Councillor Bill Fernie, has issued a statement highlighting the benefits to many Highland communities of the two Public Private Partnership education programmes promoted by the Council.
Unlocking the Potential of Nigg’s Disused Oil Yard
A redeveloped oil yard at Nigg, Easter Ross, has the potential to provide an average of 800-850 jobs on the site over the next 15 to 20 years, with a further 400 indirect jobs created in the wider local economy and boosting it by £60-65 million per year.
Local Engineer is Highland’s Top Young Entrepreneur
Chris Blake, 26, founder of geological testing outfit, Blake Geoservices Ltd has been named Highland’s top young entrepreneur after winning the prestigious 2008 Princes Scottish Youth Business Trust (PSYBT) Business Award and a cash boost of £1,000.
New Highland Young People's Champion
Catriona Burns from Inverness this week took up her new full-time role as the Highland’s Youth Convener.
Funding to continue for Highland apprenticeship scheme
A trade apprenticeship scheme which has employed and trained 22 young people over the last 4 years is to be extended by The Highland Council.
Council progresses affordable housing developments in the Highlands
A package of land sales and loans to the value of £4.094 million, which will enable the development of over 150 affordable homes in the Highlands, was yesterday (17 Sep. 08) agreed by The Highland Council’s Housing and Social Work Committee.
Sun Rays Reducing Energy Bills
The Highland Council is using solar energy to cut power bills thanks to the installation of 64 photo-voltaic panels which have been mounted on the south facing roof of the Council Headquarters building on Glenurquhart Road in Inverness.
Caithness Councillor Goes Green With Cooking Oil
Householders in Caithness now have a more environmentally friendly way to dispose of their waste cooking oils thanks to the introduction of new specific banks at Wick, Thurso and Seater Recycling Centres.
Presentation of The Freedom of Ross and Cromarty
Gaelic stalwart James Hamilton (Hamish) Menzies from Dingwall will be presented with the Freedom of Ross and Cromarty during a special ceremony on Friday (19 September) in Tulloch Castle Hotel.
Council appoints Licensing Standards Officer for the North Highlands
The Highland Council has appointed David Inglis as the Licensing Standards Officer for the Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross areas.
Aquadome Update
Having now had a chance to assess the various aspects of damaged caused by the fire on Saturday with the Company’s Project Manager, James Martin said, “We want to try and keep our customers as up-to-date as possible and having now spoken with our Project Manager review the possibility of re-opening I am now in a position to firm up some details our users may find useful.
Latest Inverness Aquadome statement
Following on from the fire at Inverness Leisure at the weekend which resulted in a full building evacuation, James Martin, General Manager at the Bught Lane facilities commented, “Both myself and the Head of Operations have met with an assessor from our insurers today and are pleased to inform our customers that we have started to progress towards getting the pool facilities open again.
New Youth Club At Torridon
Fourteen young people from the Torridon, Shieldaig and Kinlochewe area met on Saturday 13 September at Torridon Hall for the first night of a new youth club.
Preferred Site for Highland Gallery and Museum identified
The Royal Mail’s Sorting Office in Inverness, has been identified as the preferred site for a new Highland Gallery and Museum by The Highland Council’s Inverness City Committee.
Council supports Inverness Gaelic Choir
Inverness Common Good Fund and The Highland Council are helping Inverness Gaelic Choir to fulfil their plans to be the first Scottish Gaelic choir invited to participate in the prestigious Celtic Colours festival in Cape Breton from 9 – 16 October.
Inverness Aquadome update
Following on from the fire at Inverness Leisure this weekend, James Martin commented, “We have now had a chance to communicate with our insurers and we are hopeful that their experts will visit the centre very soon to assess the damage.
Time limit to be introduced on Inverness disabled parking bays
Inverness is to follow the example of other cities by introducing a time limit on designated disabled parking bays.
Fire damage at Inverness Aquadome Update
Following on from the fire which closed Inverness Leisure yesterday [Saturday], James Martin General Manager commented, “We have now had the opportunity to further assess the damage in the plant room caused by the fire.
Depute Provosts elected for Inverness
The Highland Council’s Inverness City Committee has elected two Depute Provosts to assist Provost Jimmy Gray.
Guidebook published for Inverness Town House
A guidebook, which gives a flavour of the history and culture of Inverness Town House, was published this week by The Highland Council.
Launch of Inverness Winter Festival
Members of The Highland Council’s Inverness City Committee will be asked on Monday (15 September) to give the green light to a new look community-based winter festival.
Council introduces speed limits at nine more Highland Schools
From Monday 15th September, 2008, eight more schools in the Highlands will have part time 20mph speed limits in operation for children’s’ safety and one school will have its 20mph signage extended.
Hilton Environmental Project
Residents at Hilton, Inverness, have played their part in an environmental project in the heart of their community, which was formally opened today (Thursday) by Provost Jimmy Gray, Chairman of The Highland Council’s Inverness City Committee.
Roadworks on Kenneth Street
Drivers, pedestrians and local residents are being advised that work will start on Monday (15 September) to construct a new traffic island on Kenneth Street at its junction with Tomnahurich Street.
Skye gears up for LEADER
This week sees the launch of a consultation to identify ideas and projects which might be eligible for funding under the new LEADER programme.
Drama, Comedy and Dance for Fortrose
The Fortrose Community Theatre on the Black Isle will be running a programme of events this Autumn, offering people the chance to enjoy live performances in local, and comfortable surroundings.
Views of School Leavers Sought
SPICE, a Senior Pupil’s Interactive Consultation Event, will be held in the Drumossie Hotel in Inverness on Thursday (11 September), giving young people from Highland who are leaving school from 4th to 6th year the opportunity to let the Council’s Education, Culture and Sport Service know about their experiences.
Opera Singing Workshop For Secondary Pupils
Invergordon Academy was ringing out with the sound of singing on Tuesday when secondary pupils from Invergordon, Tain, Dornoch, Fortrose and Dingwall joined voices with Scottish Opera.
Consultation on Gaelic Medium Primary School provision in Skye and in Lochaber
The Highland Council has launched public consultations on proposals to develop two stand-alone Gaelic primary schools, one for Portree on the Isle of Skye and another in Fort William, Lochaber.
Highlands and Islands schools to receive renewable energy toolkits
Pupils in schools across the Highlands and Islands are to receive toolkits demonstrating the importance of renewable energy and energy efficiency.
The Kirking of the Council
This year’s Kirking of the Council, which took place in Inverness on Sunday 7 September, was marked with colour and pageantry as the combined Pipe Bands of the Royal British Legion and Northern Constabulary led eight uniformed youth groups along High Street and down Church Street to the Old High Kirk – the oldest church in the City.
Choose Life appeals to people in the Highlands : ‘Don’t hide it. Talk about it.’
To mark Suicide Prevention Week (8–14 September), Choose Life, Scotland’s national strategy to prevent suicide, is calling on people in the Highlands to help save lives by bringing suicide out into the open with the national campaign ‘Don’t hide it. Talk about it.’
Glenurquhart Primary Pupils donate funds raised from ceilidh CD
Pupils of Glenurquhart Primary school will tomorrow (Tuesday 9th September at 2.30pm) celebrate the results of an enterprise project by donating £350 to the Macmillan Nurses cancer charity and the Highland Heart Nurse appeal.
Great Glen Way – Invergarry Link alternative
A link route as an alternative to part of the Great Glen Way has now been included alongside the long distance route at Invergarry. The Invergarry Link is the first section to be included as an alternative to the original Great Glen Way.
Local Schools Take Part In Johnson & Johnson Initiative
Third year pupils from Alness and Invergordon academies will gain insight into careers in health care thanks to a Johnson & Johnson education programme.
Nigg Legal Access
Highland Councillors have been assured that progress is being made in the bid to compulsorily purchase and redevelop the former oil yard at Nigg, Easter Ross.
BLAS Festival Offers Role Model for Festival Delivery
The fastest growing Gaelic and traditional music festival in the UK looks set to deliver a role model for modern festival delivery, especially in remote geographical areas.
New Chair For Climate Change Working Group
Councillor Michael Foxley has been appointed as the new chairman of The Highland Council’s Climate Change Working Group. The group, made up of 15 cross party elected members, is overseeing the production and implementation of a climate strategy for the Highlands.
Council Approves Portree Supermarket Plan
The Highland Council has confirmed approval of an outline planning application for a supermarket in Portree, Skye.
Plans for new Aviemore Youth Centre unveiled
Plans were unveiled today in Aviemore for a proposed construction development providing retail space and a new youth centre for the area.
Inspiring applications to first round of Highland 2007 Legacy Programme
Following the recent closing date for the first round of the new Highland 2007 Legacy Programme, The Highland Council has announced that almost 200 applications were received, to a value in excess of £2.5 million.
Go-Ahead Highland Youth Ambassador Bids Farewell
The Highland’s first Youth Convener, Gillian Slider, was praised today (Thursday) for the important contribution she has made to youth work in the Highlands during her year in post.
Getting It Right for Every Child
Children’s welfare agencies in the Highlands are welcoming the Scottish Government’s support for the Getting it right for every child programme, which is being piloted in the Highlands.
Pioneering Acharacle School Attracts Interest from Afar
The staff and pupils of Acharacle Primary School, Lochaber, are attracting nationwide interest in their state of the art timber school, which is taking shape and should open early in the new year.
New Library Service For Evanton
The new library service for the village of Evanton got a big “thumbs up” by pupils when the bright yellow mobile library pulled up outside their school on Tuesday (2 Sept) for the first time. Throughout the morning pupils from P1 up to P7 took turns to go onboard and chose books to borrow from the large selection available.
Critters explore Caithness coast
Caithness Critters, a local children’s nature group organised by The Highland Council’s Countryside Rangers, met on Saturday 30th August to cruise the Caithness coast.
Council Consults on Future Layout for Invergordon High Street
As part of a long term plan to improve the Easter Ross town, The Highland Council is preparing to consult with local residents and businesses on the layout of Invergordon High Street.
Ground Breaking Work at Drummuie, Golspie
The creation of a new working environment and more efficient working practices within The Highland Council’s new East Sutherland office accommodation at Drummuie, Golspie, is estimated to achieve full year savings of £250,000.
Hungry Caterpillar event at Glen Urquhart Library
Members of the local community in Drumnadrochit will meet at Glen Urquhart Library and Learning Centre this Saturday 6 September, 2008 at 10:30am to view the unveiling of a “Very Hungry Caterpillar” wall hanging.
Countryside Ranger events explore the secret world of Bats
The Highland Council’s Countryside Rangers will hosting a series of events to reveal the little known truths of bats.
A82 Campaign Team Meet Minister for Transport
Key politicians, business representatives and community leaders this week met Scottish Minister for Transport, Stewart Stevenson, to press for improvements on one of the most scenic but dangerous stretches of trunk road in the United Kingdom.
Lane widening, Telford Street, Inverness
Motorists and pedestrians are being advised that construction works relating to the new ALDI store on Telford Street, Inverness starting on Monday 8 September, 2008 will impact upon traffic flow and pedestrian movements.
Spean Bridge HMIE
Spean Bridge Primary School and Nursery Class were inspected in May 2008 as part of a national sample of primary and nursery education.
HMIE for Caol
Caol Primary School and Nursery Class were inspected in April/May 2008 as part of a national sample of primary and nursery education.
HMIE Report on Applecross Primary and Nursery
Applecross Primary School received a mixed report from HM Inspectors who visited the school in May 2008 as part of a national sample of primary education, covering key aspects of the school’s work at all stages.
Tarbat Old Primary and nursery class
Tarbat Old Primary and nursery class were inspected by HMIe in the course of May, 2008.
HMIe reports on Kinlochbervie Primary School and Helmsdale Primary and Nursery Class.
HM Inspectors have today (2 September, 2008) published reports of their visits to Kinlochbervie Primary School and Helmsdale Primary and Nursery Class.
Council puts the brakes on drivers at two more Sutherland Schools
Two schools in Sutherland now have 20’s plenty advisory speed limits introduced.
Traffic restructions during Streetscape works in Union Street and Drummond Street, Inverness
Inverness city centre Streetscape works will advance in Union Street and Drummond Street, over the coming weeks as the contractor begins to lay granite sets in a section of the carriageway.
English language learners visit Highland Folk Museum
A group of adults who are learning English as a second or other language recently spent a day with their tutors at the Highland Folk Museum in Newtonmore.