Planning for the Future at Ward Forum
Residents, Community Councils and community representatives in the Tain and Easter Ross Ward have the opportunity to say what they think the area should be like in future at their Ward Forum next Wednesday (19 August).
Highland groups take part in National Long Distance Route Week
Six support groups in the Highlands took part in National Long Distance Route Week this summer with the help of the Great Glen Way Rangers, Forestry Commission Scotland and funding from Awards for All.
Nigg Yard Meeting Outcomes
Yesterday, a constructive meeting took place (27 July 2009) at The Highland Council’s headquarters in Inverness chaired by Enterprise Minister Jim Mather.
Highland Dragonfly is top of the ponds
A dragonfly in Highland has reached new heights as it was discovered breeding in a pond at 830 metres above sea level, a UK record, below the summit of Tom a’Choinich just north of Loch Affric. A female of the dragonfly in question, a Common Hawker, was seen egg laying at the pond and on further investigation a larva was found along with an adult that had just emerged that morning. The previous highest recorded dragonfly breeding in Scotland was at 650 metres.
Delivering better outcomes for the Highlands
A new agreement, setting out actions to deliver better public services in the Highlands, has been signed by key Highland public agencies and the Scottish Government.
Aviemore attracts Top Dog lovers' event
Dog lovers will have the chance to show off their pet’s talents, once more, at a fun event being held near Aviemore this weekend.
Work starts on Sensory Garden
Members and Friends of Thor House in Thurso have started work to create a new sensory garden that can be enjoyed by both respite and day care visitors to the centre.
Nairn Show-goers urged to sign environment pledge
Thousands of people due to attend this weekend's Nairn Show (1 August) are to be encouraged to sign a pledge to help protect the Highland seaside town's beautiful bathing beaches and picturesque river, which are under threat from pollution.
Armed Forces Day In Inverness On Saturday
Helping to celebrate and honour the outstanding contribution Armed Forces personnel have made to their country, Inverness’ Armed Forces Day will take place on Saturday 25 July 2009.
Team Highland Prepare To Jet Off to The Special Olympics
On the 24th July `Team Highland` will be getting `piped off` to The Special Olympics when they depart from Inverness Airport on their chartered flight to Leicester to compete in which will be the largest sporting event to be held in the UK in 2009.
Highland independent museums meet national standards
Months of hard work have paid off for seven Highland independent museums. Dunbeath Heritage Centre, Timespan (Helmsdale), Groam House Museum (Rosemarkie), Ullapool Museum, Grantown Museum, Gairloch Heritage Museum and the Museum of the Isles on Skye have all achieved museum accreditation, meeting the set of national standards for UK museums.
North West and Central Sutherland Ward Discretionary Budget Supports Local Projects
This is the third year that the Ward Discretionary Budget for North West and Central Sutherland (Ward 1) has been successfully used to support local projects. The awards have enabled many groups and organisations to progress with their projects and attract other funding which, with the discretionary budget, are valued at £171,527.
Masters World Championships Review
An estimated 7000 spectators braved torrential rain over the weekend to enjoy the Tulloch Homes sponsored Masters World Championships which was staged in Bught Park as part of the Inverness Highland Games.
Highland Dates For Performers From Spain’s Basque Region
One of the highlights of the 2009 Inverness Highland Games will be a performance by 65 members of the Nazioen Mundua (World of Nations) touring group from the Basque Region. Following their appearance at the Bught Park on Saturday and Sunday, the group of dancers and musicians will be entertaining audiences with their colourful show at four Highland locations next week.
Caithness Broch Centre To Open
The Caithness Broch Centre opens to the public on Saturday 25 July with a day of activities and talks. The centre, based in Auckengill Old School, takes over where the Northlands Viking Centre left off some three years ago. The new facility, collaboration between Caithness Archaeological Trust, National Museums Scotland and The Highland Council, will celebrate the extraordinarily rich archaeology landscape of Caithness.
Hill Walking For Beginners
The Highland Council Countryside Rangers are organising a hill walk to introduce people to hillwalking and navigation at Meall Fuar mhonaidh, near Drumnadrochit on Saturday 25th July from 10am to 4pm.
Harry Potter Highland Quest
With Harry Potter mania isweeping the nation following the launch of the latest film, The Highland Council Countryside Rangers and Forestry Commission Scotland Rangers have teamied up to organise a special Harry Potter Quest.
First Phase of Nairn Streetscape Opens
The first phase of the Nairn Streetscape Scheme - at The Brae, Nairn - has opened and The Highland Council is now seeking contractors to carry out the second phase of the project.
Contractors Sought for Major Inverness Flood Scheme
The Highland Council is seeking tenders from contractors to build the first two phases of the South-West Inverness Flood Relief Channel, having obtained the necessary Flood Prevention Order and planning consent for the £10 million project.
Inverness Highland Games Preview
The Bught Park, Inverness, will stage the North of Scotland’s biggest Homecoming celebration on Saturday and Sunday (18/19 July) as the Masters World Championships returns with a record number of overseas competitors.
City Road Closures During Highland Games
Motorists in Inverness are being notified of temporary road closures in the city from 8am on Saturday (18 July) until 8pm on Sunday (19 July) during the 2009 Inverness Highland Games which will take place in Bught Park.
Dawn’s International Call-Up
An Active Schools Co-ordinator, who works for The Highland Council, will represent Scotland later this month in the World Surf Kayak Championships.
Council Secures Additional Care at Home Services
Following a comprehensive tender exercise, The Highland Council has entered into contracts with three independent sector providers, to deliver additional care at home services across the Highlands, which will supplement the services provided by the Council’s in-house team of home carers and services already purchased from the independent sector.
Inverness tenants commended
Members of Glendoe Terrace Residents’ Association, Inverness, have been commended by The Highland Council for winning a national award - the Frances Nelson MBE Award 2009 - for outstanding achievement by a voluntary group in improving their local environment.
Caledonian Canal Ceilidh Trail – Cuairt Cèilidh a’ Chanàil Chaileannaich
Musicians and supporters of the 8th Caledonian Canal Ceilidh Trail cast off today (10 July, 2009) on the MV Caledonian at Muirtown Basin Marina, Inverness to promote the new band line up for 2009. Caledonian Canal Ceilidh Trail is a traditional music project which runs from Monday 13 July to Friday 7 August.
Success of Caithness Theatre Event - Transform Caithness: Hunter
Last week saw the culmination of two months of hard work by over 170 Thurso High School students and members of the Thurso community with three performances of a major new theatre event -Transform Caithness: Hunter.
Providing a Focus for the Community in Aviemore
Work on the new £9 million Aviemore Primary School is set to start in May of next year and be open by July 2011.
Prompt and Positive Government Responses at Nigg
The Convener of The Highland Council Councillor Sandy Park has received positive news from both the UK and Scottish Governments over plans to regenerate the former oil fabrication yard and surrounding land at Nigg, East Ross as a multi-user facility over the next 15-20 years.
Johnston Revisited - A Photographic Exhibition
The Wick Society have put together an extraordinary exhibition of some fifty images from the Johnston Collection, now showing in the St Fergus Gallery, Wick. The images were printed on a new large format A1 printer obtained recently by the Wick Society with grant aid from Awards for All and the Highland Council Culture Fund. The original photographic plates were made by three generations of the Johnston family between the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
Council Signs Historic Agreement
The Highland Council has signed and sealed a formal agreement with the National Archives of Scotland and the Church of Scotland to secure the transfer of historical documents from Highland Presbyteries and Kirk Sessions to Inverness.
Spean Bridge Hotel Answers the Call
To the relief of the Spean Bridge business community, The Highland Council has identified a new location for a comfort break in the village.
Update on suspected norovirus outbreak on Marco Polo
Three people remain in Raigmore Hospital after falling ill on board the Marco Polo docked at Invergordon.
Council clamps down on hazardous city centre advertising boards
Following the opening of the Inverness streetscape project, city centre business owners in Inverness have been advised – in the interests of public safety - to remove all free-standing advertising boards erected on public footpaths.
New Head Teacher for Teanassie and Tomnacross
Mrs Josephine Offord, currently Head Teacher at Carrbridge Primary School, has been appointed Head Teacher of Teanassie and Tomnacross Primary Schools.
Launch of Highland Physical Activity and Sport Strategy
A plan to create a healthier and more active Highlands and at the same time help talented sports people realise their full potential has been launched with the publication of the Highland PASS (Physical Activity and Sport Strategy).
Celebrating Legion Pipe Band Anniversary and Armed Forces Day
More than 100 pipes and drums from five pipe bands will march through Inverness on Saturday 25 July to celebrate the 90th anniversary of the Royal British Legion’s Inverness Branch Pipe Band as well as Armed Forces Day.
Inverness Prison Visiting Committee
Applications are invited from persons wishing to be considered for appointment to the Inverness Prison Visiting Committee.
Portree Primary School Demonstrates It’s Got An “Appetite For Action”
Portree Primary School on the Isle of Skye has won £3000 as part of this year’s ‘Appetite for Action’ competition organised by Sky and their environmental charity partner Global Action Plan. Their Appetite for Action initiative aims to help primary schools learn about how to make the food they eat more sustainable and challenges schools to make a difference.
Modernising the Planning System
Changes to the determination of local planning applications will be introduced later in the year to speed up the decision-making process and encourage inward investment.
Dingwall Library To Host Special Events Over The Summer
During the summer holidays Dingwall library will be hosting various special events and activities including a visit from a Canadian War Bride to talk about her experience and two events for all pre-school children organised by Dingwall Gaelic Nursery.
Death of Inverness Teacher
The Inverness school teacher, who became unconscious at the wheel of a minibus when driving a school rugby team back from a match in Plockton in February, has sadly died in Highland Hospice.
NCJA welcomes additional Community Service funding
The Northern Community Justice Authority (NCJA) has welcomed additional funding to help deliver Community Service sentences faster and more efficiently. The Scottish Government has announced that the justice authority will get an additional £172,604 as part of a £1.5million national funding boost.
Community Project Pioneered in the Cairngorms National Park Recognised by Scottish Government
A successful project pioneered in the Cairngorms National Park to match rural communities with the services they need has been recognised at the highest level.
Common Dolphins put on a great show
Pods of up to 200 Common Dolphins have recently been seen in the Assynt area and have given tourists some marvellous viewing opportunities.
HISCG acknowledge Scottish Government approach to swine flu
Members of the Highlands and Islands Strategic Co-ordinating Group (HISCG) acknowledge the Scottish Government's announcement yesterday regarding the change in approach from a containment to treatment phase.
Pupils, Staff and Guests Celebrate the Official Opening Of Dingwall Academy
Over 800 pupils, staff members and invited guests joined together in Dingwall Academy to celebrate the first full year of education in the £28 million school. During the ceremony, which featured music by the school orchestra and two performances by the junior choir, The Highland Council Convener Sandy Park and Councillor Margaret Paterson, Dingwall and Seaforth, unveiled a plaque to formally mark the official opening of the school.
Keep Up To Date With The Work Of The Development Plans Team
Today (Thursday 2 July) sees the launch of the new Blog for the Highland wide Local Development Plan. The Blog will be updated regularly with information on meetings and events hosted and attended by the Development Plans team at The Highland Council.
Success For Sutherland Primary School
Pupils from Brora Primary will end the term on a high as their school is the first in the North Highlands to be awarded the Scottish Football Association Level 1 Quality Mark in recognition of the high standards continuously maintained by the coaching team.
Community Input Wanted To Create Colourful Celebrations At Ness Bridge
As part of its vision for Inverness city centre The Highland Council has made a key feature of the Ness Bridge by installing strips of colour-changing LED lights to the 68 metre long underside of the bridge. The lighting installation is fully programmable using software which can be used to design a myriad of dynamic, animated colour schemes.
Renewable Energy Black Isle Style
Following on from last year’s Black Isle Ward Forum on the subject of Greening the Black Isle, 14 community buildings across the Black Isle Ward have now successfully had their premises audited for energy efficiency, energy management and renewable energy options.
Council staff swap car journeys to help “Change the World”
Staff of The Highland Council are entering into the spirit of Change Your Life Week (29 June – 4 July), by walking, cycling, car-sharing or using public transport to get to work.
Dawn's International Call-up.
An Active Schools Co-ordinator, who works for The Highland Council, will represent Scotland later this month in the World Surf Kayak Championships.