Inverness South West Channel delay
The Highland Council has confirmed that it has the full co-operation of land owners and regulatory bodies, such as SNH and SEPA, for the construction of the South West Channel Flood Prevention Scheme at Inverness.
Holidaymakers urged to shop around for the best bureaux de change rate deals
Trading Standards Officers with The Highland Council are advising holidaymakers and travellers to shop around for the best deals when buying their holiday money from local bureaux de change outlets.
Partnership agreement aims to save Highland lives
A partnership agreement signed today by representatives of the Highlands and Islands Fire and Rescue Service (HIFRS) and The Highland Council’s Housing and Property Service aims to save the lives of homeless people in the Highlands.
Buannachdan teagasg dà-chànanach a’ cruthachadh iarrtas airson ginealach ùr de thidsearan Gàidhlig.
Tha na figearan mu dheireadh bho Chomhairle na Gàidhealtachd a’ sealltainn buileachadh cudromach am measg sgoilearan Meadhan na Gàidhlig.
Bridge to employment builds inter-school teams
Tomorrow (Wednesday 30 September) it won’t be just squirrels swinging through the trees in the Cairngorm National Park as over 70 pupils from six Highland secondary schools will be taking part in outdoor activities as part of an educational programme aimed at helping the youngsters gain insight into careers in health care.
Highland Pupils Learn About Health Career Opportunities
123 S4 pupils from 16 Highland secondary schools attended a special event at the Centre for Health Science in Inverness today (Tuesday 29 September) to find out more about careers in medicine and other health professions.
TV favourite used to collect young people’s views
Youngsters in Tain and Easter Ross have been taking part in a Big Brother diary room project to get their views across at the next Ward Forum in the area.
Dornoch Burghfield Campus Hosts Tourism Ward Forum
The next East Sutherland and Edderton Ward Forum will be held on Monday 5 October at 7.30pm in the new North Highland College campus at the Burghfield, Dornoch.
Benefits of bilingual teaching generate demand for new generation of Gaelic teachers
Latest figures from The Highland Council reveal significant attainment for Gaelic Medium pupils.
South West Channel Flood Scheme Delay
The works to construct the Inverness South West Flood Relief Channel, which will divert flood water from the south side of Inverness away from residential properties in Hilton, Lochardil, and Holm by collecting overflow water from the burns on the sought side of Inverness and channelling it into the River Ness have been delayed.
Caithness Wards’ Discretionary Budget Awards
A number of local groups have recently benefited from grants awarded from The Highland Council’s Thurso, Wick and Landward Caithness Wards’ Discretionary budgets.
Locals urged to stand for Dulnain Bridge Community Council
People in the Dulnain Bridge area are being urged to stand for election onto Dulnain Bridge Community Council.
Inverness pupils get a taste for British Cheese Week
An Inverness Primary School is organising a cheese tasting session to celebrate British Cheese Week starting on 26 September 2009.
Celtic Games to be held in Kinlochleven
Children from primary schools in South Lochaber will be joining together this week to take part in a Festival of Celtic Games on Wednesday 30 September.
Good news for Wick
The Highland Council has warmly welcomed news that Wick High School is to attract significant funding from the Scottish Government
Launch of National Business Advice Service in the Highlands and Islands
Business Gateway, the national business advice service, has been formally launched in the Highlands and Islands today by John Swinney MSP, Cabinet Secretary for Finance and Sustainable Growth.
Joint action plan agreed for Highland road upgrades
A joint action plan has been agreed between The Highland Council, the Scottish Government and Transport Scotland to promote strategic road projects in the Highlands. A council delegation met Stewart Stevenson, Minister for Transport, infrastructure and Climate Change in Edinburgh earlier this week when further progress was made in taking the plan forward.
Inverness Millburn Ward Forum
Flood prevention is the theme of the next Inverness Millburn Ward Forum being held at Inverness Town House on Tuesday 29 September. Chaired by Councillor Ian Brown, the meeting will start at 7.30 pm.
Inverness cemetery to be extended
An additional 750 new burial lairs are to be provided at Kilvean Cemetery, Inverness, from 2013 on land that will be created by the demolition of the derelict Kilvean House and its walled garden.
City roads to close for detailed Clock Tower inspection.
The Highland Council is notifying motorists, cyclists and motor cyclists that various temporary road closures will take place on Sunday 27 September between 6am and 3pm in Inverness city centre.
Forum focuses on city environment
The Highland Council is hosting a city forum on the work of Transport, Environmental and Community Services in Inverness Town House, on Thursday 1 October 2009, starting at 7 pm.
Helping hand for community groups
A scheme aimed at helping community groups access support for their ideas and projects was launched this week.
Kingussie High School Window Replacement Contract
The Highland Council is currently replacing 165 windows at Kingussie High School. This major project will replace the old single-glazed windows with modern double glazed windows to provide a safer and more comfortable environment for the pupils and staff.
Highland Archaeology Festival 2009
A new packed programme of special events has been launched for the 16th Highland Archaeology Festival, which gets underway on Saturday 3 October for two weeks. More than 100 events, most of which are free, are included in the programme which celebrates the archaeology, history, landscape and culture of the Highlands. There is something for everyone - with events ranging from guided walks, family events, self-guided trails, archaeological survey, evening lectures and exhibitions.
Council celebrates completion of 20mph programme around Highland schools
Pupils at Altnaharra Primary School in central Sutherland will next week help The Highland Council to celebrate the completion of a speed reduction programme throughout Highland Schools.
Temporary road closures during Loch Ness Marathon
On Sunday 4th October 2009 the Loch Ness Marathon, River Ness 10K Race and River Ness 5K Fun Run, take place and motorists are being advised by The Highland Council that temporary road closures will be in place during the day.
A890 road closes for essential maintenance works
The Highland Council is to close the A890 Auchtertyre to Strathcarron road at Stromeferry bypass on Sunday 4 October 2009 for essential rock removal works.
Praise for Innovative Inverness Arts Project
The Provost of Inverness, Councillor Jimmy Gray, has praised the innovative arts project, Re-Imagining the Centre, which took place recently in the city centre.
Views Sought On New Plan To Help Highland Wildlife
Views are being sought on a new plan to help wildlife across Highland. The draft Highland Biodiversity Action Plan was drawn up by the Highland Biodiversity Partnership, and goes out to public consultation today (Monday 21 September).
Highland Fencer Is British Male Junior Fencer Of The Year
Ed Jefferies from Munlochy and a former pupil of Fortrose Academy was awarded the title of Male Junior Fencer of the Year at the British Fencing AGM held in Telford on the 12th September.
Pupils To Enjoy Haunted Heritage Sessions
Pupils from Ardersier, Raigmore and Balnain primary schools may notice some spooky and ghostly goings-on this weeks when they take part in history lessons with a difference.
Blas Festival Bucks Credit Crunch To Post Record Figures
The Blas Festival has enhanced its reputation as the fastest growing festival in the UK by showing an increase in ticket sales of 25 per cent. Thousands attended its cultural events of music and Gaelic across the Highland region with half of them selling out and 80 per cent of all available seats taken.
Council Commitment to Trade Apprenticeship Scheme
The Highland Council’s trade apprenticeship scheme is being hailed a big success as it enters its fifth year, with trainees proving to be a valuable addition to the Building Maintenance Team within the Housing and Property Service.
Leaving Home exhibitions celebrate Highland Homecoming
Two exhibitions which focus on emigration and immigration open on Saturday (19 September) at Inverness Museum and Art Gallery as part of the Homecoming Scotland celebrations.
Major Consultation Planned Over Community Council Review
The first phase of a major review of Community Council arrangements in Highland, focusing on boundaries, gets under way on Monday 21 September.
Young Highlanders encouraged to eat healthy snacks
Guidance on healthy snacks created by The Highland Council and NHS Highland is being provided in all school communities throughout the Highlands to help support the Schools (Health Promotion and Nutrition) (Scotland) Act 2007.
Budget Leader Responds to Scottish Government Public Spending Announcement
The Highland Council’s Budget Leader Councillor David Alston said the curbs on public spending announced today Thursday) by the Scottish Government were anticipated and the Council was already planning ahead three years to meet the reduced funding.
Convener Confirms Council Commitment to Caithness
Work has begun this week on a feasibility study into the major upgrade of Wick High School.
Beneficiaries of Duncraig Educational Trust announced
A scheme which was launched in May 2008 to assist talented young Highland people is now paying out grants totalling £25,000 to 33 individuals for 2009.
Launch of Inverness Winter Festival 2009
The programme for the 2009 Inverness Winter Festival was officially launched at Inverness Town House today (Thursday) when Provost Jimmy Gray, Chairman of The Highland Council’s Inverness City Committee, revealed that this year’s celebrations will last from Halloween to Hogmanay.
Thurso Cemetery Bridge Opening Ceremony
A ceremony is to be held on Friday 2 October to mark the opening of a new footbridge which forms an important pedestrian link over the River Thurso, below Thurso Cemetery.
Managing the Social Work Budget
The Highland Council’s Housing and Social Work Committee has given its backing to the management of the Social Work Service to implement a robust action plan, which aims to recover a projected overspend of £3.437 million on the Social Work budget.
Council to bid for funds for house building in the Highlands
Members of The Highland Council’s Housing and Social Work Committee have unanimously agreed to bid for funding to reintroduce council house building - after a gap of 14 years.
Handyperson Service expands through the Highlands
A Handyperson Service for people aged over 65 or living with a disability was launched today Thursday 17 September at the Spectrum Centre, Inverness.
False claims to claim your money back
The Highland Council’s Trading Standards are asking members of the public to beware following recent reported incidents about companies seeking business by saying they can ‘assist claims’ that can be made for overpaid Council Tax or other benefits. They are also prepared to state that they are working on behalf of The Highland Council when they are not.
Prizes for Poo in the Park
Highland Council Enforcement Officers in Inverness are to reward responsible dog owners with prizes over the next three months. Officers are on the lookout for dog owners who pick up their dog poo and dispose of it properly. Owners will be rewarded with vouchers from Crown Vets, in Inverness.
Garden Centre Owner is Top Young Entrepreneur
Katrina McDowell, founder of The Old Orchard Gardens, Lochaline has been named Highland’s top young entrepreneur after winning the 2009 Princes Scottish Youth Business Trust (PSYBT) Awards.
New sports facilities for Inverness West
An Inverness school and local community now have two multi-use games areas available for outdoor sports activities which were developed at a cost of £160,000.
Business As Usual During Streetscape Works
Work has started on the first phase of a £947,000 package of town centre improvements in Dingwall.
Caithness Volunteers go on the offensive against invasive plant species
Caithness Countryside Volunteers had a hard day’s work on Sunday 13 September at Tister Farm, Halkirk.
Public opinion sought on revised management rules for Highland burial grounds
People in the Highlands are being asked to have their say on proposed new management rules for burial grounds under the control of The Highland Council.
New Kilts For Young Highland Pipers
During their first rehearsal of this season, members of Highland Youth Pipe Band received their new kilts officially presented by Bill Fraser of Highland House of Fraser.
Lord Lieutenant Calling All Veterans
Mrs Janet Bowen, Lord Lieutenant of Ross and Cromarty, Skye and Lochalsh is calling all those who have served Queen and Country to step forward and be presented with a Veteran’s Badge.
Now You See It! - A Short History of Magic and Conjuring
An exhibition giving a fascinating glimpse into the history of stage magic opens at the Swanson Gallery, Thurso Library this weekend (19th September).The exhibition pays homage to the close-up conjuror whose illusions can include anything from sleight-of-hand card tricks to the swallowing of razor blades and charts the history of the magician from the early days of the street entertainer - or pickpocket - through the exotic world of the music hall to today.
Autumn Start For Tourism Initiative
As the summer tourist season draws to a close a public meeting is being held on the first day of autumn (Tuesday 22 September) to give those involved with tourism the opportunity to discuss working together in the Tain and Easter Ross area.
Countryside Rangers organise events in Farr, Inverness
Highland Council Countryside Rangers are inviting people to try something different in the outdoors this month.
Kinlochbervie pupils commemorate local WWI hero
On Saturday 12th September, a cairn in memory of Robert McBeath VC was unveiled at a ceremony in Kinlochbervie.
Highlanders urged to Pass it on and help charities beat the crunch
A campaign encouraging people across the Highlands to stop wasting good quality furniture and household goods and instead donate them to those in need has been launched in Inverness.
Council to consider funding bid for house building in the Highlands
Members of The Highland Council’s Housing and Social Work Committee will this week (Wednesday 16 September) consider bidding for funding to reintroduce the first programme of council housing building since 1995.
Two Lochaber Businesses Are Finalists
The Highland heat of the 2009 Prince’s Scottish Youth Business Trust Awards takes place in Inverness Town House on Wednesday 16 September.
Update On Kerbside Recycling and A Green Vision for Skye
One of the latest improvements to The Highland Council’s recycling services is the introduction of kerbside recycling in the more rural areas of the region. The new recycling service that operates in Inverness-shire, Lochaber, Caithness, Nairnshire, parts of Ross-shire and Skye and Lochalsh has proved a great hit with residents wishing to recycle.
Shoppers know their rights with The Highland Council’s Trading Standards
Trading Standards officers from The Highland Council opened their stall to shoppers today, (Monday, 14th September, 09) at the Eastgate Centre, Inverness, to advise them about their rights.
Fort William Wider Waterfront Study
A public meeting has been arranged at the end of this month to discuss the masterplans, which will guide the design of Fort William’s waterfront from the West End car park to the mouth of the River Lochy.
Tribute to Kilchoan Nursery Pupil
The Head Teacher of Kilchoan Primary School, Ardnamurchan, has paid tribute to a 4-year-old nursery school pupil, who died on Saturday following a jet ski incident at Kilchoan Pier, Ardnamurchan.
Proposed New Primary School for Milton of Leys, Inverness
The Highland Council is holding a meeting next week to advise parents and members of the community resident in Milton of Leys of plans for a new primary school.
Pupils Prepare To Raise Funds At Vintage Rally
Pupils from Daviot Primary School are busy preparing for the Strathnairn Agricultural Vintage Rally which takes place on Saturday 19th September.
Public opinion sought on the Future of Aird and Loch Ness
Residents, Community Councils and community representatives in the Aird and Loch Ness Ward have the opportunity to say what they think the area should be like in the future at the Aird and Loch Ness Ward Forum on Thursday 17th September.
Successful Visit Of HRH The Princess Royal To Tain Royal Academy
200 years after her Great, Great Grandfather, King George III signed a Royal charter granting a secondary school for Tain, Princess Anne, The Princess Royal has visited Tain Royal Academy to unveil a framed duplicate of the Charter which will go on permanent display.
Community Programme Takes Music to Thousands of Pupils
Thousands of school pupils across the Highland region are learning more about music and their culture as a programme of learning and education is delivered during the Blas Festival.
Skye and Edinburgh Pupils Take Part in Air Iomlaid Art Exchange Project
Pupils from primary schools in Sleat, Skye, and Tollcross, Edinburgh are taking part in an exciting new visual arts project. The 18 month long project called Air Iomlaid (On Exchange) aims to open up an exchange of ideas and techniques, and to explore culture and language in schools throughout Scotland.
Pupils from Dornoch Primary School drafted in to Record local wartime histories
As part of The Highland Council’s Their Past Your Future Scotland project, “Hidden Highland Histories WWII”, pupils from Dornoch Primary School will interview Bill Grant, a war time evacuee from Glasgow who now lives in Dornoch and Andrew MacKenzie who also lives in Dornoch and flew Lancaster bombers with the RAF.
Council cordons off part of Church Street for public safety
The Highland Council has cordoned off the south end pedestrian area of Church Street, Inverness for public safety. The cordoned area is to allow steeple jacks to carry out a necessary safety inspection of the Clock Tower Steeple.
Ward Forum is direct route to improved bus service
A group of bus service users and Community Council representatives in The Highland Council’s Tain and Easter Ross Ward met recently (2nd September) with Stagecoach and Council officials to work together on suggestions to improve the bus service in the area.
High Profile Summit Will Showcase Good Ideas
Representatives of voluntary groups from right across the county will meet Scottish Government Ministers at the Sutherland Summit on Monday 14 September to discuss some of the excellent initiatives taking place in Sutherland.
Highland Independent Museums Gather in Inverness
One of the largest gatherings in recent times of volunteers, board members and curators of Highland Independent Museums was recently held in Inverness (Wednesday 2nd September).
Masterplan for John O’Groats
A masterplan for the re-development of one of Scotland's best known tourist destinations, John O'Groats, is being launched today (Wedneday).
Visitor Numbers On The Up At Highland Folk Museum
Since the decision was taken by The Highland Council in 2007, the Year that Scotland Celebrated Highland Culture, to make the Highland Folk Museum, Newtonmore, a free admission attraction, visitor numbers have continued to grow at the popular open air ‘living history’ venue.
Council calls on young people to support anti-litter campaign
A campaign aimed at encouraging young people to become more aware of the impact that littering has on their environment is now under way in the Highlands.
Lochaber High School Upgrade Progresses
Work is progressing well on the £7.9 million first phase of improvements to Lochaber High School.
Fact Finding Visit to Small Isles
A small delegation from The Highland Council recently made a whistle-stop fact- finding visit to the four Small Isles.
Emergency Works Commissioned at River Street, Wick
The Highland Council is to carry out emergency works to stabilise the riverside wall on River Street, Wick, following flood damage, which has forced the temporary closure of River Street between Mackay’s Hotel and Burn Street.
Road safety week at Bun-sgoil Ghàidhlig Inbhir Nis
Pupils at Bun-sgoil Ghàidhlig Inbhir Nis are having a week long focus of events on road safety this week (Monday 7 – Friday 11 September).
Councillors Given Progress Report on Raasay Ferry Terminal
Members of The Highland Council's Fishery Harbours Management Board recently visited the Island of Raasay to inspect progress on the Council’s biggest current construction contract – a new £12 million ferry terminal to link the island with Sconser, Skye.
Seachdain Sàbhailteachd Rathaid aig Bun-sgoil Ghàidhlig Inbhir Nis
Tha sgoilearan aig Bun-sgoil Ghàidhlig Inbhir Nis a’ cumail seachdain de thachartasan air sàbhailteachd rathaid (Diluain 7 – Dihaoine 11 Sultain).
Know Your Rights – National Consumer Week Campaign at Eastgate Centre, Inverness
Shoppers visiting the Eastgate Centre can visit a Highland Council Trading Standards stall and find out about their shoppers rights.
Highland consumers warned of credit card online purchasing
A Skye consumer and The Highland Council’s Trading Standards Officers are warning people during National Consumer Week 14th - 18th September to be wary of online purchasing with credit cards through payment service providers.
Young Fire Crews Learning The Drills
Young people from Inverness Royal Academy have been finding out just what it’s like to be a member of the Fire Service.
Locals urged to have their say on Ullapool environmental improvements
People living in the Lochbroom Community Council area are invited to an informal drop in session as part of Ullapool Community Trust’s Open Day to view outline proposals for environmental improvements in the village.
A Blast Of Brass For Highland Schools
This week hundreds of pupils across the Highlands will have the chance to take part in musical workshops led by Pure Brass, a quintet of talented students from the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Dance.
Edinburgh Zoo wild bus tours north coast
Caithness pupils will have the chance to discover the wild when an Edinburgh Zoo bus tours the north coast this week.
Pass makes perfect for drama students
Pupils from across the Highland Council area, studying SQA courses at Eden Court, have achieved a 100% pass rate in Higher Dance, Higher Drama and Intermediate 2 Drama exams.
Highland Planning Review Body Elected
The Highland Council has elected nine members to serve on the new Highland Planning Review Body, which will determine appeals throughout the Highlands against decisions in respect of smaller local developments taken by planning officers to refuse planning permission or conditions applied to approvals.
Amendment to Inverness City Centre Flood Scheme
The Highland Council is amending its plans for easing flooding in Inverness city centre by reducing the scope of the initial works.
Public support for new Ardersier Community Company
Ardersier residents have voted overwhelmingly to establish their own social enterprise.
Agencies Unite with The Crown Estate to Secure Community Benefit from the Offshore Renewable Sector
Measures to ensure that local businesses and communities derive the maximum benefits from the development of the renewable energy sector were discussed at a meeting in Inverness recently. Senior representatives of Orkney Islands Council, Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE), the Crown Estate and The Highland Council met at the The Highland Council's headquarters in Glenurquhart Road, Inverness.
Renowned Philippine speaker talks about the power of education during International Learners’ Week
The Highland Council, in collaboration with Scotland’s Learning Partnership, is celebrating International Learners’ Week by hosting the internationally renowned speaker Edicio de La Torre from the Philippines on Monday 7th September.
Public Asked For Views on Future of Inverness West
Residents, Community Councils and community representatives in the Inverness West Ward have the opportunity to say what they think the area should be like in the future at the Inverness West Ward Forum on Tuesday 8 September. The meeting is taking place at Kinmylies Church Hall, Kinmylies Way, Inverness, and begins at 6.30pm (doors open at 6).
Council Backs New Inverness Campus at Beechwood
Highland Councillors have unanimously supported the choice of Beechwood – to the east of Inverness - for the site of a new university campus.
Culloden and Ardersier Ward Forum Focuses on Highland Wide Development Plan
The next meeting of The Highland Council’s Culloden and Ardersier Ward Forum will be held at 7.30pm on Monday 7 September in Culloden Academy to discuss the new Highland Wide Local Development Plan
Highland Council Ranger Discovers New Site For Rare Bumblebee
The Great Yellow Bumblebee, one of Britain’s rarest bee species, has bucked recent gloomy trends and had a bumper summer in Scotland this year.
New Highland Youth Convener Takes Up Post
Magnus Monahan from Spinningdale, Sutherland, this week took up his new full-time role as the Highland’s Youth Convener.
Portable pitch will get Young Nairn people more active
An innovative partnership with Nairn Rotary Club, Highland Council’s Active Schools Initiative and Youth Development will soon provide an alternative venue for young people in Nairn to get ‘more active, more often’ while at the same time helping to blow the whistle on anti-social behavior.
Inverness Traditional Music Classes – Clasaichean Ceòl Traidiseanta Inbhir Nis
The Highland Council is inviting people of all ages to join in traditional music, song and dance classes which are currently taking place in Inverness until the 20th November, 2009.
Batty in Borgie
North Sutherland locals and visitors recently had the opportunity to test their woodworking skills at Forestry Commission Scotland’s log cabins in Borgie Forest.
Joint Press Statement from ASDA and The Highland Council
The Highland Council and ASDA have today [Wednesday 2nd September] announced that they have reached an agreement which will enable the proposed new supermarket in Inverness to proceed without delay. The issue of the proposed traffic mitigation measures has now been resolved with both the parties coming to an amicable agreement. It has been agreed that road improvements will be undertaken if there is clear evidence that the new store results in increased traffic congestion.
Figures Up For Highland Libraries
Highland Libraries have had a successful year with statistics showing that the number of people using libraries is on the increase and the number of items issued in 2008-09 has shot up by 3.5% from the previous year.
Royal Visit To Mark Tain Royal Academy’s Bi-Centenary
Princess Anne, The Princess Royal will be joining pupils and staff at Tain Royal Academy next week to celebrate the 200 years since her Great Great Grandfather, King George III signed a Royal charter in 1809 granting permission for a secondary school to be built in Tain. It was four years after the Charter was signed that Tain Royal Academy was built and opened its doors to pupils.
Local suppliers invited to public tendering information event
The Highland Council is encouraging local suppliers to come along to the first three of a series of ten procurement road shows.
A Picture Paints a Thousand Words
Following the success of last years photo competition “Keep us in the Picture”, The Highland Council is once again inviting young people to get out their cameras and use photography as a means of highlighting what they think about the Highlands.