Eat Safe awards presented on Isle of Skye
Two hospitals, a local charity and a hotel are the first premises on the Isle of Skye to be awarded Eat Safe Awards after demonstrating that their standards of hygiene and food safety are well above that required by legislation.
First turf cut for new city primary school
A turf cutting ceremony was held today (Wednesday 30 June) at Milton of Leys to mark the start of work on a new eagerly awaited £7 million primary school.
Bugs, beasties and fossils make summer events at Inverness Museum and Art Gallery
A series of exciting workshops and events for families will take place at Inverness Museum and Art Gallery this summer.
Inverness pupil to judge in national children’s book award
Primary five pupil, Neil Crashaw, of Balloch Primary School Inverness has been chosen to be a judge for the 2011 Blue Peter Book Awards.
Search for the Gruffalo in Badenoch and Strathspey
“A mouse took a stroll through the deep dark woods……”On Wednesday 7 July children are invited to come and join mouse on his stroll following a fun woodland trail in Carrbridge that will give them the chance to meet woodland animals, complete fun tasks and crafts, and search for the Gruffalo.
Council confirms decision about care home replacements
The Highland Council confirmed that it will not be proceeding with plans to build five new care homes – at Fort William, Grantown, Inverness, Muir of Ord and Tain.
Highland students graduate in teacher training
Eighteen Highland students graduated through the University of Aberdeen this week at a ceremony held in the Town House, Inverness.
Joint Highland Council / HMIE report on aspects of The Highland Council’s Education, Culture and Sport Service.
A joint report by HM Inspectorate of Education and The Highland Council on the validated self-evaluation of The Highland Council is published today 29 June 2010.
HMIe report on Obsdale Primary School
In an HMIe inspection of Obsdale Primary and Nursery has identified three key strengths.
Highland Young Musicians end year on a high note
After a weekend of intensive rehearsals and performance, five of Highland’s most talented young musicians took part in the annual Highland Young Musician of the Year competition.
Young gardeners pick up floral award
Pupils from Kinlochleven Primary school have proved they have green fingers by being awarded a silver gilt medal by the Royal Caledonian Horticultural Society at the recent Gardening Scotland event at Ingleston.
Gaelic learners receive Ùlpan awards
Around seventy Gaelic language students recently attended an award ceremony at Bun-sgoil Ghaidhlig Inbhir Nis (Thursday 24 June) to receive their Ùlpan certificates of attainment.
Top dogs
The special Dog Dayz event, held on 20 June at the Black Isle Show was voted to be a great fun day out by all the four-legged participants, with some very proud pooch owners taking home well deserved prizes.
Recommendation of Council run harbours to tourist boats
A forum on the Yachting and Boating World website has highlighted the positive role Highland Council plays in attracting leisure boats to the area.
Great Glen Way walkers boost local economy by £1.5 million according to latest figures
Figures collected from automated visitor counters along the Great Glen Way have revealed that in 2009, whole-way-walkers generated £1.5million to the local economy.
History website calls for everyday images of bygone Inverness
The Highland Council's Highland history and culture website, “Am Baile”, is displaying a photographic exhibition of old images of Inverness on Monday 5th July in the Eastgate Centre, Inverness, at the Falcon Square entrance.
Council consults on rented housing pressured area status
People in the Highlands are being asked to make their views known on ‘Pressured Area Status’ concerning socially rented housing provided by The Highland Council and housing associations.
Highland Alcohol and Drugs Partnership welcome their new Chair
Highland Alcohol and Drugs Partnership (HADP), the multi-agency group with responsibility for developing and implementing the strategy for addressing alcohol and drug issues in Highland has appointed Dr Margaret Somerville, Director of Public Health for NHS Highland as its new Chair.
Council confirms no new plans for sale of Nairn land
The Highland Council has today ( 28 June 2010) confirmed that there is no new sales marketing campaign for the sale of land at Sandown Nairn and that Deveron Homes remain the preferred bidder for development of the land.
Young people asked their opinions on Highland Council’s budget
Highland Youth Voice, the elected youth parliament for the Highlands recently met for their summer conference and was invited to take part in the Highland Council’s discussions on the budget.
Council tenants invited to have their say on rents review
Around 13,600 Highland Council housing tenants will receive a letter and questionnaire this week inviting them to make their opinions known on a review of council house rents and service charges throughout the Highlands.
Council acknowledges business support for education
Businesses in the Lochaber area are being invited to attend an award ceremony to receive acknowledgment from The Highland Council for the ongoing and valuable contributions that employers make in supporting skills for work; work experience; and enterprise projects.
Council confirms decision not to go ahead with care home replacements
The Highland Council confirmed today (Thursday) that it will not be proceeding with plans to build five new care homes – at Fort William, Grantown, Inverness, Muir of Ord and Tain.
Review of Licensing Committees and Licensing Boards
The Highland Council has agreed to create one Licensing Committee and one Licensing Board for the Highlands in a bid to achieve savings, make the system more efficient and enable decision-making to be more accessible and transparent.
Council welcomes external audit of performance
Highland Councillors have welcomed a “very positive” external audit of its performance in demonstrating best value and community planning.
School upgradings given priority in Council capital programme
School projects are given priority in the spending plans agreed by The Highland Council for the next five years and beyond.
Gold Duke of Edinburgh Awards presented
Six young people from the Highlands were presented with their Gold Duke of Edinburgh Award earlier today (Thursday 24 June) at a meeting of The Highland Council
Budget Blog closes with discussion on pay
In the final week of its Budget Blog, The Highland Council is asking the public if the Council is right to want a pay freeze for staff, which could realise savings of £9.9 million over two years.
Lochbroom House to reopen after major facelift
Lochbroom House, a care home for 11 older people in Ullapool, will be officially reopened on Tuesday 6 July following a £1.4 million refurbishment.
Inverness pupils investigate motivations for health and wellbeing
Pupils at an Inverness Primary School have been quizzing people this week as to how they stay fit and healthy and what motivates them to do their jobs.
Let’s hear it for the Portree Chatterbooks
Ten children from Skye will receive their reward on Saturday (26 June) for successfully completing the Chatterbooks challenge at their local library.
Success of Ullapool workshop about local lives
Two generations came together in Ullapool’s Macphail Centre this month to look at the changing faces of where they live.
Caithness Community Care Consultation
Members of the Caithness public have a chance to make their voice heard as part of the consultation process on changes to community care services in the Highlands.
Young writers to launch their first books
A group of eighteen young writers from Cauldeen Primary School in Inverness have created a beautifully illustrated first book of original stories called ‘The Mysterious Traveller’.
Council staff swap car journeys to help “Change the World”
Staff of The Highland Council are again entering into the spirit of Change Your World Week (28 June – 2 July), by walking, cycling, car-sharing or using public transport to get to work.
Feasibility study on Berriedale Braes’ improvements welcomed
The Highland Council has welcomed news that a study is to be carried out to identify improvements to the alignment of the north hairpin on the Berriedale Braes, Caithness.
Lochaber pupils vie for swim, run, athletics competition
Fifteen Lochaber Primary Schools come together this week (22 June) for the annual swimming gala, hill race and athletics competition.
National recognition for City Streetscape project
Inverness has gained national recognition at the Chartered Institution of Highways and Transportation (CIHT) Awards in London.
Council technician puts himself on the map
The cartographic skills of one of the Council’s senior technicians have been recognised at a national level by the British Cartographic Society.
Highland Young Musician of the Year
Five of the Highland’s most talented young musicians will gather at Drumossie Hotel, Inverness on Sunday 27th June as they complete for the title ‘Highland Young Musician of the Year 2010.
New rector for Inverness Royal Academy
The new rector of Inverness Royal Academy is Mr Alastair McKinlay, who is currently depute head teacher at Tain Royal Academy.
Highland school receives UNICEF award
A school in Badenoch and Strathspey has become the first school in the Highlands to be presented with the UNICEF Rights Respecting School Award.
New Head Teacher for Applecross Primary School
A permanent Head Teacher has been appointed for Applecross Primary. She is Suzanne Gillies who is currently a teacher at Kirknewton Primary School in West Lothian.
Budget consultation meeting at Nairn
The Highland Council concludes its budget consultation at a meeting of its Nairn Ward Forum on Wednesday 30 June.
Highland representative elected president of SSFA
Rod Houston, Development Manager of the Highland Football Academy and former Depute Rector at Golspie HS, has been elected President of the Scottish Schools’ Football Association.
Substance abuse training aims to save Caithness children’s lives
People who work with children and young people in Caithness have recently been trained to identify and understand the signs of solvent abuse.
Council delighted with choice of Beechwood for Inverness College campus
The Highland Council is delighted that the board of management of Inverness College has chosen Beechwood – to the south-east of Inverness – for the site of its new campus.
Council recommended not to proceed with care homes
Given the worsening financial situation, and likely further reductions in Government funding, Highland Councillors are being advised that it is not now viable to build new care homes in Fort William, Grantown, Inverness, Muir of Ord and Tain - which would cost an additional £30 million.
Highland riders Youth Dirt Crit results
Highland riders shone among the 120 riders who recently took part in the 2010 Scottish Cycling Youth Dirt Crit at the Mountain Biking World Cup in Fort William
Charging for council services
In week six of its Budget Blog, The Highland Council is asking if users of services are prepared to pay more for the services they receive from the Council to ease the impact of public spending cutbacks.
Farr Primary School wins Spring Clean competition
Farr Primary School, Bettyhill has scooped a prize for their hard efforts during a litter clean in April which was part of Keep Scotland Beautiful’s (KSB) National Spring Clean 2010 campaign.
Recording studio date for busy Highland Youth Big Band
Highland Youth Big Band,one of The Highland Council’s 8 Regional Music Groups, have had a busy week touring some of the regions schools as a warm up tour before going into the studio to record a new CD.
Highland bands plan to ‘get noticed’
Seven young bands from all over Highland will converge on Inverness’s Spectrum Centre on Saturday 26th June as they compete to win the first ‘Get Noticed’ competition.
Charleston Academy switches on to solar power
Charleston Academy in Inverness is one of six Highland secondary schools now generating its own clean and free renewable energy.
New kerbside recycling collections for Ullapool
The Highland Council is introducing kerbside recycling to over 700 properties in the Ullapool and Braes of Ullapool areas.
Highland pupils sounding out new skills in learning
Pupils in three Highland schools are learning new skills while producing and broadcasting radio programmes.
Armed Forces Week Celebrations in Nairn
A programme of events is being held in Nairn from Monday 21 June to mark Armed Forces Week.
Charleston Academy School Inspection
Charleston Academy has received a very positive report from school inspectors.
Interpretive trail promotes the heritage of Brora
The Brora Village Trail was launched this week (Monday 14th June) with a series of eight panels and an accompanying booklet which aim to promote Brora’s unique natural and industrial heritage.
Maryburgh girl receives award
Katie MacBeath from Maryburgh, has completed her Bronze Youth Achievement Award after successfully completing four challenges, involving 60 hours of volunteer work in her local community.
Inverness pupils are Scottish chess champions
Balloch Primary school has won the Scottish Primary P5 and Under Team at the Scottish Primary Team Chess Championships 2009-10 which took place last weekend (12 June) in Braehead, Glasgow.
Litter and dog fouling action week in Fort William communities
A campaign to encourage locals to clean up their own litter and dog fouling in the communities of Plantation and Upper Achintore in Fort William starts on Monday 21 June 2010.
Summer Activities Programme 2010
Help is at hand for parents and families staying at home this summer in a wide range of events available through The Highland Council’s Summer Activities Programme.
West Ross is location for Dragonfly Safari
An invitation is being extended to people interested in dragonflies to join The Highland Council Countryside Rangers and members of the British Dragonfly Society on safari in the Ullapool area on 26 and 27 June.
Shennachie stroll with Council Ranger
Highland Council Countryside Ranger John Orr is leading a guided walk to Shennachie on the River Findhorn on Sunday 20th June, 11am – 3pm.
Wick High School Options Unveiled
The public is being invited to a “drop in “ session and a public meeting later this month to consider the options open to the Council for the upgrade/replacement of Wick High School.
Multi Agency Round Up - Rock Ness 2010
Multi agency partners are happy to report that Rock Ness 2010 has passed without any serious incidents and revellers did not let the spell of bad weather dampen their spirits.
“CSI: Highland Youth Voice”- Crime and anti-social behaviour Conference
Highland Youth Voice, the elected youth parliament for the Highlands, meets this week (17th-19th June 2010) at Sabhal Mor Ostaig on Skye.
A special visitor calls in at Hickory Dickory nursery
As part of the continuous drive to encourage everyone in the Highlands to recycle more of their waste, the Council’s Waste Awareness team recently visited the Hickory Dickory nursery group in Inverness to raise awareness about the Reduce, Reuse, Recycle message.
Community Safety focus of Easter Ross Ward Forum
Community Safety is back on the agenda for the Tain and Easter Ross Ward Forum being held next Thursday (24 June).
Active Citizens make Malawi dream come true
A year of non stop fundraising – supported by the wider Nairn Community - reaches its climax on Saturday 19 June when 24 Nairn Academy Sports Leaders accompanied by 3 members of staff travel to Malawi to build on and investigate the sustainability of their Dreams and Teams Project started in 2006.
Badenoch and Strathspey celebrates Armed Forces Day
Armed Forces Day is being celebrated at Kingussie on 21st June with a combination of events that local Highland councillors hope will attract the crowds.
Stephen’s Street Rejuvenation, Inverness
Works on the last phase of the Inverness City Streetscape Project - in the Crown area - will soon see contractor M M Miller (Wick) Ltd preparing to carry out work on a short section of Ardconnel Terrace, adjacent to Stephen’s Street, to feature new paving, kerbing, road crossings and replacement street lighting. This work is in conjunction with works already underway and continuing on Stephen’s Street.
Street named after former Highland Councillor
A lasting tribute has been made to the former long serving Highland Councillor David Munro.
Pictures from the Past
Art and Design students from Inverness College UHI, in partnership with Highland Council Libraries, will launch a special photography exhibition on Monday 14 June, entitled Now and Then, at Inverness Library.
Council supports Saint Valery en Caux Battle commemorations
A civic reception was held at Inverness Town House yesterday evening (Thursday 10 June 2010) hosted by members of The Highland Council’s Inverness City Committee to commemorate the 70th Anniversary of the Battle of Saint Valery en Caux.
Celebrating youth achievement
Young people of Nairn were given special praise by the Provost Laurie Fraser during a celebration event that took place at the Dunbar Golf Club on Thursday 10th June.
Employee Survey results
The 2010 Highland Council Employee Survey paints a positive picture of working life at the council.
Make Sure you get Safely to and from Rockness 2010
Police and Multi agency partners are reminding Rockness festival goers to stay safe when travelling to and from this year’s festival.
Celebrating youth achievement in Nairn
Young people of Nairn were given special praise by the Provost Laurie Fraser during a celebration event that took place at the Dunbar Golf Club on Thursday 10th June.
Barrachd cothrom air Gàidhlig do luchd-ionnsachaidh
Chuir buill Comataidh Gàidhlig Chomhairle na Gàidhealtachd fàilte air an adhartas a rinneadh a thaobh barrachd cothroim do luchd-ionnsachaidh na Gàidhlig sa Ghàidhealtachd.
Access to Gaelic for learners on the increase.
Progress made in relation to an increase in access to Gaelic for learners in the Highlands has been welcomed by members of The Highland Council’s Gaelic Committee.
Council awards contract for new Inverness school
The Highland Council’s Education, Culture and Sport Committee has awarded a contract for a new primary school to be built at Milton of Leys, Inverness.
Making it easier to pay Council bills
The Highland Council is to consult with the public over plans to extend the number of ways the public can pay Council bills, such as Council Tax, Non-Domestic Rates and rent.
2,300 people join Highland Citizens' Panel
A total of 2,300 householders have signed up for the new Citizens’ Panel established by The Highland Council to gauge satisfaction with Council services. A performance survey will this week be posted or emailed to panel members seeking their views on a wide range of council services, including contact with the council; satisfaction with services; community life; and how the council can save money given the challenging economic environment and reductions in public funding. The deadline for responses is 30 June.
Nokia coast to coast adventure challenge to cross Scotland in a weekend
Entries open for new multi-sport adventure race set in the spectacular Scottish Highlands in September 2010.
Funding releases huge boost for marine tourism in Highlands
The Highland Council has agreed funding of £100,000 over the next three years to complete a funding package which will expand the marine tourism industry between the west of Scotland, Northern Ireland and Ireland.
Drive to improve recycling in the city
The Highland Council’s Waste Aware Team will be concentrating their efforts in Inverness throughout the month of June, carrying out a variety of activities to raise awareness about waste and recycling and the positive impact managing our waste in a more sustainable way can have on our environment.
Northern Constabulary and partners launch pilot road safety event for parents and young people in partnership with LifeScan Scotland
A pilot event to educate parents and peers about the part they have to play in shaping the future of young drivers took place at Northern Constabulary force headquarters on Thursday evening in partnership with LifeScan Scotland.
Synchronized skating team receives civic recognition from Inverness City
A team of synchronized skaters from the Highlands who won gold in their class at the British championships in Sheffield recently attended a civic reception at Inverness Town House.
Clach business plan agreed
Members of The Highland Council’s Inverness City Committee have agreed a package that will enable Highland League football side, Clachnacuddin FC, to have a sustainable future.
Highland Council ranger events spring into summer
People are being invited to join Highland Council’s Rangers on an array of outdoor events and activities that celebrate spring and bring the promise of summer.
Loch Ness event with Minister for Enterprise, Energy and Tourism aims to uncover local development ideas
People with an interest in the economic, environmental, social and tourism development of one of Highland’s top iconic destinations are being invited to air their views with Jim Mather, the Minister for Enterprise, Energy and Tourism on Tuesday 15 June, in Inverness.
Inverness pupils fund raise for South African trip
Pupils from Charleston Academy are busy preparing for two fund raising events to raise money for ten S4 and S6 students to visit J.E Malepe Secondary School in Tsakane, South Africa during the Easter holidays next year.
Budget consultation roadshow continues through Ross-shire
The implications of budget challenges facing The Highland Council will be the focus of discussions across Ross-shire over the next two weeks.
Temporary road closures during two Highland endurance events
The Highland Cross 2010 event takes place on Saturday 19 June and drivers are been warned that temporary restrictions will be in place from 11am to 4pm along the Glen Affric Road.
From place-based learning to economic regeneration – why a sense of place matters
Economic development in both rural and urban communities can be helped by rooting service provision in local cultures and tailoring services to local needs, a major conference in Inverness today will hear.
Wick school developing motivated, confident and caring pupils.
Important strengths predominate in the report published today (8 June 2010) by HMIe on South Primary School and nursery class in Wick.
Follow-through HMIe inspection of Helmsdale Primary School
As part of the inspectorate’s ongoing strategy for evaluating the educational provision of local authorities, a report is issued today (Monday 7 June 2010) on the follow through inspection by HMIe of the quality of education at Helmsdale Primary School carried out on 27/28 April 2010.
Get into buildings this September
Property owners or managers of old or new fascinating buildings in the Highlands are being invited to welcome people of all ages to “get into” their establishments during the 20th annual Doors Open Days being held this September.
“Kids Go Free” to Scotland’s Housing Expo 2010 at Inverness
Young people in the Highlands, as well as those visiting the area, will enjoy free entry to Scotland’s Housing Expo being held in Inverness throughout August, thanks to a £60,000 grant from Inverness Common Good Fund.
Flag Raising event and parade to mark Armed Forces Day in Badenoch and Strathspey.
The Highland Council and the Badenoch and Strathspey Branches of the Royal British Legion Scotland will pay tribute to Armed Forces and Veterans with a Flag raising ceremony and Parade on Monday 21 June 2010
Partners Join Forces to Warn Against Taking Drugs to Rockness 2010
Rockness revellers are being urged to play it safe to get the most out of this year’s three day music festival.
Strontian concert to feature top Celtic bands
Irish super-band Buille and Scottish festival favourites Daimh visit Lochaber this Saturday in a Tune Up tour which sees a cultural meeting of Celtic music cultural traditions from Scotland, Ireland and Canada in a show set to be both fiery and beautiful.
Multi agency partnership encourages those attending Rock Ness 2010 to be prepared
As Rock Ness approaches its fifth year running, multi agency partners are reminding those attending to keep themselves healthy and safe to ensure they make the most of the weekend.
Local jewellery firm convicted of selling unhallmarked jewellery
TEK Jewellery Ltd trading as Lapis Gold pled guilty to selling unhallmarked gold jewellery at Inverness Sheriff Court this week and was fined £900.
Week 4 of Council Budget blog focuses on caring services
The Highland Council’s budget blog today (3 June) asks the public if the Council can provide care services differently.
Signing up to tackle climate change
Members of the Highland Environment Forum have shown their commitment to tackle climate change by gathering together to sign up to the Joint Highland Climate Change Declaration and pledging to reduce their emissions by 3% per annum.
Inverness South West Inverness Flood Channel
Work began this week on the first two of three phases of the Inverness South West Inverness 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 south side of Inverness and channelling it into the River Ness.
Major investment is great news for Wick
The Highland Council has warmly welcomed confirmation that Wick High School is to attract significant funding from the Scottish Government which will help provide a new school, incorporating community facilities, such as a new swimming pool.
Launch of the Neil Gunn Writing Competition
Highland school children and adults from across the Highlands and beyond are being asked to get creative and put pen to paper for the launch of the 11th Neil Gunn Writing Competition.
Council appoints new Gaelic Development Manager
The Highland Council’s new Gaelic Development Manager is Kenneth Murray, a native Gaelic speaker from Lewis, who is a former Chief Executive of Bòrd na Gàidhlig.
A’ Chomhairle a’ cur Manaidsear Leasachaidh Gàidhlig ùr an dreuchd
Tha Comhairle na Gàidhealtachd air Coinneach Moireach a chur an dreuchd mar Mhanaidsear Leasachaidh ùr airson na Gàidhlig.
World Cup stars arrive in Scotland ahead of Fort William kick off
The world’s top mountain biking stars are arriving in Scotland, kicking off the countdown to the UCI Fort William Mountain Bike World Cup 2010, which is expected to attract tens of thousands of spectators to the Highlands this coming weekend.
Official opening of Fort William Underpass project
One of Fort William’s key pedestrian thoroughfares will re-open this weekend after a four-week long makeover.