Strome Ferry update – extended closure needed
The A890 Strome Ferry Bypass remains closed due to the danger of further rockfall and is not now expected to reopen until 31 December.
Emergency Towing Vessels
The Leader of The Highland Council Michael Foxley has written to Secretary of State for Scotland the Rt Hon Michael Moore, MP, to thank him for the UK Government’s decision to extend, until the end of March, the service provided by emergency towing vessels, based at Stornoway and Shetland so that a long-term solution can be identified.
Continuing closure of Stromeferry by-pass
The A 890 Lochcarron – Kyle will remain closed today and tomorrow (Saturday) as work continues to make safe a landslide from a netted rockface.
Council welcomes faster broadband for Highland communities
BT announced today that around 32,200 homes and businesses in the Highlands and Islands will have access to faster broadband by next summer.
Stromeferry landslide
The A 890 Lochcarron – Kyle road will remain closed on Friday and most likely Saturday as work continues to clear a landslide.
Reprieve for Inverness West evening bus services
Evening bus services to the west of Inverness, which were due to end on 31 December, are to continue at least until the end of February, next year.
Highland wide Local Development Plan – receipt of Examination Report
The Highland Council has received the Report of Examination for the Highland wide Local Development Plan from the Scottish Government’s Directorate for Planning and Environmental Appeals. The Highland wide Local Development Plan is the key planning document to guide development across Highland for the next ten years.
Road Safety Scotland Wins International Road Safety Award
Road Safety Scotland (RSS) – the nation’s authority on road safety – has been awarded a Prince Michael International Road Safety Award for Education and Training.
Operation Respect working well
Northern Constabulary and partners involved in Operation Respect are praising revellers and the public after the first three weekends socialising in the run-up to Christmas.
Inverness Hogmanay provide boost for city economy.
The 2011 Inverness Festivals programme will reach its climax on Saturday 31st December with Scotland's biggest free Hogmanay Concert.
Dates set for Lairg and Raasay Community Council elections
The elections to form Community Councils in Lairg and Raasay will be held early next year.
Households warned of icy conditions
Due to the rain last night and below zero temperatures at dawn, many roads and pavements in the Highlands suffered from icing causing treacherous conditions.
Planning decisions on Highland wind farm applications
At today’s (Tuesday 20 December) meeting of the Inverness, Nairn, Badenoch and Strathspey Planning Applications Committee members have ruled on two major wind farm applications.
Closing the gap in health inequalities
The need to redirect resources to improve the health of a growing number of deprived people living in the Highlands emerged from a major debate by Highland Councillors on health inequalities.
Policy to maximise Community Benefit Approved
Highland Councillors have taken an important step towards securing significant local funding for communities across Highland from renewable energy developments.
Highland Councillors back introduction of minimum pricing of alcohol
Highland Councillors have voiced their unanimous support for the introduction of minimum pricing of alcohol as a means of tackling the growing incidence of alcohol misuse in the Highlands.
No more cuts needed in setting 2012/13 budget
The Highland Council’s Budget Leader has said that the Council will require to make no further cutbacks before setting its budget for 2012/13 on Thursday 9 February, next year.
Turbine Dry Run – Dunmaglass Wind Farm
On Tuesday 20 December, RES will be undertaking a wind turbine dry run for Dunmaglass Wind Farm.
Remote cameras help rangers keep an eye on wildlife in Glen Nevis
Rangers in Glen Nevis have caught a variety of local wildlife on candid camera, including pine marten, badger and woodpecker, thanks to remote cameras funded by CARE International.
Highland welcomes cities’ growth plan
The Highland Council has welcomed the creation of a £5 million Cities Investment Fund to support a Scottish Cities Alliance.
‘Panda fever’ grips pupils as welcome celebrations spread to schools
Inverness school children are set to get a taste of the panda fever sweeping the nation today (Friday 16 December) as celebrations marking the arrival of two giant pandas to Scotland from China come to classrooms.
City Rotary Club collects for Homeless Centre
Representatives from the Culloden Rotary Club have handed over a generous donation of groceries to the city’s Homeless Centre after members collected from customers at the local Morrison’s supermarket.
Highland Council endorses Planning for Integration
Members of The Highland Council have given their unanimous support to the planning for integration of services for adults and children in the Highlands.
Highland and Islands local councils present united front on Crown Estate reform
Communities in the Highlands and Islands which host marine developments on land owned by the Crown Estate for Scotland must be placed at the heart of decision-making in regard to future investments in their local areas and be the key beneficiaries of developments.
ASDA A9/B9006 works enter final phase
ASDA has released further details regarding the third and final phase of work to the A9/B9006 slip road, which is due to commence on 7th January 2012 (weather permitting).
Temporary overnight closure of city road
Drivers in Inverness are being advised that from Sunday 18 December part of Shore Street will be temporarily closed to traffic on four consecutive nights from 8pm to 6am.
Pupils move into new Ullapool Residence
A new school residence in Ullapool opens its doors for the first time on Monday.
Solvent abuse – talk about it
The Highlands Youth Action Service (YAS) is currently running a campaign to raise awareness of Volatile Substance Misuse, also known as solvent abuse and glue sniffing.
Invergordon gets in the Christmas mood
Invergordon is now ready for Christmas with the arrival and installation of new Christmas lights. The four elected Councillors representing the Cromarty Firth Ward welcomed the installation of the lights, noting that the project had been by a truly combined effort supported by volunteers, local businesses together with local Councillors and Highland Council staff.
Northern Constabulary Drink Drive Campaign
Northern Constabulary Drink Drive Campaign - Public concern over those who drink and drive has again been highlighted after week one of the national ACPOS Festive Safety Campaign.
Two elections confirmed as 16 more Community Councils formed
Elections will be held in two Highland Community Councils following a second round of elections and a further 14 Community Councils attracted sufficient nominations to reform.
Interim arrangements for Mallaig Primary School pupils
The Highland Council has made interim arrangements to house pupils at Mallaig Primary School, which has been damaged by last week’s storms.
Praise and thanks for community response to power failure
Senior Highland Councillors have praised the tremendous community spirit shown in Lochaber over the past few days in responding to the loss of power and water supplies caused by the recent stormy weather.
Cromarty Primary School Choir entertains
Cromarty Primary Choir entertained the retired members of the community at the towns Fourways club on Thursday 8th December.
Caithness volunteers build homes for local birds.
The last event of the year for Caithness Countryside Volunteers was spent building bird boxes on Sunday morning Sunday (11 December).
Good news from the second round of the Community Council elections
16 of the 19 Community Councils in the Highlands that had gone into abeyance last month will be able to continue following a second round of elections.
Whin Park transformed into Winter Wonderland
The Inverness Festivals Winter Wonderland event attracted over 5000 spectators to Whin Park over the weekend.
A82 rock to come down as planned
Work is to continue as planned to bring down the potentially dangerous 250 tonne rock over the Glen Righ section of the A82.
Weather update
Weather update 9 December 2011
Help is at hand for Skye businesses to supply The Highland Council
A free event aimed at helping businesses to supply The Highland Council will take place on Wednesday 14 December in Portree.
Highland Councillors support Invergordon’s Arabian Adventures
Highland Council members of the Cromarty Firth Ward have joined the Invergordon and District Initiative in welcoming back Yellow Brick Road productions to Invergordon Arts Centre.
School closures
A number schools in the Highlands closed today (Thursday) as a result of adverse weather conditions
Motorists advised of Fasnakyle Bridge closure
Motorists are advised that urgent repairs to one of the parapets at Fasnakyle Bridge, Tomich, Strathglass, will result in closure of the bridge from Monday 12 December.
HISCG Advice
Multi-agency partners across the Highlands and Islands are preparing for the impact of a band of severe weather which has been forecast, moving across the region from 4am tomorrow morning (08/12/11).
Flooding forces closure of Inverness Town Hall
Inverness Town Hall will be out of commission in the run up to Christmas as the result of a flooding incident this morning.
Fort William Planning for Integration meeting postponed
A public meeting that was due to take place this evening (Wednesday 7 December, 7pm) at Ben Nevis Hotel, North Road, Fort William has been postponed.
Supporting older and vulnerable people this winter
The arrival of wintry weather conditions has prompted The Highland Council to remind people to look out for those in the community who might need a little extra help – in particular older people, people with disabilities and others who may be especially vulnerable at this time of year.
Hi-Scot Credit Union say NO to High Cost Credit
HI-Scot Credit Union are launching a campaign across the Highlands and Islands so that people are more aware of the cost of borrowing.
Council welcomes Scottish Government’s infrastructure plans
The Highland Council has welcomed the Scottish Government’s plans for substantial investment in Scotland's rail network; the dualling of road network between all of Scotland's cities, including the A 9 Perth – Inverness and the A96 Inverness – Aberdeen road; and the upgrading of the A 82 between Fort William and Crianlarich.
Christmas Fair 2011
Students from 8 secondary schools in the Highlands and Moray are taking part in the Highland and Moray Area Board - Young Enterprise Scotland Christmas Fair on Saturday 10 December 2011 in the High Street, Inverness between 10am and 3pm.
Inverness catering businesses urged to improve safety of gas appliances.
Findings of a recent health and safety initiative by Highland Council’s Environmental Health Officers have shown that 86% of Inverness takeaway catering business premises inspected had no evidence of gas safety maintenance records.
Ward Forum to discuss Nigg Yard development
The development of Nigg Yard is the theme for a joint Highland Council Ward Forum of the East Sutherland and Edderton, Cromarty Firth and Tain and East Ross Wards to be held at 7:30pm on Tuesday 13 December at the Duthac Centre in Tain.
Communities get second chance to form a Community Council
Residents in 19 communities in the Highlands are reminded that a second attempt by The Highland Council to form a Community Council closes at 4pm on Friday (9 December) with the deadline for nominations.
Local toddler group benefits from money for make-over
Happy Tots mother and toddler group in Invergordon are celebrating the brightening up of their base within the Community Wing of South Lodge Primary School thanks to funding received from The Highland Council’s Cromarty Firth Ward Members.
Inverness car park steps up to the mark
An award for an Inverness multi-storey car park will give assurance to motorists that the facility meets the highest standards in safe parking.
Perfect weather for a Winter Wonderland
Once again snow has arrived right on schedule to provide the perfect setting for the Inverness Winter Festival’s favourite event for toddlers, Rudolph’s Winter Wonderland, will be staged in the Highland Capital’s Whin Park this weekend on Saturday and Sunday evenings. (December 10th and December 11th)
Public thanked for West Link comments
The Highland Council has thanked everyone who took part in this week’s consultation on the eight options for creating the Inverness City Trunk Road - West Link.
Glory for Gairloch High School as they emerge triumphant champions of Deasbad BT Alba 2011
The final of this year’s BT Alba Debate competition was held on Wednesday evening at the Scottish Parliament in Edinburgh between teams from Gairloch High School and Millburn Academy.
Members welcome progress on Highland Council Gaelic Language Plan.
Members of The Highland Council’s Gaelic Committee have welcomed the progress on the implementation of the Council’s first Gaelic Language Plan 2007 – 2011 and have urged members of the public to have their say on the production of the second Highland Council Gaelic Language Plan for 2012 – 2016.
Launch of Operation Respect - Keeping Inverness Safe over the Festive Period
POLICE and partners today (02 December 2011) joined forces to launch Operation Respect, an initiative aimed at creating a safer and cleaner Inverness for people, families and businesses over the festive period.
Inverness 2011 advent calendar prize draw winners announced
24 Inverness charities and community groups will receive a welcome Christmas present of £100 from the Inverness Common Good Fund.
Queen’s Diamond Jubilee
The Highland Council’s Resources Committee has agreed to grant its workforce an additional annual leave day to mark the Diamond Jubilee of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. This will take place on either Monday 4 June or Tuesday 5 June.
North of Scotland Schools' Debating Competition 2011
Ruby Downie and Amy McCann from Nairn Academy are winners of the North of Scotland Schools’ Debating Competition which took place at Charleston Academy
Romanian delegation visit Highlands
A delegation led by the Romanian Consul to Scotland has visited Highland to explore opportunities for developing joint projects on Tourism, Renewable energy and Cultural and Social ventures.
Debating success for Gairloch sisters.
Congratulations to sisters Ceitidh Alice and Anna Hulme, pupils of Gairloch High School who have won the 2011 National Gaelic Debate.
Northern Constabulary and partner agencies join national campaign to reduce domestic abuse
Northern Constabulary Chief Constable George Graham today spoke of the importance of partnership working in reducing instances of domestic abuse across the Highlands and Islands.
Eden Court helps bring Christmas to the market
Eden Court Theatre’s Creative Team will be adding an extra sprinkle of Christmas magic to Inverness’ Victorian Market in the weekends running up to Christmas.
“Lifeline” roads contract awarded
A contract to upgrade one of the most rural roads in the Highlands – the A861 at Drynie Hill on the Kinlochmoidart to Acharacle road - has been awarded to Wills Bros Ltd. of County Mayo in Ireland.
Public to have their say on future development of Sandown, Nairn
Members of the public are to have their say on a masterplan for the future development of land at Sandown to the west of Nairn.
Inverness Homecoming Parade
To mark their recent return from operations in Afghanistan, soldiers from The Highlanders, 4th Battalion The Royal Regiment of Scotland (4 SCOTS) will return from their permanent base in Germany to take part in a Homecoming Parade in Inverness on Friday (2 December).