Inverness Turner goes on display
The watercolour painting of Inverness by JMW Turner has been put on display for a winter ‘outing’ at Inverness Museum and Art Gallery
Launch of Green Dog Walkers campaign
Dog fouling has long been an issue in all parts of the Highland Council area and now responsible dog owners are banding together to stop it with the launch of the Green Dog Walkers scheme.
Volunteers sought for mountain path restoration works
People with a love of the great outdoors are being invited to put something back into the landscape of Skye and Lochalsh by signing up to take part in mountain path restoration days in the area.
Fiddle and accordion champions to give workshops to Inverness students
Fife based couple Claire Telford and Wayne Robertson will be visiting Inverness on Thursday 7th April at the invitation of The Highland Council Traditional Music Classes Co-ordinator, Margo MacLennan, to give a short evening series of mentoring workshops in both fiddle and accordion for Highland students of these traditional music instruments.
Evaluation report on Caithness Mod confirms event’s economic boost to the area.
A survey of people visiting the Mod in Caithness 2010 has shown that over £2million was generated in direct expenditure and an additional £1million generated indirect expenditure for the area. More than half of this expenditure remained within the Caithness economy.
Police warn residents about a possible Inland Revenue scam
Police in Portree are warning householders to be aware of a potential email scam being circulated by people claiming to be from the Inland Revenue.
Official opening marks silver jubilee celebrations for Highland enterprise trust
Today (Friday 25 February) the silver jubilee year for Highland Opportunity Limited (HOL) was celebrated with the official opening of the Ness Horizons Centre extension at Beechwood Park in Inverness.
Enhancing benefits from renewable energy developments
A working group set up by The Highland Council to identify the most effective way of maximising benefits to communities from renewable energy developments is recommending changes that could not only increase the level of pay outs by developers but see the benefits more widely spread throughout the Highlands.
IT company Fujitsu announces new jobs for Inverness
Global IT company Fujitsu is to create ten new jobs at its main Highland office in Inverness. The expansion will enable the company to provide remote IT support for existing Fujitsu customers across the UK and potentially elsewhere in Europe.
Council backs Fairtrade Fortnight
The Highland Council is supporting Fairtrade Fortnight, which runs from 28 February to 13 March. A number of schools are hosting events and there will be a display of Fairtrade products at Council headquarters when the Council next meets on Thursday 3 March. On top of this, a number of businesses and communities are holding events and activities to raise the profile of Fairtrade.
Highland Council employee receives Special Commendation at national award ceremony
One of The Highland Council’s Education and Enforcement Officers, Mr James Sanderson, received a Special Commendation Award at the annual Scottish People and Places conference dinner and awards ceremony last night, Wednesday 23 February, in the Glasgow City Chambers.
Residents in the Highland could save £100 on their energy bills
Residents in the Highlands could have more money in their pockets if they review and switch their energy supplier or energy deal.
Highland teacher training event gives orienteering top marks for outdoor education
At a recent training event for Highland primary school teachers – opinions of participants have shown that orienteering and team building activities are potentially the most useful for delivering outdoor education among pupils.
Lochaber primary schools cross country championships 2011
Caol Primary School made it four in a row by taking the team event title in this year’s Lochaber Primary Schools Cross Country Championships for the fourth year running.
Invergordon traffic focus
The Highland Council is advising the general public that the Northern Constabulary’s traffic warden will be working in partnership with the Council to implement the existing Road Traffic Order in Invergordon.
Dingwall’s buildings hold key to economic regeneration
The historic heart of Dingwall will be the focus for regeneration Culture Minister Fiona Hyslop announced today.
Contract awarded for £11.9 million Aviemore community primary school
The Highland Council has this week awarded a contract for the construction of the new Aviemore Community Primary school. The total cost of the development is £11.9 million. The development of this community primary school is the first of its kind in the Highlands.
Police and local councillor launch new road safety tool which is set to benefit whole community
Police in North Division have been given a road safety tool which will help educate the public across the region about the dangers associated with not wearing seatbelts.
Quick action keeps pool closure to a minimum
The local Members in Badenoch and Strathspey have praised council staff for their swift reaction and hard work to ensure the swimming pool at the Craig MacLean Centre in Grantown was able to reopen less than 24 hours after it closed to the public due to safety concerns.
Free courses on offer in Fort William
A series of free courses that are being offered to help unemployed people living in the Plantation area of Fort William brush up on their skills.
National Centre of Excellence in Traditional Music
A delegation from The Highland Council took part in discussions to identify a way forward for the National Centre of Excellence in Traditional Music in Plockton, Wester Ross.
New head teacher for Millburn Academy
A new head teacher has been appointed for Millburn Academy, Inverness. He is Gavin MacLean who is currently head teacher at Glen Urquhart High School, Drumnadrochit.
The Highland Council supports collection of Gaelic data in Scotland’s Census – Cunntas-sluaigh na h-Alba
The Highland Council’s Gaelic Committee is to help promote a strong response to the collection of Gaelic data in the 2011 Census.
Willow bower gets make over at Bower Primary School
Despite the strong winds and cold temperatures last Sunday (20 February 2010), members of the Caithness Countryside Volunteers met to undertake major maintenance work on a willow bower at Bower primary school.
The Highland Council and NHS Highland have appointed two senior officers to lead the planning for the integration of health and social care.
The Highland Council and NHS Highland have appointed two senior officers to lead the planning for the integration of health and social care.
Seminars to focus on Self Directed Support
The Highland Council will be running seminars in Caol, Helmsdale and Inverness next month to highlight Self Directed Support, the new flexible way of providing more personalised social care services.
Young Highlanders nominations for Young Quality Scot Awards 2011
Twelve young people from across the Highlands have been nominated for the 2011 Young Quality Scot Awards. The Awards are an annual event that is run in partnership between Quality Scotland, YouthLink and local councils and is designed to recognise and reward the work of 16 - 19 year olds who are actively involved in voluntary work within their communities.
Highland crew for 2011 Tall Ships races
In partnership with Ocean Young Trust, Young Scot and COSLA, The Highland Council will be sponsoring two young people from the Highlands to take part in the Tall Ship races held on the seas around the British Isles later this year.
Council and Commission streamline planning applications
The Highland Council and the Crofters Commission have today (Monday) started a 6 month pilot project to streamline the processes of obtaining planning permission and decrofting of land for a new house on croft land.
Sustainable School Estate review – Wick and Thurso Associated School Groupings
Head Teachers and Parent Councils in Caithness have been asked for their views on initial proposals by The Highland Council to review Primary School provision in the area.
Consultation on proposed change of education provision at Staffin.
Members of the public with an interest in the provision of primary education in the Staffin area of the Isle of Skye are being invited to view a report on the outcomes of a recent public consultation by The Highland Council’s education authority
Alness Academy's community spirited bicycle repair programme suffers setback following break-in
Police are investigating a report of a break-in to a locked container at the rear of Alness Academy.
Cost rules out day off for Highland Council staff for Royal wedding
Given the financial plight facing them, Highland Councillors have decided that it is not appropriate for them to sanction an additional day off for staff to celebrate the Royal wedding on Friday 29 April between Prince William and Kate Middleton.
Warriors descend on Inverness Museum and Art Gallery
Film costumes from Hollywood blockbusters like Gladiator, King Arthur and the Last Samurai are coming to Inverness Museum and Art Gallery this month as part of the Way of the Warrior exhibition.
Cromarty Firth Ward Forum to look at budget implications
Following the setting of the Highland Council’s Council Budget on 10th February the Cromarty Firth Ward Forum is set to consider the local impact of the budget.
Council to spend £2 million on road repairs in Highland
In recognition of the deteriorating condition of Highland roads, The Highland Council is to invest £2 million on repairing damage caused by snow and ice over the past two winters. The Council is to receive £1.645 million as its share of the £15 million allocated to Scottish councils for road repairs by the Scottish Government and a further £355,000 has been allocated to road repairs in 2011/12.
Inverness Common Good funds Highlanders’ Museum redevelopment
The City of Inverness Common Good Fund has helped boost a £3 million fundraising campaign for the redevelopment of The Highlanders’ Museum at Fort George near Inverness.
Maths conference has it in the sweetie bag
What have gravity, a bag of chocolate sweets, a tin of beans and Santa Claus all got in common? They are ideas being used in a practical workshop at a maths conference held this week in Inverness.
Celebrity TV Gardener presents trainees with achievement awards
Jim McColl MBE, Honorary President of the Royal Caledonian Horticultural Society, and best known as presenter of the BBC’s Beechgrove Garden, was at The Floral Hall in Inverness today (Tuesday 15 February) to present 33 trainees with their ‘Recognition of Individual Achievement in Horticulture’ awards.
Police and Fire Boards add their voice to coastal rescue campaign
The Northern Joint Police Board and the Highlands and Islands Fire Board have jointly written to the Maritime and Coastguard Agency in Southampton to support the retention of the two emergency towing vessels which are based in Stornoway and Lerwick and also the 24-hour Coastguard Stations at Stornoway and Lerwick.
Council back use of fixed penalty notices to support zero waste plan
The Highland Council believes that Scotland should follow the regulation in England, which allows local councils to serve fixed penalty notices on householders as a means of encouraging them to separate wastes for disposal and correctly use the recycling bins provided.
Inverness festivals secure funding future for 2011/12
A programme of events and festivals for the City of Inverness was endorsed this week by members of The Highland Council’s Inverness City Committee.
More Fusion fun at Dingwall
Saturday 19 February will see the return on the Fusion project for young people aged 12-19 at Dingwall Leisure Centre. Fusion, which is run by The Highland Council’s Youth Development team, aims to provide young people with the opportunity to increase their skills and wellbeing by taking part in a range of fun and active sessions. Fusion also provides a safe environment for young people to meet and hang out with their peers.
Inverness West Link options attract 600 responses
Transport officers of The Highland Council are sifting through more than 600 responses made by the public on options for the proposed Inverness West Link project, which envisages a new transport link from the Southern Distributor Road at Dores Road to the A82 trunk road at Torvean via a fixed link across the River Ness and the Caledonian Canal.
Ross-shire employers thanked for supporting pupils
Businesses in Ross-shire are being invited to attend an award ceremony to receive thanks from The Highland Council for the ongoing and valuable contributions they make in supporting pupils through skills for work; work experience; and enterprise projects.
Council revenue budget set for 2011/12
The Highland Council has confirmed a freeze on the Council Tax for a fourth year in succession. The tax for 2011-12 is: Band A: £775.33; Band B: £904.56; C: £1,033.78; Band D: £1,163; Band E: £1,421.44; Band F: £1,679.89; Band G: £1,938.33; Band H: £2,326.
Cross party group to review assistance provided in primary school classrooms
The Highland Council has agreed to set up a cross-party working group to review - before this summer - the level of assistance provided in primary school classrooms.
New membership of The Highland Council
The political make-up of The Highland Council has changed as a result of the resignations of two councillors from the Liberal Democrat Group, Councillor Janet Campbell, Inverness Central and Glynis Sinclair, Culloden and Ardersier.
Elections for the Cairngorms National Park Authority attracts 16 candidates
There will be a contest in four of the five communities within the Cairngorms National Park area entitled to have a representative on the Board of the Park Authority.
Public urged to have their say on design of new Wick High School
A public meeting is being held at 7.30 pm on Wednesday 23 February at Wick High School to give interested parties the chance to have their say on the design of the proposed new state of the art secondary school for the community.
Extended closure of Lochaber leisure facility
Lochaber Leisure Centre and Hydrotherapy Pool will not re open on Monday 14th February as planned.
Zero tolerance campaign proves successful
The ‘zero tolerance’ campaign on litter and fly-tipping undertaken by The Highland Council between 17 – 28 January saw 13 £50 Fixed Penalty Notices issued in the seven towns in the Highlands put under the microscope.
Grantown schools scoop medals at Highland swim gala
Forty four swimmers from the Grantown cluster schools entered Highland schools swimming gala at the end of 2010.
Additional temporary road closure as work continues on A855 Portree to Staffin
The Highland Council are currently carrying out the third phase of improvement works to the A855 Staffin road between Portree and Loch Fada.
Kinmylies Primary School follow-through inspection report
The HMIe follow-through inspection report for Kinmylies Primary School in Inverness recognises that there is positive evidence of improvement in the school since the inspection last year.
Protecting Highland and Islands’ shores
"Positive and constructive” was how The Highland Council Leader, Michael Foxley, described a meeting in London today (Monday) with UK Shipping Minister Mike Penning over the future of rescue services in waters around the Highlands and Islands.
Archives for beginners
People in the Highlands with an interest in the history of the area can now take advantage of drop-in sessions being provided by The Highland Council Archive Service in Inverness.
Abernethy pupils get active
Pupils from Abernethy Primary School in Nethybridge have completed their “Lets Get Active Award” as part of their annual eco week.
Inverness Leisure scheme creates new athletics demand
Inverness Leisure is now welcoming hundreds of primary school age children into its athletics development programme for primary school children on Queens Park Stadium.
United front on protecting Highland and Islands’ shores
The Highland Council will join an inter-council delegation heading to London on Monday (7 February) to highlight the critical importance of retaining existing levels of rescue services inThe Highland Council will join an inter-council delegation heading to London on Monday (7 February) to highlight the critical importance of retaining existing levels of rescue services in waters around the Highlands and Islands. waters around the Highlands and Islands.
Assistance in the classroom focuses on additional support needs
Highland Councillors are being asked to target more assistance in primary school classrooms to pupils with additional support needs.
Scotland’s Islands Announces First Round of Grant Awards
The year of events and activities to showcase Scotland’s Islands gets underway in April. The project is supporting this by coordinating the award of funds to a range of applicants. Funds are available through the Scotland’s Islands project itself as well as through Awards For All.
Chance to view award winning film
The award winning DVD to promote recycling that has been produced by pupils at Portree High School is now available to watch from The Highland Council’s website.
Go ahead for Findon Hall biomass heating project
The Findon Hall committee in Culbokie are pleased to announce that planning permission and a building warrant to install a biomass heating system have now been granted and work on the project is due to start shortly.
Council welcomes university status for UHI
Highland Councillors today (Wednesday) warmly welcomed the award of university title to UHI, the University of the Highlands and Islands, hailing it as a huge boost to the region’s status and economy.
An active time for Alness young people
It has been a very busy few weeks for the young people of Alness as a number of exciting projects have been taking place.
Transport focus of Easter Ross Ward Forum
Community Transport and the Dial-a-bus service is the topic of the Tain and Easter Ross Ward Forum being held on Wednesday 9 February.
Places now available for family learning event in Skye
The Community Learning and Development Review Group for Gaelic (CLADRG) is pleased to announce that a Family Learning event for Gaelic-speaking families will be held at Sabhal Mòr Ostaig (SMO) on the Isle of Skye during the week beginning Monday 4th July 2011.
Tackling poverty and unemployment in the Highlands
The Highland Council has agreed a fresh approach to tackling poverty and unemployment in the Highlands.
Trial refuse and recycling collections in Skye and Lochalsh to continue
New refuse and recycling collections in Skye and Lochalsh are to continue following the success of a six-month trial.
Cross country running festival gets off to a flying start in Lochaber
The first south Lochaber primary schools cross country festival will be held today (11 February) at Glencoe Lochan.