Positive start to the Sandown Charrette
Following the launch evening hosted by Chief Planner at the Scottish Government, Jim McKinnon, the design charrette to discuss the future of Sandown in Nairn successfully got underway today.
Help is at hand for Caithness businesses to supply The Highland Council
A free event aimed at helping businesses to supply The Highland Council will take place on Thursday 9 February in Thurso.
Sandown Charrette launched by Chief Planner
At a meeting in Nairn last night, Jim Mackinnon, the Scottish Government’s Chief Planner, launched an exciting week of planning and urban design workshops (charrette) to discuss the future of the Sandown Lands in Nairn.
Highland Council welcomes funding for River Ness flood scheme
The Highland Council has welcomed major funding from the Scottish Government for a flood prevention scheme to protect riverside properties in the centre of Inverness.
Dunnet Beach Clean
The north end of Dunnet Beach in Caithness now looks much tidier following a recent public beach clean (on Sunday 29 January) organised by The Highland Council Countryside Rangers.
Customer care trial at Dingwall and Kingussie planning offices
The Highland Council is eager to improve the service it provides to customers with planning and building standards enquiries by channelling routine enquiries via its Service Points and Service Centre.
Inverness town steeple conservation works
Businesses and members of the public are being invited to have their say on proposed conservation works for Inverness town steeple being carried out by The Highland Council.
Inverness City Trunk Link Road: West Link
A Highland Council cross-party working group, under the Chairmanship of Councillor John Laing, Chair of TEC Services Committee, met today (Friday) in Inverness to discuss the outcome of the second public consultation on the Inverness City Trunk Link Road: West Link.
Crofting Commission Election attracts good response with 29 candidates
There will be a contest in five of the six constituencies within the Crofting Commission electoral area.
Work to start on Ormidale Place, Dingwall
A scheme to upgrade the road surface in Ormidale Place in Dingwall is due to begin on site at the end of January.
Highland Council response to Shelter Scotland evictions report
The Chair of The Highland Council’s Housing and Social Committee has responded to the publication of a report by Shelter Scotland this week on evictions by social landlords.
Consultation Events for A96 Improvements and the Inner Moray Firth Local Development Plan
Transport Scotland has begun a public consultation process on a number of route alignment options for improving the A96 between the A9 at Inshes and Auldearn including a bypass of Nairn.
Council select contractor for Stromeferry works
The Highland Council has selected TRAC Engineering Ltd to carry out stabilisation works on the A 890 Stromeferry Bypass which takes traffic between Wester Ross and Lochalsh/Skye and has been closed due to the danger of rockfall since 22 December, last year.
New Refuse and Recycling Collections in Inverness and remainder of Wester Ross to begin in April
The largest phase of The Highland Council’s introduction of new refuse and recycling collections is on target to take place on 2nd April.
Funding secured to demolish former Community Centre
The Convener of The Highland Council Sandy Park is delighted to announce that the Council has secured funding from the Scottish Government for the demolition of the former Nairn Community Centre in Nairn.
Half million pound boost for Wick’s Pulteneytown’s Area
With the Wick, Pulteneytown Conservation Area Regeneration Scheme (CARS) drawing to an end, The Highland Council’s Planning , Environment and Development Committee has awarded two grants and agreed to submit a third to Historic Scotland for approval, worth a total of £486,585
Funding bid for River Ness flood scheme
The Highland Council has made a bid for major funding from the Scottish Government for a flood prevention scheme to protect riverside properties in the centre of Inverness.
Harvesting starts as part of Storr native woodland restoration
Tree felling and harvesting has begun at Storr Woodland, north of Portree on the island of Skye.
Time to enrol children for school
Parents and guardians of children are being informed by The Highland Council that it’s time for enrolment into pre-school and primary school in the Highlands.
June 4 chosen as Highland day of celebration for Queen’s Diamond Jubilee
Following consultation with trade unions, The Highland Council has agreed that Monday 4 June will be the day staff are granted an additional annual leave day to mark the Diamond Jubilee of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.
Sandown Design Charrette - 30 January – 2 February 2012
The Highland Council are pleased to announce further details of a design charrette to be held for the Sandown site in Nairn from Monday 30 January to Thursday 2 February 2012.
‘Tiny Teachers’ help tackle bullying in Highland schools
Babies are to be employed as ‘tiny teachers’ in classrooms throughout the Highlands as part of a pioneering Action for Children programme to reduce levels of bullying and aggression in schools.
Deadline looms for Crofting Commission elections
Eligible candidates are reminded that the deadline for returning nomination papers to seek election to the new Crofting Commission is 4 pm on Thursday 26 January.
New ferry timetables at Stromeferry
The introduction on Monday 23 January of an early morning train service between Inverness and Kyle, arriving in Kyle at 8.40 am, has resulted in changes to the timetable of the passenger ferry service which has been introduced between North and South Strome to combat the closure of the A 890 Stromeferry Bypass.
Sharp drop in temperature causes treacherous conditions
The Highland Council has assured the public that priority routes were treated last night and that all available gritters were in operation from 6 am this morning to grit priority routes in response to a forecast of snow and freezing conditions.
Scottish Open contributes £5.1 million to Scotland
More than £5 million was contributed to the Scottish economy as a result of the 2011 Barclays Scottish Open, according to a study released today. This figure includes £4 million to the economy of the Highlands and Islands.
Study plans new Heritage Hub for Dingwall
An exciting study is set to develop plans for a new Viking-themed heritage hub near Dingwall town centre. With the support of The Highland Council, Dingwall History Society has this month commissioned OJT Heritage, consultants in tourism and archaeology, to develop plans for the new centre.
Plans to be drawn up to replace Stromeferry Bypass
As a matter of urgency, Highland Council roads officials have been asked to bring forward options for a long term solution that provides a secure transport link between Wester Ross and Lochalsh.
Focussing on providing opportunities for young people
With young people facing increasing challenges in finding employment opportunities the Council is taking positive steps to help by launching an action plan to deliver on six key cross-service pledges.
Lairg and Raasay Community Council elections
Postal ballot papers have been issued today (Wednesday) for elections being held to form Community Councils in Lairg, Sutherland, and the Isle of Raasay, Skye.
Work progresses on major care home upgrades
Work is progressing to update facilities at three of The Highland Council’s care homes for older people at an estimated total cost of £4,120,000
North West Care Alliance meet with Ward Councillors
On Monday 16th January at Lairg Service Point, the 3 North, West and Central Sutherland Ward Councillors met with Highland Council Social Work Officers and the North West Care Alliance Manager and Treasurer at their regular Ward Business Meeting.
Decision on Wind Farm Application
At today’s (Tuesday 17 January) meeting of The Highland Council’s South Planning Application Committee members turned down an application for a 31 turbine wind farm on land at Dunachton, Alvie and Dalraddy Estates to the North West of Kincraig.
Chairmen appointed for new Planning Applications Committees
The Highland Council has appointed chairmen to its two new area Planning Applications Committees.
Council welcomes designation of 3 Highland enterprise zones
The Highland Council has welcomed the Scottish Government's announcement today (17 January) that three locations in the Highlands are being designated as enterprise areas.
Lochcarron public meeting outcome
250 packed into Lochcarron Village Hall on Monday night for a public meeting regarding the measures being taken short and longer term to combat the closure of the A 890 Stromeferry Bypass between Lochcarron and Kyle/Plockton due to the danger of further rock fall.
Additional train service for Plockton High School pupils
ScotRail is to provide an additional early morning service to ensure that Plockton High pupils can get to school - free of charge - while the Stromeferry bypass remains closed.
Second public meeting called to discuss Stromeferry Bypass Closure
A second public meeting is being held by The Highland Council to discuss the measures being planned by the Council to combat the closure of the A 890 Stromeferry Bypass due to the threat of rockfall.
£549K for Highland Communities
A scheme is to provide funding for projects that make a difference in local Scottish fishing communities, with up to £7.6 million to be shared out across 13 local authorities.
Inverness featured in historic visit to Scotland planned for His Holiness the Dalai Lama
At the invitation of The Conference of Edinburgh’s Religious Leaders, The Edinburgh Inter Faith Association, The University of Dundee, Dundee City Council, The City of Edinburgh, Highland Council, and The National Library of Scotland, His Holiness The 14th Dalai Lama will visit Scotland from Thursday 21st June until Sunday 24th June 2012.
Changes to licensing of public entertainment events
The Highland Council is advising community groups, businesses, charities and anyone requiring a public entertainment licence that legislation changes come in to place from April 1st 2012.
Overnight closure of Aberchalder Swing Bridge on Wednesday
The swing bridge on the A 82 Inverness – Fort William road at Aberchalder, near Fort Augustus, will be closed to all traffic between 9.30 pm on Wednesday 18 January and 6.30 pm on Thursday 19th January 2012 to allow for urgent repairs.
Presentation of Top Toilet Awards
Following The Highland Council’s success at the Loo of the Year Awards, staff from the Education, Culture and Sport service responsible for looking after the award winning toilets were presented with their certificates at the start of last week’s committee meeting.
New road lay out at Inverness
Motorists are being advised that work begins in Inverness on Monday (16 January) to replace the existing traffic signals at the Harbour Road/Shore Street junction, which have reached the end of their useful life.
Timetables announced for Strome ferries
The Highland Council has today (Friday) announced the timetables for the free passenger and car ferries – with connecting feeder bus services –being introduced on Monday (16 January) as emergency measures to combat the ongoing closure of the A 890 Stromeferry By-pass between Lochcarron and Plockton/Kyle.
Highland schools and leisure facilities works brought forward.
Members of The Highland Council’s Education, Culture and Sport Committee have agreed to bring forward £1.038 million of Capital Funding Projects to help offset an estimated £3.6 million projected underspend in the current financial year 2011/12.
Public meeting called to discuss Stromeferry Bypass Closure
A public meeting is being held by The Highland Council on Monday night at Lochcarron Village Hall to discuss the measures being planned by the Council to combat the closure of the A 890 Stromeferry Bypass due to the threat of rockfall.
Pupils join Chairman to thank retiring prison worker
At the start of today’s Education, Culture and Sport Committee, two senior pupils from Millburn Academy joined the Chairman, Councillor Bill Fernie, to make a presentation to Mr Bob Macdougall from Inverness.
Police investigating break in at Caol Primary and other commercial premises around the village
Police in Fort William are carrying out inquiries into three seperate break ins, two at industrial premises and one at Caol Primary School.
Chairman welcomes government decision on building standards
Chairman of The Highland Council’s Planning, Environment and Development Committee, Councillor Ian Ross has welcomed the Scottish Governments decision for Council staff across Scotland to continue to be the only government appointed verifies for new homes and buildings in Scotland.
Ferries set for introduction at Strome on Monday
The Highland Council will introduce a car and a passenger ferry service between North and South Strome on Monday to combat the impact of the closure of the A 890 Lochcarron – Kyle/Plockton road due to the danger of rockfalls.
Rent increase pegged at 1.9%
For the second year in succession, The Highland Council is recommending a council house rent increase below the rate of inflation.
Council identify preferred bidder for new care homes in Muir of Ord and Tain
The Highland Council's Housing and Social Work Committee has agreed a preferred bidder to deliver new care home placements in Highland, which will involve building and operating new care homes on Council-owned sites in Muir of Ord and Tain. Each care home will provide residential and nursing care in 34 en-suite bedrooms, with the opportunity to extend to 40 bedrooms in future.
Work starts on lifeline West Highland road contract
The Highland Council started work earlier this week on a notorious section of sub-standard lifeline road in Moidart - at Drynie Hill.
Train travel continues this week for Lochcarron pupils
Pupils from the Lochcarron area will continue to travel to Plockton High School by train for the rest of this week as their normal route - via the A890 Stromeferry By-pass - remains closed due the threat of rockfall.
Struie road reopens
Drivers are advised that the B9176 Struie Road at New Bridge, which had been closed following a landslide, has now reopened.
Strome Ferry By-pass – update
The Highland Council is working to secure the services of a car and a passenger ferry - along with feeder bus services - which it will introduce next week as an emergency measure in the wake of the ongoing closure of the A 890 Stromeferry By-pass between Lochcarron and Plockton/Kyle.
Short term emergency closure of A 82
Scotland Transerv are warning motorists of a four-hour emergency closure of the A 82 Inverness – Fort William road between Invergarry and Spean Bridge at Glen Gloy between midnight tonight (Friday 6 Jan) and 4 am on Saturday (7 Jan).
Contingency plans to combat closure of Stromeferry By-pass
The Highland Council is examining a number of short and longer term measures to combat disruption on the A 890 Stromeferry By-pass between Lochcarron and Plockton/Kyle, which has been closed since 22 December following a series of rockfalls.
First Crofting Commission elections begin as Minister names appointed members
The starting gun for the first ever crofting elections was fired today with the official publication of the Notice of Elections.
Views sought on the future of Dingwall Town Hall
Views regarding the future of Dingwall Town Hall are being sought at a public meeting to be held in Dingwall on Thursday 19 January at 7.00pm.
Additional service for Plockton High School pupils
ScotRail is to provide an additional early morning service to ensure that Plockton High pupils can get to school - free of charge - while the Stromeferry bypass remains closed.