Future management of the Averon Leisure, Alness
Highland Councillors have agreed a request by the Board of Averon Leisure Management Ltd for the management of the leisure centre, which is owned by the Council, to be transferred to High Life Highland, the charitable company formed in October of last year to develop and promote opportunities in culture, learning, sport, leisure health and wellbeing.
One-off transitional payment to GREAN to switch focus of community enterprise
The Highland Council has agreed a one-off payment of £160,000 to Golspie Recycling Environmental Action Network to assist the social enterprise to switch its focus from household recycling to a vegetable box delivery scheme
Caithness District Partnership focus on review of adult services
The Caithness District Partnership, which will identify key issues and priorities governing the care of children and adults in the county, met for the first time earlier this week when it agreed that, as a first priority, it would support a review and re-design of services for adults in Caithness, with a particular focus on older adult care and support.
Budget consultation timetable agreed
The Highland Council has agreed to embark on a four-month public consultation over budget savings needed in 2013/14 and 2014/15. The Council estimates the savings targets will be £11.5 million in 2013/14 and £18.2 million in 2014/15.
Big Lottery Fund helps Black Isle pupils’ sporting aims come true.
It has been ‘jolly hockey sticks’ all round for a Highland Primary School whose primary 7 pupils wanted to set up an after school hockey club.
Highland teacher retires after 40 years service in one school
Forty years of service in one school was celebrated this week as Carol Benisch, Teacher at Cawdor Primary School retires.
Highlands of Scotland Film Commission iPad app showcased at Edinburgh International Film Festival
The Highlands of Scotland Film Commission is showcasing its newly approved iPad app at the “Moving Image: Scotland” event at the Edinburgh International Festival this week (28 June).
Signs of the future at Ben Wyvis as Barr Construction nears completion
Barr Construction has given a group of pupils from Maryburgh and Conon Bridge primary schools the chance to make their mark on their new £8.9m school – in permanent ink.
Council confirms £10,000 towards new design for Berridale Braes
The Highland Council has shown its commitment to the economy of the North Highlands in approving £10,000 towards the design of an improved road alignment for the Berridale Braes.
Council commits £100,000 towards re-opening of Conon Bridge railway station
The Highland Council has agreed to make a contribution of £100,000 towards the costs of the proposed re-opening of Conon Bridge railway station in recognition of the significant benefits to the local community.
Council agrees Programme for The Highland Council over next five years
The Highland Council has today (Thursday) confirmed its programme of priorities for action over the next five years.
Pupils at award-winning school enjoy cultural activities
Pupils at Portree High School were treated to an end of term cultural feast with a one-day Meanbh-Fhèis, or Mini-Fèis.
Going for Gold!
Ten young people from across the Highland area were today presented with their Gold Duke of Edinburgh Award (DofE) and they represent just the tip of the iceberg as 245 young people in Highland gained a DofE award in 2011-12, of which 17 were at Gold level.
National Gaelic Language Plan creates more career opportunities for teachers
The second National Gaelic LanguagePlan, prepared for the Scottish Government by Bòrd na Gàidhlig, prioritisespre-school and school education alongside community action to increase the number of Gaelic speakers in Scotland over the next 5 years.
Leader welcomes further good news on the Highland economy from the Scottish Government
Leader of The Highland Council, Councillor Drew Hendry, has welcomed further good news from the Scottish Government on investments to boost the Highland economy.
Three new community councils to be formed
Following a third round of Community Council elections in the Highlands, three new councils are guaranteed to be formed.
Creative pupils come up with eco themed board games
Aspiring board game creators at Lochardil Primary school in Inverness have designed two games to raise awareness about the environment and at the same time make sure players enjoy rolling the dice.
Eilean a’ Cheò Ward Civic Awards
Community groups and individuals living on the Isle of Skye received Civic Awards from the Highland Council at a special awards ceremony held in Portree on Monday night (25 June 2012) in recognition of their achievements and contribution to their communities.
A82 North of Ardlui – emergency closure
Users of the A82 between Tarbet and Crianlarich should be aware that due to the rapid deterioration of a culvert under the road it has become essential to carry out urgent repairs.
Staggies boys put their best ‘fit’ forward
Today (Wednesday 27th June 2012) Ross County FC Assistant Manager Stuart Balmer and Youth Coach Steven Ferguson cut the ribbon to officially open a new fitness room and exercise / dance studio at the leisure centre in Dingwall
Motorists warned of traffic disruption as preparatory works begin on the River Ness flood alleviation scheme
The public is advised of disruptions to traffic movement in the city centre of Inverness due to essential works needed in preparation for the £21 million River Ness Flood Alleviation Scheme.
Highland Leader welcomes Scottish Government’s A9 commitment
Councillor Drew Hendry, Leader of The Highland Council, has welcomed news that the Scottish Government intends to bring forward by two years to 2015 the start of work to upgrade to dual carriageway the A 9 Inverness – Perth road.
New schools ready when pupils return after summer break
Highland schools break up at lunch time on Friday (29 June) for the summer holidays.
Bun-sgoil Ghàidhlig Inbhir Nis are the Cuach na Cloinne 2012 Winners
Bun-sgoil Ghàidhlig Inbhir Nis are the Cuach na Cloinne 2012 winners after an excellent and very close competition.
Stromeferry meeting outcome
More than 150 residents turned out in Lochcarron Village Hall on Monday night at a public meeting held by The Highland Council to set out the options and costings for the long-term improvement of the A890 Lochcarron – Lochalsh road, known as the Stromeferry by-pass.
West Lochaber “Lifeline” road opens
A major upgrade of one of the most rural roads in the Highlands – the A861 at Drynie Hill on the Kinlochmoidart to Acharacle road – was officially opened today (Tuesday).
New refuse and recycling collections begin in Sutherland next week
The introduction of The Highland Council’s new refuse and recycling collections in Sutherland begins next week. The new service will see a fortnightly refuse collection alternating with a fortnightly co-mingled recycling collection from blue wheelie bins on the same day of the week.
Historic visit to the Highlands by His Holiness The Dalia Lama
Thousands of people gathered in Inverness on Saturday to welcome His Holiness the Dalai Lama to the Highlands.
Leader welcomes superfast broadband investment
The Leader of The Highland Council Councillor Drew Hendry has welcomed a Scottish Government investment of £120 million in the delivery of superfast broadband to communities across the Highlands and Islands.
Culloden musicians on their way to Cape Breton
The Culloden Academy Cèilidh Band are departing tomorrow (Tuesday 26th June) for Cape Breton, Nova Scotia, to take part in a packed programme of performances, visits, workshops, trips and activities.
Highland fishing communities urged to land Euro funds
Highland fishing communities are being urged to apply for assistance from a new Euro fund for projects that make a difference in their communities, such as those relating to tourism, food and drink and training.
Stromeferry options and estimated costs unveiled
The Options identified by The Highland Council for the long-term improvement of the A890 Lochcarron – Lochalsh road are now available on the Council’s web site. They have been posted on the web ahead of Monday’s exhibition at Lochcarron Village Hall (between 3 – 7 pm) and a public meeting (7 pm).
Highlands pupils say a big ‘thank you’ to tiny teachers
Primary three pupils from across Inverness gathered today [Friday, 22 June] to say a big ‘thank you’ to the Highlands’ tiniest teachers at a Baby Celebration held by Action for Children Scotland and Highland Council.
Proposed funding package for Berriedale Braes improvements
A report going to next week’s meeting of The Highland Council will ask members to approve £10,000 to go towards the design of an improved road alignment for a notorious stretch of the A9 trunk road known as the Berridale Braes.
Administration launch Programme for The Highland Council over next five years
The Highland Council’s Leadership today (Thursday) launched a “bold and ambitious” programme of priorities for action over the next five years.
2012 Blas Festival launch
Innovation, imagination and inspiration, the hallmarks of any Blas Festival, will once again be to the fore as the eighth Highlands and islands Gaelic arts extravaganza is launched.
Nairn student’s Dalai Lama honour
18-year-old Amy McCann from Nairn will be centre stage on Saturday when she introduces the Dalai Lama to speak at Eden Court, Inverness.
Highland schools awarded for enterprising projects
Members of The Highland Council’s newly formed Adult and Children's Services Committee have congratulated three Highlands schools for their achievements in winning an Enterprise project sponsored by Baillie Gifford and Company.
New care partnership group formed in Caithness
Caithness District Partnership will meet for the first time on Tuesday 26 June, as part of new arrangements under the Integrating Care in the Highlands partnership between NHS Highland and The Highland Council.
Caithness and Sutherland schools learn the importance of engineering
School pupils and teachers across Caithness and Sutherland have been taking part in a number of industry visits as part of a £110,000 project investing in the future of young people in the area.
Plans unveiled for Fort William town centre facelift
Plans to improve the amenity of Cameron Square in the heart of Fort William’s High Street and create an events area there will be unveiled at a public meeting next week.
Community Council nomination deadline
4 pm on Wednesday (27 June) is the deadline for candidates to return their election nomination forms for round 3 of the forthcoming Community Council elections, which involve those which are currently unformed.
New recycling bins help Highlands meet recycling targets
Figures released by The Highland Council to coincide with National Recycle Week show that the new refuse and recycling service introduced across The Highland Council area over the past year and a half has been a great success.
Ness Bridge inspection works
Motorists are being advised by The Highland Council of essential inspection work being carried out on the Ness Bridge, Inverness on Sunday (24 June).
Lochaber District Partnership meeting
Next Tuesday (26th June), the new Lochaber District Partnership will meet in full for the second time as part of the new arrangements under the Planning for Integration (P4i) partnership between the NHS and Highland Council.
Council target holiday homes avoiding payment for their waste collection services
In February this year, The Highland Council wrote to the owners of around 1,650 non-domestic rated (NDR) holiday home properties in all areas of the Highlands with the exception of Inverness and Sutherland advising them of their legal obligations under the Environmental Protection Act and associated Duty of Care Regulations to have in place a waste collection contract for dealing with the waste generated from their businesses. It advised that if there was no response to the letter by early March then the collection service would cease.
Scotland's Eco-schools go Gaelic
Scotland’s charity for the environment, Keep Scotland Beautiful, is to publish its Eco-Schools materials in Gaelic.
Popular city play park re-opens
In time for the summer season, locals and visitors to Inverness will be able to enjoy outdoor fun at the ever popular Whin Park play area as new and upgraded facilities are opened to the public this week.
Armed Forces Week Nairn
The Armed Forces Week Celebrations will start in Nairn with flag raising ceremonies at both the Royal British Legion and Nairn Court House on Monday, 25th June at 10.30a.m.
Inverness Football Festival won by young German visitors
The revived Inverness Football Festival was won by FC Augsburg at the weekend.
New bins make it easier to recycle ‘on the go’ in Inverness
Hundreds of new recycling bins are being installed in busy public places across Scotland as the country marks the start of Recycle Week.
Highland team tackles dog fouling during national Poop Scoop Week
Dog fouling is one of the main areas of concern for residents in the Highlands and that is why the Council is playing its part during this week’s National Poop Scoop Week to persuade dog owners to keep their communities clean and tidy and to “grab it, bag it and bin it”.
Nairn hosts first steel band festival this weekend
Scotland's first Steel Band festival – Panfest 2012 - is being staged this weekend at Nairn Academy, whose three steelbands will host a visit by bands from Aberdeen, Glasgow and East Ayrshire.
Inverness war memorial appeal
The Royal British Legion Scotland Inverness Branch - in conjunction with the City of Inverness Committee of The Highland Council - are looking to update the Cavell Gardens War Memorial in Inverness with the names of all members of HM Forces that have been killed or have died as a result of injuries sustained in any conflict post-1945.
Fortrose Academy wins top national enterprise awards
Innovation from Fortrose Academy has swept the boards at the Young Enterprise Scotland Awards 2012.
Portree High School wins top accolade at Scottish Education Awards
Staff and students from Portree High School on the Isle of Skye are top of the class as they claimed a top accolade at the Scottish Education Awards 2012.
Public meeting called to discuss long-term plans for Stromeferry by-pass
Proposals for providing a long-term solution to the A 890 Stromeferry By-pass will be outlined at a public exhibition at Lochcarron Village Hall on Monday 25 June to be followed by a public meeting. The exhibition will run from 3 pm – 6 pm and the public meeting will follow at 7 pm.
Alness team scoop Scottish science prize
Alness Geoscience club, representing Alness Academy, have won the Scottish Government’s Junior Saltire Prize Award 2012 (S1-S3) for innovation in marine renewable energy.
Ward Forum to focus on the ambulance services in Easter Ross
Members of the Public are invited to come along to the joint Cromarty Firth and Tain and Easter Ross Ward Forum due to be held on Wednesday 20th June 2012.
Revival of Inverness Football Festival
The Inverness Football Festival is being revived at the weekend (15-17 June) when youth teams from Clachnacuddin, Inverness Caledonian Thistle and Ross County play host to an under 17 team from FC Augsburg, Bavaria, Germany – the long-established town-twin of Inverness.
Cuach na Cloinne 2012 Finals
Schools from across Scotland will gather in Fort William next week at Cuach na Cloinne 2012 Finals. 10.30 Saturday 23rd June at Lochaber High School, Fort William.
Possible temporary loss of telephone services - Killilan, Glenshiel and Ardvasar
As part of its ongoing recovery work to repair telephone services in the Killilan, Glenshiel and Ardvasar areas BT have advised that customers "may" experience a temporary loss of phone services, including 999, between 23.59 tonight and 0600 tomorrow morning (13 June 2012).
Highland and Islands local councils welcome the success of ETV campaign
The Leaders of The Highland and Islands local councils have welcomed news that an emergency towing vessel will be permanently based in the Highlands and Islands. The news was confirmed today (Tuesday) in a ministerial statement by Michael Moore, the Secretary of State for Scotland.
Zero Tolerance On Litter Campaign Continues
The Highland Council continues to run its ‘zero tolerance’ campaign on litter and Officers will again be making a targeted effort over the next fortnight.
Caithness provides warm welcome for Olympic Flame
A crowd of more than 1,500 turned up at John O’Groats on Sunday to welcome the Olympic Flame to the most northerly location on mainland Britain. The event began at 4.30 pm when the Caithness Junior Pipe Band piped the crowd who had attended the annual Caithness and Sutherland Vintage Car Rally down to the harbour area.
Highlands welcomes the Olympic Torch Relay - Crowds turn out in their thousands
Highlands welcomes the Olympic Torch Relay - Crowds turn in their thousands
BT confirm restoration of some telephone services – Skye and Western Isles
Police have received reports from BT that they have managed to restore a large percentage of services in the areas affected by an earlier loss of landlines.
Princess Royal installed as Chancellor of the University of the Highlands and Islands
HRH The Princess Royal has been installed as the first Chancellor of the University of the Highlands and Islands at a ceremony in Inverness on Thursday 7 June
OFT publishes report on markets in remote communities across UK
The Office of Fair Trading has published the findings of its consultation into markets in remote communities across the UK.
Have your say on the future development of the Inner Moray Firth
Residents in the Inner Moray Firth area are reminded that there is just under four weeks left to let The Highland Council’s Planning and Development Service know how they would like to see their community develop over the next 20 years.
Update - Loss of telephone services
Following the failure of a number of landline services in the Skye and Western Isles areas Police would like to advise members of the public requiring Police assistance that they can make contact with any Highland Council workmen in the area.
Loss of telephone services
A failure of ALL landline telephone services within the areas serviced by the following exchanges has been notified by British Telecom to Northern Constabulary:
Cabinet Secretary addresses Highland education seminar
Cabinet Secretary for Education and Lifelong Learning, Michael Russell MSP was guest speaker at a “16+ Learning Choices Seminar” held, in the Highland Council’s headquarters, Inverness today at which around 100 delegates attended.
Rogie Falls footbridge to reopen
The Highland Council and Forestry Commission Scotland are notifying members of the public that the Rogie Falls footbridge near Contin will open again for public access from Saturday June 9th.
Moments to shine for Caithness torch duo
Two young men from Caithness have a number of “moments to shine” over the next few days.
Clamp down on litterers during national day of action
The Highland Council and Northern Constabulary joined ranks today (Thursday 7 June) to take part in a Litter Day of Action to highlight the blight littering has on the environment and to crack down on people caught discarding their rubbish irresponsibly.
Eradication of invasive crayfish in Ballachulish Quarry
The Highland Council has confirmed proposals for the eradication of North American signal crayfish in Ballachulish Quarry this summer.
Final countdown to the arrival of the Olympic Torch in Lochaber
Final preparations are underway in Lochaber to welcome the Olympic Torch as it comes through Lochaber on Saturday 9 June at the start of a three-day visit to the Highlands.
Olympic Torch Relay in Badenoch and Stathspey
A meeting recently took place in Aviemore between The Highland Council, Northern Constabulary and community event organisers to look at traffic management, pedestrian safety and reduce congestion on Monday 11 June 2012 - the day the torch passes through Badenoch and Strathspey.
Accommodation providers wanted
The Highland Council is looking for accommodation providers to come forward with rooms that can be used to provide temporary accommodation for homeless people.
Crofting environment fun days - Skye and Lochalsh
On 29 and 30 May, 230 primary school children from 11 schools across Skye and Lochalsh explored aspects of their crofting heritage as they took part in an event to celebrate this unique culture and environment.
Ness Islands closure
The Highland Council is advising members of the public that the Ness Islands, Inverness will be closed on Thursday 14 June.
Shennachie stroll, guided walk with Council Ranger
Highland Council’s Countryside Ranger John Orr is leading a guided walk to Shennachie on Sunday 10th June, 11am – 3pm. The world famous river Findhorn has attracted people and wildlife for thousands of years.
Highland schools dominate the floor in national debate final
Half of the schools taking part in the “Speak up Scotland! Big Balloon Debate Final” held at the Royal Society of Edinburgh on 30 May were from the Highlands.
Highland schools and communities celebrate The Queen’s Diamond Jubilee
Schools and local communities in the Highlands are celebrating the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee in a variety of ways over this weekend and the rest of June.
Work commences on steeple refurbishment
Work is underway on a major refurbishment of the 300-year-old Inverness Steeple.
Linda’s new role as Champions’ Co-ordinator and Children’s Champion
The Highland Council has appointed Councillor Linda Munro from North West and Central Sutherland, to the new role of Champions’ Co-ordinator and Children’s Champion.
Multi-agency partners ready for ROCKNESS 2012
The Highlands’ premier music festival, Rockness, is just a week away and multi-agency partners are urging revellers to stay safe and enjoy their weekend.
Inverness pupils tie first in National Chess Championship in last minute of last game
A chess team of pupils from Balloch Primary school Inverness were celebrating this week with their success in tieing first in a national competition.