A £120,500 plan to develop a new pontoon system at Kinlochbervie Harbour is to go ahead following funding approval from Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) and Highland Council.   Pontoons to berth an additional twelve boats will be built for small yachts, pleasure boats and commercial crafts, helping to regenerate the sparsely populated fishing community.   ... [more]

Women appear to be developing a serious taste for careers in the Scotch whisky industry alongside their growing appreciation of fine malts, according to the country's leading whisky producer, Diageo.   In the past 12 months the company, which produces renowned brands such as Johnnie Walker, J&B and Bell's, has received a record number of job applications from women seeking careers at its distilleries.   ... [more]

Basing its business at Durness, Sutherland, in the most north westerly corner of the UK has proved to be no drawback for luxury chocolate manufacturer, Cocoa Mountain.   Rather, business is flourishing to such an extent that the company has outgrown its old premises at 19a Balnakeil Craft Village and has just moved into a more spacious and better sited new unit at 8 Balnakeil which has been completely renovated and reconfigured to make it fit for purpose.   ... [more]

The Social Enterprise Academy is holding two taster sessions on behalf of the Kyle of Sutherland Trust.   The first is at Carbisdale Castle, on Wednesday 3rd September 2008, 7-8.30pm and a similar event on Saturday 6th September 2008 10-11.30am at Bonar Bridge Community Hall.   ... [more]

Councillor Bill Fernie, Chairman of Education Culture and Sport Committee will officially re-open Sutherland Swimming Pool in Golspie on Saturday 7th June after a £1.2 million refurbishment by The Highland Council's Education, Culture and Sport Service.  The new facility now provides a first class environment for swimming, health and fitness which is fully accessible to all.   ... [more]

Highland Councillors are set to step up their campaign to cushion the impact of rising fuel prices.  A report to be considered by the Transport Environmental and Community Services Committee on Thursday highlights that the Council alone faces an increased fuel bill of £725,000 in the current financial year.   ... [more]

Taxi fare increases in the Highlands have been confirmed by The Highland Council's Transport Environmental and Community Services Committee following a period of consultation with the trade and the public.   The increases take account of increases in the costs of operating taxis, such as rising diesel, petrol and insurance premiums and recognise that Highland taxi fares are amongst the lowest in Scotland.   ... [more]

Taxi fare increases in the Highlands have been confirmed by The Highland Council's Transport Environmental and Community Services Committee following a period of consultation with the trade and the public.   The increases take account of increases in the costs of operating taxis, such as rising diesel, petrol and insurance premiums and recognise that Highland taxi fares are amongst the lowest in Scotland.   ... [more]

Ministers have approved the Gordonbush wind farm, near Brora in Sutherland, which will be capable of powering 37,000 homes.   The 87.5 Megawatt, 35 turbine wind farm will be subject to conditions to minimise any potential disturbance to local wildlife and to safeguard local interests.   ... [more]

There will be another chance for members of the public to look around The Highland Council's new flagship office complex in East Sutherland at Drummuie, Golspie, from 7pm to 8pm on Thursday 10 April.   This evening follows on from the open afternoon on Wednesday 2 April which had to be cut short due to a problem with the lift.   ... [more]

The public is being invited to look around the The Highland Council's new flagship office complex in East Sutherland at Drummuie, Golspie, from 1-3 pm on Wednesday 2 April.  The impressive listed building, situated on the southern outskirts of Golspie, has undergone a total refurbishment to provide modern office accommodation for up to 130 administrative and professional staff from a number of Council Services.   ... [more]

The Highland Council is in the frame to be crowned Scotland's top local authority for community recycling, at a major awards ceremony to be held next month.   Highland Council has made it through to the final stages of the competition and will now compete against both Falkirk and Moray Council for a chance to scoop the Local Authority Partnership Award, at this year's Community Recycling Network for Scotland (CRNS) 2008 Awards.   ... [more]

Businesses in Scotland are helping create a boom in environmental tourism as increasing numbers of companies and organisations seek to establish their green credentials.   More than 600 businesses seeking to achieve a bronze, silver or gold standard award for their commitment to sustainable tourism applied to join The Green Tourism Business Scheme (GTBS) in the last twelve months.   ... [more]

A three year 50-point action plan for regenerating the Caithness and North Sutherland economy has been agreed by key stakeholders.   The plan has been developed from the regeneration strategy which went out for consultation a year ago, and input from the Caithness Conference in September.   ... [more]

Two pupils from Melvich Primary School finished what they started today (Tuesday 4th December 2007) when they helped open the upgrading of the A 836 North Coast road, between Melvich and Strathy.  Aaron Mackay and Katrina Mackay cut the first turfs on the project in March of this year and today assisted Councillor John Laing, Chairman of The Highland Council's Transport Environmental and Community Services Committee to formally open the £3.4 million project.   ... [more]

Motorists are being warned that part time 20mph speed restrictions have been introduced at another school in Sutherland for children's safety.   The new speed limit is now in force at Rogart Primary and will operate when pupils are expected to be arriving or departing from the school.   ... [more]

Urgent remedial works to the rock faces on the south side of the A 890 Stromeferry Bypass, Wester Ross, will commence on 7 January, next year, and continue for an estimated eight weeks.   Due to the proximity of the road, traffic management will be necessary for the duration of the contract, which has been awarded to Skye Rope Access.   ... [more]

The Highland Council is one step closer to producing its first Core Paths Plan for Sutherland.  This plan has been developed through public consultation and advice from the Sutherland Local Access Forum.   ... [more]

Dr Paul Fifield, a world renowned marketing strategist, is to deliver a talk on marketing for smaller businesses in Inverness on November 15 at the invitation of The Chartered Institute of Marketing in Scotland (CIM).   Dr Fifield has over 30 years' experience in marketing and was a member of the CIM International Board of Trustees 2002-2004.   ... [more]

A Highland woman has become the first ever bed and breakfast owner to scoop the most prestigious prize in the Scottish tourism industry for 2007.   Joan Campbell's Silver Thistle success is a fitting end to over thirty years in the tourism industry and comes in the same week that the Sutherland businesswoman announced her retirement from running the Sheiling B&B near Thurso.   ... [more]