Latest News

Public Invited To Justice Service Open Day In Sutherland

The Highland Council's Justice Service team in Sutherland will be hosting an open day on Thursday 12 February 2026.   This is a chance for members of the public to come along and find out more about community sentences in Scotland, particularly in Sutherland and the surrounding area.  

Community Invited To Have Their Say On Possible Proposal For A Masterplan Consent Area At Embo

The Highland Council is inviting local residents to share their views on a possible proposal for a Masterplan Consent Area (MCA) Scheme at Embo.   MCAs are a legal planning tool that enable advance consent for large development sites, significantly reducing the time it takes to deliver housing and infrastructure.  

North Coast 500: Scotland's Scenic Route Under Strain

The North Coast 500 (NC500), often billed as Scotland's answer to Route 66, has become one of the UK's most celebrated scenic drives.  Stretching 516 miles through the Highlands, including the remote county of Sutherland, it attracts thousands of visitors each year.  

The Ups And Downs Of The Kettle Switch‑ons At Christmas: Can The Grid Cope?

Every December, Britain's electricity grid braces itself for one of the quirkiest and most predictable surges in demand: the mass kettle switch‑on.  It is a peculiarly British phenomenon, rooted in our love of tea and the rhythms of festive television.  

Introduction Of Short Term Let Control Area To Be Considered In Sutherland

At yesterday's meeting (Monday 1 December) of the Sutherland County Committee, Members agreed to progress the process for considering the introduction of a Short Term Let Control Area covering all or part of Sutherland.   It was also agreed that progressing the consideration would enable communities within the area to participate in a consultation at the appropriate stage.  

Dornoch Common Good Funding Approved For New Community Centre

Members of the Sutherland County Committee have recommended that Full Council approves an application for £280,000 of funding from the Dornoch Common Good Fund towards the development of a new community centre in Dornoch.   The application was submitted by the Dornoch and District Community Association (DADCA) which serves the local community by supporting social, cultural and recreational activities and has been recommended for approval subject to match funding and required permissions being in place.  

What's Driving Energy Prices Higher And How To Bring Them Down? - Possible Impacts for Caithness, Sutherland and Rural Highlands

Paul Kelso investigates what's driving energy prices higher and how to bring them down now and in the future.   It comes as analysts expect the cap to fall by 1% for a typical dual fuel household.  

Council Tax Support Mess Shows Perils Of Hiding Spending Cuts Under Cover Of Localisation

Devolving Council Tax support in 2013-14 has massively increased the amount of social security now being administered locally in England.  But this change has caused acute and often arbitrary hardship for vulnerable families - illustrating the perils of passing responsibility for deep spending cuts onto local authorities - according to new research published on Thursday 20 November 2025.  

Inflation Begins Its Long March Down, But The High Cost Of Living Demands Action From The Chancellor At The Budget

While the fall in CPI to 3.6 per cent in October, from 3.8 in September, signals the start of a long drift down in inflation, the cost of living remains high meaning the Chancellor must act at the Budget, according to the Resolution Foundation this morning (Wednesday).   This fall was largely in line with expectations, as past increases in energy prices dropped out of the 12-month window used to calculate inflation.  

New Business Growth Service Roadshow Kicks Off To Support Firms In The North East

Small Businesses across the UK will benefit from a new support service, bringing together central, devolved, and local support in one place for the first time.   UK roadshow kicks off in Newcastle to deliver Government's new business support service to over 100 small businesses.