New research published by Ofcom reveals how people in the UK use, understand and feel about the media and online services they interact with in their daily lives. In line with our duty to promote and research media literacy, Ofcom’s annual Adults’ Media Use and Attitudes and Adults’ Media Lives research reports tracked trends in the nation’s media habits and online behaviours over the last year.[1] The research reveals, among other things, more circumspect relationships with social media; rapid adoption of AI tools; a continuation of online enterprising; and mixed views when it comes to trust in news sources.
When businesses struggle, households pay — and rural Scotland pays twice. If you want to see how national policy changes land in Scotland, especially in the Highlands, don’t look at the legislation look at the weekly shop, the fuel gauge, and the heating bill.
Why the next year will test the resilience of Scotland’s local economy especially north of Perth If you want to understand the pressure Scottish businesses are under, picture a crofter trying to mend a fence in a gale. Every time he hammers one post in, another one blows over.
"Pay by Bank" in the UK. It is a secure, fast, and growing payment method powered by open banking, allowing you to pay directly from your bank app without entering card details.
Round 2 of The Highland Council’s Reuse and Repair Fund opens this week on Thursday 2 April. Grants of between £2,000 and £50,000 are available to support a range of community‑led initiatives that will help people repair, reuse and upcycle materials - reducing waste and supporting a stronger circular economy.
Fuel security has quietly become one of the most important issues facing the Highlands, even if it rarely gets the political attention it deserves. Prices rise, global tensions escalate, and supply chains creak under the strain of geopolitical shocks.
With Ofgem due to announce the July–September energy price cap on 28 May 2026, households across Scotland are bracing for what comes next. The April cap has already set the baseline for spring, but the big question now is whether the July cap will push bills back up just as we move toward the colder months.
Lessons from the Post-War house building Boom Between 1951 and 1964, successive UK governments pledged and delivered 300,000–400,000 new homes per year. This included New towns like Glenrothes, East Kilbride, and Cumbernauld.
A family-run micro-distillery in Wester Ross is set for significant growth after securing a £105,215 investment from Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE). A family-run micro-distillery in Wester Ross is set for significant growth after securing a £105,215 investment from Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE).
A major project to develop a new net zero distillery in Sutherland has secured up to £1.57m from Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE). A major project to develop a new net zero distillery in Sutherland has secured up to £1.57m from Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE).
What New Rules Mean for Pet Owners Across The country. If you’ve ever walked out of a vet’s surgery almost any where wondering how a five‑minute consultation turned into a three‑figure bill, you’re far from alone.
If the Highlands is to navigate the next decade without sliding into a quiet, unmanaged decline, it needs a new model for public services and one that reflects the region’s geography, its demographics, and the financial constraints shaping every decision. The old model, built around a large workforce, a wide estate of local offices, and a service structure designed for a very different era, is no longer sustainable.
The UK pays the highest electricity prices in Europe — and it doesn't have to. In this video, I explain the electricity pricing scam at the heart of the UK energy crisis and why the government refuses to fix it.
New plans aim to support British farmers by improving supply resilience to global market shocks and supporting innovation in the fertiliser sector. British farmers could benefit from access to new and innovative fertilising products which have the potential to reduce air, land and water pollution under new government proposals launched today (Thursday 19 March 2026).
Commodity markets have slipped back into a familiar pattern: when the world becomes uncertain, prices stop reflecting supply and demand and start reflecting fear. Oil is the clearest example.
Travellers who have had flights delayed or cancelled due to the ongoing crisis in the Middle East are being warned that scammers are setting up fake airline accounts on social media. Several customers have messaged these fraudulent accounts, believing that they were talking to genuine customer service staff from the airline.
Some people have been arrested in UAE and Dubai for filming missile and other war incidents. When videos of missile interceptions or explosions appear online from places like Dubai or Abu Dhabi, they spread across social media almost instantly.
Expanding medicine reclassification could improve access to treatments, empower self-care, and reduce pressure on NHS services. Empowering people to take control of their own health is an essential pillar of a sustainable healthcare system.
This is a well‑known principle in international relations. Many conflicts involve asymmetric power: One side is militarily weaker But they can still impose high costs on stronger countries.
The New Naver Bridge, located in Bettyhill along the A836, is now open to traffic. Though currently open only as single carriageway, the new bridge, which is part of the North Coast 500, welcomed its first cars at the end of February.
