Live pictures of a golden eagle nest at a secret location in north west Scotland are set to be beamed to tourists and locals under an innovative new scheme macked by Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH). A new CCTV camera is perched at the site in an area of west Sutherland and is set to go live at Easter on a large screen in the Assynt Visitor Centre in Lochinver, Sutherland.
It's third time lucky for local café owners who had to shut their premises twice in the last 15 months due to flooding. Lindsay and Bob Boyle took over the lease of the small premises in Bettyhill on Sutherland's north coast nearly two years ago.
Police to use shared service point following closure of Bettyhill police station The Northern Joint Police Board agreed the closure of a number of police stations at its meeting in January, in order to avoid a further reduction in police staff numbers and to maintain officers at highest possible levels within communities. This enables the Force to meet the reduced budget for 2011-12, whilst retaining officer numbers above a minimum of 761 for the coming year.
The Highland Council has secured an additional £179,000 to deliver the Universal Home Insulation Scheme. The Scottish Government-funded scheme has been running in Highland since November 2010 in the wards of Skye, Badenoch and Strathspey, and East Sutherland and Edderton.
Traditional Woodsman's Coppice and Greenwood Skills Course The first ever course to be held in Scotland that carries a nationally recognised qualification in traditional woodland skills (OCN level 2/SVQ2) will be held this April/May in a woodland setting at Helmsdale, Sutherland. This should be a 5day course, with date to be agreed with participants, depending on demand.
This message is for all professionally qualified therapists, complimentary therapists, hairdressers, nail technicians, beauticians or any other folk who help the rest of the human race relax, de-stress and look beautiful too! We are just beginning to add the finishing touches to our new treatment room at The Tongue Hotel and are seeking a range of therapists who might be interested in undertaking a regular session to provide their services to our local community and guests. We will provide a newly renovated space (can be set for use with hairdressers back wash and cutting chair or arranged with a full size massage table.
THOUSANDS IN FIRING LINE AS CUTS BITE Around 60,000 households will face severe hardship when UK housing benefit changes take hold in Scotland, Housing and Communities Minister Alex Neil said today. In April, 55,000 households will be given nine months to either lose housing benefit or move out of their home.
The Highland Council's Library Service has received acknowledgement for their commitment to providing high quality services at the inaugural Scottish Library Excellence Awards. With public libraries in Scotland attracting over 30 million visitors per year and academic libraries attracting 12.8 million, the Scottish Library and Information Council (SLIC) acknowledged the achievements of Highland libraries.
A 2,000 Tonne load of salt delivered to Inverness yesterday (24 January 2011) has boosted total stock on salt for Highland Council roads to 14,800 Tonnes. With a further 8,300 Tonnes due later in the week, stocks are now sustainably above the 12,800 Tonne threshold at which Councillors decided last week that restrictions should be lifted.
The Highland Council has welcomed the progress announced today (Tuesday 25 January 2011) in reactivating the former Nigg oil fabrication yard in East Ross. Global Energy has confirmed it has been given preferred bidder status and is in the process of purchasing part of the site owned by US company, KBR, and securing a long term lease of the section owned by the Wakelyn Trust, with a view to taking over the site in April.
Planning consultations seek views on sustainable design and impact of development on trees and woodland. An eight-week public consultation gets under way today Monday (24 January 2011) on two new planning documents produced by The Highland Council's Planning Environment and Development Service, which provide guidance on the design of buildings as well the impact of developments on trees and woodland.
Highland householders are being advised by The Highland Council of new and extended ways of paying their Council Tax, rent and other Council bills. The new payment system takes effect from 1 April - the start of the new financial year.
Members of The Highland Council's Transport Environmental and Community Services Committee have agreed that emergency measures to conserve road salt should remain in place until the stock returns to a sustainable level of 12,800 tonnes, which provides eight days of supply at heavy usage. The latest stock level stands at 12,300 tonnes and it is hoped that the restrictions can be lifted by the end of next week, if further scheduled salt supplies arrive.
In a presentation given to the Highland Council's Planning and Economic Development Committee on January 19th, Ann Hackett, Principal Projects Officer, highlighted to Councillors how over £4 million of Environmental Improvement Projects have contributed to sustainable economic growth throughout Highland Communities. Chairman of the PED Committee, Councillor Ian Ross said: "The Planning & Development Capital Programme is relatively modest when compared to the big Council services, but it enables us to tap into other sources of external funding.
Members of the Planning, Environment and Development Committee have agreed a 10 point action plan for offshore renewable energy development which will assist The Highland Council to deliver set objectives for the economy, communities and the environment. The Action Plan, which received cross party support, covers issues surrounding infrastructure, the supply chain, community benefit and workforce and skills.
Council updates members on development of a business case for arms length organisation Members of The Highland Council's Education, Culture and Sport Committee have welcomed the confirmation of a portfolio of services, facilities, staff and budgets to be included within the development of the business case that will explore establishing an arms length organisation (ALO) to manage and deliver the Council's Community Learning and Leisure Services (CLL). Included within the portfolio being considered for the business case are: some 300 buildings and property; around 460 staff; and services covering adult and youth work, culture, facilities, libraries, sport, and health and well being partnership working.
In January 2011 The Highland Council is to start testing properties in the Highlands at highest risk from radon gas. A programme has been developed following the publication last year of new radon maps for Scotland produced by the Health Protection Agency (HPA).
Available throughout March and April 2011 Offer includes a 2 night stay in a Superior Room (subject to availability) with Dinner Bed & Breakfast for 2 people. Just £149.50!!!! Why not treat yourself to a relaxing break, recharge your batteries and avoid all that spring cleaning! The Tongue Hotel is offering a special two night spring break throughout March and April 2011 for less than £38 per person per night! This amazing offer includes a two night stay for two people in a 4 star Hotel set within a stunning rural location.
The search for regional cooks with fantastic Philadelphia recipes is on! December 2010: TV chef Ed Baines is on the hunt for cooking enthusiasts to become a 'Local Philly Hero'- you could represent your region by creating your own recipe for Philadelphia, the UK's number one cream cheese. If you are chosen to be one of Philly's ten local heroes you could feature in Philadelphia TV ads, billboard posters, the Philly website and even on pack...
As the winter weather bites, Scottish Water is advising communities across the Highlands and Islands to heat, insulate and protect their homes, businesses, holiday cottages and village halls to help prevent the misery of burst pipes. There are three simple steps: *Heat - Leave your heating on at a low temperature.
