News Archive
17/8/2006
Latest Unemployment Figures
SUMMARY The July 2006 unemployment figures were released on 16th August 2006. During the month, June 2006 to July 2006, the number of people claiming unemployment benefit in Great Britain rose by 0.7%, from 925,466 to 932,191 (6,725 claimants).
17/8/2006
Council Introduces New Taxi Tariffs.
The Highland Council's TEC Services has approved increased taxi fares following consultation with the trade and public and these will take effect from Monday 18 September. The Council undertook a review of the maximum level of charges for the hire of taxis or private hires cars fitted with taxi meters in accordance with the requirements of the Civic Government (Scotland) Act 1982.16/8/2006
Work Starts on New Sutherland Office Complex
Work begins on Monday (21 August) on a major project which will bring The Highland Council's 110 administrative and professional staff from the five current locations across East Sutherland into the one building at Drummuie, just south of Golspie. The Council is refurbishing the former technical studies wing of Golspie High School - an impressive listed building which dates back to 1903 - over the next 62 weeks to provide the Council with a modern new office with 100 car parking spaces.1/8/2006
Relocation, Relocation, Relocation - HiJobs Is Launched
A new website promoting opportunities in the Highlands is launched today.- In response to the buoyant Highlands and Islands economy, a new recruitment website - www.hijobs.co.uk - is launched today. The company is expected to turnover £500,000 in its first year.
30/7/2006
Exam Results Helpline to Open in August
As young people across the Highlands and Islands anxiously await their exam results, Careers Scotland is urging pupils to remain calm and take advantage of the Exam Results Helpline. Exam results will be posted throughout Scotland in August, and experts from Careers Scotland will be on standby to reassure callers and provide impartial advice.27/7/2006
New Look For Highlands' Largest B2B Exhibition
This year's Highland Spotlight exhibition sees some exciting changes to the format. Not only is there a new date - Tuesday 5 September 2006 - but there are also new features in the form of the Young Business Zone and the NSIG Energy Zone, adding to the already successful Fusion IT Zone.
26/7/2006
Sutherland Venue For Northern Sheep Event
Lamb grading, sheep health, production systems and easycare sheep are among the topics to be discussed at North Sheep an open day for the sheep industry which is due to be held on Thursday the 10th August 2006, at Kirkton Farm by Melvich, Sutherland, by the kind permission of Messers W Findlayon. This free event which starts at 1.00pm has been organised by SAC and is supported by European Social Fund (ESF), Highlands and islands Enterprise (HIE), Scottish Agricultural College (SAC), Quality Meat Scotland (QMS).25/7/2006
New Air Services For Western Isles
New Links for the Western Isles Sunday Services Introduced Air services to and from and within the Western Isles are to be further improved with the news announced today that Highland Airways is to directly link Benbecula with Inverness, and increase frequency on its Stornoway -Inverness services. The enhancement includes the addition of a new lunchtime rotation between Inverness and Stornoway each weekday and a flight on Sundays to provide more comprehensive weekend travel options between the two centres.
24/7/2006
Highlands And Islands Enterprise Seeks Help From Local Firms
Businesses and community organisations in the Highlands and Islands are being asked to help demonstrate that European Union funding has been properly invested. The Highlands and Islands Enterprise network (HIE) is compiling evidence to show in detail the good use put to funding distributed under the EU's six-year Highlands and Islands Special Transitional Programme (HISTP).20/7/2006
Graduate Your Business
Does your business have a project or development you never have time to undertake? Do you want to take advantage of up to date knowledge, enthusiasm and drive? If the answer is yes, the Caithness and Sutherland Enterprise (CASE) Graduate Placement Programme could be just what you're looking for. CASE is offering a limited number of places to businesses in the Caithness and Sutherland area.18/7/2006
Caithness And Sutherland Enterprise Approvals - June 2006
The following are funds approved up to the last day of the month. Please note that the sums relate to approvals, not payments.17/7/2006
Artitsts Looking For Accommodation In Durness - Cape Wrath Area
Joanne B Kaar a caithness based paper maker has sent the following request - "I have been appointed as the artist-in-residence for Durness/Cape Wrath area. It's a 3 month residency, and I will arrive in Durness on Friday 21st July.
11/7/2006
A9 Is Putting Brake On Development Say Firms
OVER 60 per cent of businesses surveyed in the Highlands and Central Belt want the A9 road to be fully dualled between Inverness and Perth, according to a report commissioned by Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE). The survey was carried out as part of a broad ranging research programme by HIE to determine the future transport investment priorities for the region - identifying the options that will best support long-term economic development.4/7/2006
Business Benefits From The Federation Of Small Businesses
Small businesses in Caithness and Sutherland are being encouraged to consider the benefits of becoming part of the largest organisation in the UK promoting and protecting the interests of the self-employed and owners of small firms. The Federation of Small Businesses (FSB), which is non-profit making and non-party political, has over 200,000 members UK wide, including the Caithness and Sutherland branch, which has over 200 members.
21/6/2006
CASE Approvals List - May 2006
The following are funds approved up to the last day of the month. Please note that the sums relate to approvals, not payments.19/6/2006
Lorraine Dunnet - Owner Of The Quiet Piggy
An old Gaelic proverb says that the quiet piggy eats the most and that's where Lorraine Dunnett got the name of her Helmsdale restaurant. But ask who enjoys living in Sutherland the most and you might be hard pushed to better the choice of this Maltese national who has made it her home from home.18/6/2006
Reducing Business Mileage? Have You Thought About Voice Conferencing?
The Government is planning to 'get tough' on the use of cars for business. It's time to find new ways to keep in touch, says Andrew Pearce The Government is committed to reducing greenhouse gases by 12.5 percent by 2008, and one 'sustainable policy initiative' is to discourage the use of cars to attend business meetings.14/6/2006
Durness Prepares For Mountains of Chocolate
A haven of temptation for chocoholics has opened in the Sutherland village of Durness, where a local resident has launched a luxury chocolate manufacturing business called Cocoa Mountain. Chocolatier Paul Maden is offering mouth-watering delicacies such as Dark Chocolate truffle with coffee and sweet cinnamon, Whisky and vanilla coffee with bitter cocoa dust (adults only), and imported Turkish delight, dipped in a dark 73% Cuban chocolate.
31/5/2006
Highland 2007 Secures Transport And Accommodation Package
Support for Highland 2007 is growing within the business community as a further three organisations become official partners to the year Scotland celebrates Highland culture. The three, Macdonald Aviemore Highland Resort, Highlands and Islands Airports Limited and First Scotrail are each contributing a substantial package of in-kind promotional support.29/5/2006