News Archive
24/1/2022
Young People Across The Highlands Are Encouraged To Register To Vote During Welcome To Your Vote Week
This week (24-30 January 2022) is Welcome to Your Vote week which is the ideal time to start conversations with young people about democracy, politics, and all aspects of voting. The Electoral Commission has created a set of online resources for young people, and those who work with them, to get the discussion started and help young people find out how to get and use their vote.24/1/2022
Keeping Eye Tests Free On The NHS In Scotland
Increase in fees paid to optometry practices for free examinations. The fees paid by the Scottish Government to optometrists for carrying out NHS-funded eye examinations will increase by 3% - helping to ensure everyone can continue to access high quality eye care.24/1/2022
Four Million Still To File Ahead Of Self Assessment Deadline
Millions of customers are still to file their 2020 to 2021 Self Assessment tax return. Four million customers are yet to submit their completed Self Assessment tax return and pay any tax owed ahead of the deadline on 31 January, HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) has warned.22/1/2022
Funding For Sustainable Islands
Projects delivering strong community climate themes across some of Scotland's islands will receive a share of almost £600,000 to support sustainability and provide more green travel options. The projects are delivered through the Scottish Government's Island Communities Fund, which provides investment for community-led projects that support employment, community resilience and contribute to Scotland’s just transition to net zero and climate resilient living on islands.21/1/2022
NHS Highland Has Plans To Re-open Hospital Minor Injuries Unit In Golsie, Msp Told
Highlands and Islands Labour MSP, Rhoda Grant, has been told that the health authority is planning to move the minor injuries unit at Lawson Memorial Hospital in Golspie to another area. NHS Highland's Chief Executive, Pam Dudek, confirmed the unit had been closed since March 2020 during the first lockdown.19/1/2022
New Plans To Boost Veterans Employment Launched
Veterans' Strategy Action Plan launches, including more than 60 commitments to help veterans with employment and healthcare. New programmes to make better use of the unique skills and experience of military veterans, including as prison officers and the uniformed and health services, have been launched today.18/1/2022
Important Changes To The Highway Code Coming In 2022
UK motorists can expect big changes this new year according to research done by vehicle finance specialist Carvine. Later this month, from January 29th, a batch of new Highway Code rules will come into force that will significantly impact how motorists behave behind the wheel.18/1/2022
Always Pack Your High Life Card - Leisure Link Partnership Extends To Shetland
A partnership providing free use of leisure facilities across Scotland - including Highland - now includes access to multiple leisure facilities across the Shetland Islands. The Leisure Link Partnership allows highlife card holders to access gym, public swimming and fitness classes at leisure centres across Aberdeen, Argyll and Bute, the Borders, Highland, Moray, Orkney, and The Western Isles - all at no extra cost.18/1/2022
Broadband Bills May Rise Up To An Inflation Busting 10%
New research from Choose finds 87% of broadband and mobile customers are unaware prices may increase by as much as 10% by April 2022. With annual price rises linked to inflation set to come into force over the coming months, almost half of respondents (46%) did not know prices would be increasing at all.18/1/2022
Tv Licence Fee Frozen For Two Years
The TV licence fee has been frozen for two years as the government moves to support families in the face of rising living costs. Fee will remain at £159 until 2024 before rising in line with inflation for four years.18/1/2022
New Content Partner Announced For Spirit Of The Highlands And Islands Project
On behalf of The Highland Council, High Life Highland this week announced Airborne Lens as the successful partner for the immersive input to Spirit of the Highlands and Islands project. Director of the Inverness Castle Project, Fiona Hampton, said: "This is a very exciting part of our project, allowing people to become immersed in the natural and cultural heritage of the Highlands and Islands through virtual and augmented reality.17/1/2022
Placements Help Pandemic Response
Around 12,000 students will assist in the safe delivery of health and social care as services continue to respond to the pandemic. More than 3,000 nursing and midwifery students are heading out on placements this month.17/1/2022
Help For EU Citizens To Prove Immigration Status Online
The Stay in Scotland campaign has been relaunched with updated resources to help European Union (EU) citizens living in Scotland access and prove their immigration status online using the UK Government's ‘view and prove' service. Although the Scottish Government continues to push the UK Government to offer physical proof of immigration status, EU citizens currently have to use the Home Office’s digital-only system to prove their rights in the UK.17/1/2022
Offshore Wind Impact Could Be Similar To Oil And Gas Sector, Says Hie
The economic impact of the offshore wind industry in the Highlands and Islands could be similar to that of historic oil and gas developments, according to Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE). The agency has welcomed today's ScotWind offshore wind leasing round announcement by Crown Estate Scotland.17/1/2022
Coronavirus (covid-19): Daily Data For Scotland - 17 January 2022
6,221 new cases of COVID-19 reported*. Please note that this figure now includes cases identified using either a first LFD (Lateral Flow Device) or PCR (Polymerase Chain Reaction) positive test.17/1/2022
Scotwind Offshore Wind Leasing Delivers Major Boost To Scotland's Net Zero Aspirations
Crown Estate Scotland has today announced the outcome of its application process for ScotWind Leasing, the first Scottish offshore wind leasing round in over a decade and the first ever since the management of offshore wind rights were devolved to Scotland. The results coming just months after Glasgow hosted the global COP26 climate conference show the huge opportunity that Scotland has to transform its energy market and move towards a net zero economy.17/1/2022
Offshore Wind Development
First Minister hails "truly historic" opportunity of ScotWind. Billions will be invested in high quality green jobs as part of Scotland's transition to net zero.16/1/2022
Still time to enter - Neil Gunn Writing Competition 2021/22
High Life Highland and the Neil Gunn Trust are delighted to announce that from Monday 20th September 2021, the 21/22 Neil Gunn Writing Competition is open for entries. The lead judge is distinguished author and patron of the Neil Gunn Trust, James Robertson.16/1/2022
Highland Digital Learning Hops Into 2022 With New Content
Highland's Online Primary School (HOPS) has launched for P4-P7 pupils to enhance children's learning through a weekly timetable of daily lessons with engaging content. The resource is available on the already established Highland Schools Digital Hub.16/1/2022