Local food has been given a boost as £2.5 million is made available over three years to support initiatives that put a spotlight on Scotland's outstanding natural produce. The Scottish Government is working in collaboration with SRUC - Scotland's Rural College - to set up Think Local, an initiative to deliver targeted support and advice to local food companies, networks and communities.
The Kessock Bridge major improvement scheme starts on Monday 11th February 2013. The programme for the advance mitigation works prior to the main construction is as follows: • Longman Roundabout Signalisation.
The Highland Council is seeking offers for the sale of surplus Council buildings. This includes a village hall, a former care home, a former school, an office building, a workshop garage and a house.
Transport Scotland has announced a £1.8 million transport package to help ease congestion around the Kessock Bridge resurfacing works next year. A range of roads and public transport measures will be put in place between now and February, including extra seating capacity on trains and buses, additional car parking at Dingwall and Beauly stations, a dedicated bus lane and the re-opening of Conon Bridge Station.
Scottish Water is encouraging customers in Sutherland to ensure homes and businesses are protected and prepared for winter. Protect your pipes - Be prepared, is Scottish Water's winter message, asking customers throughout the area to protect their pipes, be prepared and heat, insulate and protect their home and business.
Dear members of the Dornoch Rail Link Action Group, General situation 1. Since the production of the last newsletter, the rail improvements south of the Border have been proceeding apace.
The Scottish Government is urging keepers of all breeding herds to think about their Bovine Viral Diarrhoea (BVD) testing before putting calves into the sales this autumn. As part of the Scottish BVD eradication scheme all breeding herds must be screened for BVD by 1 February 2013.
The vibrancy of Scotland's creativity was in the spotlight as the recipients of this year's Starter for 6 investment were announced by Culture Secretary Fiona Hyslop. Among the successful companies are a former Hip Hop dancer whose global network is enabling dancers from the USA to Australia to share moves via an app on both the Apple and Android platforms; an innovative, high-tech fashion designer; and a product designer whose drum kit won't upset the neighbours.
The Scottish Government has made the first step towards a Scotland-wide travel Smart Card to be used across the public transport networks. The ticket, dubbed the Saltire Card, will allow passengers to pre-load money which they can then use on trains, buses, ferries, subway and trams throughout Scotland.
Highlands and Islands Social Enterprise Zone (HISEZ) have been running successful networking events across the Highlands and Islands for the last 3 years. With expertise in support for Social Enterprises and advice for anyone wishing to start a social enterprise, these events have been an ideal opportunity for many to find out more information and to meet like-minded organisations.
NHS Highland recently discussed the new Patients Rights Act. The Patient Rights (Scotland) Act 2011 aims to improve patients' experiences of using health services and to support people to become more involved in their health and health care.
Senior Marine Scotland officials are to undertake a tour of Scotland's fishing ports for a series of quayside conversations. The officials will meet with fishermen and others involved in the seafood industry to hear first hand about their concerns.
The Highland Council is advising anyone accessing its e-Planning service that they are working to fix problems with the system and the time to respond to current consultations will be extended to take into account the difficulties experienced by users. A Council spokesperson said: "We are aware that people are currently experiencing difficulty accessing planning application documents on line through our ePlanning system.
One of the most significant contributions to the UK's climate change targets has moved a step closer as the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) today announced a *first-round pass grant of over £4million to restore Europe's largest intact expanse of blanket bog. Flow to the Future is an ambitious plan, co-ordinated by the Peatlands Partnership, to restore seven square miles of globally important peatlands (blanket bog) in Caithness & Sutherland.
The first stage of the £23 million River Ness Flood Alleviation Scheme, Inverness, which will protect approximately 800 homes and 200 businesses in the city centre, is due to start on 22 October. Work will involve the diversion of gas, water, electricity and telecommunication services required to accommodate the first phase of the construction of piled foundations, a seepage collection system and flood walls/ embankments on both sides of the river between the Ness Bridge and Friar's Bridge.
Travellers in Scotland will soon be able to find out more about nature and landscapes seen from the carriage on train journeys around the country. In preparation for the Year of Natural Scotland in 2013, Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) is developing a series of new audio tours adding value to journeys by giving information about the natural environment around some of the main rail routes.
Three Shetland businesses to be reported to the Procurator Fiscal for allegedly selling alcohol to minors. Northern Constabulary officers have reported three businesses in Shetland to the Procurator Fiscal for allegedly selling alcohol to underagers.
Wave, tidal and community renewables among priorities for £103 million fund. A multi-million pound renewable energy investment fund (REIF), geared to stimulating greater levels of private finance into innovative green power and renewable district heating projects in Scotland, was opened for business by First Minister Alex Salmond today.
Trading Standards officers with The Highland Council are warning all residents to be on their guard when answering 'cold-callers' at their home offering 'free home insulation'. This warning follows reports being received by Trading Standards as a result of a current Highland Council approved Universal Home Insulation Scheme being operated by Carillion Energy Services within the Highland area.
Tourism businesses urged to capitalise on Scotland's £1.5bn events and festivals market. Scottish tourism businesses are being challenged to look at ways of tapping into Scotland's world-class events and festivals programme in the run up to 2014, when the country will host The Ryder Cup, Glasgow Commonwealth Games and a year-long Homecoming Scotland celebration.
