A Highland Council Ranger project in Sutherland came to fruition when the red carpet was rolled out for the World premiere of "A Moving Story", a film starring many of the children of the North West Highlands Geopark which was shown at the Screen Machine 2 in Kinlochbervie on Monday (1st February 2010) 72 school children from six primary schools were taken on a 400 million year trip at Knockan Crag NNR by the Highland Council Rangers from Ullapool, Lochinver and Durness in October. Their "dramatic" output was captured on film where the children imaginatively demonstrated their understanding of the famous Moine Thrust and the characters involved in the "Highland Controversy" - the great scientific debate in 19th century geology about the puzzle of why older rocks came to rest on younger ones which led to Peach and Horne surveying the geology of Assynt.
The Highland Council has written to Scottish MSPs seeking their support for the retention of aquaculture planning powers by local authorities. The Council understands that Elaine Murray MSP will table an amendment at Stage 3 of the Marine (Scotland) Bill on Thursday, which seeks to have aquaculture planning included within the remit of Marine Scotland.
Old Pulteney single malt whisky has helped a separated Cape Wrath couple celebrate their reunion this week with a bottle of their whisky from their Wick-based distillery. John and Kay Ure, who run an isolated tea room in the UK mainland's most north-westerly tip, were forced to spend the festive season apart for the first time in 35 years when the 'big freeze' hit in December.
The caring and supportive environment for learning was one of the three particular strengths highlighted by Her Majesty's Inspectors of Education in a report published today on Kinlochbervie High School. Inspectors reported that in most classes, pupils were motivated and very willing to learn and that relationships between teachers and pupils were positive.
As part of the inspectorate's ongoing strategy for evaluating the educational provision of local authorities, a report is issued today on the inspection by HMIe of the quality of education at Lairg Primary School. The follow-through report is based on an inspection visit which was carried out in November 2009 and describes the improvements that have been made since the original inspection in 2008.
Highlands and Islands Strategic Co-ordinating Group and British Waterways Scotland warn people about frozen stretches of water. Police and partner agencies are again warning people about the dangers which exist around frozen stretches of water, as the big freeze continues.
The Highland Council's Housing and Social Work Committee has recommended that the increase in council house rents for 2010-11 should be contained to 1.3% - an average weekly increase of 83p. The proposed increase, to be approved by The Highland Council on 11 February, would see the average council house rent increasing from £63.92 per week to £64.75 per week (over 48 weekly charges).
A new public office has opened in Golspie, which offers a wide range of services under the one roof. Olsen House is home to The Highland Council's Service Point and Money Advice Service as well as to staff of Northern Constabulary and the East Sutherland Citizens' Advice Bureau.
A new team for Caithness has been created at Scottish Natural Heritage's North Highland Area Office in Golspie. Tom Kellett is now in charge of the team of Area Officers following a promotion.
Do you have an electrical item that's lost its spark? By the end of January 2010 facilities will be in place at Recycling Centres across Highland to recycle all waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE). Householders in Highland will be able to recycle any electrical item with a plug attached, or items operated by a battery.
The Highland Council's Convener Councillor Sandy Park is calling for patience when it comes to clearing Highland roads and pavements. Since the recent wintry conditions have started the Council's entire fleet of 114 road, and 54 pavement gritters and over 200 winter maintenance staff have been working flat out within the Council's gritting policy to keep roads clear.
The Highland Council is backing the proposed relocation of the UHI Centre for History within Dornoch to premises which will put the centre in a better position to meet the demand generated by successful degree courses now being taken by students through the prospective university of the Highlands and Islands. The Council has pledged a £200,000 grant towards the cost of establishing a new centre headquarters within a redeveloped stable block at the Burghfield House Hotel, which was recently purchased by North Highland College UHI and transformed into a major training centre for the hospitality and tourism industries.
There was a full house at the new Burghfield Campus of North Highland College in Dornoch last Monday (5 October 2009). The East Sutherland and Edderton Ward Forum listened to Scott Armstrong from Visit Scotland and Colin Simpson, Tourism Coordinator from the Council talk about the summer 2009 season, which has been very successful for operators in Sutherland.
Jim Steven, head teacher of Invergordon Academy, is to become the interim head teacher at Golspie High School. Mr Steven will take over from Bill Irwin, who is transferring to a senior administrative post with the Council's Education Culture and Sport Service.
The next East Sutherland and Edderton Ward Forum will be held on Monday 5 October at 7.30pm in the new North Highland College campus at the Burghfield, Dornoch. The theme of the forum is Tourism, so it is appropriate for it to be hosted by the new training hotel which has been converted from the former Burghfield Hotel.
One of Scotland's most ancient landscapes will have a new Geo-Ranger post thanks to funding from Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH). A Geo-Ranger will be employed by the North West Highlands Geopark which operates under the auspices of the Sutherland Partnership.
"Calluna (the Latin for heather) Country with Hunter's Tweed" has opened its newly renovated classic store at London House in Brora on the corner of the main A9 and Station Square. This is opposite the original Hunters shop and is a welcome return for Hunter's in beautifully turned out premises.
Changes to the determination of local planning applications will be introduced later in the year to speed up the decision-making process and encourage inward investment. The Highland Council has agreed a Scheme of Delegation and establishment of a Review Body, which it has presented to the Scottish Government for approval and implementation by 3 August.
Pupils from Brora Primary will end the term on a high as their school is the first in the North Highlands to be awarded the Scottish Football Association Level 1 Quality Mark in recognition of the high standards continuously maintained by the coaching team. Janitor David Rose and his team of coaches at the 93 pupil school have been coaching football to children for a good number of years and successes have included winning the local schools competition, the Paynter Cup and reaching the last 8 in Scotland for the SFA Soccer 7s national competition.
Today (Thursday 2 July) sees the launch of the new Blog for the Highland wide Local Development Plan. The Blog will be updated regularly with information on meetings and events hosted and attended by the Development Plans team at The Highland Council.
