https://sutherland-business.co.uk/ Business news stories for the county of Sutherland, Scotland en-gb PHP Business Index by Niall Fernie Copyright 1998-2026 Caithness.Org niall.fernie@gmail.com (Niall Fernie) 720 https://sutherland-business.co.uk/images/logo_rss.gifhttps://sutherland-business.co.uk/ https://sutherland-business.co.uk/article/1803 There once was a voter in Kent, Whose wages were already spent, With eggs and with oil. And Mandelson’s toil, And wars that came highly event. https://sutherland-business.co.uk/article/1803 Sutherland Business Index Fri, 17 Apr 2026 01:01:01 GMT https://sutherland-business.co.uk/article/1802 New research published by Ofcom reveals how people in the UK use, understand and feel about the media and online services they interact with in their daily lives. In line with our duty to promote and research media literacy, Ofcom’s annual Adults’ Media Use and Attitudes and Adults’ Media Lives research reports tracked trends in the nation’s media habits and online behaviours over the last year.[1] The research reveals, among other things, more circumspect relationships with social media; rapid adoption of AI tools; a continuation of online enterprising; and mixed views when it comes to trust in news sources. https://sutherland-business.co.uk/article/1802 Sutherland Business Index Wed, 8 Apr 2026 01:01:01 GMT https://sutherland-business.co.uk/article/1800 Why the next year will test the resilience of Scotland’s local economy especially north of Perth If you want to understand the pressure Scottish businesses are under, picture a crofter trying to mend a fence in a gale. Every time he hammers one post in, another one blows over. https://sutherland-business.co.uk/article/1800 Sutherland Business Index Sat, 4 Apr 2026 01:01:01 GMT https://sutherland-business.co.uk/article/1801 When businesses struggle, households pay — and rural Scotland pays twice. If you want to see how national policy changes land in Scotland, especially in the Highlands, don’t look at the legislation look at the weekly shop, the fuel gauge, and the heating bill. https://sutherland-business.co.uk/article/1801 Sutherland Business Index Sat, 4 Apr 2026 01:01:01 GMT https://sutherland-business.co.uk/article/1798 "Pay by Bank" in the UK. It is a secure, fast, and growing payment method powered by open banking, allowing you to pay directly from your bank app without entering card details. https://sutherland-business.co.uk/article/1798 Sutherland Business Index Mon, 30 Mar 2026 01:01:01 GMT https://sutherland-business.co.uk/article/1799 Round 2 of The Highland Council’s Reuse and Repair Fund opens this week on Thursday 2 April. Grants of between £2,000 and £50,000 are available to support a range of community‑led initiatives that will help people repair, reuse and upcycle materials - reducing waste and supporting a stronger circular economy. https://sutherland-business.co.uk/article/1799 Sutherland Business Index Mon, 30 Mar 2026 01:01:01 GMT https://sutherland-business.co.uk/article/1797 Fuel security has quietly become one of the most important issues facing the Highlands, even if it rarely gets the political attention it deserves. Prices rise, global tensions escalate, and supply chains creak under the strain of geopolitical shocks. https://sutherland-business.co.uk/article/1797 Sutherland Business Index Sun, 29 Mar 2026 01:01:01 GMT https://sutherland-business.co.uk/article/1796 With Ofgem due to announce the July–September energy price cap on 28 May 2026, households across Scotland are bracing for what comes next. The April cap has already set the baseline for spring, but the big question now is whether the July cap will push bills back up just as we move toward the colder months. https://sutherland-business.co.uk/article/1796 Sutherland Business Index Fri, 27 Mar 2026 01:01:01 GMT https://sutherland-business.co.uk/article/1793 Lessons from the Post-War house building Boom Between 1951 and 1964, successive UK governments pledged and delivered 300,000–400,000 new homes per year. This included New towns like Glenrothes, East Kilbride, and Cumbernauld. https://sutherland-business.co.uk/article/1793 Sutherland Business Index Thu, 26 Mar 2026 01:01:01 GMT https://sutherland-business.co.uk/article/1794 A family-run micro-distillery in Wester Ross is set for significant growth after securing a £105,215 investment from Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE). A family-run micro-distillery in Wester Ross is set for significant growth after securing a £105,215 investment from Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE). https://sutherland-business.co.uk/article/1794 Sutherland Business Index Thu, 26 Mar 2026 01:01:01 GMT https://sutherland-business.co.uk/article/1792 A major project to develop a new net zero distillery in Sutherland has secured up to £1.57m from Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE). A major project to develop a new net zero distillery in Sutherland has secured up to £1.57m from Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE). https://sutherland-business.co.uk/article/1792 Sutherland Business Index Wed, 25 Mar 2026 01:01:01 GMT https://sutherland-business.co.uk/article/1791 What New Rules Mean for Pet Owners Across The country. If you’ve ever walked out of a vet’s surgery almost any where wondering how a five‑minute consultation turned into a three‑figure bill, you’re far from alone. https://sutherland-business.co.uk/article/1791 Sutherland Business Index Tue, 24 Mar 2026 01:01:01 GMT https://sutherland-business.co.uk/article/1790 If the Highlands is to navigate the next decade without sliding into a quiet, unmanaged decline, it needs a new model for public services and one that reflects the region’s geography, its demographics, and the financial constraints shaping every decision. The old model, built around a large workforce, a wide estate of local offices, and a service structure designed for a very different era, is no longer sustainable. https://sutherland-business.co.uk/article/1790 Sutherland Business Index Mon, 23 Mar 2026 01:01:01 GMT https://sutherland-business.co.uk/article/1787 Commodity markets have slipped back into a familiar pattern: when the world becomes uncertain, prices stop reflecting supply and demand and start reflecting fear. Oil is the clearest example. https://sutherland-business.co.uk/article/1787 Sutherland Business Index Fri, 20 Mar 2026 01:01:01 GMT https://sutherland-business.co.uk/article/1788 New plans aim to support British farmers by improving supply resilience to global market shocks and supporting innovation in the fertiliser sector. British farmers could benefit from access to new and innovative fertilising products which have the potential to reduce air, land and water pollution under new government proposals launched today (Thursday 19 March 2026). https://sutherland-business.co.uk/article/1788 Sutherland Business Index Fri, 20 Mar 2026 01:01:01 GMT https://sutherland-business.co.uk/article/1789 The UK pays the highest electricity prices in Europe — and it doesn't have to. In this video, I explain the electricity pricing scam at the heart of the UK energy crisis and why the government refuses to fix it. https://sutherland-business.co.uk/article/1789 Sutherland Business Index Fri, 20 Mar 2026 01:01:01 GMT https://sutherland-business.co.uk/article/1786 Travellers who have had flights delayed or cancelled due to the ongoing crisis in the Middle East are being warned that scammers are setting up fake airline accounts on social media. Several customers have messaged these fraudulent accounts, believing that they were talking to genuine customer service staff from the airline. https://sutherland-business.co.uk/article/1786 Sutherland Business Index Thu, 19 Mar 2026 01:01:01 GMT https://sutherland-business.co.uk/article/1783 Expanding medicine reclassification could improve access to treatments, empower self-care, and reduce pressure on NHS services. Empowering people to take control of their own health is an essential pillar of a sustainable healthcare system. https://sutherland-business.co.uk/article/1783 Sutherland Business Index Thu, 12 Mar 2026 01:01:01 GMT https://sutherland-business.co.uk/article/1784 This is a well‑known principle in international relations. Many conflicts involve asymmetric power: One side is militarily weaker But they can still impose high costs on stronger countries. https://sutherland-business.co.uk/article/1784 Sutherland Business Index Thu, 12 Mar 2026 01:01:01 GMT https://sutherland-business.co.uk/article/1785 Some people have been arrested in UAE and Dubai for filming missile and other war incidents. When videos of missile interceptions or explosions appear online from places like Dubai or Abu Dhabi, they spread across social media almost instantly. https://sutherland-business.co.uk/article/1785 Sutherland Business Index Thu, 12 Mar 2026 01:01:01 GMT https://sutherland-business.co.uk/article/1782 The New Naver Bridge, located in Bettyhill along the A836, is now open to traffic. Though currently open only as single carriageway, the new bridge, which is part of the North Coast 500, welcomed its first cars at the end of February. https://sutherland-business.co.uk/article/1782 Sutherland Business Index Thu, 5 Mar 2026 01:01:01 GMT https://sutherland-business.co.uk/article/1772 Business rates help has been announced for venues in England. Pubs and live music venues relief 2026 to 2027. https://sutherland-business.co.uk/article/1772 Sutherland Business Index Wed, 28 Jan 2026 01:01:01 GMT https://sutherland-business.co.uk/article/1773 Taking the HS2 railway into central London is crucial to unlocking its full potential to create more jobs, more homes and to boost the British economy. the first of 2 HS2 tunnel boring machines begins its journey from Old Oak Common to Euston station. https://sutherland-business.co.uk/article/1773 Sutherland Business Index Wed, 28 Jan 2026 01:01:01 GMT https://sutherland-business.co.uk/article/1774 Streamlined agriculture rules to cut duplication and make it easier for farmers to drive down water pollution. New, clearer rules proposed today (Tuesday 27 January) will help to improve water quality, reduce pollution in our rivers and give farmers the confidence to grow food sustainably. https://sutherland-business.co.uk/article/1774 Sutherland Business Index Wed, 28 Jan 2026 01:01:01 GMT https://sutherland-business.co.uk/article/1775 Clearer pricing will help pet owners compare costs and shop around, saving families money. Millions of pet owners and vet professionals across the country will benefit from major reforms to the veterinary sector - the first overhaul in sixty years. https://sutherland-business.co.uk/article/1775 Sutherland Business Index Wed, 28 Jan 2026 01:01:01 GMT https://sutherland-business.co.uk/property.php?id=351 A great opportunity to purchase the tenancy of croft 99 Portskerra, which is situated within the picturesque crofting community of Melvich. Extending to approximately 1.42 hectares (2.81 acres) the croft consists of two fields, spanning from the top road to low road, with additional land opposite on the seafront side commanding an exceptional location boasting superb views to the sea, Orkney Isles, and beautiful rugged coastline. https://sutherland-business.co.uk/property.php?id=351 Sutherland Business Index Mon, 4 Aug 2025 15:15:16 GMT https://sutherland-business.co.uk/property.php?id=350 3 bedroom end terrace house with large enclosed garden. Very sought after area, with homes in this price range rarely available. https://sutherland-business.co.uk/property.php?id=350 Sutherland Business Index Sun, 27 Jul 2025 05:41:39 GMT https://sutherland-business.co.uk/property.php?id=347 In need of full refurbishment and renovation is this traditional 1½ storey croft house which has been extended and altered over the years. Offering generous living accommodation, it is ideal for those seeking a spacious residential property or exploring commercial development potential, subject to necessary planning consents. https://sutherland-business.co.uk/property.php?id=347 Sutherland Business Index Mon, 16 Jun 2025 13:57:01 GMT https://sutherland-business.co.uk/property.php?id=345 This unusual property, built on a steel platform and stilts features an open plan internal layout with living spaces that capture the awe-inspiring views of Loch Eriboll, the picturesque countryside, and magnificent mountains including Ben Hope. The main living area is enhanced by Velux windows, while large floor-to-ceiling windows and glazed doors throughout the home invite an abundance of natural light. https://sutherland-business.co.uk/property.php?id=345 Sutherland Business Index Fri, 2 May 2025 10:32:25 GMT https://sutherland-business.co.uk/property.php?id=344 This impressive four-bedroom house, which is located within the pretty Strathnaver Valley, and close to the River Naver is quietly tucked well away from the road and offers outstanding countryside views. Beautifully renovated with a perfect mix of traditional charm and modern features throughout including a sleek and contemporary fitted kitchen, modern shower rooms and elegant bathroom, all enhanced by the warmth of traditional fireplaces and wood-lined walls and ceilings throughout. https://sutherland-business.co.uk/property.php?id=344 Sutherland Business Index Tue, 22 Apr 2025 19:10:11 GMT