Winterwatch sets up home in the Cairngorms
It is possibly the toughest environment for animals to survive in Scotland.
NHS Highland bullying inquiry could begin before Christmas
An independent, external QC-led inquiry into the bullying scandal at NHS Highland could start as early as next month.
Former Scottish female international gets Alness head job
A former Scottish female international footballer capped 98 times for her country is to play another star role – this time as the new headteacher at a Highland school.
Caley Thistle stadium manager voices support for suicide app
Inverness Caledonian Thistle’s stadium manager – and a former firefighter – yesterday made an impassioned plea for people to sign up to a special app aimed at preventing suicides.
Flu jabs service praised by MSP
Caithness, Sutherland and Ross MSP Gail Ross was needled by health campaigners this week – but it was all in the cause of learning first-hand how local pharmacies can help deliver a vital health service to the public more effectively.
Iolaire tragedy remembered
A special exhibition is being held on Lewis to commemorate the centenary of the Iolaire tragedy.
Worst winter roads in Scotland highlighted
Scottish motorists have been urged to take care when driving on seven routes branded the country’s most dangerous during winter.
5G to be brought to Shetland
An overseas telecommunications network has unveiled plans to enhance mobile phone coverage across Shetland by bringing high-speed 5G technology to the isles.
Headteacher hunt for isles of Eigg and Muck
It is one of the remotest and most geographically challenging head teacher jobs in the country, with two schools and a mere handful of pupils on separate, if stunning islands.
Loch Ness hydro plant plans may bring hundreds of jobs and power hundreds of thousands of homes
Ambitious plans for an underground hydro plant at Loch Ness – opposite the iconic Urquhart Castle – are being lodged with Highland Council today.
Ambulances in crisis as staff sickness soars across the north
Ambulance services in the north are being “stretched to breaking point” as sick leave levels of paramedics soar, union chiefs have claimed.
CairnGorm £1m snow machine plans submitted
Plans for £1million snow-making machines at crisis-hit CairnGorm have been lodged in a bid to boost the ski resort’s fortunes after the shock funicular closure.
Caithness psychology waiting list soars to ‘scandalous’ 250
The number of patients in Caithness waiting for psychology appointments currently stands at a “scandalous” 250 – with many having to make a round-trip of more than 200 miles.
Pay dispute threatens strikes at north airports over Christmas
Lifeline flights at airports across the Highlands and Islands could be grounded over Christmas by a threat of strike action from air traffic controllers over a pay dispute.
Police commemorate Iolaire tragedy with car stickers
Police cars in Stornoway are displaying specially-designed stickers commemorating the 100th anniversary of the Iolaire Disaster.
‘The pain doesn’t ease,’ says Renee’s sister – 42 years on
Renee’s son Andrew would now be 45 – but his heartbroken aunt says the then three-year-old “was never given the chance to build his life” because it was “brought so cruelly to an end”.
Suitcase could be the clue to finally solve Renee MacRae mystery
A brown suitcase could be the missing clue in the 42-year-old mystery disappearance of a Highland housewife and her young son.
Highland flights expansion exposes rail upgrade ‘failures’
An expansion of flights between Inverness and Heathrow exposes a “failure” by the Scottish Government to upgrade rail infrastructure, a north MSP has claimed.
Crofters vote in favour of spaceport for Sutherland
Crofters in Sutherland have voted in favour of pushing ahead with plans for Scotland’s first rocket base.
Memorial unveiled for Highland VC hero
A memorial to a First World War Victoria Cross hero was unveiled in his Highland birthplace yesterday.
Review concludes into Marine Scotland bullying claims
Action to ensure acceptable working practices at Marine Scotland is under way following claims by a former worker of being taped to a chair at the agency’s Caithness base.
Storm petrels begin to breed on remote Minch islands
A storm petrel chick has been recorded on a small group of islands in the Minch for the very first time – just months after the remote isles became rat free.
More Heathrow to Inverness flights ‘will boost the Highland economy’
Business leaders, politicians and airport bosses have hailed an expansion of air services between Inverness and Heathrow as a “game-changer” – claiming it will provide a huge economic boost to the Highlands.
Drink driver banned for 27 months
A groundworker who loaded up his car with ladders for work after drinking alcohol was banned from driving for 27 months at Inverness Sheriff Court yesterday.
£27 million vision for Cairngorm Mountain unveiled
An ambitious £27million, 10-year vision to revamp ski operations at Cairngorm Mountain – including new chairlifts, a mountain coaster and a zipline tour – was unveiled yesterday.
Asbestos scare hits ‘neglected’ Highland high school
Asbestos has been found at one of the largest schools in the Highlands – sparking renewed calls for the local authority to “sort out its neglected school estate”.
NHS Highland whistleblowers hail top-level talks over an external investigation into the claims as ‘the first time our voices have ever been heard’
Whistleblowers at the centre of an NHS Highland bullying scandal hailed top-level talks over holding an external public investigation into the claims – set to be QC-led – as “the first time our voices have ever been heard”.
Coastguard to meet concerned mountain rescuers over safety concerns
Coastguard chiefs are to meet mountain rescuers who condemned the “casual disregard” for their safety over the use of helicopters in search operations.
‘Barbaric’ NHS Highland ordeal for Caithness man who was a victim of a paedophile ring linked to ex-MP Cyril Smith
A victim of a paedophile ring linked to former MP Cyril Smith has slammed the “barbaric” five-year wait he faced for a clinical psychology appointment - and the 250-mile round trip to get there.
RAF veteran has backed claims from mountain rescuers that they are being treated as ‘expendable’
A leading figure in Scottish mountain rescue has backed claims that team members are being treated as “expendable”.
Artist hopes for brush with success with former RBS bank in the Highlands
A discarded bank on a Highland high street has been given a new lease of life, as an art gallery.
Dog owner hits out at Western Isles Council over collapsed case
An island dog owner has lashed out at Western Isles Council’s “judge, jury and executioner” style of handling complaints over animals.