Highland Council leader dealing with budget black hole
Highland Council’s leader believes she has “never seen communities in better heart”, despite a year of unprecedented budget cuts since the local elections.
Scottish Government
Bid to tighten up on static fishing gear
The widespread use of items such as milk cartons and netted footballs as buoys to show where inshore fishing gear is located will be outlawed under new legislation, the Scottish Government said yesterday.
Labour unveils plan to create new bulletin for the oil and gas sector
Labour has unveiled plans to establish a new oil and gas bulletin to replace a system controversially axed by the Scottish Government.
£1-a-night tourist levy will drive vital business from Highlands, say firms
Research by the Federation of Small Business (FSB) has revealed that 73% of Highland businesses oppose the introduction of a potential £10 million-a year tourist tax in the region.
Probe launched into the appointment of a new Robert Gordon University vice-principal
The Robert Gordon University in Aberdeen is investigating a complaint about the appointment of the principal’s business partner to a top job at the institution.
Fresh look for Aberdeen streets with more than £900,000 investment
More than £900,000 will be ploughed into bringing fresh life into Aberdeen city centre streets.
Mike Russell demands UK ‘respect’ Scotland after MSPs vote against Brexit Bill
Westminster has been urged to “respect the will” of the Scottish Parliament and make further changes to key Brexit legislation, after MSPs refused to give their consent to the EU Withdrawal Bill.
Councils across Grampian and Highlands shell out £350k for pothole compensation in past 10 years
More than £350,000 has been paid out to disgruntled drivers across the north and north-east who have had their cars damaged by potholes.
Nicola Sturgeon aims to halve childhood obesity by 2030
Nicola Sturgeon has set the goal of reducing childhood obesity by 50% in the next 12 years – with TV chef Jamie Oliver saying the target shows Scotland’s First Minister “cares” about youngsters’ health.
Nicola Sturgeon aims to halve childhood obesity by 2030
Nicola Sturgeon has set the goal of reducing childhood obesity by 50% in the next 12 years – with TV chef Jamie Oliver saying the target shows Scotland’s First Minister “cares” about youngsters’ health.
More than 14,000 Scottish photos ‘brought home’ in £1m acquisition
A collection of more than 14,000 photos spanning a century of Scottish life has been saved for the nation through a £1 million acquisition.
Grieving wife of Nancy Glen crewman in plea to raise sunken vessels
The wife of Nancy Glen fisherman Przemek Krawczyk has described her husband as her ‘everything’ almost four months after his death.
Former Aberdeen council chief to lead new plastic pollution crackdown
A former chief executive of Aberdeen City Council has been chosen to spearhead a new Scottish Government drive to tackle plastic pollution.
Public to be consulted on image change of Shetland town
The image and landscape of Scalloway on Shetland is set to change as part of the Scottish Government’s Making Places 2017-18 initiative.
Hospital bed crisis cost north and north-east health boards £23m last year
The Scottish Government has been urged to take urgent action to address bed-blocking after it emerged the problem cost health boards in the north and north-east £23 million last year.
Fresh redundancies at BiFab despite Scottish Government-backed takeover
BiFab has announced a fresh wave of redundancies just weeks after a Scottish Government-backed rescue package was unveiled for the troubled firm.
Labour say police could axe the equivalent of every police officer job in the north-east
A row broke out last night after Labour warned that police chiefs could axe the equivalent of every officer in the entire north-east division.
David Mundell refuses to say if UK will respect Holyrood’s wishes on Brexit Bill
Scottish Secretary David Mundell has refused to give MSPs a guarantee that Westminster will not overrule their wishes if they withhold consent for key Brexit legislation.
Businesses could wait until next year to learn results of controversial rates rises
Hotels in the north-east could have to wait until next year to find out if controversial rates rises will be overturned.
More affordable homes to be built in Aberdeen after £5m funding boost
More affordable homes will be built in Aberdeen with a funding boost of almost £5million from the Scottish Government.
Western Isles Council aims to fill hundreds of empty homes
Councillors on the Western Isles have backed proposals to introduce a dedicated officer to bring hundreds of empty homes back into use.
Sports coaches to be included in PVG scheme
All sports coaches will be required to undergo mandatory disclosure checks under new proposed guidelines.
Numbers at Highlands and Islands Airports on the up
The number of passengers using Highlands and Islands Airports’ (Hial) terminals has soared to a new annual record, according to figures released by the Scottish Government-owned company today.
Angry clashes at Holyrood over Cambridge Analytica
A consultant for the SNP met the controversial data firm Cambridge Analytica in the run up to the last Holyrood elections, the First Minister has revealed.
Sturgeon refuses to name consultant who met Cambridge Analytica for SNP
Nicola Sturgeon has refused to reveal who the SNP consultant was that met with controversial data firm Cambridge Analytica.
Rail contract awarded on Highland mainline
Construction and civil engineering group Bam Nuttall has been awarded a £10million contract by Network Rail to carry out upgrade works to the Highland mainline that will help reduce journey times.
New campaign aims to end ‘evil’ illegal puppy farming
Animal charities, trading standards and the Scottish Government have joined forces to launch a new campaign aimed at bringing an end to the “evil” puppy farming business.
Aberdeen University launches scheme to attract students from poorer backgrounds
Aberdeen University has launched a new scheme to attract students from poorer backgrounds.
More than 200 asbestos hotspots on Alness Academy
The Ross-shire academy known as the north’s worst school building has more than 200 asbestos hotspots, it has emerged.
Extra financial help for farmers may be on way
Additional support for farmers and crofters is being considered by the Scottish Government in the wake of exceptionally bad weather, a lack of fodder and straw, and increased livestock losses.
New Chinese publication of classic Muriel Spark novel announced
A new edition of Muriel Spark’s classic novel The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie is being published in China with a foreword penned by Scotland’s First Minister.
New Chinese publication of classic Muriel Spark novel announced
A new edition of Muriel Spark’s classic novel The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie is being published in China with a foreword penned by Scotland’s First Minister.