North coastal communities to benefit from £7.5million generated by Scottish Crown Estate
Coastal communities across the north and north-east will benefit from millions of pounds in funding to enhance their local areas.
Western Isles Council
‘Give more power to community council’ to battle apathy in the isles says MP
The "scunner factor" could be leading to a lack of interest in local democracy in the isles, according to a local MP.
Excitement builds as Skipinnish announced as main headliner of Dileab 2019
Renowned traditional music act Skipinnish have been announced as the headlining act of this year’s Dileab festival, due to take place in Lewis this November.
Tributes to former South Uist councillor who died in hospital after crash
A well-respected South Uist woman and former councillor has died following an accident in Glasgow.
Public demand inquiry into closure of Uist dental practices in favour of centralised service
Fury has erupted at the decision to close three dental practices in Uist.
Delight as schools across the north finally given go ahead following future schools funding announcement
The long-awaited Tain campus, replacing four schools in Ross-shire, has finally been given the go-ahead.
Calls for greylag goose project to be expanded
Western Isles Council leaders have called for a rapid roll-out of a pilot project where greylag goose meat is being made available for public sale throughout Scotland.
Western Isles Council warns replacement of ageing ferries ‘must be addressed’
Western Isles Council has called for ageing ferries on its routes to be urgently replaced and “brought up to standard.”
Western Isles Council issues warning after algal bloom discovered from loch near Bragar
The local authority for the Western Isles has issued a warning to residents after recent samples gathered at a Loch near Bragar on Lewis were found to contain blue-green algae.
Works on new care and housing development on Lewis commence
Work on an ambitious £46 million care and housing development in the Western Isles is underway - providing a substantial economic and jobs boost.
SNH extension to geese culling pilot project
Island crofters have been given funding and permission to continue killing geese and selling the meat until the end of the year.
Syrian refugees to be resettled on Outer Hebrides
Two new families from war-torn Syria are expected to be resettled in the Outer Hebrides under a government scheme.
Hebridean plastic waste goes to Norway
Plastic waste from the Outer Hebrides is being sent more than 600 miles away to Norway, it has emerged.
Fury over possible cuts to island bus services
Islanders have expressed outrage as Lewis and Harris public bus services face severe cuts under council plans.
Support group’s ‘major impact’ in helping firms
Small company support organisation Outer Hebrides Business Gateway (OHBG) has hailed a “record year” and said its recent activity in the islands is expected to result in the creation and safeguarding of up to 120 jobs.
Western Isles Council refuses to fly LGBT rainbow flag at pride event
The second controversial gay pride event in the Outer Hebrides is to go ahead this weekend - but with the local council again refusing to fly the LGBT rainbow flag from its headquarters in support.
Western Isles Council spend £5m on consultants
Western Isles Council has splashed out almost £5million on consultants’ fees in the past six years – sparking concern from local politicians.
Number of schools on Western Isles has halved since 2001
One school has been shut down in a north or north-east community every two months on average during the public spending squeeze in the last decade.
Councillor faces charges of ignoring planning enforcement order
An SNP councillor is facing three different criminal charges of ignoring a planning enforcement notice which was served by the local authority on which he is a member.
Councils aim to make extra £1bn to plug funding gaps
Local authorities in the north and north-east will soon be raising more than £1 billion each year in extra revenue as they hike charges and fees to help plug funding gaps.
North councils have axed almost 5,000 full-time jobs during spending squeeze
In the first part of this week’s P&J series on local government finance, Calum Ross today finds out how council workforces have shrunk in recent years.
Western Isles trading standards destroy £1,000 worth of illegal goods
More than £1,000 of dangerous goods seized from doorstep sellers visiting the Western Isles over the last year have been destroyed.
Western Isles school extension worth £1.9m opens
The official opening ceremony of a £1.9million primary school at Laxdale in the Western Isles took place yesterday.
Western Isles spaceport backers are developing ‘detailed proposals’
Plans to build a spaceport on the Western Isles are still on track and continue to be drawn up behind the scenes, it has been confirmed.
Western Isles Council looks at fertiliser plan
Western Isles Council calls for government officials to step up to improve ferry services
Members of Western Isles Council are urging the government to take action to preserve their lifeline ferries.
Campaign to open public pool on Sunday’s doesn’t go so swimmingly
A new bid has been made by families to swim on Sundays on the Sabbatarian stronghold of Lewis.
Success for Nicolson Institute pupils past and present at Gaelic film awards
A documentary produced by second-year pupils from the Nicolson Institute has scooped a top prize at the Gaelic film awards in Glasgow last weekend, after portraying the tale of Norman Mackenzie from Ness, who was aboard the Iolaire on the yacht's fateful night.
Yellow weather warning issued as snow and ice expected across north and north-east
A yellow 'be aware' weather warning has been issued by the Met Office, with snow and ice forecasted for the north and north-east today.
Funeral poverty fears as further hike planned to ‘scandalous’ charges
As part of the P&J’s week-long series on the challenges grieving families face when a loved one dies, Calum Ross today investigates the soaring cost of funerals.
Revealed: Dozens of local cemeteries on the brink of running out of graves
Graveyards are on the brink of running out of space for new burials in dozens of communities across the north and north-east, it can be revealed.
Councils insist they have ‘plans are in place’ to address cemetery capacity concerns
Local authorities have admitted they are under “pressure” to act on cemetery provision but insisted that “plans are in place” for many sites.