Islands athletes encouraged to apply to travel scheme to enhance their sporting careers
Athletes in the Outer Hebrides are being encouraged to apply to a travel scheme designed to assist them in progressing their sporting careers.
Western Isles Council
New campus to provide health and council services under one roof for Barra and Vatersay
A new-build community campus for Barra and Vatersay will combine health, social care, learning and community facilities under one roof.
Anger after islanders marooned for days without a ferry
Caledonian MacBrayne have been blasted by Western Isles Council for leaving islanders marooned for days without a ferry.
Western Isles Council seeks ‘level playing field’ through proposal of reduced rates to transport goods to islands
Western Isles Council has hit out at high costs of transporting goods to the islands demanding a discount scheme be introduced to create a “level playing field”.
Western Isles Council to investigate use of hydrogen
A Scottish island council - which even runs a bin lorry off hydrogen produced from food waste - is looking to boost its use of the gas to cut its climate emissions.
Council back plan ambitious proposals for £44 million health and education campus on Barra
Western Isles Council has backed ambitious proposals for a £44 million health and education campus on Barra.
Western Isles Council make dog’s dinner of control order
Western Isles Council is in the dog house after an apparent blunder meant it lost a court case against the same animals for the second time within a year.
‘Momentous day’ as charter agreement signed for Western Isles to help address depopulation issue
The signing of a charter agreement between the Western Isles Council and Skills Development Scotland was yesterday described as "a momentous day”.
Concerns over spending spree on ‘dated’ Western Isles Council chamber
Major concerns have been raised about plans to revamp the "dated" Western Isles Council chamber at a time when budgets are under pressure.
North homes in the running for prestigious awards for renovating and bringing empty homes back into use
Two projects across the north have been included in the running for prestigious national awards for their efforts to bring homes – last occupied before the turn of the millennium – back into use.
Bosses cut back on expenses claims at north councils and health boards
The top council and NHS officials in the north and north-east slashed their total expenses bill by more than £11,000 last year.
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.
‘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.