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News Archive


22/6/2013
Playing for keeps
The vital role of play to children’s wellbeing and development has been recognised in Scotland’s first national Play Strategy.   The Scottish Government’s vision for play will improve young lives and is the latest step towards making Scotland the best place to grow up.  
22/6/2013
Lybster Gala 2013Thumbnail for article : Lybster Gala 2013
Lybster Gala 2013 - See Photo Gallery above..  
20/6/2013
Committee calls for local authorities to teach one foreign language from primary through to secondary school
Local authorities should ensure one language is taught across primary schools and into secondary schools according to a report published today (Friday 21 June) by the European and External Relations Committee.   The report endorses the goal of teaching primary school children two languages in addition to their mother tongue.  
19/6/2013
Highland archaeological sites and stories wanted for Archaeology Festival
Organisers of the twentieth Highland Archaeology Festival are looking for more contributors to share their interesting sites and stories at this autumn’s Festival.   Plans for this year’s festival are now underway and organisers are hoping for a bumper programme of Highland-wide events to mark its twentieth year.  
18/6/2013
Step It Up Want Walk LeadersThumbnail for article : Step It Up Want Walk Leaders
Step It Up Highland are looking for Walk Leaders in Caithness.   If you would like to put a few hours to good use and help people to get fitter by walking in Thurso to start with then think about leading a small groups for a few weeks.  
18/6/2013
Scottish bid to halt species lossThumbnail for article : Scottish bid to halt species loss
An ambitious plan to protect and restore Scotland’s environment was launched today by Environment Minister Paul Wheelhouse.   The 2020 Challenge for Scotland’s Biodiversity aims to: To protect and restore biodiversity on land and in our seas, and to support healthier ecosystems Connect people with the natural world, for their health and wellbeing and to involve them more in decisions about their environment Maximise the benefits for Scotland and of a diverse natural environment and the services it provides, contributing to a sustainable economic growth.  
18/6/2013
Flipping fantastic recyclingThumbnail for article : Flipping fantastic recycling
Sea lions at Blair Drummond Safari and Adventure Park are making a splash and showing Scots exactly how easy recycling can be.   Every day, the four sea lions - Lola, Poppy, Bali and Bella - show children and adults how to avoid littering and make green choices like recycling as part of the park’s education programme.  
18/6/2013
Scottish pensioners offered greater certainty
Pensioners in Scotland would benefit from stronger safeguards than their counterparts in the rest of the UK following a vote for independence, Finance Secretary John Swinney announced today.   Speaking at the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Scotland (ICAS) Pensions Conference, Mr Swinney announced the Scottish Government’s intention to adopt a single tier state pension (STP) from 2016, to uprate it by the highest of earnings growth, inflation or 2.5 per cent, the so called “triple lock”; and to maintain the triple lock for the Basic State Pension beyond 2015.  
17/6/2013
Launch of Allotment Site Design Guide
A guide, which will assist local authorities and gardening groups design and cultivate allotment sites, has been launched.   Planning Minister Derek Mackay officially unveiled the Allotment Site Design Guide at the Scottish Allotment and Garden Society’s (SAGS) annual conference today (June 15).  
17/6/2013
Armed Forces Day Events In Thurso - 29th JuneThumbnail for article : Armed Forces Day Events In Thurso - 29th June
Thurso Branch of the Royal British Legion Scotland plan to hold a number of events on Saturday June 29th 2013 at their Riverside Clubrooms to mark Armed Forces Day.   The day will begin with a Coffee Morning at 10am which will have the Mina Mackay Dancers on hand to provide entertainment.  
17/6/2013
Educational benefit central to rural school decisions
Educational benefit must remain a key consideration of the school closure decision making process, Education Secretary Michael Russell said.   The Scottish Government’s formal response to the Commission on the Delivery of Rural Education report has been made in the Scottish Parliament, with the vast majority of the report’s recommendations accepted.  
17/6/2013
"Serious risk to pensions if Scotland breaks away from the UK" – David Stewart MSP
The payment of state and work pensions is at risk if Scotland breaks away from the UK, said MSP David Stewart.   The regional representative spoke out after fears were raised about how payments would be made to the 16,600 pensioners in the Caithness, Sutherland and Ross area in the event of Scotland going it alone.  
16/6/2013
Harbour day on the crest of the waveThumbnail for article : Harbour day on the crest of the wave
IT would have taken a good bit more than grey skies and a chill breeze to deter folk from Wick Lifeboat’s harbour day which has become a firm favourite in the summer season.   Locals and visitors alike made the most of the attractions in a packed programme on Saturday 15th June 2013, which included boat races, sea trips, and music from the Wick RBLS Pipe Band and Addie Harper and his pupils, interspersed with Highland dancing.  
16/6/2013
Grant Body Awards £118K in Latest Round!Thumbnail for article : Grant Body Awards £118K in Latest Round!
The Caithness & North Sutherland Fund recently held its 6th grant assessment round awarding £118K to seven community and voluntary groups for projects that will benefit people living in the Caithness & North Sutherland area.   This latest round of awards brings the Fund’s total funding commitment to over £648K, of which forty seven voluntary and community groups have benefited.  
16/6/2013
UK Shoppers explain why they hate the High Street
Expensive parking, yobs, filthy streets – food for thought as town centres fight back.   High streets across Britain are struggling to survive because customers hate the experience of town centre shopping, a leading supplier of store fittings says.  
15/6/2013
PLAY IT SAFE AROUND RIVERS, RESERVOIRS AND LOCHS THIS SUMMER
Scottish Water is reminding people in the Highlands and Western Isles to play it safe in or near rivers, reservoirs and lochs this summer.   Scottish Water is advising people not to take risks around watercourses and calling on children and parents in particular to take care near water during the summer holidays and any spells of warm weather we might enjoy.  
14/6/2013
Successful Litter Pick By Pennyland PupilsThumbnail for article : Successful Litter Pick By Pennyland Pupils
Pupils from Pennyland Primary in Thurso, took part in a Litter Day of Action last week by carrying out a litter pick in the grounds of their school.  Pupils from P2, plus the eco-committee, were assisted by class teacher Hazel Gunn, teaching assistant Carole Fotheringham and Andrea Wotherspoon, Waste Management Assistant for The Highland Council.  
12/6/2013
Wild North Has FREE Competition for Natural Retreats Vacation
Wild North Competition - Win 4 nights at the Natural Retreats JoG for up to 6 people! Wild North is the brand set up by North Highland Initiative to promote the natural offerings of the North Highlands.   We set up a website to showcase events, experiences and provide incentives for these.  
11/6/2013
Timber Shipment Leaving Wick HarbourThumbnail for article : Timber Shipment Leaving Wick Harbour
A few photos and a short video clip of timber being prepared for loading on the Scot Carrier on 8th June 2013.   You can easily see just how many truck loads this takes off the roads in the far north.  
10/6/2013
Volunteers work to create haven for rare butterflyThumbnail for article : Volunteers work to create haven for rare butterfly
The Caithness Countryside Volunteers met last Sunday (9 June) to help create habitat for the rare small blue butterfly at Castlehill.  The volunteers cut back vegetation and dug out rank roots to create an area which will be suitable for planting plugs of kidney vetch, the small blue caterpillar’s food plant.