Latest News

Fairer Funding For Charities

A new Fairer Funding pilot to deliver on the Scottish Government's top priority of eradicating child poverty will provide additional multi-year funding in the form of 45 grants to organisations across Scotland.   The funding, subject to budget approval, will support projects in areas including health, education, poverty and culture and have a total value of £61.7 million in 2025-26 and £63.2 million in 2026- 27.  

Government encourages victims Of Sexual Violence To Seek Support

Victims of rape and sexual abuse are being encouraged to seek vital support through a new Government campaign.   New campaign to raise awareness of 24/7 Rape and Sexual Abuse Support Line..  

Online Enrolment Opens Today For 2025 Primary 1 Places

The Highland Council is inviting parents and carers to enrol their child online for the next school session starting on 19 August 2025.   If your child will be five years of age on or before 28 February 2026, they are eligible to enrol for Primary 1.  

Vitamin Deficiency May Be Why You're So Tired - A Nutritional Neuroscientist Explains How To Kickstart Your Energy By Getting Essential Nutrients In A Well-rounded Diet, Along With More Sleep And Exercise

Feeling drained and lethargic is common: A 2022 national survey found that 13.5% of U.S.  adults said they felt "very tired" or "exhausted" most days or every day over a three-month period.  

Antibacterials Are Everywhere: For The Sake Of Our Microbiome, We Need To Control Their Use

In a world increasingly obsessed with cleanliness, antimicrobial chemicals have become a staple in everyday life.  From soaps and cosmetics to cleaning sprays and period products, they promise to protect us by "killing 99.9% of bacteria".  

Wiping The Plate Clean - Over A Make Their Children Finish Meals, Survey Finds

New research from the British Nutrition Foundation finds that 57 percent of parents surveyed rely on visual estimations to decide portion sizes for themselves.   Nearly a third (32 percent) of parents only sometimes or rarely feel confident about choosing the right portion size for their child Nearly half (48 percent) of all parents say that their children have second helpings at least once a week.  

Online Recruitment, Anonymity And Encryption - Just How Easily Are Cyber Criminals Targeting Our Children And Young People.

Neighbourhood Watch Scotland has issued it latest advice and warning about targeting of young people.   Encrypted messaging services on social media allows criminals to create chat groups online, with restricted access typically limited only to verified members.  

Donald Mitchell Countryside Ranger Looks At Sand

Sands of Time - Donald asks the question about the sustainability of our beaches.   I'm thinking of this poem whilst carrying out one of my favourite past times, beachcombing - walking on the beach and looking, and thinking - a bit.  

Saving Energy But Are Heated Clothes Driers Better Than Tumble Driers

In terms of energy efficiency and garment care, heated clothes dryers (often called heated airers) are generally considered better than tumble dryers, as they use significantly less energy, cause less damage to clothes.  They can produce less wrinkles, making them a more gentle drying option; however, tumble dryers are typically faster at drying clothes, so the best choice depends on your priorities regarding drying time and garment care.  

Still thinking about your New Year's resolutions? This year, try focusing on the good life

The end of the year is always a time of reflection on what we have done and what we have left undone.  And, of course, it's time to start thinking about those resolutions for the new year and what we will do differently.