News Archive

Google Testing A Car That Drives Itself

Chris Urmson, Director of the Self-Driving Car Project for Google has posted the following article.   Ever since we started the Google self-driving car project, we've been working toward the goal of vehicles that can shoulder the entire burden of driving.  

Ackergill Tower Opened Again After £1 million Refurbishment

Ackergill Tower is a fifteenth century Caithness castle that has been for a few years the only five-star hotel in Caithness.   It has reopened after a £1 million refurbishment following a fire earlier in 2014 which police said they were treating as suspicious.  

Pentland Model Boat Club 2014 Show

Another good entry for the 2014 model boat show run each year by Pentland Model Boat Club.   The winning entries in each of the categories chosen by the judges were - Warships - K80 - Ian Moore Search and Rescue - Taylors Thurso Life Boat - Ted Miller Fishing Boats - Thorsa - Ian Mackintosh Work Boats - Ballachylist - Dave Lambert Leisure Boats - Jet Stream - Ted Miller Sailing Boats - Grand Banks Schooner - Billy Mackintosh The overall winner was Ted Miller for his Taylors Thurso Lifeboat.  

Pulteneytown People's Project - Funded Opportunities for SVQ Qualifications and Modern Apprentice

PPP are offering a unique opportunity for people who would like to train to work in the following fields; Social Services and Healthcare (Adults) Social Services and Healthcare (Children and Young People) Playwork (playgroups, nurseries, out of school care or play-schemes) PPP have secured funding from the Highland Councils Deprived Area Fund to deliver Scottish Vocational Qualifications (SVQ’s).  These opportunities are open to anyone over the age of 16 whether they are employed or unemployed.  

Magazine Bag Holds Information Trail For Highland Parents

Highland parents are to receive a free and handy magazine bag to help them store health information that is given to them throughout pregnancy and until their child is 5 years old.   The Highland Council and partners NHS Highland, Everything Baby Highland, and Highland Real Nappy Project introduced the new “Mag-Bag” today (Wednesday 21 May 2014) to members of the Council’s Education, Children and Adult Services Committee.  

Electrical Goods For Schools and Charities

£1k community prize pot set to bring a spark to schools and community groups in Highland.   Local schools, community groups and good causes, such as not-for-profit organisations and registered charities, across Highland are being given the chance to win £1,000 worth of new electrical products as part of a new responsible recycling initiative.  

Glasgow 2014 spectators encouraged to support travel carbon project and boost city woodlands

BP today announced that its not-for-profit carbon management programme, BP Target Neutral, will help minimise the carbon footprint of spectator travel to the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games.   As ticket envelopes reach homes across the UK this week, spectators are being encouraged to offset the carbon footprint of their travel to the Games for free by registering at bptargetneutral.com/offsetglasgow2014.  

Pothole Problems?

Everyone is aware that roads in the UK are deteriorating due to lack of spending on them.   This affects all drivers as damage to vehicles from potholes is known to be huge and although claims can be made against the local authority or the trunk roads authority this does help with all the inconvenience whilst cars, vans or trucks are off the road for repairs.  

Winston Churchill Memorial Trust Travelling Fellowships 2015

Applications are now open for Travelling Fellowships for 2015, so please have a look at our website to see the new categories.   Do you know anyone who you think would make a great Fellow? We are looking for people who would: - benefit from experience overseas so that their effectiveness in their career or field of interest is enhanced - be in a position to disseminate their new knowledge and examples of best practice for the benefit of others in their communities and the UK? If you know of someone like this, please tell them about the Fellowship and encourage them to apply! Full details on the web site at http://www.wcmt.org.uk/.  

Save The Sound Of Summer - The Great Yellow Bumblebee

The sound of bumblebees buzzing around our flowers on a warm sunny day is a sure sign summer is here.  But bumblebees are also an essential part of the countryside, responsible as they are for pollinating our crops and wildflowers.