News Archive - August 2016

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29 August 2016 Major Review of Highland Council Services Continues On The Redesign Board
270 services of the council havebeen looed at for review and 120 are now in line to have full reviews in the next two years.  Some will come early and some will come later but change is coming one way or another.    You can click through to the proposals so far to see what the council has to do by statute and what it may not have to do but is discretionary. Many may be suprised at things the council does but does not have to.

Bat Night at Thrumster
Head out on Friday night 2nd September at Thrumster to find lots of bats








Caithness to the Cote DAzur - When the Monte Carlo Rally Started from John OGroats
The 90th Anniversary of the classic car rally was celebrated this year and this new book bring you right up to date with  the latest classic cars rally following the original route that startedin Caithness.

28 August 2016

Which are the most Popular Businesses and Categories For Look-ups in Caithness?

Womens State Pension Fight With WASPI - You Can Join
Following successful meetings in Wick and Thurso of the newly formed Caithness WASPI group, two more meetings have been planned for Tuesday 30th August 2016 at 6.30 pm in the Pentland Hotel, Thurso and Wednesday 31st August 2016 at 6.30 pm in the Norseman Hotel, Wick.

26 August 2016

CAITHNESS-MORAY PROJECT POWERING A £640M BOOST TO THE ECONOMY
The Caithness-Moray project is centred on a 100 mile underground and subsea cable running beneath the Moray Firth, using High Voltage Direct Current (HVDC) technology. It enables around 1,200 Megawatts of additional renewable generation capacity to connect to the national grid.



Wick school cost £48million and is two years delayed, but lessons have been learned - Press and Journal

Wick High Construction Photos       The Twisted Beam - Hard to see any twist but this is the one being replaced.

25 August 2016

New Highland Council ICT contractor to roll-out tablets - BBC
Bill Fernie, the resources committee chairman, said the council was seeking a saving of £11m in its ICT services. 20,000 tablets to be made available to Highland pupils.

Council deal to “save millions”  - Press and Journal
Highland councillors have backed a plan to join forces with their counterparts at Aberdeen City and shire councils in a deal that should save the authorities millions of pounds each year. Speaking after the resources committee debate in Inverness yesterday, Highland finance chairman Bill Fernie said the two Aberdeen authorities currently top a “league table” in savings they make and for their buying power. “As we join with them, that will put that partnership with the two councils plus Highland up to near £1billion of purchases,” he said. “That can only be good for us. “I’m hoping we’ll go from near the bottom of the official league table in council savings to near the top.”

21 August 2016

Bower Gala 2016

17 August 2016

Calling Joiners and Locksmiths - Meet The Buyer In Thurso
Police Scotland are carrying out Preliminary Supplier Engagements, "Meet the Buyer" Events, across a few geographical areas in Scotland as part of their research into deciding the best way forward for their new upcoming tender for joinery and locksmith services in relation to boarding up premises in the Highlands and Islands.

16 August 2016

Times Changed For Turbine Movements in Caithness  - Drivers Take Note

13 August 2016

New Probationer Teachers Start In Highland 2016/17
One hundred and thirty probationer teachers were recently welcomed to the Highlands (on Friday 12 August), at an induction course held in the Highland Council Chamber. Councillor Drew Millar, chair of Education, Children and Adult Services said: "I am very pleased to see so many people keen to start a career in education. This year we have 10 more probationer teachers than in 2015. I hope that all 130 will stay with us here in the Highlands after their probationary year and Highland Council will be doing all it can to make that possible."

13 August 2016

Ready Steady Work Course Sponsored By Dounreay
Seven students have successfully completed the Ready Steady Work course sponsored by Dounreay and North Highland College. The course gives the students an opportunity to prepare themselves for employment by giving them the skills and knowledge they need to secure the job they want.  



Turbine Loads on Caithness Roads - Drivers note times for possible delays
The turbines for the Lochend Wind Farm currently located at Wick Harbour will begin to be moved on 15th August 2016. There will be possible long delays as the turbine parts make their way around the long route.   Monday 15h  - Sunday 21st August wil see convoys moving from Wick Harbour to Barrock via Latheron, Castletown and Thurso.  Drivers can expect long delasy in places as the convoys move slowly along.  Click Through for times.    If you have important jouneys to make get ahead and leave plenty of time.

10 August 2016

Evening Classes Starting Soon - Get Signed Up For New Courses
North Highland College UHI's evening classes and short courses are a great way for you to learn a new skill, turn a hobby into a money earner or even take the first step on the road to achieving a new qualification With ILA funding available, you might be able to learn a whole new skill without it costing you a penny! From Digital Photography to Working With Wood, there's something for everyone.


Highland SQA Results 2016
Young people across the Highlands have received their results by text, e-mail or post. This is the first year that candidates were offered the full range of national qualifications from National 2 right through to Advanced Higher as part of the Curriculum for Excellence.
Free helpline for students
For anyone needing help or advice on what to do next.

Over 28,000 Scottish applicants placed in higher education through UCAS

9 August 2016

End Of An Era In Wick
Old Wick High School Buffet Ball - The Last Look Round and The Last Dance
Wick High School Parent Council are preparing to hold a walk around and the Old High School and a last dance prior to the move to the new Campus in October.  On Friday the 9th of September 2016 from 6.30 pm on there will be an opportunity for members of the public to come along and have a look around for one last time prior to the schools closure. There will be no charge and tea, coffee and home baking will be on offer for those wishing to chat and sit for a while. On Saturday 10th September 2016 doors will open at 7:00pm for a drinks reception prior to the last Ball commencing at 7.30pm.

8 August 2016

New arrangements for householders at Wick Recycling Centre as Council targets commercial use
From 5th September householders who wish to take their waste to Wick Recycling Centre in a van, pickup truck, sign written vehicle and/or a trailer will be required to complete a Household Waste Declaration form before visiting the site or face being turned away.    Highland Recycling Centres Index

7 August 2016

Caithness Girl Aims To Help Orphan Kids In Nepal
Nicola Gray (17) is running the Glasgow half marathon, to raise money to volunteer in Nepal with GVI. She has taken a gap year to help orphaned children there.

6 August 2016

Caithness Orchestra 2016 course - Performance Sunday 7th August 2016
Over the past few days 4 - 7th August 2016, there has been a flurry of musical activity in Halkirk as they put together Tchaikovsky's epic 5th Symphony. The orchestra has warmly welcomed visiting players, from as far a-field as Iceland and Cumbria, into their ranks. They are spending four days under the professional baton of Susie Dingle and the expert coaching of Katrina Gordon.4 August 2016.

Caithness and North Sutherland Partnership Latest Update

Women Against State Pension Inequality (WASPI) - Meetings In Caithness
Women Against State Pension Inequality (WASPI) is a national campaign group that fights the injustice done to women born in the 1950s (on or after 6 April 1951) regarding the changes to their state pension age.

3 August 2016

Mey Highland Games Change Ground For Saturday 6th August
Mey Games are moving to the showground at John O'Groats. The times etc are all the same just the venue has changed.





























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