UHI lecturers return to picket line over ongoing pay dispute
Lecturers from the Univeristy of the Highlands and Islands (UHI) are once again striking over a pay dispute with employers. The members of the EIS-FELA branch took to social media this morning to post a picture of themselves on the picket line. 1 The strike action is part of a national campaign for better wages following the pressures of the pandemic and the perceived imbalance between management salaries and their own.
DAVID RICHARDSON: New council needs to learn businesses' needs
Business Comment by David Richardson, Highlands and Islands development manager, Federation of Small Businesses May 5 has come and gone, the people have spoken, the parties/groups have met, and the new administration will be run by an SNP-Independent coalition. Fine, but once the dust has settled, how can Highland Council best support this region’s communities and their all-important local economies?
Education secretary refuses to stop plans for more online learning in the Western Isles
Education Secretary Shirley-Anne Somerville says she will not intervene to halt proposals to move some children’s classes online in island schools. Western Isles Council is planning to to make some specialist subjects available remotely across the islands’ four secondary schools at the same time. Pupils learning remotely would be supervised at school by an adult, but not necessarily a teacher.
Redesigned website launched by Highlands and Islands Transport Partnership (Hitrans) will help people plan journeys
A new website has been launched to provide improved information for people to simplify their journey planning in and around the Highlands and Islands. The Highlands and Islands Transport Partnership (Hitrans) says the redesigned website www.gohi.app showcasing its ground-breaking Go-Hi travel app has a clean, modern design, with improved content and responsiveness across all mobile devices.
Nairn firms to showcase at Royal Highland Show in June
FIRMS from Nairnshire and Inverness will be in the spotlight at the Royal Highland Show in June as the the event returns in person for the first time since the start of the pandemic. This year’s show is a particularly special one as it’s the 200th anniversary of the first show which took place in the Canongate, close to where the Scottish Parliament now sits.
Emma Roddick: I feel like I am 'missing out' not returning as a councillor for Inverness Central despite still representing the ward as MSP for the Highlands
It was a true honour in 2019 to be elected in a by-election to represent Inverness Central ward as their councillor – the ward which covers Merkinch, where I live. I do, of course, still represent Central alongside the rest of the Highlands and Islands in the Scottish Parliament, but my time as local councillor will always be very special to me.
Readers’ letters: Blinkered view of fundraising effort is uninformed and nasty
Sir, – I do not live permanently in Scotland but do spend almost half of my time with my partner in the north-east. We have a great love of the Highlands and Islands, and particularly the West Coast and have fond memories of the peace and solitude we found there, especially the Applecross peninsula, almost 30 years ago.
Businesses on fast track to success with accelerator programme
Twenty-two businesses from the Highlands and Islands have started the latest Pathfinder Accelerator programme, which aims to put them on the fast track to success. The programme has been developed by Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) and is delivered mostly online. It will provide fast-track training and mentoring for entrepreneurs looking to build a company or launch a new product.
Thieves steal wheel from a ladies navy Carrera mountain bike at Raigmore hospital in Inverness
Officers from Police Scotland's Highlands and Islands division are hunting thieves who stole a wheel from a bicycle in Inverness. It was taken some time between 7pm on Sunday, May 1, and 7am the following day. A spokesman said it was taken from a ladies navy Carrera mountain bike at Raigmore hospital.
MSP Fergus Ewing: It is up to us to argue the case so we’re not short changed but he argues that Scotland’s funds under the UK plan have now been cut to 1.1 per cent of what they were under the EU and that 'is not a matter of theory or accounting' but it is 'both a tragedy and a disgrace'
My mother Winnie Ewing was Scotland’s voice in Europe for 20 years, earning the beloved nickname Madame Ecosse – it is a good name for a politician to have earned. She did so, because she always fought and stood up on the global stage for Scotland’s interests and opportunities, and in particular those of the Highlands and Islands which she represented for many years.
Kinlochbervie High pupils among first to benefit from space sector STEM learning
Pupils in the Highlands are being given a chance to launch an early career in the growing space sector. The Science Skills Academy (SSA), a pioneering science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) education programme, is working to help young people develop skills for the future.
Scots brute who subjected five girlfriends to ‘despicable’ domestic abuse jailed for 14 years
A VIOLENT brute who subjected five girlfriends to physical and emotional abuse has been jailed for 14 years. Sean Hartley, 35, from the Highlands and Islands, was sentenced at the High Court in Stirling for domestic abuse against multiple partners. He received a sentence of 14 years and was given a 25 year non-harassment order after being convicted today.
Scottish Highlands and Islands Renewable Energy Awards to celebrate importance of region's special environment with best natural capital project category
The natural beauty and pristine environment of the Highlands and Islands are renowned the world over. Both play a critical role in life here; from key economic sectors including energy, tourism, and food and drink, to creating a fantastic place to live and work in.
Highland renewables to be showcased as All-Energy conference returns
Around 40 businesses from the Highlands and Islands will be represented at the UK’s biggest renewable energy exhibition and conference this week. All-Energy is returning for its 21st anniversary and the first face-to-face event in two years. It takes place in Glasgow’s SEC on Wednesday and Thursday.
Chance for Badenoch and Strathspey firms to shine at Royal Highland Show
Firms from the strath have the chance to be in the spotlight at the Royal Highland Show in Edinburgh this June, as the annual celebration of rural life in Scotland returns in person for the first time since the start of the Covid pandemic. This year’s show is a particularly special one as it is the 200th anniversary of the first show which took place in the Canongate, close to where the Scottish Parliament now sits.
Deadline fast approaching for entries to the Highlands and Islands Renewable Energy awards 2022
WITH just weeks to go until Highlands and Islands Renewable Energy Day 2022, the deadline is fast approaching for entries to the Entrants have until May 20 to put their names forward for a chance of being named winner of one of the 10 awards which will be announced at the online ceremony on Thursday, June 23, which is hosted by broadcaster and Highland News and Media (HNM) columnist Nicky Marr.
Highlands and Islands showcase planned for Royal Highland Show 2022
This year’s Royal Highland Show will feature a special showcase of businesses and produce from the Highlands and Islands. Each year the show’s organisers, the Royal Highland and Agricultural Society of Scotland (RHASS), select a region from Scotland to run its presidential team.
Highlands and Islands in the spotlight as Royal Highland Show celebrates 200 years
SCOTS firms are set to appear at the Royal Highland Show in Edinburgh this summer as the event returns in person for the first time since 2019. Firms from the Highlands and Islands will be in the spotlight this time, as the annual celebration of rural life in Scotland returns physically for the first time since the start of the pandemic.
Highlands and Islands aquaculture jobs boom possible – but reform needed
Salmon Scotland has welcomed the personal involvement of Rural Affairs Minister, Mairi Gougeon in a 12-month review of the aquaculture sector aiming to secure a jobs bonanza for the Highlands and Islands, but concedes there will be “haggling of course.” The minister said today at the Aquaculture UK exhibition in Aviemore she “broadly accepted” proposals by Professor Russel Griggs in his recent report on the sector, which previously launched a volley of withering criticism citing “mistrust and vitriol” from stakeholders.