Highlands and Islands fear global cost-cutting could have a very local impact. The world's biggest drinks companies may operate on a global scale, but when they start cutting costs the consequences can be felt very locally.
New Scottish Government report reveals a significant gap with the rest of Britain but also exposes how difficult the 2030 target will be. Scotland has a child poverty problem.
Scotland is bucking Britain's retail gloom, with Edinburgh leading the recovery. But the real test is whether millions of extra visitors will translate into lasting business growth.
New figures show Scottish agriculture enjoyed a much stronger year, but farmers know the good times can quickly change For several years Scottish farmers have faced a difficult combination of rising costs, uncertain markets, weather challenges and pressure from changing agricultural policies. But new Scottish Government figures suggest that 2025 brought a significant improvement.
When most people think about the global economy, they picture stock markets, oil prices or inflation. Few would imagine that the value of the Japanese yen could become one of the biggest concerns for the United States.
The dollar remains king but the foundations of the global financial system may be starting to shift. For more than 80 years, the US dollar has been the world's dominant currency.
The UK government continues to demonstrate unwavering support for Ukraine as Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband unleashes his first major Russia sanctions package. Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband steps up UK action against Russia, with new sanctions targeting the Kremlin’s military machine, oil and gas revenues and ageing shadow fleet.
So many scams warning these days but we think this programme on BBC sounds s a warning worth hearing. Have you ever been desperately trying to contact a company to complain about shoddy service? Or needed to cut through the automated responses and speak to a human who can help? Most of us have - and the criminals have latched onto it.
In this second part in our series on how the UK has changed in the past 25 years, we look at the finances of both the nation and individuals, before turning to housing and business. The economy Steve Schifferes, honorary research fellow, City St George’s University For most of the 2000s the economy grew strongly, raising living standards and allowing the government to invest more in public services such as the NHS.
In this third part in our series on how the UK has changed in the past 25 years, we turn to demographics, immigration, social attitudes and LGBTQ+ lives. Demographics Athina Vlachantoni, professor of gerontology and social policy, University of Southampton Jane Falkingham, professor of demography and international social policy, University of Southampton Maria Evandrou, professor of gerontology, University of Southampton The UK population grew in size from just under 59 million in 2000 to 69.5 million in 2025, and is now projected to reach 71 million by 2034.
Will rising oil prices push Britain into recession? And if they do, will the Bank of England make the situation even worse? In this video, I examine the extraordinary profits recently reported by the world’s largest oil companies following the conflict involving Iran. While households and businesses face higher fuel costs, oil companies are making windfall gains.
Summer 200 and Tony Blair had just won a second thumping election victory, promising opportunity for all. The new census showed a nation losing its religion, more inclined to live alone and more ethnically diverse.
For years, lithium has been the star of the battery revolution. From mobile phones and laptops to electric cars and home energy storage systems, lithium-ion batteries have become the technology powering the move away from fossil fuels.
Government backs industry to create new British jobs and support local communities with new weighting in public contracts. Government backs industry to create new British jobs and support local communities with new weighting in public contracts.
The gap between official figures and household experience explained. For millions of households across the UK, inflation has become one of the biggest economic issues of the past few years.
Scotland's iconic wild Atlantic salmon continue to face significant challenges, with a new Scottish Government assessment showing that most salmon stocks remain in poor conservation status despite decades of conservation efforts. The latest Status of Salmon in Scotland report paints a mixed picture.
A Highland Council by-election is being held for Ward 3 Wick and East Caithness following the resignation of Willie Mackay. The Notice of Election and timetable for this election will be published on the Council’s website on Friday 14 August 2026.
Highland Businesses Offered Free Support to Cut Carbon Costs and Prepare for a Low-Carbon Economy New Climate Springboard programme aims to help SMEs understand emissions, reduce costs and plan for the future Businesses across the Highlands and Islands are being offered free expert support to help them understand their carbon emissions, reduce costs and prepare for the growing demands of a low-carbon economy. The new Climate Springboard programme, supported by Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE), is designed to help small and medium-sized businesses, social enterprises, charities and community organisations take practical steps towards reducing their environmental impact.
From the corner shop lemonade bottle to a £200 million industry PET packaging is now at the centre of a UK trade investigation For generations in Scotland, the phrase "ginger bottle" brought to mind something simple: a glass bottle of lemonade, ginger beer or juice sitting in the fridge or being returned to the shop for a small deposit. Today, the bottle may look very different.
Inverness to Wick by Train: Scotland's Hidden Scenic Journey Through the Highlands Four hours of breathtaking landscapes, dramatic coastlines and the wild beauty of Sutherland Many journeys are simply about getting from A to B. The train journey from Inverness to Wick is different.
When politicians debate disability benefits today, the arguments can sound distinctly modern. Concerns about rising welfare costs, accusations of fraud and disputes over who deserves support often dominate headlines and political discussions.
We’re Hiring – Office Administrator We are looking for a friendly, well-organised person to join our team at W. & A.
Just a few weeks ago, energy markets were gripped by fears that conflict in the Middle East could send oil prices soaring above $100 a barrel. Analysts warned that any disruption to shipping through the Strait of Hormuz or attacks on major oil facilities could trigger another global energy shock.
The adult social care workforce will be boosted to deliver up to 45,000 extra hours of care every month through ongoing investment. The Adult Social Care Displaced Workers Scheme has reopened to new applications to help expand the number of care workers, increasing the sector’s resilience and capacity to deliver additional care each month.
More than four years after Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine, the conflict is increasingly looking less like a war of rapid advances and more like a contest over who can endure the longest. Neither side has achieved the decisive breakthrough it hoped for.
Scottish businesses will get a direct line to government decision-making, as the First Minister today chairs the first meeting of the National Council for Economic Growth. The Council brings together senior business leaders to advise government on the barriers businesses face, and their solutions to drive economic growth.
A vacancy has arisen for a Principal Engineer to join our Infrastructure Programme Engineering team. This is a pivotal role at the heart of facility engineering, acting as the primary technical authority, safeguarding engineering integrity, and ensuring that critical plant and infrastructure remain safe, compliant, and fully operational throughout their lifecycle.
Do you know someone affected by hoarding. An article by Barbara Potter, Kerry Musselbrook caught our attention.
Here at Riverside house care home we are looking to employ a full time domestic assistant to join our team, hours to be worked are 8am-2pm over five days including some weekends. Duties include dusting, hoovering, mopping and sanitizing surfaces in all areas of the home including kitchen areas, bathrooms, living spaces and bedrooms.
We're Hiring – Join Our Team at Reid’s Bakery! We’re continuing to grow our team and are looking for motivated, reliable people ready to take on a new challenge. If you’d like to be part of a hardworking, friendly environment where quality and teamwork matter, we’d love to hear from you.
They are certainly not as exciting as dolphins, or as awe inspiring as eagles or even wonderful to watch like otters, but they are members of our Highland wildlife suite that are often talked about and they are both fascinating and worrying. They are ticks - animals that are part of the class of arachnids, along with spiders, scorpions, mites, harvestmen (see my blog about these harmless long-legged ones here).
See poster. Booking required.
Andy Summers, Ranger describes the efforts he and local volunteers have taken recently to help save this species. Oyster plant is one of Scotland’s northern coastal specialists, a species more at home on the cold shores of the North Atlantic and Arctic than further south.
This charming two-bedroom detached cottage is offered for sale with a range of useful outbuildings and approximately 7.5 acres of adjoining land. Ideally situated just a short distance from Wick, the property benefits from uPVC double-glazed windows and doors, external insulation, and oil-fired central heating.
Community groups invited to apply for funding to support projects that reduce waste and promote a circular economy The Highland Council is encouraging community organisations across the region to apply for the latest round of its successful Reuse and Repair Fund, which supports projects that help keep valuable materials and products in use for longer. Grants of between £2,000 and £50,000 are available to support a range of community‑led initiatives that will help people repair, reuse and upcycle materials - reducing waste and supporting a stronger circular economy.
Blargoans Ltd is currently seeking a Recruitment Manager to join our team. Recruitment Manager Opportunity Blargoans Ltd is seeking an enthusiastic, organised and proactive Recruitment Manager to join our busy team.
Must be over the age of 18. Serving tables and serving behind the bar in our Bistro.
For some of you out there this article is old hat so it is really aimed at people who may never have tried some of the old ways to save money and still make nutritious food When food prices are rising, the obvious response is to look for cheaper products. But there is another way to reduce the pressure on the household budget: Make the food you already buy go further.
See poster for all dates..
Care Assistant - Full time Join our compassionate team and make a real difference every day. We’re looking for a warm, reliable, and dedicated Care Assistant to support our residents to live with dignity, comfort, and joy.
If the Profits Leave Britain, Does It Make Us Poorer? Every time another British company is bought by an overseas investor, the same question appears. "If the profits go abroad, doesn't Britain become poorer?" It sounds like a simple question.
When President Donald Trump announces a new tariff, the message is usually simple. "Foreign countries will pay." But that is not quite how tariffs work.
Why Trump Keeps Using Tariffs – And Why the Whole World Pays Attention. Whenever President Donald Trump announces a new tariff, the headlines usually focus on the country involved.
Who Owns Britain Now? A Look at Foreign Ownership of UK Businesses and Infrastructure. If you ask people whether Britain is being "sold off", the answers are likely to be passionate.
President Donald Trump has announced new 50% tariffs on around US$20 billion of Canadian imports, marking a major escalation in the trade dispute between the two countries. The tariffs are due to take effect on 19 August 2026 unless there is a negotiated settlement before then.
Are Britain's Best Companies Being Sold Too Cheaply? And What Happens When the Profits Leave the UK? Hardly a week seems to pass without another well-known British company becoming the target of an overseas takeover. American investment funds.
If you’ve been online lately, you’ve probably seen those ads shouting “Drink THIS every morning to melt belly fat!”. They always feature a mysterious fruit, a glowing mug, and a doctor who looks suspiciously like a stock photo model named Kevin.
This lovely large four-bedroom family home is situated on the main street and is a dream home for an interior design enthusiast, as it is dated throughout and in need of modernisation. The home benefits from Upvc double glazed doors and windows throughout and has an oil-fired central heating system.
For more than 30 years, China seemed unstoppable. Its economy grew at astonishing speed with new cities appeared almost overnight and millions of people moved from the countryside into better-paid jobs.
Every week there seems to be another story about China. Chinese electric cars are becoming cheaper.
Did Scotland's Iron Age brochs form a prehistoric long-distance warning system? In this history documentary, Ashley Cowie joins Iain MacLean of the Caithness Broch Project to investigate an archaeological mystery: four enigmatic Iron Age stone towers hidden across the rugged landscape of northern Scotland. Trekking through the remote Berriedale Strath, they conduct a viewshed analysis to test a compelling archaeological hypothesis: were these monumental brochs deliberately positioned to maintain line-of-sight with one another? Their expedition reveals remarkable evidence that these towering displays of Iron Age architecture may have formed an intentional signaling network, offering new insights into prehistoric engineering, landscape planning, and regional communication..
Here at Riverside house care home we are seeking to employ a part time Laundry Assistant working 20 hours per week worked over four days, hours are two shifts 9am-1pm and two shifts 7am-1pm, for more information or to request an application form email; lynnsmith@riversidehousecarehime.com or call 01955602314.
The UK Government has announced that children aged 8 and 9 can now use eGates at major UK airports and at international rail terminals. Previously, only travellers aged 10 and over were allowed to use them.
Millions of calls were likely mishandled over nearly a three-year period, preventing or delaying customers from switching away to a better deal. Investigation uncovers deliberate call-dropping tactics, excessive and unnecessary call transfers and putting customers repeatedly on hold for no reason.
The ONS report measures the natural capital of enclosed farmland meaning the economic value of the land, soils, habitats, and ecosystem services produced by fields, hedgerows, and managed agricultural landscapes across the UK. Key points from the report Enclosed farmland covers around a third of the UK’s land area, making it one of the country’s most significant land uses.
Help Shape Highland's Future with Regeneration Funding The Scottish Government has announced plans to open the Regeneration Capital Grant Fund (RCGF) later this year, creating an exciting opportunity for projects that can make a lasting difference to communities across Highland. The RCGF is a competitive, Scotland-wide fund that supports locally developed regeneration projects.
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