There is something slightly strange about the way we travel the North Coast 500. Put a map of Scotland in front of someone who has never travelled the far north and watch what happens.
There is a number in the latest economic statistics that looks encouraging for Scotland. Household disposable income rose by 7.9% in Scotland during 2024, faster than the UK-wide increase of 7.4%.
There was a time when seeing the price of a barrel of oil approach $100 would have been enough to make markets sit up. Now it is becoming an increasingly realistic prospect.
There is something slightly counter-intuitive happening in financial markets at the moment. Governments are being forced to pay more to borrow money, yet to someone looking at a headline saying that “bond yields are rising”, it can sound like good news.
The view from the Caithness coast raises a perfectly reasonable question about one of the most discussed consequences of climate change Walk along almost any part of the Caithness coastline and there is something rather strange about the debate over rising sea levels. We are repeatedly told that the world's oceans are rising.
For years, solar panels have been something many people associated with large roofs, expensive installations and thousands of pounds of upfront cost. That is about to change as from 27 August, new rules will allow compliant plug-in solar systems to be connected to household sockets in Great Britain.
There is a question I think we should be asking now, before the next round of household bills and business costs begin to bite. Are incomes actually keeping pace with the rising cost of the essentials we cannot avoid buying? At first glance, the answer might appear to be yes.
The latest housing figures from the Office for National Statistics contain something of a surprise for anyone who has been following the UK property market. House price growth is slowing, while rents are beginning to accelerate again.
When the Strait of Hormuz was effectively closed following the outbreak of the Iran conflict, the implications for the world oil market appeared frighteningly simple. Around a fifth of the world's oil normally passes through the narrow waterway between Iran and Oman.
A national programme helping Scottish companies capitalise on the benefits of artificial intelligence (AI) has received funding for its second year. Backed by £1.8 million of continued funding, AI Scotland will help small-to-medium-sized businesses (SMEs) to develop new products and services, grow market share and attract new investment.
I have been looking at the latest Scottish Government labour market figures, and I think they contain a warning that is easy to miss if we concentrate only on the headline numbers. Scotland still has more than two million people in employment, wages are rising and the claimant count actually fell slightly in July.
No booking required. Get ready to create..
There is a piece of economic news in the latest figures from the Office for National Statistics which, at first sight, looks reassuring. The cost of materials and fuels bought by British manufacturers has fallen sharply.
AI Growth Zone to support more than 3,400 jobs and attract major new investment to Lanarkshire – supporting the drive for good growth in every postcode. AI Growth Zone to support more than 3,400 jobs and attract major new investment to Lanarkshire – supporting the drive for good growth in every postcode.
There is something rather unsettling about the latest Salmonella outbreak in Britain. A food that most of us regard as one of the simplest and safest staples in the kitchen has become the focus of a major public health investigation.
There is a very simple question that most of us probably never ask when buying a box of eggs. Where did these eggs actually come from?.
A recent UK Government press release carried a stark warning. The Charity Commission for England and Wales says charities are facing increasingly complex threats, ranging from cyber attacks and fraud to more sophisticated attempts to abuse charitable status for private gain.
For much of human history, rivers have seemed almost indestructible. They rise in mountains, flow through valleys, cross borders and eventually reach the sea.
There is a familiar feeling developing in the oil market. It is not quite panic, and Brent crude has not yet returned to the extraordinary highs seen earlier in the year, but the direction of travel is becoming increasingly uncomfortable.
Britain's inflation problem has not gone away. It has simply changed shape.
Semiconductor company's expansion safeguarding skilled jobs and boosting exports. A £1.9 million grant, part of a £12 million company investment, will support the growth of Scotland’s Critical Technologies supercluster, expanding a compound semiconductor wafer manufacturer and creating new opportunities for staff and apprentices.
Latest crane lifts mark major progress on SIXEP Continuity Plant. Sellafield's SIXEP Continuity Plant has reached an important milestone, with key equipment installed as the project reaches 75% completion.
New AI call-routing system for 101 will get callers to the right service faster, while freeing up police to tackle crime and help victims. New AI software will slash waiting times for reporting crimes to the police, helping to unclog the 101 service amid huge levels of misdirected, nuisance and prank calls.
More reliable broadband on remote Scottish railways and affordable sensors which help farmers grow more food. Reliable broadband on remote Scottish railways and access to cutting-edge tech for British farmers among 16 new projects backed by £13 million.
HMRC has opened the second phase of mandatory tax adviser registration, with eligible advisers required to register by 18 November 2026. Phase two of the new online registration requirement for tax advisers rolls out.
Insolvency Service takes action to shut down unauthorised crypto investment firm. Key Coin Assets Ltd promised returns up to 100%, but investors lost hundreds of thousands of pounds Insolvency Service investigations found no evidence of genuine trading.
Waiting Staff – Full & Part Time We’re looking for friendly, enthusiastic and reliable Waiting Staff to join our team. We have full-time and part-time positions available, with shifts covering breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Chef de Partie – Full Time We’re looking for a passionate and reliable Chef de Partie to join our kitchen team. You’ll work alongside our Head Chef and wider kitchen team to deliver high-quality food across breakfast, lunch and dinner service.
A lovely two-bedroom cottage with two sun rooms, located on the roadside in Bilbster with enclosed mature garden grounds and views across the open countryside. Accommodation comprises vestibule, hallway, lounge, kitchen/diner, two double bedrooms, newly fitted modern shower room and two sun rooms, one to the rear and another to the side.
Set in a prominent location on the popular NC500 route is this well established 8-bedroom hotel (all ensuite), with public bar, lounge bar, dining room, owners’ accommodation, covered beer garden, detached garage and large commercial tarmacadam carpark. Originally a church manse, dating back to the 19th century, this impressive and substantial property boasts many original features throughout including a beautiful feature staircase, ornate cornicing, high skirtings and ceilings, and decorative internal archways.
Hugh Simpson (Contractors) Ltd. is the largest crane hire and heavy lifting services company based in Caithness.
Here at Riverside house care home in Wick we are looking to employ full or part time care assistants to join our team. SVQ level 2 in care would be an advantage but not essential full training will be provided.
Here at Riverside house care home we are looking to employ a dedicated and reliable domestic assistant to join our team. Hours to be worked are 8am-2pm covering four days including some weekends.
Gingerbread House is a beautifully presented detached cottage situated in the peaceful village of Mey, close to the Castle of Mey and on the world-famous NC500 route. Currently operating as a highly successful Airbnb holiday let, the property offers an excellent opportunity as either a lifestyle business or a charming private home.
A&D Sutherland Ltd have vacancies for general labourers. The positions are based on the main Quarry site in Spittal.
Patti Bremner, the Countryside Ranger for East Caithness explains why dune systems need our protection and why recreational fires pose a real risk to these habitats. Working in an office alongside the Dunnet Bay sand dunes I have come to appreciate and respect them more and more each working day.
This 3 bedroom detached bungalow is situated in a popular residential area in Thurso. It is a few minutes walk from the coast and a short walk into town.
Some medicines can make you more sensitive to the sun or increase the risk of dehydration without you realising it. The MHRA is encouraging people to know the risks and stay protected this summer.
We are looking for a cook in our busy pub kitchen to cook pub grub. Hours are 4.30 to finish.
A story on BBC by Luke Mintz caught our attention. Read it and think hard if your children remain unvaccinated.
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.
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).
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.
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.
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