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The landscape of commercial media is shifting beneath our feet. For decades, the photography licensing industry was dominated by corporate giants and a steady, highly profitable subscription model.

Renewed fears of war in the Middle East are pushing oil prices higher, with motorists, businesses and households facing the prospect of another expensive winter. The American elections may offer little reassurance.

The UK Government is expected to announce a cut to gas standing charges in its Budget on Wednesday, offering some relief to households connected to the mains gas network. But for many people in the Highlands and other rural areas, the measure will do nothing to reduce their heating bills.

From civil servants and council employees to offshore oil workers, the pressure for better pay is spreading. But employers face rising costs, tight budgets and difficult decisions about the future.

Hospitality support raises questions about fairness as small accommodation providers face rising costs, new charges for visitors and uncertainty over the future of rural tourism. The Government has promised additional support for pubs, recognising their importance to local communities and the financial pressures facing the hospitality industry.

As households brace for the Budget, Rachel Springall, Finance Expert at Moneyfactscompare, highlights some of the key money challenges facing homebuyers, savers and retirees. “Consumers must not make rash financial decisions on speculation alone, and instead, seek advice to go through the official announcements from the Budget.

From baked beans to camping stoves, the nation appears to be preparing for the end of civilisation as we know it. But has the Government’s advice encouraged sensible preparation, or accidentally started a panic-buying spree? There was a time when a well-stocked kitchen cupboard meant a few tins of beans, some soup, perhaps a tin of corned beef at the back that had been there since the last Government.

Higher wages for the lowest-paid may leave experienced staff asking an awkward question: why is the gap between their pay and that of a new recruit getting smaller? The Government's expected increase in the National Living Wage and National Minimum Wage in April 2027 could have consequences well beyond those workers who receive the statutory minimum. While much of the debate focuses on how much the lowest-paid will gain, employers may also face demands for increases from staff who already earn more than the legal minimum.

As household budgets tighten, more meals may be eaten at home. That could save families money, but it creates another challenge for already pressured hospitality businesses.

Britain faces a difficult financial dilemma. The public wants a properly funded NHS, decent pensions, better social care, reliable public services and stronger national defence.

The Government has announced plans to make higher tax-free business mileage rates permanent and increase the rate paid on higher annual mileage. The changes could benefit millions of employees and self-employed workers, including nurses, care workers, builders and other people who use their own vehicles for work.

ScotRail is advising customers to check their journey before they travel as more strong winds and heavy rain are set to sweep across the country. The Met Office has issued a yellow weather warning across large parts of Scotland from 03:00 until 21:00 on Tuesday, 27 October, with wind gusts of 50-60mph widely forecast and potentially reaching more than 70mph in coastal and northern parts of Scotland.

From technology companies to supermarkets and small shops, artificial intelligence is changing the way businesses operate. The benefits could include greater productivity and lower costs, but workers and local communities may pay part of the price.

Private Client Paralegal – BBM Solicitors, Wick BBM Solicitors is recruiting a Private Client Paralegal for our Wick office. The role involves supporting our solicitors with executry administration, wills, powers of attorney, guardianship and trust matters.

UK retail sales fall 0.4% as cautious consumers rein in spending ahead of the crucial Christmas shopping period. Brent crude surges to $114 a barrel amid escalating Middle East tensions and mounting fears over energy supplies.

Scottish Government puts environmental protection ahead of promised jobs and tourism investment near Dornoch. The Scottish Government has rejected plans for a new championship golf course at Coul Links, near Embo and Dornoch, bringing another chapter to a long-running dispute over the future of one of Sutherland's most environmentally sensitive coastal areas.

International tensions are rising, oil prices are volatile and governments are increasingly concerned about security. Against this background, should British holidaymakers be thinking more carefully before booking a trip abroad? The answer is yes, but that does not mean cancelling every holiday or treating the world as too dangerous to visit.

Position: We are seeking a Laboratory Technician, to be based at our Thurso campus. Responsibilities: The post holder will be responsible for providing high-quality laboratory technical support for Research and Knowledge Exchange and its commercial, research and teaching activities.

This beautiful, detached, stone-built, three-bedroom, two reception room, family home is situated somewhat hidden away on Louisburgh Street, in Wick and is situated not far up from the High Street. With large rooms throughout, the home retains some of the original features.

The Highland Council has today 15 October 2026 launched a statutory Community Empowerment (Scotland) Act 2015 consultation. Dornoch residents have until 10 December 2026 to respond to a proposal affecting Common Good land.

A college + university like no other  With 19 campuses and centres across the North and West Highlands, Skye, and Outer Hebrides, we cover a geographic area larger than Wales, comprising 40% of Scotland’s coastline. Our campuses and centres are located within historic towns and villages, set amongst the shorelines, mountains, and moors, with local staff working across our region to support our students and communities.   Position: We are seeking a Work Based Assessor in Aquaculture, to be based at any of our NWH campuses.

The Highland Council’s Environmental Health team is advising members of the public to exercise caution following the identification of blue-green algae (cyanobacteria) at Loch Migdale, Sutherland. The situation is being investigated by Highland Council’s Environmental Health team in partnership with NHS Highland Public Health Department and wider colleagues.

This one-bedroom flat is situated in the sought-after Bignold Court. It is in need of renovation, after being empty for a duration of time, and is looking for a buyer to restore it to its former glory.

Morven Fancey, Head of housing, skills and population with Highland and Islands Enerprise looks a Childcare. Investing in childcare is an investment in people, in communities and in the long-term success of the Highlands and Islands and the region’s contribution to Scotland’s economy.

Britain is being encouraged to become better prepared for emergencies, with households advised to keep supplies of food and water that could see them through several days. That sounds sensible enough.

An exciting opportunity has arisen to join QS, supporting UHI North, West & Hebrides with examinations. QS are looking to recruit a Depute Chief Invigilator to be responsible for supporting the Chief Invigilator (CI) with the organisation and supervision of invigilation for National Qualifications, in accordance with QS policy and procedures.

Women going through the menopause are being offered an ever-growing range of supplements promising to help with hot flushes, poor sleep, mood changes, brain fog, tiredness and a host of other symptoms. But new research raises an uncomfortable question: are some women paying hundreds of pounds a year for products that offer little more than a much cheaper ordinary multivitamin? The answer is not that all menopause supplements are useless.