Americans are using credit cards to fill a widening gap between income and expenses Credit‑card balances reached $1.28 trillion in Q4 2025, a 5.5% annual increase, even though personal incomes rose during the same period. Savings rates collapsed from 6.2% in early 2024 to 4.0% in 2026, meaning people are earning more but saving less — and turning to credit to survive.
Scotland stands at a crossroads in preparing its young people for adulthood. As the economy becomes increasingly digital, cashless, and complex, the ability to manage money is no longer a soft skill — it is a survival skill.
This video is a short introduction. The war is being finance by debt and nobody in USA was asked not the people or the congress.
Highland Council's education committee members have praised the apprenticeship programmes offering more young people the chance to learn skills and equip them for the world of work. Foundation Apprenticeships (FAs) and Modern Apprenticeships (MAs) in Highland are growing strongly, with participation now well above national averages.
Time to get real as it is always great to see headlines for a £100million in a schools project in Thurso but we have already got proof that headlines do not build anything. The NHS Highland Health Hubs for Thurso and Wick project is one very real project announced many years ago and still not delivered still at yet another stage so what hope for Thurso schools.
If you want to understand the future of the Thurso schools project, you don’t need to look at Edinburgh’s spreadsheets or Holyrood’s deficit forecasts. You only need to walk down Wick High Street.
The announcement of a six‑week consultation on the future of Thurso High School should have been a moment of clarity — a sign that after years of discussion, Highland Council was finally ready to move from aspiration to action. Instead, it has exposed a deeper truth about the state of capital investment in the Highlands - The numbers no longer add up.
Rural Scotland doesn’t just experience the cost‑of‑living crisis — it amplifies it. The same inflationary forces hitting the rest of the UK land harder north of the Central Belt because distance, climate, infrastructure and market size all turn national pressures into local burdens.
From 1 July 2026, the Ofgem energy price cap jumps about 13%, taking a typical dual‑fuel Direct Debit bill to around £1,862 a year across Great Britain. Analysts’ forecasts suggest a further, smaller rise or plateau into October–December 2026, keeping annual bills close to or just under £1,900 on typical use.
UK research organisations attract new wave of 10 leading international researchers, and new performance stats highlight UK’s progress as part of Horizon Europe. UK research organisations attract new wave of 10 leading international researchers to drive breakthroughs in clean energy, life sciences and advanced technologies through UKRI’s Global Talent Fund.
The June 2026 Scottish Economic Bulletin arrives at a moment when the global economy feels as if it has been knocked off its axis once again. Scotland is not in recession, nor is it booming; instead, it sits in that uneasy middle ground where growth is technically positive but confidence is draining away.
In rural Scotland, distance is not an abstract concept. It is the price of participation in modern life.
(As sung by the Bards of Berriedale, whose patience is older than the rocks themselves). In the age before spreadsheets, when ministers still believed in timetables and the word “2025” sounded achievable, there came a mighty proclamation from the south: “We shall dual the A9,” they cried, “from Perth to Inverness — a road fit for heroes, tourists, and lorries alike!”.
The escalation of conflict between the United States and Iran around the Strait of Hormuz has created one of the most significant geopolitical energy shocks in recent years. While the fighting itself is geographically distant, the economic consequences are already being felt strongly in the United Kingdom through fuel prices, inflation, and financial markets.
Rural Scotland has learned to live with delay. It has learned to live with promises that arrive on glossy consultation boards and vanish into the fog of “funding pressures”.
(As spoken by the Seer of Dunnet Head, on a windy day like any other). Hear now, O folk of the far north, And gather close against the breeze, For I shall speak the ancient words Passed down through budgets, cuts, and pleas.
Offshore wind supply chain companies and trade unions back the government’s Offshore Wind Fair Work Charter. Workers in coastal towns and industrial heartlands are set to see stronger protections, as offshore wind supply chain companies and trade unions back the government’s Offshore Wind Fair Work Charter.
The new laws will extend and strengthen seafarer protections beyond UK territorial waters. Thousands of seafarers working across the Channel to benefit from proper rest periods, fair pay, and stronger protections as the government goes further to make seafarers’ lives fairer, safer and better.
The situation around the Strait of Hormuz has pushed oil markets into one of their most sensitive phases in years, and the latest US–Iran escalation is exactly the kind of trigger that traders fear most. The Strait of Hormuz is not just another shipping route.
June 2026 will mark four years of Operation Interflex, a UK-led multinational training programme that has trained more than 63,000 Ukrainian personnel as infantry soldiers, leaders and instructors. The fifth year of the successful and highly valued programme will herald a new phase of specialist training designed to build long-term capability.
there is quite a lot of evidence that many UK households have been changing their spending habits to prepare for high winter energy costs, although it is often more accurately described as "coping strategies" than formal preparation. Around 11 million UK households planned to buy warming gadgets or clothing to reduce heating costs.
Raised standards for recruiting foreign students come amid continued visa abuse. Student asylum claims already down 30% as government action delivers results.
Families and businesses could benefit from cheaper energy through the use of community batteries. Families could save on bills by storing cheaper renewable able electricity and using it when demand is highest.
The Nasdaq has had a very sharp reversal over the past few trading days, culminating in its worst session for more than a year on Friday. The immediate trigger was a stronger-than-expected US employment report.
For generations, the City of London has been one of the world's great financial capitals. It has financed empires, survived wars, weathered financial crises and adapted to countless economic revolutions.
Ten new jobs have been created following efficiency improvements and increased production at Orkney Crab Ltd in Stromness. Ten new jobs have been created following efficiency improvements and increased production at Orkney Crab Ltd in Stromness.
Overdue reforms to protect women and meet the needs of modern relationships as the government continues to prioritise tackling VAWG and working people. Survivors of domestic abuse will get better financial protections when bravely leaving a relationship, regardless of whether they’re married.
When three very different institutions — the Institute for Fiscal Studies (IFS), the Scottish Fiscal Commission (SFC), and the Fraser of Allander Institute (FAI) — all turn their attention to Scotland’s tax system wha is he result. The result is not a chorus in harmony but a layered critique.
Our School’s Out summer activity programme is now available to preview. You can save chosen activities ahead of the bookings going live for a faster checkout.
The collapse of Orbex in February 2026 and the fate of its subsidiary Sutherland Spaceport Ltd (SSL) was not caused by a single event. It was a combination of funding failure, rising costs, and strategic setbacks that slowly removed its ability to continue operating.
Position: We are seeking a Lecturer – Pathways (Maternity Cover) to be based at our Thurso campus. This role spans further and higher education provision and is currently structured across the following areas, therefore there is an opportunity for candidates to job share: Pathways to College and Employment and Pathways to Health, Education and Social Care These access-level programmes are designed for learners who have experienced barriers to engagement in mainstream education.
At The Highland Council’s Economy & Infrastructure committee held on 28 May 2026, members agreed the distribution of Highland Coastal Communities Funding (HCCF) allocation across the local area committees. HCCF funding is allocated to Highland Council from the Scottish Government.
A number of projects have been supported by funding allocations agreed at today’s Sutherland County Committee. Community regeneration projects Members approved £95,000 of Community Regeneration Funding in support of two community projects in Sutherland.
This beautiful four-bedroom, terraced home, has a garage and a mature garden to the rear. Many of the original features have been retained including original doors, cornicing, dado rails and the staircase.
Imenco Future Technologies is an innovation-driven company specialising in high-quality vision systems, subsea sensors and acoustic solutions. We collaborate closely with our customer partners in the offshore energy, defense, and maritime sectors to solve their unique operational challenges by applying core technical knowledge in optics, sound propagation and AI enabled electronic systems.
Blargoans Ltd have 24 month contract opportunities for Operators to work within our client's facility in Caithness. We are looking for Operators to join our client's Fuel Cycle Area (FCA) Programme area or Site Services, Waste Operations and Logistics department, supporting critical activities that underpin the safe and effective decommissioning of the site.
Polling will take place on Thursday 25 June 2026 to elect one candidate standing in the Ward 4 East Sutherland and Edderton by-election. Voters in this Ward are being reminded to make sure they are ready to cast their vote.
Escape Pain next block starting 23rd June ð Please phone to speak to our staff before booking. ESCAPE-pain is a group education and exercise programme for people with chronic joint pain or osteoarthritis which aims to increase physical function and improve quality of life whilst living with a painful condition.
The Open Fund for Individuals supports the wide range of activity initiated by artists, writers, producers and other creative practitioners in Scotland. This fund is designed to support a range of creative activity, such as a specific project, production or a period of research and development.
The Richmond Project’s Spotlight on Financial Literacy 2026 lands differently when read from Caithness, Sutherland, or the wider Highlands. The UK‑wide findings are stark enough with low financial literacy, deep numeracy problems, and widening inequality but in the Highlands the implications are sharper, more structural, and more personal.
Sutherland is a place of extraordinary beauty and extraordinary resilience. But when the Richmond Project’s Spotlight on Financial Literacy 2026 is read through a Sutherland lens, the findings take on a sharper edge.
Caithness and Sutherland have always been counties where people make the most of what they have. Long distances to shops, higher food prices, and a climate that rewards resilience mean that regrowing vegetables from scraps isn’t just thrifty it’s tradition.
REDUCED £15,000 below Valuation. This beautiful large end-terraced five-bedroom family home is laid across four floors.
This beautiful three-bedroom, semi-detached bungalow, was built only ten years ago and is located in a sought-after residential area of the town. It benefits from having solar panels to the roof and has an oil-fired central heating system, the oil tank has just been filled.
A £20 million Scottish Government investment will give young people the chance to get involved in different sporting activities on their doorstep. Highland Council, working in partnership with sportscotland, has secured funding to provide free and low-cost opportunities for young people as part of the national agency’s 2026 Summer of Sport.
This latest development will offer flexible and affordable business premises that lend themselves to different commercial requirements. Businesses in Sutherland are being invited to register their interest in new flexible units currently being developed at Golspie Business Park.
Here at Riverside house care home in Wick we are looking to employ full or part time Care Assistants to join our team, in this role, you will provide essential support. Your primary focus will be enhancing the quality of life for our residents by assisting with daily activities , ensuring their comfort, and promoting their independence.
Encouraging children and young people to get active. A nationwide summer programme of free and low-cost sporting activities - including football, rugby, padel, swimming, cycling and athletics - has been launched by Deputy First Minister Jenny Gilruth.
Here at Riverside House Care Home in Wick we are seeking to employ a part time dedicated laundry assistant working 20 hours per week to join our team. The successful candidate will be responsible for ensuring the cleanliness and organisation of laundry services within the home.
Grandparents have always been part of the quiet architecture of family life — the school‑run helpers, the emergency babysitters, the keepers of stories and common sense. But new research published in early 2026 shows something bigger happening: grandparents are now structural pillars in the UK’s childcare, social care, and emotional support systems.
Grandparents have always been part of the background architecture of family life — steady, familiar, and often underestimated. But when you look closely at what they pass on, you realise they are teaching the most important lessons a child will ever learn.
NEWLY REDUCED PRICE A unique chance to acquire this B Listed former Granary, steeped in history and dating back to the 18th century. Planning permission was previously granted for conversion into a family home, highlighting the property's exciting residential potential.
Following today’s deadline for nominations the nnmbers are in. The Highland Council can confirm the details of the 5 candidates that are standing in the Ward 4 East Sutherland and Edderton By-election.
Highland Council approves new engagement strategy to put communities at the heart of decision-making A new Participation and Engagement Strategy developed to encourage community involvement in service design and priority planning is set to be implemented by Highland Council following extensive public consultation. The strategy incorporates feedback from residents and community groups, focused on the importance of improving transparency, accessibility and feedback.
At today’s meeting of Highland Council’s Communities and Place Committee, Members approved a long-term approach to weed control that will reduce reliance on chemical herbicides, while maintaining safe, accessible public spaces and protecting biodiversity. The new Integrated Weed Control Strategy and Action Plan builds on the Council’s partial ban on glyphosate-based products in playgrounds, schools and sports facilities, which was introduced in 2019.
Your free PressReader access through High Life Highland is far more powerful for magazines and newspapers than either Prime Reading or Kindle Unlimited. If your main interest is magazines, PressReader is the heavyweight — Prime Reading is tiny by comparison, and Kindle Unlimited is somewhere in the middle.
See poster..
Even as the calendar insists it is May, the Highlands often disagree. A stiff northerly wind sweeps across Caithness, the haar rolls in from the sea, and the thermometer hovers stubbornly in the single digits.
A vacancy has arisen for the election of a Councillor to represent Ward 4 East Sutherland and Edderton following the resignation of Jim McGillivray. Ward 4 is a 3-member ward.
The National Lottery Open Fund for Organisations is a funding programme for artistic, creative and cultural organisations based in Scotland. You can apply for grants of between £1,000 and £100,000 to support creative activity that runs for up to 18 months.
Full time counter assistant at north coast butchers. Hours negotiable.
A spacious 4 bedroom semi-detached house with garage and off road parking, situated in the popular Mount Vernon area of Thurso. Within walking distance of the town centre, the property benefits from easy access to the amenities, services, and transport links expected of a bustling Highland town.
CLFC summer sessions' We are delighted to be able to offer free taster sessions for girls between the age of 4 and 12 this summer (see poster attached). Please complete the form in the below link and email back to caithnessladiesfc@gmail.com .
A date for your diaries - Sunday 14th June. Yarrows Heritage has been renovating the Yarrows Trail - new signage, information boards, leaflets, waymarker posts, etc.
A & D Sutherland Ltd have vacancies for General labourers. Please apply including your CV to: mark@caithnessflagstone.co.uk.
Caithness Forums
What's On in Caithness
Property For Sale
Property For Rent
Sutherland Property
Planning Notices
Who Is Building?
Submit Your Details
Other Enquiries
