Workers in Britain and the United States are getting a smaller share of national income than they did decades ago. That is not simply a feeling.
The United States is now experiencing something that will be familiar to anyone filling a diesel vehicle in Caithness. But the numbers are on a different scale.
The United Kingdom will not attempt to build a massive, all-purpose foundational artificial intelligence model to rival the multi-billion-dollar systems currently dominating the United States and China. Confronted by stark realities regarding land, energy resources, and capital, British leaders have quietly abandoned the idea of a singular, state-backed mega-model.
One of the United Kingdom’s largest broadband providers, TalkTalk, is facing imminent insolvency risk, throwing the nation's critical digital infrastructure into a state of high alert. Plagued by a crushing £1.4 billion debt load, severe payment arrears to its primary network supplier, and a rapidly eroding customer base, the company's financial instability has escalated into a genuine national security concern for government officials.
Diesel prices are approaching £2 a litre across Caithness, with another increase possible next week. But is it worth filling your tank now?.
For many years Highland Council has faced difficult decisions over small rural schools. Some have closed, others have been mothballed, and communities have often argued that a village school is about much more than the number of children sitting in its classrooms.
Pubs, restaurants and hotels are reporting that the growing popularity of weight-loss medicines may be changing the way some customers eat and drink. The Scottish Licensed Trade Association has surveyed around 300 pubs, bars, restaurants and hotels for its latest summer market report.
Glasgow City Council has taken a dramatic step in its long-running equal-pay dispute, giving notice that it intends to end existing pay arrangements for its non-teaching workforce unless an agreement can be reached with the trade unions. Around 23,000 employees are affected.
Farming is often thought of as an industry that relies mainly on land, livestock and hard work. Increasingly, it also requires access to substantial amounts of capital.
Scotland wants more investment, more houses, more renewable energy and better infrastructure. But there is growing concern that one of the systems needed to deliver all of this is struggling to keep up.
Parents of teenagers in England are being told that they will need to understand a new range of vocational qualifications as their children approach the age of 14. The Career Development Institute has welcomed the introduction of new Vocational GCSEs, which are due to start being introduced in England from 2029.
The hot, dry weather experienced across Britain this year has brought an issue that is usually taken for granted rather sharply into view: water. For much of the summer, England's reservoirs and rivers came under increasing pressure, with restrictions imposed in some areas.
The UK Government is preparing for a major overhaul of Personal Independence Payment (PIP), with the Department for Work and Pensions now setting out a series of proposed changes following the first major review of the benefit since it was introduced in 2013. The review, chaired by Sir Stephen Timms, says the existing system is no longer fit for purpose.
The US bond market is sending an important signal about the future direction of interest rates. The yield on the 10-year US Treasury bond climbed to around 5.14% on Thursday, its highest level since 2007, while the 30-year Treasury yield reached about 5.44%, its highest level since 2004.
Five place based residencies across Caithness and Sutherland. The Caithness and Sutherland Culture Collective Partnership invites applications for five artist residencies, each rooted in a different locality and hosted by a partner organisation.
A new employment right coming into force in April 2027 will give employees a day-one right to take bereavement leave following the death of certain close family members. There has been some confusion about whether the new rules apply across the UK, particularly because employment law can be different in Scotland in some areas.
Farmers are once again having to keep a close eye on fertiliser prices, with the cost of some of the key products used to grow crops remaining well above the levels seen before the latest international disruptions. For farmers, fertiliser is not an optional extra.
How much of the internet would exist if ordinary people stopped creating things for it?. It is an interesting question because millions of people spend hours every week posting photographs, writing comments, sharing news stories, making videos, recommending products, reviewing restaurants, discussing football, arguing about politics or simply telling friends what they have been doing.
The Highland Council’s Justice Social Work teams in Lochaber and Caithness will be hosting open days in Fort William on Tuesday 6 October and Wick on Friday 9 October 2026. The open days will provide members of the public with an opportunity to gain an insight into the Justice Service and find out more about the excellent work going on locally.
Scotland's drug death figures have moved in the wrong direction again. New figures from National Records of Scotland show that 1,133 people died from drug use in Scotland in 2025, an increase of 116 deaths, or 11%, on the previous year.
Rising energy prices are a problem for households and businesses, but there is another very large energy bill that receives much less attention. Highland Council operates one of the largest public-sector property estates in Scotland, while NHS Highland runs hospitals, health centres, clinics and other facilities across an enormous geographical area.
Britain is approaching a rather remarkable demographic turning point. The population is still growing, but increasingly it is not because Britain is producing more people through births.
Kennel Assistant Donald S McGregor & Partners, Thurso are looking for a proactive and hardworking Kennel Assistant to join our team. We are looking for someone who takes pride in maintaining high standards, is organised and reliable, and enjoys working as part of a busy veterinary team.
A beautiful mid-terraced, three-bedroom (one with ensuite), stone-built home which retains many of the original features, with a large area of garden to rear. Accommodation comprises vestibule, hallway, lounge, sitting room/dining room, Ashley Ann fitted kitchen and a utility room on the ground floor, upstairs from the landing there are three bedrooms, one with ensuite and a family bathroom.
Vapes, Drinks and Spiking: What Young People and Parents Need to Know A recent BBC report has highlighted an issue that parents of teenagers may find worrying: the possibility of drugs being put into drinks or even vapes without the person's knowledge. It is a subject where sensible advice is more useful than alarm.
Britain's energy costs have claimed another major industrial casualty, with chemicals giant INEOS announcing that it is suspending operations at three plants at its Saltend site near Hull. The decision affects facilities producing acetic acid, acetic anhydride and ethyl acetate.
Members of The Highland Council's Economy and Infrastructure Committee will meet next Monday (28 September 2026) to consider whether to progress proposals for new Short Term Let Control Areas across parts of Highland. At the special meeting, councillors will be asked to consider the findings of a public consultation on proposed control areas covering Inverness City and a wider Highland Rural area, before deciding whether the proposals should be submitted to Scottish Ministers for approval.
With the October Budget now only weeks away, the speculation machine is beginning to work overtime. Almost every day brings another suggestion about what Chancellor John Healey might do.
NHS Highland and The Highland Council are pleased to announce the launch of a new bespoke year-round transport service for renal haemodialysis patients across Highland. Funded through a grant from NHS Highland, the service marks the first phase of a new approach to patient transport delivery, designed to support the long-term development of a more sustainable, flexible and community-focused transport model for Highland.
This doer-upper was started and now looking for a new owner to finish it. Hidden away in Beaufoy Street, this lovely stone-built property has a new fitted kitchen, oak doors fitted throughout and now needs plumbing and electrics to be finished, along with decoration.
Sutherland has had another week in which several apparently separate stories point towards the same underlying question. How does a huge rural area attract investment and economic activity while maintaining the homes, services and communities needed to support it?.
Something rather important is happening around the United States, and it may be bigger than the individual tariff announcements, political arguments or daily movements in the oil price. America is changing the way it deals with the rest of the world.
The future of disability benefits is becoming one of the more difficult issues facing the UK government, with spending rising rapidly and increasing numbers of people receiving support. A new report from the Institute for Fiscal Studies (IFS) examines what could be changed in Personal Independence Payment (PIP), the main working-age disability benefit in England and Wales.
The Bank held interest rates as expected in its MPC meeting Thursday), with the real news coming from a welcome change in how it intends unwind Quantitative Easing (QE) and a gloomy outlook on the cost of living, the Resolution Foundation said today. James Smith, Chief Economist at the Resolution Foundation, said, “The Bank’s decision today to hold interest rates was welcome but expected.
Canada has spent generations building its economy around its huge neighbour to the south. Now it is looking across the Atlantic.
Qualified Mechanic required for maintenance and repairs for various types of vehicles. MOT Experience would be advantageous but not essential.
NUVIA UK is looking for a technically minded and proactive Dounreay Beach Monitoring Project Technician to support the delivery of the Dounreay Beach Monitoring Project and related radiological monitoring activities. This varied role combines fieldwork, instrumentation, technical data analysis, GIS mapping, equipment calibration and report writing.
We're Hiring | Experienced Chef The Pentland Hotel is looking for an experienced chef to join our kitchen team in Thurso on a Full-Time or Part-Time basis for the right candidate. We’re looking for individuals with previous experience working in a professional kitchen who are confident in a busy environment and take pride in maintaining consistently high standards.
We’re looking for friendly, reliable and enthusiastic people aged 18 or over to join us as Part-Time Bar Staff Perfect for anyone looking to work a few shifts each week, with opportunities to cover midweek, evenings and weekends. To apply or find out more, please contact Vicky at thecaithnesscollection@hotmail.com .
Food & Beverage Supervisor Ideal for an experienced and confident individual looking to work a few shifts each week while taking on additional responsibility within our food and beverage team. Whether you’re looking for a few shifts alongside other commitments or you’re ready to take the next step in your hospitality career, we’d love to hear from you.
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 highly organised and detail-oriented Registry and Admissions Officer, with a focus on Registry, to join our Student Records team in Fort William, Thurso or Stornoway.
An entirely fictional account of what might happen if a Roman historian were suddenly transported to America in September 2026. When our Roman historian arrived in America, he was initially rather pleased.
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.
Set within generous grounds and enjoying wonderful open countryside and sea views, Kyleburn House is a substantial traditional stone-built property offering exceptionally spacious and versatile accommodation in a peaceful rural setting. Extending to approximately 357 sq m (3,841 sq ft) overall, the property provides an interesting and flexible layout that would lend itself to a variety of uses and lifestyles.
KR Properties are delighted to bring to the market this spacious two-bedroom townhouse, offering well-proportioned accommodation over two floors within an attractive traditional stone-built property. Access is via a shared main entrance door, which opens into a shared entrance hallway serving this property and one neighbouring home.
A&D Sutherland Ltd have a vacancy for a qualified second Plant Mechanic. This is based at our main quarry site in Spittal.
See poster for details..
Volunteer with Children's Hearings Scotland (CHS) and make a lasting difference in your community. Children's Hearings Scotland (CHS) is currently recruiting volunteer Panel Members across Scotland, including the Western Isles.
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
