With mortgage rates back around 6% and government borrowing costs under pressure, homebuyers face an uncomfortable question: buy now, wait for a better deal, or risk taking on a debt that could become difficult to manage? Buying a home is one of the biggest financial commitments most people will make. It is also one of the easiest decisions to justify emotionally.
We keep returning to this topic recently as it may affect anyone with credit cards, loans or mortgages so making decision to increase these debts could be crucial. Higher government borrowing costs could mean higher taxes, tighter public spending and more expensive mortgages.
Expanded Hospital at Home services, a public awareness campaign and targeted investment to reduce waiting lists are all part of a newly-unveiled health preparedness plan for winter. A collective effort is critical in the months ahead to ease pressures on the NHS, Health Secretary Angela Constance said as she launched the new national winter health plan.
£10m for skills programme to help tackle poverty. Up to 2,400 parents will be able to access training at colleges across Scotland to enter or progress in work.
Results from the June Agricultural Census 2026 were published today and show that the number of cattle increased for the first time since 2021. In 2026, there were 1.67 million cattle, an increase of 0.7% compared with last year and 1.3% below the five-year average (2021 to 2025).
Work starts on one of Scotland’s largest brownfield regeneration schemes. First Minister John Swinney has marked the start of construction on one of Scotland's largest net zero housing developments, bringing the first phase of the Granton Waterfront regeneration project under way.
General Fusion completes the first major technical milestone of its LM26 programme with world-first fusion result co-authored by UKAEA. General Fusion Group Ltd (‘General Fusion’ or ‘The Company’), a leading fusion company, has achieved a historic compressional plasma heating result with its large-scale Lawson Machine 26 (LM26) demonstration.
Ed Miliband reaffirms UK's unwavering backing for Ukraine on first visit as Foreign Secretary as he meets both President Zelenskyy and Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha. Ed Miliband reaffirms UK’s unwavering backing for Ukraine on first visit as Foreign Secretary and unveils £54m package of winter resilience funding.
Tanks in Sellafield Ltd's Highly Active Liquor Evaporation and Storage (HALES) that had stored liquor for decades are now empty. We have completed the bulk removal of one of our oldest legacy inventories, helping reduce risk and prepare the facility for the future.
Musicians, writers, artists and filmmakers are gathering in Salford to confront a question that could shape the future of the creative industries: can technology companies build fortunes from human creativity without paying the people who produced it? Artificial intelligence can write a song, produce an image, imitate a voice or generate a video in seconds. What once required years of practice, expensive equipment and hours of work can now be attempted with a few words typed into a computer.
Projects to support an estimated 122 jobs in coastal and island communities. Ninety-nine seafood and aquaculture projects will share in more than £16 million of Scottish Government funding, supporting an estimated 122 jobs in coastal and island communities.
The inaugural meeting has been held at the centre, which provides a permanent foothold in Ukraine for UK companies. The UK’s first dedicated business centre for industry in Ukraine has now opened, offering companies a permanent presence in Kyiv to deepen industrial ties with our ally.
Following our announcement in August of Interim Community Council elections, The Highland Council is today (8 October 2026) able to confirm the candidates that have been elected to serve the Latheron, Lybster and Clyth Community Council are as follows: AMIN Younes GUNN Andrew HENDERSON Donald SINCLAIR George SUTHERLAND Anne WALSH Denise The turnout was 50.72%.
Scotland's next Budget will not be short of money in headline terms. But that does not mean the Scottish Government will have an easy time deciding where the money goes.
Community development trusts can do remarkable things for rural communities. But as they take on more responsibilities and public money, there is a bigger question: who are they ultimately accountable to? A recent Highlands and Islands Enterprise event in Lairg brought around 20 development trusts from Caithness and Sutherland together to discuss housing, planning, funding, digital technology and artificial intelligence.
BBC's £500 million savings programme shows there is now quite a lot more detail than when it was first announced. The BBC says the aim is roughly a 10% reduction in costs, with the programme running over the next few years.
October 2026 | A guide to the changes affecting benefits claimants across Britain, including Scotland. The benefits system is changing, and millions of households could be affected.
With another difficult financial year approaching, Scotland’s health boards and councils face growing pressure to find savings. But can they do so without reducing services or losing staff?.
For generations, the local pub was part of the fabric of British life. It was somewhere to meet friends, catch up with neighbours, watch the football, celebrate a wedding or simply have a chat at the end of the day.
Britain's gambling industry is facing a major change in taxation. Online casino games are already subject to a much higher tax rate, online betting is due to become more expensive for operators from next April, and betting shops, casinos and bingo halls are watching nervously for a possible increase in the tax on physical gambling machines.
The Scottish Government has promised a smaller public-sector workforce and substantial savings. But as another difficult Budget approaches, taxpayers deserve to know whether ministers will tackle the cost of government itself or leave local services to shoulder much of the burden.
For months, artificial intelligence has been one of the great attractions of the stock market. Investors have poured money into the companies building AI systems, manufacturing the computer chips they need and constructing the enormous data centres required to run them.
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.
Trading Standards regularly issues warning about scams. Now they have provided a very useful advice list.
A political row in Washington could eventually make it more expensive to borrow money in Britain. That sounds unlikely.
Highland Council's South Planning Applications Committee has given the proposed Glen Earrach pumped storage hydro scheme a major boost, raising no objection to a project that could become one of the biggest infrastructure developments the Highlands has seen for decades. But this is not the final approval.
The big pressures on prices right now do not give any comfort to anyone especially buying diesel or heating oil. The combination of several factors are pushing prices again.
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.
The Scottish Government has appointed another trade and investment envoy, this time to the United Arab Emirates. Ronnie Graham, managing partner of Winston Taylor's Dubai office, has been appointed to promote Scotland's interests in the UAE and help Scottish companies build relationships in the market.
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.
RG SetSquare has a requirement for multiple HGV Drivers required for an ongoing assignment with our client. 6 month contract.
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.
An exciting opportunity has arisen to join QS, supporting UHI North, West & Hebrides with examinations. QS are looking to recruit an Invigilator to undertake the duties 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.
Bacon has suddenly become a rather more complicated item on the shopping list. Should we worry about nitrates and nitrites? Is nitrate-free bacon healthier? And if supermarkets are now selling bacon without added nitrites, is it worth paying extra for it?.
The Highland Council has agreed to submit proposals for two Short Term Let Control Areas (STLCAs) to Scottish Ministers following extensive public consultation and consideration by local area committees. At today’s special meeting of the Economy and Infrastructure Committee (28 September), Members approved the submission of proposals for: An Inverness City Short Term Let Control Area, covering Inverness and surrounding areas; and A Highland Rural Short Term Let Control Area, covering Aird and Loch Ness, Inverness South, Wester Ross, Strathpeffer and Lochalsh, Lochaber, Skye and Raasay, and Sutherland.
There are times when a story from thousands of miles away makes you look at your own garden slightly differently. Reports from the Russian-occupied Ukrainian city of Oleshky describe residents facing such severe shortages of food that some have reportedly been eating plants growing in their gardens that most of us would simply call weeds.
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.
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.
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.
Canada has spent generations building its economy around its huge neighbour to the south. Now it is looking across the Atlantic.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 .
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.
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.
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