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Communities will have more opportunities to have their say in shaping how Scotland's largest landholdings are managed under proposals now open for public consultation. The Community Engagement Obligations and draft large land holdings guidance under the Land Reform (Scotland) Act 2025 consultation paper is the next step in ensuring communities have more information about large land holdings of more than 1,000 hectares.

Fraudster exploited three separate schemes designed to support businesses during the pandemic. Fraudster Zeeshan Ashraf has been handed a confiscation order of more than £300,000 Ashraf was jailed for three years and eight months last year after admitting five counts of fraud The 46-year-old defrauded the Eat Out to Help Out, Bounce Back Loan, and Covid Job Retention schemes A Birmingham accountant who defrauded Eat Out to Help Out and other Covid support schemes has been ordered to repay more than £300,000.

First Minister John Swinney has announced that Scottish businesses are set to benefit from £500,000 of Scottish Government support for a programme of trade missions to help companies grow exports and build global partnerships. The First Minister announced the funding while addressing the Scotland-India Business Forum in Delhi.

The EU is expanding its planned satellite network to 348 satellites, with the first launches targeted for 2029. The aim is to give European governments and armed forces secure communications under European control, reducing dependence on American technology.

Scotland is being warned to prepare for unsettled weather as Storm Austen brings the prospect of heavy rain and disruption, with further strong winds possible over the weekend. The main concern is the combination of persistent rainfall and already wet ground.

With inflation rising and Christmas approaching, retailers are asking the Chancellor to reduce the cost of doing business rather than introduce further taxes that could feed through into shop prices. The Budget on 28 October comes at a critical time for Britain's retailers.

Ukraine and Russia continue to fight over territory and security, while the United States and Iran remain locked in a dangerous confrontation. Both conflicts are showing the limits of military power, and the consequences reach far beyond the battlefield.

There are some plants that stop you in your tracks because they’re beautiful. Others because they’re unusual, and then there’s giant hogweed.

Britain's rising inflation rate has increased the pressure on the Bank of England to consider raising interest rates, while mortgage borrowers are already facing higher costs. The latest figures from the Office for National Statistics show annual CPI inflation rising from 3.1% in August to 3.5% in September, above economists' expectations.

A £2 billion Energy Wealth Fund promises to turn oil and gas revenues into investment in cleaner energy. The real test will be whether the money creates lasting jobs, strengthens energy security and benefits Scotland.

A major North Sea gas project is set to begin production, but the benefits for energy security may be greater than the savings on household bills. Britain's long-running Jackdaw gas field controversy has reached a significant turning point, with the Government approving the project after years of delays, legal challenges and arguments over climate change.

New rules promise cheaper home charging for drivers in England, but Scottish motorists face a different system of permissions and grants. Electric car owners without a driveway have long faced an awkward problem.

Mexico is preparing billions of dollars of new investment in renewable energy, joining countries around the world racing to expand their electricity supplies. Britain is investing heavily too, but turning ambitious plans into affordable energy and lasting jobs remains a major challenge.

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.

RDI Renewables is a local renewables installer at Ormlie Industrial Estate in Thurso. We fit heat pumps, solar panels and battery storage in homes, businesses and community buildings across Caithness and Sutherland, and we look after those systems for years afterwards.

WE ARE HIRING! Closing date extended to 9pm Wednesday, 21st October. Looking for a wee temporary, part time job after Christmas? Our Community Session Facilitator vacancy may be the one! Join the team delivering this fantastic project, now in it's 5th year, for the Sinclair's Bay community.

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.

Trading Standards regularly issues warning about scams. Now they have provided a very useful advice list.

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 an Invigilator to undertake the duties of invigilation for National Qualifications, in accordance with QS policy and procedures.

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?.

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.

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.

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.