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The Highland distillery was built with the support of thousands of people who wanted to create something lasting for their community. Its entry into administration exposes the financial risks facing ambitious local ventures, even when the original idea has widespread public support.

A Scottish business that began with a local convenience store has developed into a national retail technology company, securing new backing from Virgin Money as demand for its services grows. While many traditional retailers are struggling with rising costs, tight margins and changing shopping habits, a Dundee-founded business is demonstrating how technology and partnerships can open up new opportunities.

For years, annuities were regarded by many pension savers as an unattractive way to turn their retirement savings into income. Low interest rates meant relatively modest payouts, while pension freedoms gave people greater choice over how to use their money.

Rising oil prices, expensive diesel and the prospect of higher energy bills threaten to bring another squeeze on household budgets. For rural Scotland, where many people have little choice but to drive, the consequences could be particularly severe.

More Russian oil and diesel could help ease competition for supplies from other producers. However, additional exports will take time to reach buyers, and the effect will depend on the scale of the increase and the ability to transport fuel safely.

Britain's discount retailers should be well placed to benefit from the cost-of-living squeeze. When household budgets are tight, shoppers look for cheaper food, cleaning products, toiletries and everyday essentials.

A new project at the Port of Inverness could create around 70 jobs by tackling one of the less visible problems facing Scotland's renewable energy industry: what to do with wind-turbine blades when they reach the end of their working lives. Northern Ireland-based company Plaswire has signed a memorandum of understanding with the Port of Inverness to establish a facility for recycling wind-turbine blades.

Artificial intelligence is attracting billions of pounds in investment, transforming expectations for business and raising hopes of a new wave of productivity. But as spending on computer chips, data centres and AI services continues to grow, investors are asking an increasingly important question: will the profits eventually justify the enormous cost? The question became more pressing this week as technology shares came under renewed pressure on international stock markets.

Fake weight loss medicines worth approximately £2 million were seized last night in a raid executed by the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) and West Midlands Police. On October 14, over 12,000 fake retatrutide and tirzepatide pens were seized along with packaging for around 30,000 more products.

As part of a new partnership with UKHospitality announced (15 October 2026), major employers will provide paid employment as well as work experience and training opportunities for 18 to 24 year olds who are not in education, work or training. Britain’s leading hospitality businesses including Whitbread, McDonald’s and Nando’s, commit to hiring 100,000 young people not in education, employment or training through a major partnership with UKHospitality.

UK and Germany deepen defence-industrial cooperation at Lancaster House talks, building on the Trinity House Agreement and Kensington Treaty. UK and Germany strengthened defence-industrial cooperation at the latest talks at Lancaster House.

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.

Rising war-risk premiums are adding millions of dollars to the cost of sending ships through one of the world's most important energy routes. The latest attacks could make it even harder to keep oil and other goods moving.

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.

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 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?.

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.

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?.