News Archive

Green energy boffins bound for Chile

29th February 2012 from Caithness Courier

Developments in the Pentland Firth will be used to promote the latest technological developments in green energy at an event in South America next month. Two members of the Environmental Research Institute in Thurso will be heading to Chile at the end of March to highlight Scottish renewables capabilities to…

Professor Lorne Crerar is new chair of HIE

24th February 2012 from John O Groat Journal

The economic and community development agency covering the Far North has a new chairman as of this week. Professor Lorne Crerar was appointed by ministers on Monday to oversee Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE). Prof Crerar is a founding partner and chairman of Scottish commercial law firm Harper Macleod LLP,…

Scottish Government must grasp opportunity to make our railway work for Scotland

21st February 2012 from Scottish Chambers of Commerce

Responding to Transport Scotland’s consultation on the future of Scottish rail services, Rail 2014, Scottish Chambers of Commerce (SCC) have today called for the development of a long term strategic vision for Scotland’s rail network, freeing up the franchise holder to respond positively to customer demand. SCC have also called…

Back-from-the-brink firm now recruiting

20th February 2012 from Press and Journal

A Highland wholesaler plans to add to its workforce and increase turnover by nearly 50% five years after losing a key contract and battling to survive. Family-owned business Sutherland Brothers, based in Wick, has an annual turnover of £13million but aims to take in £20million per year within five years.…

Conditions continue to be set fair for Highland airport firm

16th February 2012 from Press and Journal

Airports across the north of Scotland had another boost to passenger numbers last month thanks to mild weather. Highlands and Islands Airports (Hial) said 77,886 people passed through its 11 terminals in January, up by 4,415 on the same month in 2011. The company said the 6% rise was thanks…

Seminar’s focus on food and drink industry

15th February 2012 from Caithness Courier

CAITHNESS Chamber of Commerce recently brought together over 60 food and drink producers, hoteliers and restaurateurs from Caithness and Sutherland at Mackays Hotel in Wick. The event was part of the chamber’s supply chain diversification programme which is funded through its partners - Dounreay Site Restoration Ltd, the Highland Council…

£80m north windarm build on track

9th February 2012 from Press and Journal

Developers behind an £80million Highland windfarm said yesterday they expected it to be operational next year. The 21-turbine Baillie Hill project, near Thurso, will have the capacity to power 35,000 homes when completed. Work has started on the 52.5 megawatt development at Bardnaheigh Farm, Westfield, after a north construction firm…

Highest praise for the skills of the Wester workers

8th February 2012 from Caithness Courier

Workers in Caithness have been praised for their exceptional skills after completing the last section of the longest pipeline bundle which has ever been constructed. The pipeline which is 3.1 miles long and contains three pipes, was pulled off the beach on January 27 by seven tugs from a 4.3…

Dounreay clean-up cash support move

7th February 2012 from Press and Journal

Up to £500,000 in bursary support is being put up to support research projects to help the clean-up operations under way at Dounreay and the other defunct civil nuclear sites. The Nuclear Decommissioning Authority is inviting bids from universities and research institutes. The support is going to projects focussing on…

$100m Subsea 7 contract secures 100 Caithness jobs

3rd February 2012 from John O Groat Journal

A TOTAL of 100 jobs have been secured in Caithness after Subsea 7 announced it has won a $100 million contract for a project off the west coast of Shetland. Staff at the company’s Wester site will be involved in the fabrication of a 14km gas export pipeline and a…

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