Highland

76771046 portrait of tired woman sleeping on bus

When the Commercial Bus Stops, the Council Inherits the Problem

Stagecoach will withdraw the X99 between Caithness and Inverness after 18 October, ending a direct link used by passengers travelling to Raigmore Hospital. The decision comes as Highland Council is already expanding its own bus operation to replace withdrawn commercial services, while temporary Scottish

104176830 blue to let sign on a classic building facade

Community·Highland

Highland Sends Two More Short-Term Let Control Areas to Scottish Ministers

Councillors have approved proposals covering Inverness and a broad sweep of the rural Highlands. If ministers agree, future conversions of homes to secondary short-term lets in the designated areas would automatically require planning permission. Highland Council has approved two new short-term let control area

Highland Council Asked to Pause Health and Social Care Integration Review

Highland Council is being asked to pause an 18-month review of how health and social care

Aviemore To Carrbridge Route Moves Closer To Planning Decision After Years Of Delay

A long-promised walking, wheeling and cycling route between Aviemore and Carrbridge is moving closer to a

46665788 rear view of scottish tenement buildings black and white

More than 8,800 households waiting for social housing in Highland

Demand continues to outstrip the availability of homes across much of the Highlands, with Inverness accounting

Economy·Highland

Highland Councillors Back New Controls On Holiday Lets

Councillors in Wester Ross, Strathpeffer and Lochalsh have backed plans that could require planning permission before more permanent homes are converted into

by LM Bruce

3 August 2026

Featured·Highland

Land Control Leads To £13.85m Highland Housing Award Without Open Competition

Highland Council says competitive tendering for 52 homes at Rosskeen would duplicate work and threaten funding deadlines. Its planning reports and procurement

by James Stewart

29 July 2026

BETA Technologies’ ALIA CTOL (CX300) aircraft, selected for Project SEAN demonstration flights across Scotland’s Highlands and Islands.

Featured·Highland·Transport

£1.52m Trial Will Test Whether Electric Aircraft Can Serve Highland And Island Routes

Project SEAN is a three-month government-funded test of electric flying from Inverness Airport. It will examine whether a small battery-powered aircraft, charging

by John Campbell

29 July 2026

Charred eggshell fragments lie on burned ground at Abernethy following the July 2026 | Credit: RSPB Scotland

Environment·Featured·Highland

What Will Happen To The Animals Caught In The Cairngorms Wildfire?

Some will have escaped. Others could not. As firefighters continue working across Glenmore and Abernethy, the true cost to wildlife remains hidden

by LM Bruce

27 July 2026

Environment·Featured·Highland

Cairngorms Wildfire Declared Major Incident As Nethy Bridge Is Evacuated

An entire Highland village has been evacuated after strengthening winds drove a long-running wildfire towards Nethy Bridge, turning an operation that had

by LM Bruce

25 July 2026

Aberdeenshire·Featured·Highland·Infrastructure

Caledonia Wind Farms Secure Consent for 140 Turbines in Moray Firth

Scottish ministers have approved two offshore wind farms with a combined anticipated capacity of 2GW. The decision removes a major regulatory barrier,

by James Stewart

22 July 2026

First Minister thanks emergency services at scene of Cairngorms wildfire

Featured·Highland

Cairngorms Wildfire Enters Second Week

Around 10 square kilometres of land have been affected across Glenmore and Abernethy, while emergency crews warn that the incident remains active

by David McDonald

22 July 2026

Highland·Transport

Corran Ferry Infrastructure Works Move into Marine Phase

Construction work on the £30 million Corran Ferry Infrastructure Improvement Scheme has moved into its main marine phase, five months after work

by LM Bruce

20 July 2026

Featured·Highland·Infrastructure

SaxaVord Reaches Launch Point

SaxaVord has reached a pivotal launch point, prompting Unst to critically assess the potential gains, restrictions, and risks associated with the ambitious

by LM Bruce

17 July 2026

Terminal Wick John OGroats Airport geograph 5532275

Argyll and Bute·Featured·Highland·Na h-Eileanan Siar·Scottish News·Transport

Highlands International Journeys to Lose Tax Exemption

Domestic connections serving the Highlands and Islands will receive wider protection when Air Departure Tax begins in April 2027, but direct and

by Andrew Robertson

15 July 2026

Featured·Heritage and Arts·Highland·Scottish News

The Quiet Charities Buying and Saving Scotland’s Written History

Two newly published annual reports reveal how private charitable funds are helping Scottish libraries, archives and museums buy historic documents before they

by David McDonald

14 July 2026

Featured·Highland·Policy and Government·Scottish News

The Highlands Are Being Redrawn Before the Public Can Object

More than 230 distinct development bids have been placed before Highland Council, including proposals for about 21,600 homes. Modern Scot’s analysis finds

by David McDonald

11 July 2026

27687186 man in snow landscape using gps on his smartphone

Aberdeenshire·Angus·Argyll and Bute·Dumfries and Galloway·Featured·Highland·Infrastructure·North Ayrshire·Scottish Borders·Scottish News·Stirling

Fifty Rural Mobile Masts Upgraded Across Scotland as Coverage Reaches Further into Remote Areas

Fifty publicly funded mobile masts have been activated across rural Scotland, extending access to all four major mobile networks. The latest site

by James Stewart

10 July 2026

Map showing extent of B9090 Nairn High Street, Gordon Street and The Brae closures

Highland·Infrastructure·Scottish News

Emergency Closures in Nairn After Sinkhole Investigation Disrupt Town Centre

Emergency road closures have been imposed in Nairn after further investigations into a sinkhole at the corner of Douglas Street and Nairn

by John Campbell

2 June 2026

Environment·Highland·Scottish News

The Cairngorms Farmer, the Carbon Land Rush and the Scottish Hillsides Being Bought for Offsets

A tenant farmer’s warning about land prices in the Cairngorms has become part of a wider Scottish argument over carbon markets, natural

by David McDonald

1 June 2026

Featured·Highland·Infrastructure·Orkney Islands·Scottish News·Shetland Islands

Scotland’s Space and Defence Sites Face Fresh Scrutiny After US Israel Technology Proposal

A draft American defence provision would create a formal US Israel defence technology cooperation initiative covering drones, missile defence, cyber, artificial intelligence,

by David McDonald

1 June 2026

78380114 sad woman looking at her colleague

Community·Highland·Orkney Islands·Scottish News·Shetland Islands

When Abuse Is Not a Bruise: Older Women, Rural Scotland and the Law That Changed

Scotland’s domestic abuse law now recognises coercive control, psychological abuse and patterns of behaviour that may leave no visible injury. But older

by Andrew Robertson

31 May 2026

80115 p8forgermanyrenderingcboeing 556694

Aberdeenshire·Angus·Argyll and Bute·Featured·Highland·Infrastructure·Moray·Na h-Eileanan Siar·Scottish News·South Ayrshire

The American Military Network Scotland Hosts

American military activity in Scotland no longer looks like the Cold War bases once found at Holy Loch, Edzell and Machrihanish. It

by David McDonald

29 May 2026

Argyll and Bute·Environment·Highland·Na h-Eileanan Siar·North Ayrshire·Scottish News

The Rare Rainforest on Scotland’s Western Edge

Scotland’s temperate rainforest survives in fragments along the wet western edge of the country, from Argyll and Lochaber to Wester Ross, Skye

by LM Bruce

29 May 2026

Argyll and Bute·Dumfries and Galloway·East Lothian·Environment·Highland·Moray·North Ayrshire·Scottish News

Scotland’s Fire Season Moves Into New Territory

Scotland recorded its most severe wildfire season in 2025, with major fires across moorland, peatland and woodland. A new national action plan

by Andrew Robertson

29 May 2026

68762966 electricity pylons in countryside

Aberdeen City·Aberdeenshire·Featured·Glasgow City·Highland·Infrastructure·Moray·Na h-Eileanan Siar·Scottish News·Shetland Islands

The Quiet Rewiring of Scotland: Hitachi Energy and the Power Corridors Reshaping the North

Scotland’s renewable energy story is usually told through wind farms, household bills and climate targets. But another story is being built more

by David McDonald

28 May 2026

Community·Featured·Highland·Scottish News

From Dingwall to Abbey Road as Highland Composer Reaches International Stage

For a young musician growing up in Dingwall, places like Abbey Road Studios can feel less like real destinations and more like

by LM Bruce

26 May 2026

Alistair Leslie image credit Ben Mullay/HIE

Economy·Featured·Highland·Scottish News

Ness Engineering Expansion Shows the Value of Skilled Local Firms in Shetland

Sumburgh based Ness Engineering is expanding its existing site with support from Highlands and Islands Enterprise. The investment will add workshop, storage

by James Stewart

21 May 2026

Featured·Highland·Infrastructure·Scottish News

Twenty Eight Scottish Monuments in the Crosshairs of a New UK Power Corridor

A proposed 400kV overhead line from Caithness to Beauly has been presented as essential to Scotland’s net zero electricity system. But Historic

by David McDonald

16 May 2026

Highland·Tea With Gunns

Amazon’s Drone Can Reach Darlington. Now Try Thurso in February

I have nothing against progress, provided it knocks before entering and does not hover over the washing. Just today I read that

by Mrs Gunn

14 May 2026

Community·Featured·Highland·Scottish News

Logie Timber To Cut Energy Costs With Solar Panels At Moray Sawmill

Logie Timber, based near Forres, has secured support from Highlands and Islands Enterprise for a £71,000 solar project intended to reduce electricity

by Andrew Robertson

13 May 2026

Dunvegan Primary School’s FilmG entry, Màiri Mhòr nan Òran: Bana ghaisgeach Ghàidhealach, reflects the competition’s role in bringing Gaelic history and storytelling to young

Community·Highland·Scottish News

Highland Pupils Bring Gaelic Stories To Life On Screen

Schools, young filmmakers and Gaelic media students from across the Highlands have been shortlisted for FilmG 18, Scotland’s Gaelic short film competition,

by LM Bruce

12 May 2026

Community·Highland·Scottish News

Highland Councillors Approve Local Funding for Play Parks and Community Projects

More than £200,000 has been approved for play park improvements and community regeneration projects in Black Isle and Easter Ross, alongside decisions

by David McDonald

12 May 2026

The sea stacks of Duncansby Head, the most northeasterly part of Scotland and slightly northeast of John O'Groats in Caithness

Energy·Featured·Highland·Scottish News

Hollandmey Wind Farm Consent Leaves Caithness Facing a 2026 Construction Question

ScottishPower Renewables has consent for a wind, solar and battery project near Mey after a public inquiry. But in north east Caithness,

by Andrew Robertson

10 May 2026

Argyll and Bute·Energy·Highland·Na h-Eileanan Siar·Orkney Islands·Scottish News·Shetland Islands

Clean Heating Without Backup Leaves the Highlands Exposed

Scotland’s move to clean heating and electrification is intended to reduce emissions and modernise the energy system. But in the Highlands and

by LM Bruce

9 May 2026

Featured·Highland·Policy and Government·Scottish News

Scotland Returns the SNP, But Not the Old Political Map

The 2026 Holyrood election has returned the SNP as Scotland’s largest party, but not with the comfort of command. Beneath the headline

by LM Bruce

9 May 2026

Aberdeenshire·Featured·Highland·Infrastructure·Moray·Scottish News

Scotland’s Energy Landscape Is Quietly Becoming Part of the Global AI Economy

For generations, Scotland’s energy story was associated with coalfields, hydroelectric dams and later the offshore oil and gas industry of the North

by LM Bruce

7 May 2026

View along Glen Affric, with a bit of Loch Affric visible to right

Environment·Highland

Scotland’s Rarest Fern Returns To Glen Affric After A Victorian Obsession Nearly Erased It

Forestry and Land Scotland and the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh have planted 250 oblong woodsia ferns on a Highland scree slope. The

by LM Bruce

4 May 2026

Argyll and Bute·Highland·Moray·Na h-Eileanan Siar·Orkney Islands·Scottish News·Shetland Islands·Transport

A £2 Bus Fare Now Runs Across Much of Northern Scotland. Will it Change Anything?

The cap is already in place. What remains uncertain is its effect. A pilot scheme limiting most single bus fares to £2

by James Stewart

30 April 2026

Highland·Scottish News·Transport

Corran Ferry Fares to Rise from May as Council Presses Ahead with Budget Plan

Crossing costs on a key Highland route will increase from 1 May, with higher charges for cars, commercial vehicles and multi-journey users.

by James Stewart

21 April 2026

51491136 a steam train in scotland passing through a forest in autumn

Highland·Scottish News·Transport

Distance, Cost and Access: Transport Remains Uneven Across Rural Scotland

Longer journeys, fewer services and rising costs continue to shape daily life beyond the central belt, where mobility depends less on networks

by James Stewart

20 April 2026

99284136 the scots pine view to the head

Environment·Highland·Scottish News

Call for Stronger Action to Protect Scotland’s Rainforests as Election Approaches

A campaign to restore and expand Scotland’s temperate rainforest has intensified ahead of the Scottish Parliament election, with environmental groups urging ministers

by Andrew Robertson

7 April 2026