Politics

Highland and Moray MPs are urging Westminster to scrap plans to grant GI status to English whisky as they fear it will hit Scotch whisky’s reputation.

Scottish Conservative says party political disputes and constitutional arguments ‘holding Scotland back’

Councillor Michael Gregson warns when ‘Highland figures are so poor’ then ‘we need more transparency and openness’.

Campaigners’ efforts to accelerate work to boost digital connectivity in the Highlands have won support from a Holyrood committee.

‘Shambolic’ Raigmore Hospital staff shortages left a man traumatised after waiting two months for urgent surgery to tackle a life-and-death condition.

The local authority admits that it ‘has an impact on service delivery including at school level’.

MSP Edward Mountain is demanding an inquiry into what he says is a ‘fiasco’ after ‘nearly six years of incompetence.

That’s the fear after Police Scotland’s chief warned the force will need to review officer recruitment to meet rising National Insurance costs.

MP Angus MacDonald hails ‘very positive step’ as Labour energy minister Michael Shanks says region is ‘doing a favour for the rest of the country’.

So is the party about to shoot itself in the foot and make Inverness and Nairn competitive over the outspoken Highland MSP?

The administration argues the rise is needed to fund maintenance, repairs, and debt.

An SNP MP representing a key whisky-producing area has secured a Westminster debate on Government support for the Scotch Whisky industry.

The response cites ‘significant length of national speed limit road network and remoteness’ of the area.

The meeting will decide whether to cut council house rent rises from 8% to 6% at the expense of measures to save tenants money on heating bills.

Tourism levy plans are “genuinely scaring small businesses”, a Highland MSP has warned.

Councillors questioned whether a draft three-year plan to implement the changes is ‘achievable’

A Highland MSP has reaffirmed her support for a tax to be imposed on motorhome visitors to the area.

Vaccinations in the Highlands are set to partially return to be delivered from GP practices, it has been announced.

The project aims to build two dams to hold 40 million cubic litres of water with a move forward on planning application.

The ‘significant burden’ of loan charges consumes 43% of the budget while 31% goes on repairs and maintenance.