Shetland firm makes Scotland’s first lamb biltong

A COMPANY on Shetland is launching a range of biltong – including Scotland’s first lamb biltong. J&G Shetland, which owns Sound service station, will start production next month in Lerwick. The firm has secured £24,000 from economic development agency Highlands & Islands Enterprise (HIE) to buy the specialist equipment it needs to dry and cure…

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Could the missing lynx return?

A YEAR-LONG survey has been launched to find out if the public wants lynx to be introduced to the Highlands. Supporters say the big cats would help to control roe deer numbers, while opponents worry about their effect on sheep kept near woodland, the species’ favoured habitat. The consultation has been launched by three charities:…

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Kirkwall lands electric aircraft deal

PLANES powered by hydrogen could soon be touching down on Orkney. Kirkwall airport has been named as a test site for aircraft running on hydrogen, electricity, and “sustainable aviation fuels”. The airport will also be used to test drones to deliver medicines to health centres on the islands. Inglis Lyon, managing director of Highlands &…

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Highlands and islands gift boxes launch

A GIFT box service dedicated to showcasing products from the Highlands and islands has been launched. A Whale of a Time brings together products from independent businesses spread across Inverness, Lochaber, Moray, Wester Ross, and Wick, as well as islands including Harris, Islay, Lewis, Orkney, and Skye. Its range of eight gift boxes stretches from…

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Inverness hotels share positive figures

RESIDENTS in the North of Scotland are being encouraged to discover “what’s on their doorstep” as Inverness’s hotels report brighter figures amid the covid gloom. Chris Taylor, regional leadership director at national tourism marketing agency VisitScotland, said: “Right now, we are encouraging local people in the Highlands to discover what’s on their doorstep, in line…

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Scotland is ‘king’ of sustainable prawns

A FARM in Stirlingshire that rears king prawns is selling its crustacean direct to the public for the first time. Balfron-based Great British Prawns, which opened last year, will harvest its warm water Litopenaeus vannamei each week and delivery them via courier to most parts of the UK – but not the Highlands and islands…

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One small step for Sutherland spaceport

PLANS to launch rockets into space from the Highlands have taken “one small step” forward after The Highland Council granted planning permission. Economic development agency Highlands & Islands Enterprise (HIE) has been given the green light by councillors to build a “vertical launch spaceport” in Sutherland. Scottish ministers will now have their say on the…

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Battle lines drawn over Culloden holiday complex proposal

THE National Trust for Scotland (NTS) has signalled its opposition to proposals to turn TreeTop Stables at Faebuie on Culloden Moor into a holiday complex. The conservation charity opposed a previous planning application in 2018, which was turned down by The Highland Council. While the NTS owns parts of Culloden battlefield, it doesn’t hold the…

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Tourism firms cry out for help from ministers

Pressure is growing on the Scottish Government to provide further help for tourism businesses – especially in the Highlands – so they can get ready to welcome back visitors. Marc Crothall, chief executive at the Scottish Tourism Alliance (STA), which represents more than 250 members, has warned that the industry is “on the brink of…

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Shots of the day

Remember the great outdoors? We do, and so do the North Highland Initiative, who have unveiled their ‘Highland Time’ campaign, which is a virtual tour of the North Highlands to enjoy from the comfort of your home.

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