https://www.gdcc.scot/rss/ Wed, 26 Aug 2026 11:43:26 GMT https://www.gdcc.scotnews/highland-visitor-levy-this-is-when-your-voice-really-matters-26-aug-2026 https://www.gdcc.scotnews/highland-visitor-levy-this-is-when-your-voice-really-matters-26-aug-2026 Highland Council has voted to put its proposed draft Visitor Levy out to a 12 week public consultation. Whatever your view, this is the stage when it is important that Highland residents get involved.That does not mean that a levy has been introduced. Councillors will make a further decision after the consultation, taking account of the responses received and other relevant information. But this Sun, 23 Aug 2026 06:22:14 GMT https://www.gdcc.scotnews/toilet-talk-closing-toilets-does-not-remove-the-need-for-toilets-23-aug-2026 https://www.gdcc.scotnews/toilet-talk-closing-toilets-does-not-remove-the-need-for-toilets-23-aug-2026 Just 7.2% of Highland Council's public toilet maintenance and repair expenditure since 2023 has been attributed to vandalism. Obviously, the more that could be reduced the better! Of the £382,407.54 spent maintaining and repairing the council's public toilets, around £27,500 has been specifically identified as vandalism-related. Yet vandalism is increasingly being used to justify res Sat, 22 Aug 2026 14:20:38 GMT https://www.gdcc.scotnews/the-community-councillor-22-aug-2026 https://www.gdcc.scotnews/the-community-councillor-22-aug-2026 From Village Voice to Quasi-Professional Scrutiny: Community Councils in Scotland were created in the 1970s. More than 50 years later, the legal description of what they are for can still be traced back to the same legislation. But while the statutory purpose may look familiar, the reality of being a Community Councillor today is almost unrecognisable from what it was for many Councils even a d Fri, 21 Aug 2026 11:29:25 GMT https://www.gdcc.scotnews/highlands-future-fire-and-rescue-priorities-21-aug-2026 https://www.gdcc.scotnews/highlands-future-fire-and-rescue-priorities-21-aug-2026 We have had an email this morning from Lynne Gow, SFRS Area Commander, sharing the consultation on the draft Local Fire and Rescue Plan for Highland 2026. The plan sets out the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service’s priorities for keeping people safe, reducing risk and working with partners to improve outcomes for communities across Highland. For communities across the Highlands, this is an im Thu, 20 Aug 2026 19:51:18 GMT https://www.gdcc.scotnews/uppcoming-works-near-loch-glascarnoch-20-aug-2026 https://www.gdcc.scotnews/uppcoming-works-near-loch-glascarnoch-20-aug-2026 This afternoon we have recieved an email from Lucy at SSE with the following update regarding upcoming works near Loch Glascarnoch in respect of the Western Isle HVDC Link. Overview SSEN Transmission's contractor will shortly begin de-stumping and vegetation removal works alongside sections of the public road in the Loch Glascarnoch area. The works are required to facilitate future construction Sat, 15 Aug 2026 14:06:19 GMT https://www.gdcc.scotnews/garve-is-the-gateway-to-the-wester-ross-unesco-biosphere-15-aug-2026 https://www.gdcc.scotnews/garve-is-the-gateway-to-the-wester-ross-unesco-biosphere-15-aug-2026 WRB have emailed us today, 15th August and they are asking people who live and work across the Biosphere to share their views as part of its UNESCO 10 year Periodic Review.The responses will help inform WRB's report to UNESCO and, importantly, help shape its future priorities and work over the next ten years. Garve is the gateway to the Wester Ross UNESCO Biosphere, and it is hoped that a new gat Fri, 14 Aug 2026 13:39:00 GMT https://www.gdcc.scotnews/transport-scotland-have-agreed-to-attend-14-aug-2026 https://www.gdcc.scotnews/transport-scotland-have-agreed-to-attend-14-aug-2026 After several years of raising well founded community concerns about traffic speed and road safety through Garve, and a considerable amount of email ping pong, there is finally some movement. The Collision Investigation Review of the A835/A832 junction at Gorstan had concluded by February 2026, and we were promised a meeting with Transport Scotland by 31 May 2026 to discuss the findings. That mee Wed, 12 Aug 2026 15:45:26 GMT https://www.gdcc.scotnews/a832-night-time-road-closures-beginning-24-august-12-aug-2026 https://www.gdcc.scotnews/a832-night-time-road-closures-beginning-24-august-12-aug-2026 In respect of the Western Isle HVDC Link we have recieved the following update today 12th August 2026, 16.30 from SSE. Please see latest update on the Mainland Cable project. Mainland Cable Project – Reminder: A832 night-time road closures beginning 24 August In June this year, the Western Isles HVDC Link Project Team held community drop-in sessions in Aultbea and Dundonnell to share infor Tue, 11 Aug 2026 08:32:37 GMT https://www.gdcc.scotnews/giving-scotlands-old-buildings-a-future-11-aug-2026 https://www.gdcc.scotnews/giving-scotlands-old-buildings-a-future-11-aug-2026 Scottish Government has just taken a fresh look at something that is easy to overlook until you own, manage or try to alter an old building: traditional buildings do not behave like modern buildings. A major new Scottish Government guide, published yesterday, 10 August 2026, sets out how traditional buildings can be converted and adapted for modern use while taking proper account of their constru Thu, 6 Aug 2026 19:57:32 GMT https://www.gdcc.scotnews/pre-planning-application-proposal-to-upgrade-base-station-glen-carron-6-aug-2026 https://www.gdcc.scotnews/pre-planning-application-proposal-to-upgrade-base-station-glen-carron-6-aug-2026 We have recieved the following email today, 6th August 2026. The documents pertaining can be read here: Letter and DrawingShared verbatim as recieved ... PRE-APPLICATION CONSULTATION: PROPOSED BASE STATION UPGRADE AT (CS 11195725_VF 1135) GLEN CARRON, OFF A890, NEAR ACHNASHEEN, ACHNASHEEN, ROSS-SHIRE, IV54 8YU. E: 207840, N: 852240. I write to you on behalf of Cornerstone, who invites you to Wed, 5 Aug 2026 12:00:25 GMT https://www.gdcc.scotnews/police-scotland-community-council-meetings-and-monthly-reports-5-aug-2026 https://www.gdcc.scotnews/police-scotland-community-council-meetings-and-monthly-reports-5-aug-2026 A couple of years ago, Police Scotland Community Council Quarterley Inspector Meetings were introduced and promised to be consisitent. This following feedback from Community Councils that, with the loss of local police officers and the increasing centralisation of policing, local policing updates were no longer reaching our communities. They were intended to improve communication and provide Comm Wed, 5 Aug 2026 07:12:09 GMT https://www.gdcc.scotnews/minutes-of-2nd-june-2026-approved-4-august-2026-5-aug-2026 https://www.gdcc.scotnews/minutes-of-2nd-june-2026-approved-4-august-2026-5-aug-2026 Approved Minutes of the Garve & District Community Council ordinary meeting held on Tuesday 2nd June 2026 on webcam Community Council elected members present: Bob Moir (Chair) Caroline Gamble (Treasurer) and Sadie-Michaela Harris (Secretary) Community Council co-opted members present: Simon Friend, Alistair Meikle Also present: Sue Tarr: Fiona Baverstock (left 8:20 pm) ; Kenny MacLean A Wed, 29 Jul 2026 17:40:50 GMT https://www.gdcc.scotnews/carn-fearna-update-from-statkraft-29-jul-2026 https://www.gdcc.scotnews/carn-fearna-update-from-statkraft-29-jul-2026 Carn Fearna proposed wind farm application.Today we recieved an email from Seumas Skinner, at Statkraft who wrote;-I just wanted to let you know that we heard yesterday evening that Carn Fearna will be discussed by the North Planning Application Committee on Wednesday 5th. The Council have told us the report is online, although it isn't currently listed under Carn Fearna's entry on the planning po Wed, 29 Jul 2026 16:46:58 GMT https://www.gdcc.scotnews/western-isles-hvdc-link-black-bridge-compound-works-29-jul-2026 https://www.gdcc.scotnews/western-isles-hvdc-link-black-bridge-compound-works-29-jul-2026 Today we have recieved an update from Kevin Morrison at SSE today 29th July 2026, who writes - "LT14 mainland cable project update: Black Bridge compound works (East of Glascarnoch Dam) As part of the Western Isles HVDC Link project, we would like to provide advance notice of construction activities that are currently expected to begin at the Black Bridge compound location, commencing 5th August Tue, 28 Jul 2026 12:28:27 GMT https://www.gdcc.scotnews/a835-check-rail-corner-repair-community-raising-concerns-28-jul-2026 https://www.gdcc.scotnews/a835-check-rail-corner-repair-community-raising-concerns-28-jul-2026 In light of the information which has been shared with us today we have written to Bear Scotland as follows;- Please can we have an update on what is happening with the repair on the A835 by Loch Garve?I ask because there has been no tangible action there for some time and today, we have heard locally that 2 chaps who were working on the road no longer are.Those 2 chaps have said the company they Tue, 21 Jul 2026 20:53:24 GMT https://www.gdcc.scotnews/electricity-bills-set-to-fall-as-vat-is-removed-21-jul-2026 https://www.gdcc.scotnews/electricity-bills-set-to-fall-as-vat-is-removed-21-jul-2026 Households in Scotland, England and Wales will see a small reduction in their electricity bills this autumn after the UK Government announced that VAT on domestic electricity will be reduced from 5% to zero from 1 October 2026. Customers will not need to apply, as electricity suppliers have been instructed to apply the lower VAT rate automatically, including for those on fixed-price tariffs. The Sun, 19 Jul 2026 08:05:05 GMT https://www.gdcc.scotnews/a835-traffic-and-signage-19-jul-2026 https://www.gdcc.scotnews/a835-traffic-and-signage-19-jul-2026 A quick community update on two ongoing matters that many of you have been following. A835 Traffic Speed Through Garve The deadline for BEAR Scotland to meet with Garve and District Community Council regarding traffic speed and speeding through Garve has now passed. Transport Scotland's Chief Executive, Alison Irvine, instructed BEAR Scotland in February 2026 that this meeting should take place Fri, 17 Jul 2026 17:08:10 GMT https://www.gdcc.scotnews/summer-of-sport-funding-opportunity-17-jul-2026 https://www.gdcc.scotnews/summer-of-sport-funding-opportunity-17-jul-2026 Just in this afternoon via email details about Summer of Sport Funding Opportunity, from Hugo who writes:-Good afternoon, I hope this email finds you well and that you are enjoying the recent spell of sunshine. My name is Hugo Crush, and I am the Project Manager for the Summer of Sport Fund. I wanted to take this opportunity to make you aware of the fund and ask for your support in promoting it Thu, 16 Jul 2026 11:11:34 GMT https://www.gdcc.scotnews/peatland-restoration-whats-happening-on-our-hills-16-jul-2026 https://www.gdcc.scotnews/peatland-restoration-whats-happening-on-our-hills-16-jul-2026 Peatland restoration has become one of those subjects many have heard of, but few people know much about. It has become a familiar sight across the Highlands, high on the hillside there's an excavator. No new road, no building site, just a digger sitting in the middle of open moorland. Peatland restoration is happening across Scotland on a scale we've never seen before with government targets to Thu, 16 Jul 2026 08:18:34 GMT https://www.gdcc.scotnews/call-for-ideas-highland-local-development-plan-16-jul-2026 https://www.gdcc.scotnews/call-for-ideas-highland-local-development-plan-16-jul-2026 Melissa Lumsden has emailed this morning, 16th July 2026, about the Highland Local Development PlanMelissa writes,"Good morning, The Highland Council are currently preparing the new Highland Local Development Plan (HLDP). As part of this process, we are undertaking a Call for Ideas. Communities, residents and businesses are invited to share local planning ideas on how land and buildings within H Sat, 11 Jul 2026 00:31:30 GMT https://www.gdcc.scotnews/fuel-poverty-the-storm-hasnt-passed-in-rural-scotland-11-jul-2026 https://www.gdcc.scotnews/fuel-poverty-the-storm-hasnt-passed-in-rural-scotland-11-jul-2026 Living in rural Scotland, the findings in Changeworks' latest report are unlikely to come as a surprise. For many families, pensioners and people living alone, keeping the house warm has for an increasing number of household become less about comfort and more about difficult choices. Heat one room or the whole house? Fill the oil tank now or hope prices fall? Put another jumper on or switch the h Fri, 3 Jul 2026 16:20:35 GMT https://www.gdcc.scotnews/understanding-martyns-law-3-jul-2026 https://www.gdcc.scotnews/understanding-martyns-law-3-jul-2026 Martyn’s Law, formally known as the Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Act 2025, is new UK legislation designed to improve public safety by ensuring that venues and organisations are better prepared to respond to a terrorist incident. The law is named in memory of Martyn Hett, one of the 22 people who lost their lives in the Manchester Arena terrorist attack in 2017. Following a long campai Fri, 3 Jul 2026 12:43:48 GMT https://www.gdcc.scotnews/a835-check-rail-corner-update-3-jul-2026 https://www.gdcc.scotnews/a835-check-rail-corner-update-3-jul-2026 The Community Council has raised community concerns again this week with both BEAR Scotland and Network Rail in respect of the repair work underway at Check Rail Corner on the A835 trunk road by Loch Garve. Our thanks to Maree Todd, MSP for the Highlands and Islands, who has written to Alison Irvine Chief Executive of Transport Scotland. To Bear Thursday 25th June 2026 - Unfortunately, there we Wed, 1 Jul 2026 10:58:17 GMT https://www.gdcc.scotnews/community-engagement-with-sse-ssen-1-jul-2026 https://www.gdcc.scotnews/community-engagement-with-sse-ssen-1-jul-2026 GDCC and other local Community Councils have been trying to have some meaningful engagement with SSEN especially in regard to the Western Isle HVDC Link since last year. All attempts failed, even with the intervention of the The Highland Council Social Values Charter Team - SVCT trying to broker a meeting. Yesterday though we had some progress!! The following is an extract from Nick at the fr Tue, 30 Jun 2026 23:36:10 GMT https://www.gdcc.scotnews/shared-ownership-of-renewable-energy-opportunity-or-illusion-for-rural-scotland-30-jun-2026 https://www.gdcc.scotnews/shared-ownership-of-renewable-energy-opportunity-or-illusion-for-rural-scotland-30-jun-2026 Earlier this month, energy and sustainability consultancy Regen published a new report examining whether Scotland's Community Climate Action Hubs could take ownership stakes in renewable energy developments and use the income generated to support local projects and climate action initiatives. The report, commissioned by the Climate Hubs network and supported by stakeholder engagement with develo