https://www.gdcc.scot/rss/ Sat, 27 Jun 2026 05:48:12 GMT https://www.gdcc.scotnews/trees-timber-and-resilience-why-woodland-restocking-matters-to-the-highlands-27-jun-2026 https://www.gdcc.scotnews/trees-timber-and-resilience-why-woodland-restocking-matters-to-the-highlands-27-jun-2026 When people talk about resilience, they often think about emergency services, severe weather, energy infrastructure or national security. Increasingly, however, resilience is being understood in much broader terms. The concept of societal resilience is built around a simple idea: how well communities, businesses and public services can adapt, recover and continue functioning when faced with disru Thu, 25 Jun 2026 14:54:57 GMT https://www.gdcc.scotnews/highland-wealth-fund-ambitious-vision-or-aspirational-promise-25-jun-2026 https://www.gdcc.scotnews/highland-wealth-fund-ambitious-vision-or-aspirational-promise-25-jun-2026 The Highland Wealth Fund report and update was presented as Item 6 at today's meeting of The Highland Council The report sets out Highland Council's vision for creating a long-term investment fund that would receive contributions from renewable energy developers and use those funds to support strategic projects across the Highlands. Described as being akin to Norway's Sovereign Wealth Fund, the p Sat, 20 Jun 2026 21:13:04 GMT https://www.gdcc.scotnews/rising-cost-of-rural-crime-highlights-ongoing-challenges-for-highland-communities-20-jun-2026 https://www.gdcc.scotnews/rising-cost-of-rural-crime-highlights-ongoing-challenges-for-highland-communities-20-jun-2026 New figures released by Police Scotland show that rural crime across Scotland is becoming increasingly costly, with losses estimated at almost £4.3 million during 2025. The latest total represents an increase of around half a million pounds compared with the previous year and serves as a reminder that criminal activity continues to affect some of the country's most remote and hard-working co Fri, 19 Jun 2026 11:58:42 GMT https://www.gdcc.scotnews/bridge-investigation-works-on-a835-north-of-garve-19-jun-2026 https://www.gdcc.scotnews/bridge-investigation-works-on-a835-north-of-garve-19-jun-2026 Two nights of overnight bearing investigations on Thursday 25th and Saturday 27th June - Single lane closure during the works Scheme Coordinates: 57.697363, -4.7314509 BEAR Scotland, on behalf of Transport Scotland, are set to carry out investigation works on the bridge crossing the Black Water River on the A835, approximately 8 miles north of Garve. Two nights of works will be carried Thu, 18 Jun 2026 10:13:23 GMT https://www.gdcc.scotnews/strathgarve-mains-update-on-coupe-41-felling-and-western-isles-hvdc-18-jun-2026 https://www.gdcc.scotnews/strathgarve-mains-update-on-coupe-41-felling-and-western-isles-hvdc-18-jun-2026 Here is a pictorial update on the work currently taking place in and around Strathgarve Mains single-track road. Despite assurances given to us in November last year that the felling of Coupe 41 by Forest and Land Scotland (FLS), which was sold as a standing crop to haulage company RTS, would not be carried out at the same time as any associated works by SSEN for the proposed Western Isles HVDC L Tue, 16 Jun 2026 17:12:49 GMT https://www.gdcc.scotnews/application-installation-of-air-source-heat-pump-in-achnasheen-16-jun-2026 https://www.gdcc.scotnews/application-installation-of-air-source-heat-pump-in-achnasheen-16-jun-2026 Description of Works Installation of air source heat pump on studio outbuildingLocation of Works Fionn Cottage, Achnasheen, IV22 2EE, Ref Number 26/02384/FUL Application Type Full ApplicationValidation Date 10/06/2026 Grid Reference 216186 858623 Community Council Garve And District Community CouncilApplicant Name Mr S. JonesApplicant Address 1 Tulloch Street, Reynold's Architecture, Dingwall, Fri, 12 Jun 2026 19:43:44 GMT https://www.gdcc.scotnews/check-rail-corner-repair-is-finally-happening-12-jun-2026 https://www.gdcc.scotnews/check-rail-corner-repair-is-finally-happening-12-jun-2026 Update from Mark, the Principle Engineer overseeing the Check Rail Corner A835 repair near Loch Garve, that we have all been waiting two and a half years for now!Mark has contacted Alba Traffic Management to forewarn them of potentially higher levels of traffic this weekend with The Celtman 2026 happening tomorrow. This week, Bear Scotland received the final approval from Network Rail to commence Wed, 3 Jun 2026 22:48:14 GMT https://www.gdcc.scotnews/strathpeffer-medical-practice-forum-3-jun-2026 https://www.gdcc.scotnews/strathpeffer-medical-practice-forum-3-jun-2026 Notes from today's forum;-Following Dr Dawn Westwood's retirement, Dr Mark Vasko joined the practice on 1st April 2026 and has settled in well. He will be working eight sessions across four days each week. Heather Crockett, Advanced Nurse Practitioner, will retire from the practice in mid-October after 22 years of service. It is fair to say Heather will be missed enormously by both the practice Tue, 2 Jun 2026 21:08:11 GMT https://www.gdcc.scotnews/12th-may-2026-approved-minutes-2-jun-2026 https://www.gdcc.scotnews/12th-may-2026-approved-minutes-2-jun-2026 Minutes of the Garve & District Community Council ordinary meeting held on Tuesday 12th May 2026 on webcam / hybrid at Garve Public Hall 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: Tina Hartley GDDC, Cllr Kraft from 7:15pm Tue, 2 Jun 2026 11:06:52 GMT https://www.gdcc.scotnews/check-rail-corner-update-2nd-june-2026-2-jun-2026 https://www.gdcc.scotnews/check-rail-corner-update-2nd-june-2026-2-jun-2026 Thank you to everyone who has been in touch with us about Check Rail Corner on the A835 by Loch Garve and thanks especially to George Finlayson for his regular drone footage updates. So much clearer than my drive by passenger phone snaps!This morning we contacted the Principle Engineer by email - about the lack of action, issues with phone lines, additional traffic lights being operated by Openrea Tue, 2 Jun 2026 07:59:43 GMT https://www.gdcc.scotnews/todays-news-from-ssen-on-the-western-isle-hvdc-link-2-jun-2026 https://www.gdcc.scotnews/todays-news-from-ssen-on-the-western-isle-hvdc-link-2-jun-2026 We have recieved the following update this morning on the Western Isle HVDC Link accompanied by another super detailed map from SSE 🙃"Access Point works (bell mouth creation/re-surfacing works) – 8 June planned for 4-6 weeks Construction works to facilitate access to the WI HVDC Link Mainland Cable corridor, inclusive of tree felling, vegetation removal, bell mouth creation & resurfaci Mon, 1 Jun 2026 12:38:03 GMT https://www.gdcc.scotnews/the-forest-policy-group-want-your-perspective-1-jun-2026 https://www.gdcc.scotnews/the-forest-policy-group-want-your-perspective-1-jun-2026 Sharon Smith at Forest Policy Group has emailed and would like our community members' perspective which should take 5 to 7 minutes ... Pasting below for speed!"I am writing to you on behalf of the Forest Policy Group (FPG), a volunteer-led independent think tank dedicated to making Scotland’s forestry more diverse, community-focused, and ecologically resilient. We want to ensure that local Mon, 25 May 2026 13:16:16 GMT https://www.gdcc.scotnews/western-isle-hvdc-link-news-25-may-2026 https://www.gdcc.scotnews/western-isle-hvdc-link-news-25-may-2026 When so called news is actually non news and inaccurate in terms of community engagement experience! The latest news received today 25th May 2026 by email verbatim;- "Please see below the most recent update information from the Western Isles HVDC Link Mainland Cable Project team: Early works to begin on Highland route for Western Isles HVDC Link · Early works activities mark a k Thu, 21 May 2026 15:19:51 GMT https://www.gdcc.scotnews/banking-hub-debate-house-of-commons-21-may-2026 https://www.gdcc.scotnews/banking-hub-debate-house-of-commons-21-may-2026 Banking regulation and access to banking services are reserved matters controlled by the UK Government and UK financial regulators, meaning decisions surrounding bank closures, banking hubs and access to cash are not devolved to the Scottish Parliament. As rural communities across the Highlands and beyond continue to lose face-to-face banking provision, debates such as this are therefore criticall Thu, 21 May 2026 11:19:24 GMT https://www.gdcc.scotnews/what-is-the-herbert-protocol-21-may-2026 https://www.gdcc.scotnews/what-is-the-herbert-protocol-21-may-2026 The Herbert Protocol is a simple but important scheme that helps support people living with dementia, as well as the families, friends and carers who look after them. It is designed to provide reassurance and peace of mind should a loved one ever go missing. The scheme allows families or carers to complete a form in advance with useful information such as important contact details, medication, fa Thu, 21 May 2026 10:34:29 GMT https://www.gdcc.scotnews/strathgarve-felling-passing-places-21-may-2026 https://www.gdcc.scotnews/strathgarve-felling-passing-places-21-may-2026 Felling of the coupe has begun as can be seen, across Loch Garve, from the A835 Forest and Land Scotland have advised as follows in respect of the 3 new passing places being created on Strathgarve Mains.Verbatim as recieved - clarity sought!"I can confirm that the permission for a road opening has been issued by Highland Council. The permit is valid from 20/05/26-26/26/026, therefore work will st Tue, 19 May 2026 13:59:42 GMT https://www.gdcc.scotnews/minutes-of-tuesday-14th-april-2026-approved-19-may-2026 https://www.gdcc.scotnews/minutes-of-tuesday-14th-april-2026-approved-19-may-2026 Minutes of the Garve & District Community Council ordinary meeting held on Tuesday 14th April 2026 on webcam Appoved at our meeting on Tuesday 12th May 2026 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: & Fiona Milligan Tue, 19 May 2026 11:33:40 GMT https://www.gdcc.scotnews/proposed-tarvie-wind-farm-19-may-2026 https://www.gdcc.scotnews/proposed-tarvie-wind-farm-19-may-2026 News just in via email, pasted verbatim Update on Koehler Renewable Energy (KRE) UK’s proposals for Tarvie Wind Farm I am writing to update you on KRE UK’s emerging proposals for the Tarvie Wind Farm on land south of the A835, 3.7 km north-west of Contin. Since 2024, KRE UK has engaged with the community from the early stages of the project, starting with a Meet the Developer Mon, 18 May 2026 07:01:48 GMT https://www.gdcc.scotnews/blackbirds-deadly-virus-detected-in-scotland-18-may-2026 https://www.gdcc.scotnews/blackbirds-deadly-virus-detected-in-scotland-18-may-2026 Usutu Virus Detected in Scotland for the First Time The Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) has confirmed that Usutu virus (USUV) has been identified in blackbirds in Scotland for the first time through its national passive wild bird surveillance programme. Usutu virus is a mosquito-borne disease belonging to the same family of viruses associated with Dengue, Yellow Fever and West Nile virus. Fri, 15 May 2026 13:19:21 GMT https://www.gdcc.scotnews/check-rail-corner-temporary-traffic-lights-prevailing-risk-to-life-15-may-2026 https://www.gdcc.scotnews/check-rail-corner-temporary-traffic-lights-prevailing-risk-to-life-15-may-2026 This afternoon, Friday 15th May 2026, at 2.15pm, GDCC contacted the Assistant to the Principal Engineer at BEAR Scotland regarding the wholly unacceptable and life-threatening situation caused by the temporary traffic lights on the A835 at Check Rail Corner. We have insisted that BEAR Scotland instruct their third-party contractor, Alba Traffic Management, to have personnel operating the lights at Thu, 14 May 2026 11:15:50 GMT https://www.gdcc.scotnews/garve-village-car-park-beside-strathgarve-primary-school-14-may-2026 https://www.gdcc.scotnews/garve-village-car-park-beside-strathgarve-primary-school-14-may-2026 As recieved; verbatim Thank you for your correspondence on behalf of Garve and District Community Council regarding the proposed Off-Street Parking Places Order (Variation Five) 2026, and for outlining your observations and concerns in relation to Garve Cemetery car park (CCP0340). We appreciate the important role this area plays within the community, including its use for school parking, acce Tue, 12 May 2026 12:20:29 GMT https://www.gdcc.scotnews/another-temporary-accesses-to-a835-hvdc-beauly-to-arnis-lot-3-project-12-may-2026 https://www.gdcc.scotnews/another-temporary-accesses-to-a835-hvdc-beauly-to-arnis-lot-3-project-12-may-2026 Another - adding to the same project as was recieved last week! https://gdcc.scot/news/3-planning-applications-for-the-same-project-6-may-2026The following application was submitted onlineRef Number 26/01685/FUL Application Type Full ApplicationValidation Date 07/05/2026 Grid Reference 255890 875408Expiry Date for lodging Representations 29/05/2026Description of Works Formation of 2no temporary ac Wed, 6 May 2026 15:59:42 GMT https://www.gdcc.scotnews/3-planning-applications-for-the-same-project-6-may-2026 https://www.gdcc.scotnews/3-planning-applications-for-the-same-project-6-may-2026 Three separate planning applications all notified to GDCC on 6th May 2026 All pertaining to: the formation of temporary access to A835 for HVDC Beauly to Arnis Lot 3 Project The following application was submitted onlineRef Number 26/00650/FUL Application Type Full ApplicationValidation Date 22/04/2026 Grid Reference 238505 870230Expiry Date for lodging Representations 22/05/2026Description of W Wed, 6 May 2026 13:33:21 GMT https://www.gdcc.scotnews/strathgarve-felling-update-6-may-2026 https://www.gdcc.scotnews/strathgarve-felling-update-6-may-2026 Following on from previous posts and updates shared at Community Council meetings. This matter has been ongoing since 12th November 2025, when we were first told felling would begin in early December 2025. A significant amount of time has been spent, with extensive email exchanges throughout and a site meeting on November 26th. Initally we were told the felling was tied into the Western Isles HDVC Wed, 22 Apr 2026 13:05:51 GMT https://www.gdcc.scotnews/strong-communities-respectful-debate-22-apr-2026 https://www.gdcc.scotnews/strong-communities-respectful-debate-22-apr-2026 Across the Highlands, there has long been a strong sense of community, where people may not always agree, but where discussions are grounded in mutual respect and a shared understanding of place. It is therefore deeply concerning to see the tone of online commentary during this election period becoming increasingly hostile. Those standing for election, along with those who support them, are being