The Highland Council’s Magazine Autumn 2017 Highpoints Issue 8 Sàr Phuingean Local Voices, Exploring Highland Highland Choices history and heritage Council Programme pg3 Archaeology Festival pg4

Friday 13th October to Saturday 21st October Read about the Mòd on page 7

Lost dogs return homee to Town Housee pg244 www.highland.gov.uk Contents 3 Council Programme 4 Highland Archaeology Festival 6 Praise for world beaters 7 Royal National Mòd 2017 8 LEADER funding secured Welcome Fàilte 10 250th Youth Trainee Welcome to the latest edition twinning programme. 11 Apprentice Star of our magazine Highpoints A place to thrive: Pages 8 12 Archimedes Screw (Sàr Phuingean). and 9 describe a number of 13 Scottish Award recognises In this issue you can read about projects which have benefi ted Council a wide variety of initiatives and from LEADER funding which developments across Highland. enables applicants to invest in 13 It’s yours, Claim it! These help to illustrate each of community projects their area. 14 Augsburg Apprentices the fi ve themes in our Council A welcoming place: Lochaber is 16 Bulky Uplift service Programme, ‘Local Voices, preparing to welcome the 2017 17 Civic Inverness Medal Highland Choices’. Royal National Mòd, promoting 18 West Link A place to live: The Archaeology our region and celebrating the festival highlights the wealth of Gaelic language and culture with 19 Rugby Club history and heritage we have in an international audience. 20 Muir of Ord Rail Bridge the Highlands and will hopefully A redesigned council: Our staff 20 Top Planning award inspire young and old to explore have redesigned the bulky uplift and fi nd out more about the 21 Beat Doorstep Crime service bringing improvements place in which we live. in service as well as releasing 22 River Connections A place to learn: Pictures from £57,000 of savings. This is just 23 Sculptural Destination Wick Campus and the Caol one of the many redesign 24 Lost dogs return home Joint Campus show off some of projects that are underway in the 26 New Wick Campus the fabulous new educational council. facilities we are creating in 26 Top brass tuition These are just a few stories Highland for our young people. about the work of The Highland 27 Caol Joint Campus You can also read about the Council. Why not follow us on impressions of Augsburg twitter @highlandcouncil to Contact us exchange students who visited fi nd out more about what is this summer as part of our Write to: happening in your area. Corporate Communications Enjoy reading! The Highland Council HQ Glenurquhart Road Inverness IV3 5NX Email: corporate.communications @highland.gov.uk Phone: 01463 702020 Highpoints will be published online and some hard copies will be made available in service points and libraries. The magazine is produced in-house by our Corporate Communications Team and printing costs are sponsored by advertising. Cover photo by John Paul Peebles Bill Lobban Highland Council Convener Listening ~ Open ~ Valuing ~ Improving ~ Supporting ~ Partnering ~ Delivering 2 Council Programme agreed - Local Voices, Highland Choices

The Highland Council has is crucial for our future and we She continued: must plan to grow our own skilled agreed a fi ve-year Programme There are many risks, mostly which sets out a number workforce to meet the needs fi scal, to the successful outcome of tomorrow, with early years of our Programme, but never of strategic goals across 5 provision, support for schools, themes: a place to live, a place better opportunities. This modern apprenticeships, and programme must have cross- to learn, a place to thrive, supporting and growing job chamber support and the next a welcoming place and a creation and opportunities across step is to discuss the detail with redesigned council. the region. members and engage with our Council Leader, Margaret In tandem with growing jobs communities and partners in Davidson said: and opportunities we need to order to deliver the best we can ensure we have places for people for Highland. Our Programme builds on to live and thrive. We have an The agreed priorities will form the the foundations of localism that acute housing need and we will we have been establishing over basis of the Council’s corporate be ambitious with our targets for and service plans. recent months. We are committed new homes and encouraging the to devolving more power to areas private sector to join with us in to make democracy work better our ambition. for communities. This is an exciting and energetic region full of entrepreneurs and we need to build on the 74 new and returning elected members undoubted strengths in our together with Chief Executive Steve Barron, communities. Workforce planning Leader Margaret Davidson, Convener Bill Lobban and former Depute Chief Executive Michelle Morris

Photo by Ewen Weatherspoon 3 Celebrating Highland Archaeology, Highland Archaeology Festival History and Heritage Fèis Arc-eòlais na Gàidhealtachd Archaeology Festival to showcase Highland’s historic past The high point of the year for hands-on workshop afternoon There are several activities to celebrating the local heritage at Highland Council. We’re tempt people to explore further of the Highlands started on particularly pleased to have two afi eld. Sixteen museums have high profi le lectures, one by chosen a special object in th Friday 29 September. For Cecily Spall focusing on medieval their collections. A passport is two weeks, the Highland excavations at Portmahomack available in the festival brochure Archaeology Festival off ers, and Eilean Donan Castle and or from the website where throughout the Highlands, one by Dr Alison Sheridan of the participating museums will a range of walks, talks, National Museum of Scotland record the visit – and the person workshops, exhibitions, the discussing how DNA analysis is with the most stamps will win a changing our understanding of prize. New this year is a HAF2017 annual conference special Highland prehistory. geocache trail, where special children’s activities and other Chair of The Highland Council’s geocaches have been hidden at events for all ages. Environment, Development sites related to Highland heritage. Now in its 24th year, the festival and Infrastructure Committee, A special afternoon at the features over 80 events, special Councillor Allan Henderson said: Highland Council headquarters th exhibitions at museums in Inverness on the 13 October The Highland Archaeology provides an opportunity to learn throughout the Highlands, Festival is the premier event of a Museums Trail with 16 new skills, from photography its kind in Scotland, and attracts to building survey, and how to participating museums and a people from a wide area. We live geocache trail exploring our rich use the Council’s database of in an area where the heritage all known heritage, the Historic heritage from prehistoric times is so accessible, and many local th Environment Record. through to the 20 century. societies and museums promote The Highland Council’s their local area and projects. The annual Recent Archaeological Archaeologist Kirsty Cameron Scotland’s Archaeology Strategy Discoveries and Research said: notes that archaeology is for conference, also at Council everyone, contributing to our Headquarters in Inverness, has a We’re delighted that so many fascinating series of talks ranging organisations and museums wellbeing and knowledge, and to our economic growth and from prehistory to modern have again off ered such a range remains, as well as lots of displays of activities which celebrate quality of life. What better way to showcase this than by a festival from local groups and museums. archaeology, and history from A special round-table discussion earliest settlers to modern times. stretching across the Highlands and celebrating the range and session will explore dating Walks to special places in the methods in archaeology. Highlands and talks describing diversity of Highland heritage. I particularly would like to thank The festival website: aspects of our heritage are always www.highlandarchaeologyfestival.org popular. But this year we also all the event organisers for their time, imagination and eff ort, as provides information on all the have a range of unusual activities activities. showing how our local heritage the festival would not be links to many other aspects of possible without them. the Highlands. Back by popular demand is an archaeology pub quiz, craft activities and a

4 Photo: Pictured getting ready to hunt for treasure using the Geo-cache are Denis Fyfe from Avoch Primary School and Cllr Allan Henderson.

Photo by Ewen Weatherspoon 5 Praise for world beaters

Lochalsh Junior Pipe Band

Ross and Cromarty Pipes & Mr Bolton said: The World Pipe Band Drums School and Lochalsh Winning a competition at this Championships were held at Junior Pipe Band achieved level is a huge achievement, not Glasgow Green. This year 219 only from a playing perspective Pipe Bands and 8,000 pipers and the ultimate accolade by drummers competed. Around becoming World Pipe but also in overcoming the additional geographical 35,000 people attended the event Band Champions in their challenges associated with over 2 days. respective grades (Novice A living in the Highlands, while Winning the World Pipe Band and Novice B) in Glasgow in competing in a largely central Championships is the ultimate August. belt based activity. The bands’ piper and drummers’ dream. successes are also testament to Highland Council Piping The Worlds competition is the support of local communities, Instructors Niall Matheson and adjudicated by the Royal Scottish parents and the pupils who Niall Stewart, and drumming Pipe Band Association. choose to participate in addition Instructor Drew Caldwell were to their weekly lessons. congratulated and thanked for all the additional time they spend working with these groups by the Council’s Music Development Offi cer, Norman Bolton.

RACPADS warm up at the Worlds Ross and Cromarty Pipes & Drums School 6 Lochaber prepares to welcome the 2017 Royal National Mòd

The Royal National Mòd takes hundreds of people weave place in Lochaber from through the streets of Fort Friday 13th October to William. The procession will conclude at the Nevis Centre st Saturday 21 October and it’s where a glittering opening Detail of the Fringe festival set to be a record-breaking ceremony will take place. programme can be found at: year for the festival, with The Mòd is the most important www.ancomunn.co.uk/nationalmod/ participant numbers expected festival of the Gaelic language fringe as well as in various pubs, to exceed 3,600 - the highest in Scotland. It sees thousands hotels and other venues local to in a decade. of competitors from Scotland Lochaber. and across the world, including Cllr Alister Mackinnon, Chair The nine-day spectacular of a delegation of American of the Corporate Resources Gaelic music, arts and sport, Committee said: organised by An Comunn The Mòd puts Gaelic Gàidhealach and supported by We are delighted that the The Highland Council, will take on local, national and Royal National Mòd is returning place in Fort William for the fi rst international platforms to Lochaber, an area in Highland time in ten years. where Gaelic and its associated competitors this year, take part in culture remains part of the Last year’s event generated or watch over 200 competitions in community. We are also pleased £2.5m for the host location, the highland dancing, sport, literature to be supporting The Royal Western Isles, and organisers are and drama, as well as Gaelic National Mòd as the event has confi dent they’ll see a similar music and song. a great deal to off er the Gaelic impact in Lochaber, renowned for Alongside the main competitions, community. It will be a pleasure its outdoor tourist attractions and The Mòd Fringe returns with a to welcome all the visitors to the welcoming community. bustling programme fi lled with Highlands, including those from Scotland’s biggest Gaelic Cultural traditional music, book launches, overseas, who should enjoy the Festival will kick off on Friday concerts and art forms of every convivial atmosphere, the great th 13 October with a torchlight description, throughout the range of singing and musical procession, which will see festival week. competitions, the many informal ceilidhs, lectures and the various Photo left to right: Pupils from Bun Sgoil Ghàidhlig Loch Abar events on off er as part of the show off their skills ahead of the Royal National Mod with Ciara exciting fringe programme. The MacDonald (11), Owen MacRaild (9), Shane O’Rua (10), Arran Mòd puts Gaelic on local, national Stephen (10), Seumas MacFarlane (10), Seumas Stevenson (9) and international platforms, as it provides the opportunity to showcase the best of our language, culture, in the areas where we live, learn, and work. I believe that the Mòd will have a positive impact in the area and offi cial studies show that it contributes hugely to the economy of the area where it is hosted. I would like to take this opportunity to thank Mòd Loch Abar Local Committee for their hard work, especially in relation to fund raising, and I wish Mòd

Photo by John Paul Peebles John Paul by Photo Loch Abar every success. 7 Photo left to right: Projects across the Highlands John Fotheringham (Chair of Sutherland Local Area Partnership); secure LEADER funding Jodie Fraser; Chris O’Brien, (Lochaber Chamber of Commerce); and Scott Armstrong (VisitScotland) Photo by John Paul Photography John Paul by Photo

A number of groups across numbers were around 250. Lochaber Chamber of Commerce the Highlands are celebrating The existing facilities are in will also benefi t under the latest after successfully securing need of redevelopment and funding round, with an award refurbishment to accommodate of £35,000 from LEADER. The funding from the Highland our membership which has Chamber’s Destination Manager, LEADER Programme. grown to over 900 members. Chris O’Brien, said: Potential applicants are The grant from LEADER will We will produce a series of encouraged to come forward allow us to alter the existing short videos to promote Lochaber for a share of the £6 million still building to form new changing as the best place in the UK to available for projects benefi tting rooms and social space. The experience the outdoors. The communities in mainland building will also be extended. videos will feature a wide range Highlands, the Small Isles and The additional space and of locations, tourism businesses Skye, excluding Inverness and the reorganisation of the current and local people. The digital Cairngorms National Park. gym will make better use of the campaign will also encourage Nairn Sports Club was awarded facilities which can be used by visitors to the area to use the funding of £65,000 from LEADER. anyone in the community. By hashtag #myoutdoorcapital Steve Jack, President of Nairn extending the building we will be to share their experiences of Sports Club said: able to introduce more initiatives Lochaber. Our current facilities that promote health, well-being were built when membership and rehabilitation. 8 Photo left to right: David Godden (Chair of the Inner Moray Firth South Local Area Partnership), Pauline Barron, Craig Urquhart, Steve Jack (Nairn Sports Club)

The Highland Strategic Local Action Group is responsible for the overall management and Photo by John Paul Photography John Paul by Photo delivery of the Highland LEADER LEADER funding will longer fi t for purpose as it fl oods Programme. also contribute towards the and needs upgrading. The grant It’s Chair, Jon Hollingdale said: development of promotional from LEADER will allow us to LEADER aims to promote materials showcasing Lochaber create a new play park adjacent economic and community to cruise ship operators and to the current play site on land development within rural areas. customers. We will also help owned by the Trust. Individuals, groups, organisations local businesses to make the A number of new innovative and businesses can apply for most of the opportunities from pieces of play equipment will be funding towards a wide range the increased number of visitors installed for all to enjoy, along of projects. Funding is allocated to the area as a result of the new with safety surfacing. As the park on a fi rst come, fi rst served pontoons in Fort William. is near Glenelg Brochs, we are basis so we would encourage excited that the park will include applicants to get in touch as soon Also benefi ting from a funding replica brochs seating as well as possible to discuss any project boost of £34,997 from LEADER as new interpretation boards to ideas and to fi nd out how LEADER is Glenelg and Arnisdale provide information about the can help. Development Trust. Tina Martin Brochs. We hope the park will from the Development Trust said: For further information about the become a visitor attraction and Highland LEADER Programme The existing play area in gathering place for local people www.highlandleader.com Glenelg is very popular but no and visitors to the area.

Photo: Children from Glenelg in the current Playpark

Photo by John Paul Photography 9 250th Youth Trainee Leah Muir tells her story I began my placement in the placement for each young Communications and Resilience person, placing them there team at The Highland Council for a rough time span of 10 weeks, unless the employer in early August after being at requests diff erently. Barnardo’s for over two months. I paid a visit to Barnardo’s Drew Mcneil, an Employment recently reuniting with Support Supervisor, helps Patricia Anderson and Morven to get young people on The Docherty, two staff members Highland Council’s Work Based at Barnardo’s who mentored Learning Programme to work my group when I attended, to good reputation with employers as Youth Trainees in diff erent ask them a couple of questions across the Highlands. departments. I am Drew’s 250th about what it is that they do Youth Trainee, showcasing how at Barnardo’s and why they do Morven added: many young people he has it. In fact, Morven was new to Getting good feedback from helped to gain experience and a Barnardo’s just like everyone in the employers as well as the great opportunity. While being our group. young people who have gone Drew’s 250th Youth Trainee, the We weren’t sure what to expect on work experience is really number continues to grow as he when we walked through those satisfying. Watching them grow puts more young people into the doors and neither did she. I asked and develop into young working training programme here at The them how they came to be at people is really rewarding as you Highland Council. Barnardo’s. know that you were part of their Drew also works closely with Morven said: growth and helped them along the way. the Barnardo’s charity and their I needed a change and Barnardo’s Works Project which being a ‘people person’, this Barnardo’s has helped dozens is where I was situated before I was ideal for me. My previous of young people all across the came to The Highland Council. It experiences in a working Highlands gain employment, was there that I was introduced environment were working in a all due to Patricia Anderson to Drew which led on to me Pharmacy and Retail. creating the Barnardo’s Works gaining this fantastic opportunity. Project because of her belief that Patricia came from an HR Coming from an area, which young people deserve just as background. She said: is viewed as deprived in the many opportunities as someone Highlands, there aren’t very many What led to me to Barnardo’s who has had lots of working employment opportunities for was my passion for young people experience. It has changed young someone my age, having only getting opportunities and people’s lives for the past nine recently left school with little helping young people. I feel that years, including my own, and will work experience. employers have forgotten what hopefully continue to help for it’s like to start out when they Patricia Anderson, Barnardo’s many more to come. don’t employ young people. Works Manager, created the I know this placement and the This is what drove me to set up Barnardo’s Works Project, allowing experience I will gain while being the Barnardo’s Works Project 9 young people between the here at The Highland Council years ago. ages of 16-24, who are not in will give me a gigantic boost, education or employment, a It’s now at the point where not only for my CV when I move better opportunity and more employers phone us and ask for forward in my career, but also available access to employment. help to fi ll in vacancies within for my confi dence throughout The program helps a group of their companies, which is huge as my life and I have Barnardo’s, young people to prepare for it’s as if we were a job agency. The Highland Council and Drew work, before Barnardo’s fi nd It shows us that we must be Mcneil to thank for that. doing a good job and have a a suitable work experience Leah Muir, Youth Trainee 10 Good advice from an Apprentice Star By Leah Muir, Youth Trainee Alvin Hunte has been awarded two prestigious Alvin said: awards this year - the Building Technology I would just say to go for it and dive right it, Apprentice of the year award and Apprentice giving it 100%. It is certainly a really rewarding of the year at University of the Highlands and career and not just because you get to see some Islands (UHI). nice parts of the country. Put your mind to it and you can do almost anything. Alvin now works as a Trainee Civil Engineer Technician for the Highland Council and is based in Alvin spoke about when he was younger and about Golspie. how he wanted to be an architect, liking the idea I had the fortunate opportunity to be able to of sketching buildings and designing, but he soon meet with Alvin recently and ask him a couple of changed his goal to Civil Engineering as he enjoyed questions regarding his awards and how he got the more technical side of it. When he left school, he them, but fi rst I asked him what his typical day was worked in a call centre in Dingwall for a while before like. Alvin said: he then went on to work with Westminster Council before his current post with Highland Council. I prepare drawings for contracts, sites and also contractors. My job has a lot of drawing and Alvin Hunte has proved himself time and time again, surveying involved as well as a great deal of input showing his managers, as well as people around him into the design and blueprints of projects. that hard work really does pay off and great rewards come to those who work hard for them. Alvin Hunte put in the hours in order to get to where he is, using a lot of his spare time to study in order Being able to meet Alvin was a pleasure - he was to pass his classes and achieve what he desired. quite inspirational, showing me that if you really He spoke about how at UHI you are given a lot of want something enough and you work hard for it, independent study time and how he believes that then there’s nothing stopping you from achieving you can’t go wrong if you use your time wisely, what it is you’re striving towards. Alvin Hunte recommending that you use your free time to study is a prime example of how hard works pays off , and to revise what you learned that day. rewarding you in truly spectacular ways. He highlighted and passionately put across the point that you should: enjoy what you’re doing or what course you’re studying and that is the main priority when fi guring out what it is you want to go forward with as a career.

The work he does today links to the Civil Engineering HNC that he studied in College, allowing him to take what he learnt at college and apply it directly to the work he does at Highland Council. Alvin Hunte certainly didn’t take anything for granted while he studied at Inverness UHI and pushed forward, working to his greatest ability in order to pass his HNC, resulting in a fantastic job as a Trainee Civil Engineering Technician with The Highland Council. I asked Alvin what advice would you give to someone who is interested in this or a similar career? Photo: Alvin receiving his UHI award Photo courtesy of UHI 11 Archimedes Screw to generate power for Inverness

The Highland Council is planning to install a Hydro Electric Archimedes Screw at Whin Park Lade. The 100KW turbine will control the water fl ow from the River Ness through to Whin Park and will be able to generate 672,529 KWh, which is equivalent to the power for 150 homes. The renewable energy project is estimated to generate an income The Highland Council contracted It is anticipated the planning for the Council of around £90k AMECFW and senior specialist in application for the installation to £120k at current prices. The Archimedean crew hydropower of the Torvean Micro Hydro annual operating cost will be in systems, Mannpower Consulting Scheme Archimedes Screw will be the region of £15k. Ltd, to develop the project submitted in Winter 2017 and will The electricity could supply design. include consultation with relevant council buildings, and local statutory consultees. venues including Inverness Leisure and the Highland Archive Centre, generating further savings. The installation will be 4.2m in diameter and allow a controlled water fl ow, as well as providing suffi cient screen to protect various species of fi sh. The turbine is designed to have a low environmental impact. Chair of the Council’s Environment, Development and Infrastructure Committee, Councillor Allan Henderson said: This modern, innovative project provides an excellent opportunity for the Council to generate income and renewable energy and make savings. The Archimedes Screw is a fascinating piece of engineering and technology which in itself should be a feature of signifi cant interest and may hopefully inspire young scientists of tomorrow.

Artists impressions by Mannpower Consulting Ltd 12 Scottish Award recognises energy efficiency The Scottish Energy Effi ciency and Health Homes Award recognised the Council’s work to assist with reducing energy use in Highland homes through the Home Energy Effi ciency Programme for Scotland – Area Based Scheme, and the particular drive to identify and assist homes that are in fuel poverty The Scottish Government of fabric measures, as well as or vulnerable to the cost of Scheme, designed and delivered heating to improve the energy energy. by councils, with local delivery rating of the homes to reduce partners, targets fuel-poor areas energy bills. The Council has achieved to provide energy effi ciency substantial improvements to This is the second national award measures to a large number of over 1200 properties across that the Council scheme has Scottish homes, while delivering the Highlands by upgrading taken, The Highland Council won emission savings and helping and replacing the insulation of the UK project of the year in 2015 reduce fuel poverty. The Highland the houses. The scheme works at the national Green Deal & ECO area-based scheme has run for are undertaken by the Council Awards. 4 years and delivers on a range partner E-On.

Find out which benefi ts you don’t realise that changes in our It’s yours may be entitled to and claim lives can mean we are entitled to them. additional support and that there is a range of benefi ts all of us are It is estimated that more than entitled to know about. 500,000 cases of individuals or The Scottish Government is families in Scotland may not be working with the Citizens Advice claiming the benefi ts they are service in Scotland to help people entitled to. fi nd out what they’re entitled Scotland’s social security system to and to claim it. Citizens exists to help those in need and Advice Scotland has a providing on low incomes and when your a dedicated web page with all personal circumstances change. available information on benefi ts People shouldn’t be worried and tax credits, eligibility and about claiming what they are how to access them, as well as a entitled to; that’s what the system free benefi ts helpline. is there for. For more information, visit: www. Many of us will need this support citizensadvice.org.uk/scotland/benefits at some point in our lives. Our or phone: 0800 085 7145 or personal circumstances can alternatively support is available change very quickly: whether from the Council’s Welfare through losing a job, a family Support Team on: bereavement, becoming a carer, 0800 090 1004. Claim it! or having a child. But often we 13 Augsburg Apprentices experience life in Scotland

As part of our Twinning a period of 9 days on a work programme, The City of exchange programme. All of the Inverness and The Highland students were Administration Apprentices, working for the Council hosted twenty Augsburg and district local exchange apprentice students authorities. These authorities for an authority of just 6000 staff . from Augsburg, Germany for currently employ approximately The purpose of the work two weeks in May this year. 120 Administration apprentices placements was to gain an and their total apprentice During this period they spent a understanding of a Scottish local numbers are in the region of 300- day with The University of The authority, working practices, 350, a substantial commitment Highlands and Islands (UHI) and experience within their area of study and use of language skills. The Highland Council and High Life Highland colleagues agreed to host the students in Learning and Development, Human Resources, Care & Learning, Business Support, Communications and Resilience, Policy, Archive Centre and Development & Infrastructure. These placements provided rich and worthwhile environments for the students to meet their visit objectives. Council hosts all commented on the excellent language skills and enthusiasm demonstrated by their temporary German colleagues.

Photos courtesy of Vocational College Augsburg, Erasmus+

14 Our visit to Highland largest municipalities in Germany do not have such a large area It all started with the help of the to administer. Because of the Town Twinning Committee in the large area, the employees of year 2009. Highland Council often have to Because of an Erasmus+ Project leave their workplaces for a day fi nanced by the European to attend meetings throughout the Highlands. In Germany, Union, we – 20 apprentices from except for the management. Augsburg, Germany – were given fi eld service for administrative the chance in May 2017 to do assistants is rare. Modes of address are not work placements for two weeks In addition, Highland Council as formal as the German with The Highland Council. is responsible for several tasks, administration. Most Scottish which are provided by a diff erent employees use fi rst names. The It is the 6th time for German supervisor is even addressed trainees to be welcomed here in institution in Germany, such as health insurances. by his/her fi rst name. Usually in Inverness. German authorities no one uses We were able to gain a lot of Unlike in Germany, open- fi rst names except for befriended experience and in our two weeks plan offi ces are widely used in colleagues. Scotland. If three employees have we identifi ed some diff erences During our time in Scotland we to the public administration in to share an offi ce in Germany, it is considered a lot. were also able to go on some Germany. excursions. Of course we visited Firstly, we all serve an The Highland Council is very the famous monster Nessie. But apprenticeship within the keen on working as paperless unfortunately she was not home. “dual system” like 60% of all as possible. In Germany eff orts In Nairn we enjoyed a Sunday secondary graduates in Germany. are being made to switch to afternoon on the beach. It combines the theoretical this system, too, but it is still in A more serious sight was training in vocational colleges progress. Culloden Moor – the famous and on-the-job training, in our In general, the administration battlefi eld. Highlights were our case, in local authorities. Right in Scotland is very modern. visits to Glen Ord Distillery, Dùn now, The Highland Council has A lot of social media are used, Èideann and Edinburgh. There we only 30 apprentices. for example Skype, Twitter, visited the castle and the Scottish Parliament. Secondly, we have noticed that Facebook and YouTube. Some Highland Council has a much employees work with two We are very grateful to the larger area (about half of the size monitors and many have laptops Highland Council and to the of Bavaria) to manage. Even the to be mobile. Social media is Inverness College for their even sometimes prohibited in hospitality. Thank you for the opportunity to participate in German authorities. this work placement and to Furthermore, we noticed that get an insight into the Scottish home-based offi ces are very administration. We had a great common. In Germany this way of time and learned a lot. working is not yet widely spread. The working hours in Scotland are diff erent to Germany. People in Germany usually have to work 39 per week. The offi ce dress code at The Highland Council is smart casual. In Germany there is no dress code

Augsburg Student Blog: http://bit.ly/augsburgstudentblog

15 £57k saved and service improved

You will soon be able to Bulky uplifts is just one of several reviews being undertaken by the book bulky uplifts with just Redesign Board. 24 hours’ notice as part of a number of improvements to the service following a council-wide review which has also delivered signifi cant savings. Last year a total of 216,510 calls were handled and processed by the Council’s Service Centre in Alness. Service Centre staff played a key role in the review by helping to identify how improvements and effi ciencies could be made to Photo: Chair of the Redesign Board and Convenor of The not only reduce the time taken to Highland Council, Cllr Bill Lobban visited staff at the Council’s process requests and cut down Service Centre in Alness to thank them for their work. the number of calls coming in, He is pictured being shown details of the enhanced service but to improve the bulky uplift by service centre staff Shirley Douglas and Rhona Macdonald service for customers. who were involved in the Bulky Uplift service review. A new web-based collection calendar is now available 24 The Council’s bulky uplift service is for the disposal of unwanted large hours a day, 7 days a week to items and is available to households across the Highlands. allow anyone looking to book a The charge is £20.02 for up to 3 items and £40.05 for up to 6 items. bulky uplift to fi nd out the next Anyone looking to book an uplift can do so online by visiting: available date. Before the review, www.highland.gov.uk/request Choose ‘Disposal of large household items’ bulky uplifts were not provided over the Christmas period, but people will now be able to request and receive bulky uplifts throughout the whole year. By integrating data and cutting out duplication, staff handling time for bulky uplift bookings is being reduced. Following feedback and input from staff , requests now go direct to the teams doing the actual uplifts making the whole service more direct and responsive. Improvements identifi ed in the review have contributed to £57,000 of savings being delivered this fi nancial year which represents 10% of the Service Centre budget. Photo by The HighlandThe Council by Photo 16 Life saving act results in Inverness Medal

The civic Inverness Medal Provost Helen Carmichael read the selfl ess acts of John and has been awarded to two excerpts from a letter sent to her Richard in saving Ian’s life. members of Highland Council by Ian’s wife Veronica regarding staff for saving a colleague’s life by administering CPR. At the City of Inverness Area Committee, Provost and Leader of Inverness and Area, Helen Carmichael presented the Inverness Medal to John Reid, Environmental Health Technical Offi cer and Richard Duncan, Trading Standards Enforcement Offi cer. They both received medals for acting in the highest spirit of service to administer CPR to their colleague Ian Wilson who Photo right to left: Provost of Inverness Cllr Helen had suff ered a heart attack while Carmichael presents Richard Duncan and John Reid with at work earlier this year on the civic Inverness Medals for saving Ian Wilson’s life. rd morning of 3 February 2017. Weatherspoon Ewen by Photo

17 The fi rst of the central beams to connect the north and south side of the West Link bridge were put in place in March this year, with subsequent work on the bridge structure completed over the summer. Plans are underway to fi nd a name for the new bridge with a number of options going to a public vote this autumn. The new road is scheduled to open in Weatherspoon Ewen by Photo December 2017. Photo: Provost of Inverness Helen Carmichael and Leader Margaret Davidson are amongst The new pitches and clubhouse the fi rst to walk across the new bridge. at Canal Parks are now complete.

Stage 2 of the West Link project City-Region Deal investment by partners, agreed in March 2016. is programmed to commence in 2019 and will be completed in The benefi t to cost ratio of the West Link project is 3.86, which 2020 following the relocation of represents nearly £4 of benefi t to every £1 of public investment. the golf course and building of a The West Link will reduce congestion within Inverness City Centre second swing bridge. and encourage cycling and walking by increased active travel links. The West Link forms part of the Journey times will be improved and it will enable the development Council’s contribution to the of signifi cant areas for housing and other economic development at Ness-side and Torvean. www.highland.gov.uk/invernesswestlink

Photo: All weather rugby pitch and club house

18 Photo by Ewen Weatherspoon Creative Try for art installation at Rugby pitches

Two unique art installations combining rugby and art were recently installed at Inverness Rugby Pitches in the fi nal phase of the Canal Parks development as part of the Inverness West Link Project. Artist Angus Ross, and Senior Maker Steven Gray made the fi nal preparations of the installations ‘Line Out’ and ‘Touch Judge’ which are sited close to the grass pitches of the rugby club and a footpath which will be frequented by walkers, runners and cyclists. Councillor Graham Ross, Chair of the Community Liaison Group for the West Link project said: I am particularly pleased that the Rugby Club were involved in this project and I am sure HighlandThe Council by Photo that Angus Ross’s design will Photo: Artist Angus Ross (seated) and provide a welcome feature to the Steven Gray installing the ‘Line-out’ artwork. area not just for rugby fans for people using the nearby path for recreation.

Commissioned by The Highland Council and High Life Highland, Artist Angus Ross explained: The ideas behind the commissions were that they should be responsive to the nearby Rugby Club and facilities while also linking and interacting with the local community. The public will have access to the art features when work is completed on the surrounding West Link works in the area in December. Photos by The HighlandThe Council by Photos 19 Top planning excellence award

The Pentland Firth and Orkney Waters Marine Spatial Plan has won the Excellence in Plan Making Practice category at the Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI) Awards for Planning Excellence 2017. Photo by Ewen Weatherspoon Ewen by Photo Photo left to right: Caitlyn Heggie, Cllr Margaret These are the most established Paterson, Scott Fraser and Cllr Angela Maclean and respected awards in the planning industry. The Judging panel commented: This plan, a fi rst of its kind Official opening of for the UK, should be held up as best practice for other councils Muir of Ord Rail Bridge struggling to integrate land and marine planning into a single Pupils from Tarradale primary Heggie and Head Boy Scott plan. It is an interesting and joined local councillors Fraser with Dingwall and imaginative approach to marine planning and given Britain’s and guests to offi cially open Seaforth Ward Councillors Margaret Paterson and maritime heritage, it’s surprising the new £3.3m railway bridge Angela MacLean. there aren’t more plans like this in Muir of Ord. one. The new crossing carries vehicles travelling on the A862 through the village over the main Inverness to Dingwall rail line and replaces the previous bridge which had a single lane traffi c restriction on it. This old bridge was dismantled as part of the works. The project was delivered on time and on budget. Throughout the works, the Council liaised closely with the community and after the ceremony the local Councillors paid tribute to their understanding and patience during the works. Poised to cut the ribbon to mark the offi cial opening in the photo Photo: James Green - Orkney Islands Council, Dr Shona Turnbull - above are Head Girl Caitlyn Highland Council and Tracy McCollin - Marine Scotland

20 We’re supporting Police Scotland’s campaign to

It’s a despicable crime which targets the most vulnerable members of our communities. Here are some top tips to keepingg sasafefe so please share them with neighbours, familymily and friends:

Keep front and back doorss locked

Fit a door chain or bar - and use it Don’t keep large sums of money at home.

Expecting someone? Look out for those in your community Only let callers in if they have an appointment. The message is: if in doubt, Report anything suspicious straight away keep them out! Call 999 and ask for the police if you feel Always ask for ID. scared or threatened Find out more at: www.scotland.police.uk/keep-safe/personal-safety/doorstep-crime-and-bogus-callers

21 River Connections artwork breathes life into riverside

‘River Connections’ by award winning artist Mary Bourne is a series of inter-related works which was commissioned to highlight the ways the River Ness connects Inverness to other times and other places. Newly appointed Chair of the Inverness City Arts working group, which commissioned the art work, Councillor Isabelle Mackenzie, took a walk down the river with Mary Bourne and Cllr Photo: Chair of the ICARTs working group Councillor Bet McAllister to view the art and Isabelle Mackenzie (centre) with artist Mary Bourne (R) and hear about its meaning. Working Group member Councillor Bet McAllister (L). Photo by Ewen Weatherspoon Ewen by Photo River Connections is one of a number of commissioned art stone to be incorporated into Mary Bourne is an artist based installations which are being a seating area overlooking the in the rural North East of developed around the River mouth of the Ness – the Merkinch Scotland. Trained at Edinburgh Ness as part of the River Ness Art Circles College of Art and a John Project. The fi nal art project will Mary’s work, predominantly in Kinross Scholar in 1985, her be to create a digital trail around carved natural stone, refl ects professional experience has the river. on man’s relationship with his included numerous public The scheme involved work inlaid environment and often deals commissions, including and carved into the fl ood wall with themes of subjectivity, the interpretative artworks at and pavement, and sculptural passage of time and change. The Bennachie, Aberdeenshire; seating. A cycle of specially physicality of the objects she Mallerstang, East Cumbria written poems was commissioned makes is very important and they and Mugdock Country Park, from Ken Cockburn, working to are often highly tactile. Milngavie. She has worked with a brief drawn up by Mary. She She says high profi le architects, as well also worked with George Gunn, a as with the Scottish Historic master dyker, to create sculptural For me art is a medium for Buildings Trust and Historic seats that represent key points in refl ection and communication. Environment Scotland on a the river’s progress. These are its Given the durability of contemporary carving project headwaters, the point at which my medium, this means for the 16th century Riddle’s the downward fl ow of the water is communication not only between Court on Edinburgh’s Royal held in equilibrium by the upward contemporaries, but between Mile. fl ow of the incoming tide, and the generations: stone warmed and point at which the river meets the shaped by my hands will perhaps Mary has exhibited widely in sea. again be warmed by the hands Britain and abroad. She has of someone in some unknowable received a number of prizes Local people worked with poet, time to come. and awards including the Ken Cockburn, to respond to the Meyer Oppenheim Award area at the mouth of the River More about the project can be (1997) and Ireland Alloys Award Ness. Mary Bourne then taught found at: (1996), both from the Royal them letter cutting, enabling www.highland.gov.uk/rivernessart Scottish Academy. them to carve their poems into 22 The Sculptural Destination nears its completion

between and envisage future positive dreams. Chair of the River Ness Arts working group, Councillor Isabelle Mackenzie said: It was fascinating to meet Annie and hear about the concept behind her sculpture which brings together the geological past, mythology and folklore. It will be a very special feature on the banks of the Ness for years to come and I am sure Photo: Annie Cattrell taking casts of people will marvel and interact rocks on either side of the Great Glen. with the piece in many ways.

Photo by Ewen Weatherspoon Ewen by Photo Annie met with the local The Sculptural Destination, community at a meeting in recent earthquake taking place in Inverness and listened to by artist Annie Cattrell, is one the early 20th century reaching 4 suggestions for how the sculpture of the River Ness arts projects on the Richter scale. should be lit and interpreted. destined for the banks of the James Hutton, the ‘father of The Sculptural Destination is Ness at Friar’s Shot. modern geology’, who proposed scheduled to be completed and Annie Cattrell has been taking the idea of a rock cycle over in place by mid 2018. casts of the rocks on either side geological time, famously said: of the Great Glen in preparation “that we fi nd no vestige of a Annie Cattrell was born in for the fi nal sculpture. The pieces beginning, no prospect of an end. Glasgow, studied Fine Art will be moulded in silicone, which Historically, a circular natural at Glasgow School of Art, does not damage the rocks, stone with a hole in the middle University of Ulster and at the and cast in resin infused with of it - the Adder stone - has been Royal College of Art. bronze powder to shine in the believed to have magical powers. She has exhibited widely sun or artifi cial light. The fi nished The person looking into the hole including at Pier Art Centre; work will be about 7ft high. The or aperture of the stone might Anne Faggionato Gallery and sculpture is designed to frame see a vision or forecast of the Inverness Museum and Art a view of Inverness Castle when future. Gallery. standing between the two faces. It is my intention to combine Cattrell has completed Annie described the concept the scientifi c method, the residencies at Camden Arts behind the ‘Sculptural understanding of the powerful Centre; The Royal Institution Destination’. She said: nature of the folk law and the of Great Britain; The Royal Edinburgh Hospital; ACE Helen The Great Glen Fault is of cultural need for predictions, Chadwick Fellowship at Oxford great geological signifi cance; forecasting and belief systems to University and at the British one of the reasons being that it attempt to determine the future. School at Rome. is the location and meeting of The sculpture Seer would draw two distinct land regions (North upon these ideas and embed She lectures at the Royal West Highlands and Grampian them into the physicality of the College of Art and is Reader Mountains). The Loch Ness area sculpture, making an interactive in Fine Art at De Montfort is still seismically active, the most place and space of two sections University in Leicester. where people could stand 23 Photo by Ewen Weatherspoon remain olding will now This is a truly remarkableThis discovery! It is quite

with a huge amount high quality sculptures, ne, Photo courtesyPhoto of Am Baile The original sandstone dogs are believed to be to believed dogs are sandstone original The fi Itof character is carved faces. their quizitive into 1960s in the storage put into were they believed Town carried out on the was previously when work scaff The House building. conservationists while in place examine the dogs The the roof. them to them and reinstate repair another part now who are of the building’s wolves, an to history will be moved and heritage, House. Town location at the alternative uncanny that they turned up by coincidence just at coincidence that they turned up by uncanny the unveiling for spare with just hours to this time, It be to House. is as if the dogs wanted Town of the place. their rightful to and returned found on the day after on the day Manager, Project Jason Kelman was the about informed discovery. uncanny of Inverness Provost Helen Carmichael said:

startolding was due to down coming taken to were the crates on the site, move ce

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and the scaff creation of two new stone sculptures of wolves, of wolves, sculptures new stone of two creation The restoration of the Town House included the House included Town of the restoration The archived photographs. archived an offi House from Town the to their origin dogs and traced at the Council’s Diriebught Road depot, when during Diriebught Road at the Council’s the two discovered archivists There, museum stores. dust in unmarked crates in storage in an outbuilding in storage dust in unmarked crates The two forgotten sculptures had been gathering sculptures forgotten two The they mysteriously reappeared. they mysteriously within hours of the unveiling of the Town House, House, Town of the the unveiling within hours of missing for many years, until by strange coincidence, coincidence, strange until by years, many missing for on the top of the A listed Town House, had been House, Town listed of the A on the top The two stone dogs, which originally stood proudly proudly stood which originally dogs, stone two The after in storage. decades returned to their home at the Town House Town their home at the to returned Two lost dogs have been discovered and discovered been lost dogs have Two Inverness Town House House Town Inverness Lost dogs return home to to home return dogs Lost Photo by Ewen Weatherspoon Ewen by Photo 25 Wick Campus settles in to first full school year Photo: Newton Park Primary School pupils and school Children in Wick Community Campus have settled in to their fi rst full school year in the £48.5 million state of the art facility which is part of Scotland’s Schools for the Future programme and received more than £17 million from the Scottish Government.

The campus which also houses a swimming Robert by Photo MacDonald pool and library, opened in April with a piper led procession of pupils and teachers. A video which shows the superb facilities at Wick The procession of 400 pupils in their new school Campus can be found at the following link: uniforms were led by Highland Bagpipers Alistair Miller and Chester Henry, a P7 pupil. www.hubnorthscotland.co.uk/news/2017/wick-community- campus Top brass tuition Fifty pupils from across Highland in with the Scottish Ensemble’s schools attended a Brass Day performance of Silver Screen held in Inverness in September Sounds at Eden Court on Sunday organised by The Highland 10th September. Council’s Instrumental Tuition The Highland Council’s Music Service. Those who attended Development Offi cer, Norman are all relative beginners on their Bolton, said instruments and the event aimed to inspire and motivate the pupils We have a vibrant working by giving them the experience relationship with Scottish of playing in a larger group. The Ensemble, who are always keen to event was a success, and showed work with developing musicians a marked diff erence in the when they are here for their confi dence and quality of playing Eden Court performances. As within the short space of time the always, we are keen to expose pupils were together. Creative Minds Team at Easy young musicians to the wider Ayrshire Council, supported professional music scene, and The day was led by Alan Friel, opportunities like these go a a conductor, musical director, by The Highland Council Brass Instructors. long way to enhancing the high adjudicator and Instrumental standard of tuition available Music Service Manager in the Day of film music through Highland Council’s Instrumental Tuition Service. Members of Dingwall Academy Senior String Ensemble and their Highland Council Instructor, Rachel Farmer worked with members of the Scottish Ensemble, violist Andrew Berridge and cellist Naomi Pavri in a day of fi lm music, which tied 26 Caol Joint Campus offers focal point for community

Pupils and guests gathered with former pupil and professional footballer Duncan Shearer, for the offi cial opening of Highland Council’s Caol Joint Campus comprising Caol Primary School, St. Columba’s Primary School and Caol Community Centre in June 2017. The Caol Joint Campus opened its doors to pupils in September 2016. The current pupil roll at St Columba’s Roman Catholic Primary School is 100 Primary and 11 Nursery pupils and there are 234 Primary and 71 Nursery pupils at Caol Primary Chair of Lochaber Committee, Cllr Andrew Baxter School. said: The new Caol Community Centre brings together This is the culmination of a major investment several diff erent organisations under one roof. It programme for new schools in the Fort William includes a Youth Centre and Youth Café, Meeting area. Schools are often the focal point for a local Rooms, Art Studios, an events hall, bar and kitchen. community. With two primary schools, a library and Lochaber Action and Disability host their weekday community facilities all on one site the Caol Campus lunch club from the facility, and there are regular is already proving to be the focal point for this scheduled events and classes open to the local community. It’s fantastic to hear how it is already community. being so well used by everyone in the local area.

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