21 December 2024

Local Headlines - 21 December 2024

The yellow weather warning reported yesterday for the period until 7 o’clock this evening has been extended, with a new alert covering the whole of Scotland for the period until 9 o’clock tomorrow (Sunday) night. 

According to the Met Office, strong and gusty northwesterly winds are expected to develop tomorrow. Gusts of 50 to 60 mph are expected quite widely and around some exposed coasts and hills, gusts 70 mph are possible, especially in the north and west. In addition, squally showers are likely with some hail and thunder possible in places. 

The gales have already caused disruption, with the Inverness Farmers’ Market cancelled today and the Met Office warning of likely disruption to sea, air, rail and road transport.


The billionaire owner of Inverinate Estate has lodged plans to build a 15 bedroom guest lodge on the estate which it is said is for visiting family and friends.

The Estate already has 3 large homes, a cottage and 2 lodges along with 3 helipads. Planning permission was granted earlier this year for an additional 11 bedroom mansion and a 5 bedroom house.

The new plans now lodged show a 3 storey property with 15 bedrooms taking what is described as a similar form and design aesthetic to the collection of lodges on the Estate which has been owned by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid al-Maktoum, ruler of Dubai, for more than 20 years.

 

Jobs have been saved at a significant employer on Lewis.

Contractor Harland & Wolff which operates the site at Arnish along with another site in Fife, had previously gone into administration putting almost 400 jobs at risk over the two sites. However, the company has now been bought over by the Spanish state owned firm, Navantia, which should protect the jobs for the future.

 

In the SPFL Premiership this afternoon Ross County has a home match against St Mirren. County has slipped to tenth place in the league while the two teams below it, Hearts and St Johnstone play each other tomorrow.

In League One, Inverness Caley Thistle also plays today, away, against Stenhousemuir, currently second in the league. Both County and Caley Thistle’s fixtures kick off at three o’clock.