Highland Community Broadband (HCB) which has been providing internet access using hilltop transmitters to people living within 20 miles of Ullapool since 2017 has announced that its service will be switched off on 30th April.
HCB’s directors said that its service was having difficulty in keeping up with faster connectivity and upgrades to mobile phone coverage supplied by providers using more up to date technology and is facing increased financial difficulties with legal and maintenance costs. Current HCB subscribers of which there are 400, are encouraged to find an alternative source of internet access.
A job fair is to be held in Gairloch on 13th March supported by Countryside Learning Scotland, Visit Wester Ross, Developing the Young Work Force and Highland Council Employability Services.
The event will be designed for businesses looking for staff and individuals looking for work. Local businesses and employers that are in a position to offer work or training are invited to attend and to come along with a positive approach to filling vacancies and posts that will be required across the coming season in 2026. There will be tables available for employers to set up information on themselves or to display products and other items as appropriate. There will also be opportunities for local businesses to find out more about the services they can access from a variety of employment organisations in the form of training and support schemes. Further information is available by contacting douglas@countrysidelearningscotland.org.uk.
Plans have been publicised to redevelop the area around Inverness railway and bus stations to create a new “Station Quarter”. A feasibility study containing three options will be considered by Highland councilors next week.
Each option involves retention of Inverness Library which is an A listed building, with the current bus station site being converted into a public park. The Rose Street multi-storey car park would be demolished and rebuilt on a site adjacent to a new bus station with double the existing number of stances and easier access to the railway station. Other nearby buildings being the former Post Office depot and TK Maxx, would be incorporated in the development.
If councilors agree to take the proposals forward, additional site constraints analysis and property market advice will be needed to help inform indicative timing and potential costs.
