The Highland Council has agreed to submit proposals for two Short Term Let Control Areas to Scottish Ministers following extensive public consultation and consideration by local area committees. One of the proposals covers Inverness and surrounding areas while the other covers Highland Rural including Wester Ross.
The consultation attracted more than 800 responses with 72% of residents and businesses supporting the Highland Rural proposal. After submission of the proposals to Scottish Ministers, a further report will be made detailing the outcome and any implementation arrangements, including potential start dates.
If approved, any future conversion of a residential property to a secondary short term let within the designated control areas would require planning permission. Existing operators would continue under the current arrangements unless planning permission would already have been required under existing planning legislation.
The Old Village Hall in Achiltibuie latterly used as the Coigach Kitchen, a popular café and restaurant venue, was destroyed by fire yesterday. The fire was discovered shortly after 3am and has left only the stonework of a side extension standing.
The building was originally constructed as a drill hall for the Territorial Force Association during World War One and was subsequently used as the village hall for 40 years until Coigach Community Hall nearby took over in the late 1990s.
Popular author, Peter May, many of whose books were set in the Hebrides and on the Isle of Lewis in particular, died on Friday aged 74 at his home in the south of France where he had lived for many years. His publisher has confirmed that May had been planning a farewell tour of Scotland including a visit to Lewis to coincide with the release of his final novel in January next year.
Time is running out for competitor entries to the inaugural World Shortbread Championships taking place at Inverness Leisure Centre on Saturday 21st November. There will be three categories of competition namely professional, amateur and young baker (under 16) with traditional style shortbread being mandatory for all entries and specialist styles being optional. The deadline for entries is tomorrow 30th September via the Championships’ website.
