Environment

The river is open to all anglers without charge from January 11 until Saturday, January 20.

The Met Office is warning of flooding on Highland roads and railways just days after Storm Gerrit caused widespread chaos.

Further strong winds, rain and snow are expected to push across the Highlands from the west this weekend – with travel disruption likely.

Almost 8000 homes across Scotland were still without power shortly before lunch on Thursday & some may have to wait up to 48 hours to be reconnected.

Fergus Ewing has contacted transport minister Fiona Hyslop in response to a number of questions Highlanders have raised over the emergency's handling.

More than 1000 people have urged Scottish Government ministers to call in a decision by Highland Council to approve a controversial golf course.

People living and working in rural areas including Caithness are being encouraged to join the Big Farmland Bird Count (BFBC) next year.

Gales force winds up to 80mph are set to batter parts of the Highlands after the Met Office issued a yellow alert ahead of Storm Gerrit.

The new Met Office warnings cover Boxing Day morning and much of December 27.

AN environmental group recently lifted over 89kg of debris in Lochbroom after hearing of rubbish washing up in Rhue, just outside Ullapool.

The alert for wind is one of two new warnings issued. Heavy rain is also being forecast on Saturday, with the gales on Sunday into Christmas Day.

The Met Office is forecasting up to 15cm in parts of the Highlands overnight Friday into Saturday as people prepare to travel for Christmas.

A colourful rare visitor from America – made famous in the Mary Poppins film – has landed in Caithness.

Mr Abel Smith already has planning permission for the first phase of a £20 million eco-hotel near the site of the planned golf course.

New arrivals released in Rothiemurchus and on Wildland Ltd land ending local absence of four centuries for species

Two ranger-led winter solstice walks in Caithness and Sutherland have had to be cancelled due to a warning of strong winds across the north.

The 16-turbine Chleansaid Wind Farm will have an installed capacity of approximately 96 megawatts.

Assynt is home to around 100 ‘significant’ wych elms which are feared to be at risk of Dutch elm disease.

The forecaster is predicting wintry showers and colder temperatures in the north as this weekend gives way to Christmas Day.

Sofas and other upholstered furniture will soon no longer be accepted at some smaller Highland recycling centres – but doorstep uplift will continue.