A group of Vikings are planning to launch an attack on Thurso this weekend but before the town's residents flee in terror, it's just for fun!
29 July 2002

Lower cost fuel is now available to motorists in Caithness. The Elm Tree Filling Station in Wick has become the first outlet in Caithness to sell Liquid Petroleum Gas (LPG), the cheaper alternative to petrol or diesel.
25 July 2002

A Caithness quarry company is set to create almost 40 new jobs after forming a unique partnership with an Italian company to open up new global markets.
17 July 2002

A young Caithness woman is hoping to offer a new lease of life to tired and weary furniture throughout the north.
17 July 2002

A young Caithness woman is hoping to offer a new lease of life to tired and weary furniture throughout the north. Catherine Macleod (25) will provide a complete furniture restoration service from a workshop at her home in Thrumster, although she also has plans to eventually make a range of pieces from her own designs. Catherine was able to start her business, Caithness Furniture, thanks to assistance from the HIE Starts programme, which is managed by Caithness and Sutherland Enterprise (CASE). In addition to qualifications in art and design Catherine recently graduated from The Thomas Chippendale School of Furniture in East Lothian with a diploma in furniture restoration and the design and making of furniture. As part of her research into the demand for such a service, Catherine restored a number of items of furniture for various clients, including Ackergill Tower. Arlette Bannister of Ackergill Tower commented: "We have given Catherine a wide range of pieces to restore and no task is ever too great. At Ackergill we have a considerable variety of furniture, accumulated over time, which Catherine enjoys working with. She has a keen eye for detail and is enthusiastic about every task she undertakes." Catherine said: "There were difficult decisions to make before taking the plunge into self employment but everyone at CASE has been really helpful and I have received a lot of advice and guidance from them. "I am sure there are a lot of people out there with furniture they have been intending to get restored but never get round to doing anything about it." CASE business counsellor, Ian Thomson said: "Catherine has the skills to make this venture a success and the assistance available under the HIE Starts scheme has given her the confidence to start the business. I have no doubt that there will be demand for her services from the local community." CASE provides tailored support to eligible individuals wishing to start a business by providing income for a period, a small capital grant and free business counselling and advice.
17 July 2002

An ambitious project aimed at finding teleworking jobs at home for people with disabilities has started to expand its recruitment drive throughout the Highlands and Islands.
15 July 2002

A Jura man is setting up a corporate activity centre on the island offering clients a range of team building activities and corporate entertainment.
15 July 2002

The future of land management throughout Scotland has received a massive boost with the recruitment of three specialists to the Community Land Unit of Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE).
11 July 2002

A major new initiative, aimed at helping the most fragile communities in the Ross and Cromarty Enterprise (RACE) area to have more control over their future, has been launched.
08 July 2002

Two Argyll businesses are thriving following vital assistance from their Local Enterprise Company.
08 July 2002

An ambitious project is underway to place Orkney at the forefront of genealogy tourism.
08 July 2002

A young Ross-shire woman is hoping her new business venture will grow and grow this summer.
08 July 2002

Holidaymakers to the Skye and Lochalsh area can look forward to a higher standard of accommodation and facilities following the completion of a £170,000 renovation and upgrading project.
04 July 2002

A young Highland businessman is branching out into the timber haulage industry with the help of his local enterprise company.
03 July 2002

A Wester Ross woman has brewed up a piece of Highland nostalgia by opening a tearoom in her croft house home.
02 July 2002

A ground-breaking project which uses information technology to link rural communities in Lochaber looks set for expansion.
02 July 2002

The newly formed Highlands & Islands Equality Forum is pioneering a new approach to combating discrimination in workplaces, in education and in local communities.
02 July 2002

An innovative programme to help some of Scotland's most far-flung communities is set to continue for the foreseeable future.
02 July 2002

The Hebridean Island which was home to BBC television's Castaway 2000 is being invaded again - this time by folk from much nearer home.
02 July 2002