A group of Finnish councillors from the country's Etela-Savo (South Savo) region, with representatives from Finland's three main political parties are on a fact-finding mission in the Highlands this week.

The Highlands and Islands are emerging as one of the most attractive business locations in Scotland - winning increasing new business investment.

A Lochaber designer is stitching up a career in soft furnishings with her innovative new business, 'Cushy Number'. Marie Ann Weir, a graduate of Glasgow School of Art,is embarking on a new venture making contemporary interior accessories.

Working closely with local communities is the best way to ensure sustainable economic and social development according to Shetland development leaders.

A new strategy for access to the Highlands and Islands countryside will mean better co-ordination of management and investment in path networks and more opportunities for people who prefer low level walks.

A Skye crofter and champion sheep-dog trialler is hoping that visitors to Skye will soon be flocking to his croft at Bernisdale when his new tourist attraction opens for business.

Time is running out for budding inventors and innovators in the Highlands and Islands to pit their new devices and processes against the rest of Scotland in this year's John Logie Baird awards, the most prestigious competition in the field.

The Isle of Skye Golf Club was not the setting for this year's Open but the club has won a Claret Jug of its own, in the form of a Community Action Grant from the Local Enterprise Company in order to keep its fairways well above par.

The substantial upgrading of the hydro electricity generating scheme on the remote Knoydart peninsula in Lochaber has attracted the biggest ever package of assistance from Highlands and Islands Enterprise's (HIE) Community Land Unit (CLU). The CLU has committed £135,000 towards the upgrading of the estate's electricity supply, which powers homes in and around the village of Inverie.

The west coast islands of Islay and Jura were launched into cyber space at the annual Islay Show today (Thursday 10th August) in an initiative which aims to help regenerate the islands'economies and improve the quality of life for islanders.

Publicly funded art galleries throughout the Highlands and Islands are set to benefit from the appointment of a visual arts marketing co-ordinator, funded by the Scottish Arts Council National Lottery Fund and Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE).

A new chapter opens for an Orkney arts group next week when they make their debut at the most famous arts festival of all.

Business is set to flourish at an Argyll-shire plant nursery with the building of a new growing and storage facility at one of their nurseries, allowing them to increase production.

Visitors to the Orkney islands of Westray and Papa Westray are in for a treat this summer following the opening of a new craft and heritage trail.

The spectacular success of the 'Food from the Highlands' marquee at the Black Isle Show in recent years has prompted organisers Ross and Cromarty Enterprise (RACE) and the Black Isle Farmers Society to take on a new challenge and move into a new sector at this years event.

Manpower plc - the company who manage the operation of 4 telebusiness centres for BT Scotland on the Alness Industrial Estate, are set to up sticks and move - but only a few yards!