The Highland Council is seeking views from residents, communities, businesses and the tourism sector on proposals to introduce two Short Term Let Control Areas (STLCA), one in Inverness City and one for Highland Rural, covering various wards including Wester Ross, Strathpeffer and Lochalsh.
Within the relevant areas planning permission would be required for a change of use of a residential property to a short-term let where the owner does not normally live in the property but rents it out on a short-term basis. The consultation runs until Tuesday 23rd June with various information events being held including one in Ullapool on 1st June.
FilmG has announced the shortlists for FilmG 18, this year’s edition of the Gaelic short film competition, with the winners to be revealed at an awards ceremony at the SEC in Glasgow on Thursday 11 June.
A total of 157 films were entered across the three FilmG competitions this year, with 38 entries in the over 18 competition, 60 in the under 18 competition and 59 in the newly introduced under 12 competition which was added this year to create a clearer space for primary school entries, while allowing the under 18 competition to focus more closely on high school age filmmakers.
Independent judging panels selected the shortlists for all categories except the three FilmG Choice Awards which in each competition was selected by public vote, with the four most popular films in each age group now in contention.
The Inverness Castle Experience has signalled growing confidence in the future of Inverness and the wider Highlands as a year round visitor destination by opening group visit planning through to 2028 and confirming winter group travel rates for the coming seasons.
The move reflects growing interest in the Highlands newest attraction and a desire to encourage visits beyond the traditional peak summer months, thereby supporting local businesses and sustained activity throughout the year. Inverness Castle has been reimagined as a contemporary immersive attraction which brings the Highlands to life through powerful story telling with personal experiences which reflect the Spirit of Highland landscape, culture and identity.
