Latest news with #Inverness-based
Scottish Sun
16 hours ago
- General
- Scottish Sun
‘It's a miracle he survived', hillwalker plunges 160ft in horror sheer drop fall on Scots mountain
'Where he fell has almost certain fatal consequences. He was very lucky indeed' RESCUE MISSION 'It's a miracle he survived', hillwalker plunges 160ft in horror sheer drop fall on Scots mountain Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) A HILLWALKER has baffled rescuers after miraculously surviving plunging more than 160 feet in Glen Coe. The man in his 30s fell from a precarious ledge over 1600 feet up an iconic Scottish mountain. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 2 The man in his 30s fell from a precarious ledge over 1600 feet up an iconic Scottish mountain Rescuers said he faced a sheer drop fall with 'almost certain fatal consequences'. The man was with a group on Gearr Aonach, the middle of the Three Sisters range in Glen Coe. But he fell in an area known as The Zig Zags last weekend. Five members of Glencoe Mountain Rescue Team were scrambled while another rescue was happening at the same time in Glen Etive – and what turned out to be the third in a day. 'He fell on a vertical drop of 164 feet,' said deputy team leader Brian Bathurst. 'It has become a particular accident blackspot – with three call outs recently to that same spot. It appears people are misjudging the junction. 'He hit a ledge on the way down and suffered multiple injuries and was in a critical condition. It is a miracle he survived. It is very rocky terrain. 'Where he fell has almost certain fatal consequences. He was very lucky indeed.' An Inverness-based coastguard search and rescue helicopter flew the walker to Queen Elizabeth University Hospital in Glasgow. His condition is unknown but is no longer life threatening. Watch shock moment couple cheat death as they fall off 5,000ft mountain while taking risky shortcut to avoid queue The team was so short-handed that day that veteran rescuer Ronnie Rogers, who is in his 70s, helped out with the Glen Etive rescue involving a man who suffered broken ribs after falling into a burn. 'Knowing we were going to be short handed, Ronnie once again laced up his boots and raced into the Glen to help despite the fact that after 50 years he officially 'retired' from front line team duties in November 2022,' added Mr Bathurst. 'He is a legend. Since stepping back, Ronnie has helped with team callouts by calling team members on the phone to deploy them to incidents so was well aware that help was needed that day. 'We would like to wish all the casualties well in their recovery and as always a huge thank you to the helicopter crews and everyone else involved.'
Scotsman
2 days ago
- Business
- Scotsman
Award-winning Scottish island newspaper goes to print on home soil for the last time after 150 years
The printing of the newspaper, which was first launched in the 18th century, will no longer be carried out on Shetland. Sign up to our daily newsletter – Regular news stories and round-ups from around Scotland direct to your inbox Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... One of Scotland's award-winning island newspapers has been printed locally for the last time after some 150 years. The last edition of The Shetland Times to be printed on its native island went on sale on Friday. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad A stack of newspapers. Picture: Lewis Stickley/PA Wire After news of the weekly publication being sold to Inverness-based Highland News & Media for an undisclosed sum, the paper will be now be printed in Dundee and flown up to Shetland. It will be printed in full colour and in a more compact size, according to the publication. The paper's long-standing print operations are expected to cease at the end of this month. The bookshop and the book publishing business on the island affiliated with the paper, however, will continue. Shetland Islands from the air | William Edwards/AFP via Getty Images The new owner's managing director Steve Barron has said he and his team were delighted to have been able to add the Shetland Times to the company's portfolio. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Highland News & Media is the publishers of the Inverness Courier, the Northern Scot and six other local papers in the north of Scotland. The change of ownership ends a 131-year family connection with the newspaper. It comes after previous owner Robert Wishart warned the paper could close after 153 years of publication unless a new owner was found. In a statement on the day of the last edition to be printed locally, Mr Wishart said: 'A few weeks ago I feared that not only our family ties to the paper, but the newspaper itself was finished. 'Now I'm delighted that Steve Barron and Highland News & Media have raced to ensure continuity of production following our abrupt decision to end printing of the paper at Gremista.' Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Mr Barron said: 'The Shetland Times is an excellent local newspaper, which passionately represents and champions the community it serves – credit to long-term owners Robert and June Wishart who have clearly been committed to local journalism and the Shetland community. 'These values are closely aligned with our own. 'The method of consumption may be changing, but local news is as important as ever. By supporting our new colleagues in Shetland, we'll make sure that their important work continues.
Glasgow Times
13-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Glasgow Times
The Joshua Hotel to headline Stereo in Glasgow this weekend
The Joshua Hotel, an Inverness-based trio fronted by multi-instrumentalist and producer Joshua Mackenzie, will play at Stereo on Saturday, June 14. The trio is completed by guitarist and drone specialist Louis Slorach, and drummer and percussionist Joshua Gilbert. Read more: Glasgow artist releases 'infectious' new track crowned 'Single of the Week' Currently, the band is building momentum ahead of the release of their debut album Rapture Party, due out this September. The album, produced and mastered by Jason Shaw at Fuzzface Studios in 2024, has a distinctly Scottish influence having been written in the Highlands and recorded on the West Coast in Largs. (Image: Supplied) It features guest vocals from Shanine Gallagher, a long-time friend and collaborator who previously released music under the moniker Ess_Gee. Described as a "last dance at the twilight of millennial youth," the album tackles themes of love, friendship, sexuality, self-identity, mental health, and mortality amid the shifting political and cultural climate of the past 25 years. Read more: Singer behind huge 1970s hit announces Glasgow gig Their latest single, Show Me Around, is set to be released on July 4 and has been described as "a sun-kissed slice of propulsive indie disco with stylistic nods to Bronski Beat, Depeche Mode and Daft Punk." Originally a solo project launched by Mr Mackenzie during lockdown, The Joshua Hotel evolved into a trio in 2023 with the release of their EP Oblivion Days. That project has since attracted support from Steve Lamacq on BBC 6 Music, Gary Crowley on BBC London, John Kennedy on Radio X, and Vic Galloway on BBC Radio Scotland.
Press and Journal
03-06-2025
- Business
- Press and Journal
Aberdeen floating wind specialist acquired by growing Inverness energy firm
Inverness-headquartered Aurora Energy Services has acquired Aberdeen firm Encomara, a specialist in floating wind deployment systems and subsea engineering. Industry stalwarts Ian Cobban, Malcolm Bowie, Ian Donald and Raymond Semple, founded Encomara in 2022. The acquisition, for an undisclosed sum, includes Encomara's innovative Squid system. The technology integrates pre-installed mooring and electrical connections in one modular subsea unit. This reduces the cost, time and risk associated with the deployment, recovery and reconnection of turbines. Aurora chief executive Doug Duguid has described the system as a 'true game changer'. Encomara's team of six will move to Aurora House in Dyce, keeping its brand and identity while continuing to offers specialist advice on floating wind, mooring systems, and subsea field development. Mr Duguid said: 'Encomara's Squid system is a step-change in floating wind development and this acquisition aligns perfectly with our technical strategy. 'Squid allows operators to modularise and industrialise offshore construction and combined with our fabrication and engineering capability, it gives Aurora a unique position in the market. 'We are committed to providing key investment in the Squid system to develop prototypes, in extensive offshore testing and roll-out to market, as we believe this is a true game-changer and it supports our ambition to lead in the energy transition.' Each member of the innovative foursome boasts decades of energy sector experience, including in wave, tidal, fixed and floating offshore wind. Mr Semple previously led regional offshore and subsea divisions for Technip in Brazil and North America, and then global subsea businesses owned by DOF Subsea and Baker Hughes. Before joining Encomara, Mr Cobban was chief operations officer for Inverness-based Global Energy Group. Mr Bowie has been an independent consultant and advisor in design and offshore construction for more than 35 years. Meanwhile, Mr Donald – who won an outstanding achievement gong at subsea industry awards in 2017 – joined Encomara after more than 40 years in executive, technical and project management roles. Mr Donald said: 'Aurora's ambition and capability give Encomara the ideal platform to accelerate our roadmap and bring the Squid system to more markets, more quickly. 'Together, we can industrialise floating wind deployment while staying focused on innovation, safety, and engineering quality.' Mr Semple will take on the role of chief operating officer, while chief technology officer, Mr Bowie, will continue in the same role in Aurora. Current Aurora chief operating officer, Tom Smith, will take on a new role as regional director for EAME (Europe Africa and Middle East). Aurora Energy Services was set up in 2022 by Doug Duguid and Michael Buchan to help drive the energy transition and now employs more than 275 people. The firm has invested £750,000 into its new Aberdeen property, Ury House in Howe Moss Crescent. It has also renamed the building, which is home to its integrated services division, Aurora House. Aurora is part of the Inverness and Cromarty Firth Green Freeport (ICFGF) consortium after joining last year. It has a large training and competency academy in the capital of the Highlands and also has its own in-house design and fabrication facility at Huntly. The company's global presence includes operations in North and South America as well as Australia.
Scotsman
07-05-2025
- Business
- Scotsman
Asda Inverness presents £1,000 Asda Foundation Grant to Spokes For Folks in celebration of Asda's 60th birthday
In celebration of Asda's 60th Birthday, the Asda Foundation is providing grant funding of over £60,000 to celebrate 'diamond' community groups and charities across the UK. Asda Community and Customer Champions were invited to nominate deserving groups, who will each receive one-off £1,000 grants to support their work and activities Sign up to our daily newsletter – Regular news stories and round-ups from around Scotland direct to your inbox Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... Asda's Charity, Asda Foundation has awarded a £1,000 grant to Inverness-based charity, Spokes For Folks. The grant is part of over £60,000 of funding that will be awarded to community groups across the UK from the Asda Foundation in celebration of Asda's 60th Birthday. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad The volunteer-led charity provides sociable assisted trike and adapted bike rides for the elderly and those with limited mobility. Each ride is piloted by trained volunteers who help break down barriers caused by social isolation and disability – while also promoting the use of green spaces and intergenerational connection within the community. Spokes For Folks Spokes For Folks will use the funding to purchase a specially designed trike from Copenhagen. This new addition will allow the charity to support more people, particularly care home residents, to enjoy scenic views, fresh air and being out in the community with others. Asda Inverness Community Champion Kylie Omand, said: 'The group are delighted with the £1,000 grant from Asda Foundation after we nominated them, in celebration of Asda's 60th Birthday. It is such a heart-warming initiative and it's amazing the places they manage to take people that they otherwise wouldn't get to see. 'I joined them for a ride recently and the trikes are incredible, making for a comfortable and smooth journey for their passengers. I am over the moon that the application was successful and they're able to purchase a new trike!' Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Vonnie Stevenson, Fundraising and Social Media Committee Member, Spokes For Folks, said: 'We are incredibly grateful to Asda Foundation for the funding that's enabled us to add another trike to our fleet. The demand for our service is growing every day. We are currently supporting 30 different clients and groups, so having an extra trike really makes a difference. Spokes For Folks 'With nine trikes now on the go, our pilots are out up to three times a day, Monday to Friday. We're always keen to train up new volunteers and pilots to help us keep things moving!
