The Highland Council at the 2011 Black Isle show

Visitors to the Black Isle Show at Muir of Ord on Thursday (4 August) are invited to call into the stand of The Highland Council to access a wide range of advice and information on key services.

The Waste Awareness team will be screening short videos on recycling, giving advice and holding a competition where someone could win a new compost bin worth £150.  Leisure staff will be providing information on the Council’s Highlife membership scheme as well as running a cycling challenge with a range of prizes on offer including a year’s all inclusive High Life membership worth £200.  Advice on health and lifestyle will also be available from the Council’s Health Screening Nurse with free blood pressure and a body analysis checks.
Healthy eating and the use of locally sources meat, fish and vegetables will be promoted by staff from the catering and school meals service who serve 16,000 meals a day to Highland primary and secondary schools. 

For anyone looking to know more about their consumer rights and how to deal confidently with doorstep callers, the Trading Standards team will be on hand to chat to and pass on help.  Community Wardens will be giving details of the Council’s Green Dog Walkers scheme and handing out free poop scoop bags for dog owners.

For people looking to make the most of the great outdoors, free route maps for three iconic long distance routes – the West Highland Way, the Great Glen Way and the Speyside Way, will be handed out by the Countryside Rangers who will also have information on an exciting, soon to open, Great Glen canoe trail.

Also attending will be Business Gateway staff, members from the Highland Archive Service, a team from Road Safety promoting the Pass Plus scheme for new drivers and Social Work staff to answer questions about Self Directed Support. There will also be an opportunity to find out more and have your say on the Inner Moray firth Local Development Plan.

Convener of The Highland Council, Councillor Sandy Park said:  "The Black Isle is a great event that provides the Council with an excellent platform to engage with the public on a wide range of essential services.  We have a corporate stand in a prominent location within the showground and I would encourage those attending the show to pop in and speak with our staff.”

Isobel McCallum, Black Isle Councillor and a past President of the Black Isle Farmers Society added:  “I am delighted that The Highland council are returning with their stand again this year to showcase the initiatives and campaigns the Council is currently running.  They will be joining a wide range of agricultural and non-agricultural stands which ultimately gives The Black Isle Show such a diverse appeal to a wide audience from all over the country.
The Highland Council can be found at stand F94/G107 opposite the bar and restaurant tent.