Steven McKenzie

Scotland Highlands and Islands Reporter at BBC

News and analysis from the Highlands and Islands from BBC Scotland. Updated by Steven McKenzie, BBC online reporter.

Articles

Savage preferred bidder to buy Inverness Caley Jags

2 weeks ago | bbc.com | Steven McKenzie

Steven McKenzieBBC Scotland Highlands and Islands reporterBusinessman Alan Savage has been appointed preferred bidder to takeover Inverness Caledonian Thistle. The club was placed into administration last October after running up large debts. The administrators warned earlier this month that the Caley Jags were at "significant risk" after an unsuccessful attempt to find a new owner.
Fewest avalanches recorded in Scotland in almost 40 years

2 weeks ago | bbc.com | Steven McKenzie

Fewest avalanches recorded in almost 40 yearsSteven McKenzieBBC Scotland Highlands and Islands reporterSAIS LochaberLochaber's Grey Corries in a picture taken in early April from Aonach BeagScotland's latest avalanche season has been wound up after recording the lowest number of snow slides in its almost 40-year history. Six mountain areas - Lochaber, Glen Coe, Creag Meagaidh, Torridon and Northern and Southern Cairngorms - are monitored for avalanche risk from between mid-December to mid-April.
Housebuilding could unearth Battle of Culloden relics

2 weeks ago | bbc.com | Steven McKenzie

Housebuilding could unearth Culloden battle relicsSteven McKenzieBBC Scotland Highlands and Islands reporterGetty ImagesBonnie Prince Charlie's Jacobite army was defeated at Culloden in 1746Archaeologists suggest artefacts connected to the 279-year-old Battle of Culloden could be unearthed during construction of up to 400 new homes in Inverness.
Glencoe Mountain ski resort to keep making snow until May

3 weeks ago | bbc.com | Steven McKenzie

Ski resort to keep making artificial snow until May Steven McKenzieBBC Scotland Highlands and Islands reporterBenjamin BarendrechtThe landscape around Glencoe Mountain's ski slope is empty of natural snow One of Scotland's mountain ski resorts is to keep artificially producing snow until May. Andy Meldrum, managing director of Glencoe Mountain, said it had been a poor winter in terms of natural snowfall. The site started manufacturing snow in November and has kept it topped up since then.
Why there are protests over a £6.8m estate sale

3 weeks ago | bbc.com | Steven McKenzie

Why there are protests over a £6.8m estate saleSteven McKenzieBBC Scotland Highlands and Islands reporterMagnus GrahamYoung people took part in a protest in Armadale on SundayOne of the largest estates on the Isle of Skye has been put up for sale for offers over almost £6.8m. South Sleat Estate involves 20,000 acres of land - much of the island's southern Sleat peninsula. Its ruined Armadale Castle is to be offered for sale in the summer.
Inverness honey firm fears over house plan bee disturbance

3 weeks ago | bbc.com | Steven McKenzie

Honey firm fears impact of new homes on queen beesSteven McKenzieBBC Scotland Highlands and Islands reporterGetty ImagesThe Loch Ness Honey Company has more than 100 honey-producing hivesA Highland honey business has raised concerns about how plans for up to 400 new homes on nearby land could affect queen bees. Mark Card set up Loch Ness Honey Company 10 years ago, but said it was only over the last three years that farm and woodland at Milton of Culloden, Inverness, had been zoned for housing.
Work for Vulcan submarine reactor test site until 'at least 2027'

4 weeks ago | bbc.com | Steven McKenzie

Work for sub reactor test site until 'at least 2027'Steven McKenzieBBC Scotland Highlands and Islands reporterGetty ImagesVulcan has provided data for the running of seven different classes of Royal Navy submarineA nuclear submarine reactor test site is to remain operational in the north of Scotland until at least 2027, Defence Minister Maria Eagle has said. It was used for prototype testing of nuclear propulsion plants for more than 50 years, before the last reactor was shut down in 2015.
Film-maker fell like a 'rag doll' down Skye mountainside

4 weeks ago | bbc.com | Steven McKenzie

Film-maker fell like a 'rag doll' down mountainsideSteven McKenzieBBC Scotland Highlands and Islands reporterErik KrasovskisErik Krasovskis is a film-maker based in WorcesterA film-maker has said he is lucky to be alive after tumbling 35m (115ft) down a rocky mountainside on Skye's Cuillin Ridge. Worcester-based Erik Krasovskis fell near the peak Sgùrr nan Eag last Wednesday.
Police examine item found at quarry

1 month ago | bbc.com | Steven McKenzie

Police examine item found at 1976 murder probe quarrySteven McKenzieBBC Scotland Highlands and Islands reporterRenee MacRae familyThe bodies of Andrew and his mum Renee have never been foundPolice are examining an item found near a quarry which has been at the centre of investigations into the murders of a mother and son almost 50 years ago.
Inverness Caledonian Thistle need new and smaller home, says Alan Savage

1 month ago | bbc.com | Chris MacLennan |Steven McKenzie

Chris MacLennan & Steven McKenzieBBC Scotland NewsTrouble-hit Inverness Caledonian Thistle (ICT) should move to a new, smaller stadium to help it survive, according to former chairman Alan Savage. The businessman has provided hundreds of thousands of pounds since last summer to keep the League 1 football club afloat. Mr Savage said 7,512-capacity Caledonian Stadium, which was opened in 1996 and upgraded in 2004, was too big and costly to run.