Also in the news 8 October 2026

FRANKIE’S Fish and Chip shop in Brae is once again on the shortlist for a national award.

The award-winning eatery is on the shortlist at the 2026 Scottish Fish and Chip awards, being nominated in the “best customer experience” category.

Awards director Warren Paul encouraged people to try their local chippy and support them if they could.

“People are not getting a takeaway as much because everything costs more, much more.

“And the prices of fish, oil, everything are up to crazy levels so it’s a double impact.

“It’s vital that we all support local, so please seek out a finalist near you and try them for yourself.”

The winners will be announced at a ceremony on 9 November.

VICTIMS and witnesses will get an improved local service under changes to local policing, Police Scotland has said.

A new community policing model is being rolled out in the Highlands and Islands, which is said will deliver more dependable appointments and quicker investigations.

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Police Scotland said the approach draws clearer lines around the role of response officers, introduces a community investigations team, and will introduce additional community police officers across the country.

It said areas already operating under the model had reported significant improvements in keeping local policing appointments, which were often cancelled when officers had to respond to emergencies.

Although the new model makes better use of resources, community officers continue to be re-directed to support emergency response and to police events.

OFFSHORE union Unite has hailed a new pay deal for workers employed by EnQuest.

Approximately 70 workers on the operator’s Magnus platform have backed a two-year deal negotiated by Unite.

The agreement will deliver an average increase of nine per cent in the base salary and a substantial average increase in the offshore allowance worth 74 per cent over the period.

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The overall pay lift, which will be backdated to January this year is estimated to be worth on average over £14,000 for workers by the end of the pay agreement in March 2028.

Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: “Unite has secured a significant pay win at EnQuest. It’s the latest example of why we are the leading union for offshore workers.

“We continue to deliver better jobs, pay and conditions for working people in the oil and gas industry.”

JAMIESON & Smith are celebrating the end of wool week by giving away a luxury mattress to one of its regular wool suppliers.

One of the company’s crofter and farmer suppliers will have the chance to win a handmade Vispring Shetland mattress worth more than £8,000, with the winner to be drawn at the end of October.

The mattress is expected to be delivered in time for Christmas.

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Jamieson & Smith said the raffle was a way for them to recognise the hundreds of crofters and farmers who supply the company with Shetland wool each year.

Vispring also uses real Shetland wool in its Shetland range of mattresses.

Further information about the raffle will be announced in the coming weeks.