Latest Planning Applications

IMPORTANT UPDATE – COVID 19 VACCINATION CLINIC FOR 18 TO 39 YEAR OLDS

SATURDAY 3rd JULY 2021

NHS Highland will be bringing the Jabbernaut to the Tain Health Centre car park in Tain on Saturday 3rd July from 10.30am to 4.30pm.

This will be a DROP IN clinic for patients registered at Tain & District Medical Group ONLY in this age category who have not already had their first vaccination.

There will be no invitation letters, so please just turn up on the day. If you already have an appointment for Inverness, you can still attend this drop-in clinic. This is not a practice run clinic so please direct any queries to NHS Inform.

Date of birth ranges for this clinic –Age 40 and over – If you are registered with Tain & District Medical Group and you were born on or before 31.3.1981 you should contact the practice directly on 01862892203 for your first covid vaccination. You should NOT attend this clinic

Age 18- 39 If you are registered with Tain & District Medical Group and you were born born between 1.4.1981 – 31.3.2003 you should have heard from NHS Highland for your vaccine, you can attend an appointment in Inverness OR this drop-in clinic on 3.7.21

Age 18 and under. If you are registered with Tain & District Medical Group and you were born on or after 1.4.2003 you should NOT attend this clinic. We are awaiting information on what happens for people newly turning 18 since 1st April.

New Defibrillator At Balintore Chemist

The new defibrillator kindly donated by Keiran’s Legacy has now been fitted outside the Right Medicine Pharmacy, 2 Hugh Street, Balintore, IV20 1UJ.

We would like to thank Sangster Electrical Ltd for helping with the installation.

We will be undertaking training on this soon with the help of the donating charity, so please let us know if you want to take part.

A defibrillator could save a life. Make sure you know where it is and how to use it in an emergency.

The second village defibrillator is at the Seaboard Memorial Hall, East St, Balintore, Tain IV20 1UA

Balintore Chemist Defibrillator

The new defibrillator should be fitted at the Balintore chemist very soon. We will keep you up to date with this.

Read the article in the Ross-shire Journal here:

THE legacy of a mountain-biking mad teenager who was tragically killed after being involved in a collision with a car lives on in the Seaboard villages of Ross-shire thanks to a heartfelt gift….

Highland Vaccination Progess Update

NHS Highland have vaccinated 77.4% of over 16 year olds with their first dose, compared to a Scottish average of 76.9%. You can view progress on the national vaccination programme here.

It is their aim to invite 30-39 for their first vaccine in June and they aim to have 18-29 invited for their first vaccine in July. Appointment letters will be sent within the next few weeks.

People invited by letter (blue envelope) are being called via the national system. If they are unable to make this appointment they should let us know as soon as possible by contacting the national helpline number on 0800 038 8013.

People should also keep an eye on NHS Highland social media and their GP Practice’s social media for updates.

People aged 18-29 who have registered using the self-service portal may be invited by their GP practice to be vaccinated or, depending on which GP practice they are with, may receive a blue envelope inviting them to an appointment. In a small number of areas, we are also holding drop-in clinics which will be advertised in the local area as appropriate.

Balintore Post Office To Close

Dozens of Spar stores across Scotland are to close their Post Office counters over the next six months including the Post Office in the SPAR shop in Balintore.

Operator CJ Lang & Son said it was “constantly reviewing” provision in its shops around the country.

The company confirmed that meant 31 stores across Scotland would no longer be able to offer Post Office services.

It said the decision – which comes after 18 months of negotiations – had been “carefully considered” and was due to “industry-wide pressures”.

South of Scotland MSP Colin Smyth said the loss of four offices in Dumfries and Galloway – at Thornhill, Eastriggs, Gretna and Georgetown in Dumfries – was a “blow to the region”.

He urged the Post Office to try to find an “alternative home” for the branches set to close across August and September.

Mr Smyth said the situation was “very concerning” and that a post office in the community was “vital” for many constituents.

A statement from CJ Lang & Son said it would continue to invest to ensure its stores served the communities in which they are based.

However, it said it regularly reviewed the impact of the Post Office counters on its overall store operations.

It said that in order to ensure it could keep the 31 shops involved running it had decided it could no longer offer the service.

“It is unfortunate that we find ourselves in the position of having to change the services we offer over the next six months,” it said.

“This is representative of the industry-wide pressures on retail outlets as we evolve to keep up with changing consumer habits.”

A Post Office spokesman said it was “disappointed” the decision to close the counters which it said was solely CJ Lang’s.

He said post offices played an “important role” for communities and it had worked hard to find a solution to keep them open.

“At certain locations, there are nearby alternative Post Office branches, but we recognise that for some particularly older and disabled people they may not be easily accessible,” he said.

“We will look for replacement solutions both on a temporary or permanent basis for those branches that close.”

Help Save A Life!

Keirans Legacy have kindly donated a brand new defibrillator to the Balintore and Hilton Community Council to replace the old one at the Balintore Chemist. This is in the process of being installed and we will update you all when it is ready to use.

As way of thanks, please nominate Keiran’s Legacy to receive £1000.

Its simple, free and easy to share. Please also ask your friends to nominate.

You can really save a life.

Closing date Sunday 13th June make a difference and nominate today. Info on link closing dates day 13th July.

Nominate here