Highland Politics in 2022: A summer of strikes and turmoil saw a Prime Minister leave office in record time but the death UK's longest serving monarch dominated
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It was a mark of just how turbulent 2022 was in public life when the resignation of Boris Johnson as Prime Minister seems such a long time ago – yet he announced his departure just five months ago.
By the start of September Liz Truss was confirmed as the new UK leader within three weeks the disastrous mini-budget put the economy into a tailspin and her card was marked. She announced she too would resign 45 days after becoming PM.
Despite that the year was dominated by the passing of HM Queen Elizabeth who had reigned longer than any other monarch in British history.
In the Highlands three people were shot in an extraordinarily rare example of gun violence that left communities in Dornie and Skye devastated.
So from July to September here are some of the political stories dominating our pages online and in print.
The month started with the Highland's green freeport bid winning Council backing as a potential 'generational' opportunity:
But fears politics could play havoc with the bid abound:
The dualling of the A96 sparks major concerns:
Boris Johnson finally accepts the inevitable and resigns:
The PM will depart but not right away:
The push to become greener picks up a notch:
UK government cash could ease problems on the NC500 tourist route:
A four year delay in developing vehicle recognition technology hampers patients and visitors to Raigmore:
Rare show of unity as a cross-party group politicians back the green freeport bid:
The first wave of strikes hits the country but the north escapes the worst of it:
Mental health is back in the spotlight:
One of the north's most recognisable landmarks hits 40:
One of the most shocking incidents of the year was the the shooting in Wester Ross and Skye:
MP Drew Hendry says between Liz Truss and Rishi Sunak 'each offers their own version of hell' as Ms Truss is elected Tory leaders and PM:
While County Lines continue to have a presence in the north:
Parking fines become a nice little earner for the local authority:
Council workers confirm they will walk out over pay:
The region was rocked in the wake of the shootings:
The end of the Ironworks as one of the sagas of the year draws to a close:
From whistleblower to one of Scotland's leading doctors:
The end of the Ironworks prompts a furious backlash:
The strike by bin workers is set to begin:
No progress on a deal with striking refuse workers:
Residential care hits the headlines as the council is slammed:
The summer of discontent continues:
And even gets worse as posties move to industrial action too:
Red tape impedes Highlanders from hosting Ukrainian fleeing the war:
The first action to tackle the cost of living crisis:
But fears persist despite confidence that the council is in for a challenging time:
Opposition groups in council fear not enough is being done to help those worst off:
Fears begin to mount about the Queen's health:
Later the same day the UK's longest serving monarch dies:
Tributes pour in for Her Majesty:
She was particularly well remembered in the Highlands:
First Minister Nicola Sturgeon issues a heartfelt statement about the Queen:
Not all the reaction to the death of the Queen was well received:
Inverness Cathedral marks the passing of the monarch:
The next day news emerges that the Proclamation of the new King will take place in the Highlands:
The Proclamation is considered a honour for Inverness:
The bank holiday for the Queen is marked across the UK:
But some service shut downs are slammed:
Getting back to business as usual the council ramps up cost of living measures:
Councillors try to get the the local authority to do something about the Ironworks:
And the council administration refuses:
Major cancellation of the Kirking of the Council is cancelled:
Cost of living fears abound but there is little action on the ground:
In happier news, the women's game now has its own Highland home:
The news of the asset transfer prompted an emotional response:
Highland Council's school estate remains a problem:
The Scottish Government's flagship early learning and childcare programme runs into trouble in the Highlands:
And by the end of September it was back to crisis Britain:
