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Iona M.J. MacDonald


Community Reporter

Iona M.J Macdonald joined Highland News and Media aged 16 in 2022, as a trainee community reporter. By 18, Iona won Highlands and Islands Young Journalist of the Year, the Community News Project's Best Campaign Award, featured in the Young Women's Movement 30 Under 30 list and completed her NCTJ diploma in journalism. She is a Wester Ross native, and is passionate about telling the stories that would otherwise go unheard.

Iona M.J. MacDonald

Raigmore doctor, Dornoch teacher and Achiltibuie author officially become UK citizens

26 May 2025
Raigmore doctor, Dornoch teacher and Achiltibuie author officially become UK citizens

Raigmore doctor, Dornoch teacher and Achiltibuie author officially become UK citizens

26 May 2025

A doctor, teacher and an award-winning author are among the latest people to officially become British citizens.


Journalist Lesley Riddoch to bring Denmark documentary screening to Tain

25 May 2025
Journalist Lesley Riddoch to bring Denmark documentary screening to Tain

Journalist Lesley Riddoch to bring Denmark documentary screening to Tain

25 May 2025

Award-winning journalist, Lesley Riddoch is set to visit Tain with a special screening of “Denmark: The State of Happiness” followed by a Q&A session.


Port of Cromarty Firth warns Highlands cruise levy could cost businesses millions

23 May 2025
Port of Cromarty Firth warns Highlands cruise levy could cost businesses millions

Port of Cromarty Firth warns Highlands cruise levy could cost businesses millions

23 May 2025

The port has warned that the introduction of a cruise levy could have a damaging impact on the economy, potentially costing businesses millions.


Tain post office set to move into phone and vape shop

23 May 2025
Tain post office set to move into phone and vape shop

Tain post office set to move into phone and vape shop

23 May 2025

Post Office said that they “remain confident” that the new branch will continue to “deliver an excellent service”.


Ullapool artist named as finalist for prestigious award

22 May 2025
Ullapool artist named as finalist for prestigious award

Ullapool artist named as finalist for prestigious award

22 May 2025

A young Ullapool artist has been named as a finalist for a prestigious art award.


Celebrity Traitors: 100 coffins seen floating on Loch Glass

21 May 2025
Celebrity Traitors: 100 coffins seen floating on Loch Glass

Celebrity Traitors: 100 coffins seen floating on Loch Glass

21 May 2025

Around 100 coffins have appeared in a loch near Alness, as a part of filming for hit reality TV show The Traitors.


Amazingly rare yet ‘worrying’ creature spotted in Ullapool loch

21 May 2025
Amazingly rare yet ‘worrying’ creature spotted in Ullapool loch

Amazingly rare yet ‘worrying’ creature spotted in Ullapool loch

21 May 2025

An amazingly rare yet “worrying” creature has been spotted in the waters of Loch Broom.


German journeymen help haul 130kg of waste from Ullapool seas

15 May 2025
German journeymen help haul 130kg of waste from Ullapool seas

German journeymen help haul 130kg of waste from Ullapool seas

15 May 2025

Ullapool locals have managed to haul out 130kg of waste from the sea, including a “massive net”, with help from a couple of German journeymen.


Invergordon fire pictures reveal damage blaze caused to Balcas plant

15 May 2025
Invergordon fire pictures reveal damage blaze caused to Balcas plant

Invergordon fire pictures reveal damage blaze caused to Balcas plant

15 May 2025

Nine fire appliances from all over the Highlands have been battling the fire for over 20 hours.


Golf day raises cash for charity in memory of Ullapool lad

15 May 2025
Golf day raises cash for charity in memory of Ullapool lad

Golf day raises cash for charity in memory of Ullapool lad

15 May 2025

Ullapool Rotary’s annual golf day has raised a sum of cash for local good causes, including a donation in memory of a dearly-missed local lad.


Ullapool’s An Talla Solais opens latest art exhibition

11 May 2025
Ullapool’s An Talla Solais opens latest art exhibition

Ullapool’s An Talla Solais opens latest art exhibition

11 May 2025

An award-winning Ullapool artist is set to feature in a new exhibition in the Wester Ross village, alongside a fellow local artist.


Ullapool families to benefit from £87k funding for wellbeing through nature

10 May 2025
Ullapool families to benefit from £87k funding for wellbeing through nature

Ullapool families to benefit from £87k funding for wellbeing through nature

10 May 2025

Families in the Ullapool High School catchment area are set to benefit from £87,000 in funding to support family wellbeing through nature connection.


Screen Machine granted ‘very, very generous’ £500k from Scottish Government

09 May 2025
Screen Machine granted ‘very, very generous’ £500k from Scottish Government

Screen Machine granted ‘very, very generous’ £500k from Scottish Government

09 May 2025

A BELOVED Highland mobile cinema, which has been under threat for the last 18 months, has been granted a “very very generous” £500,000.


Dingwall police launch search for Liam Long (29)

06 May 2025
Dingwall police launch search for Liam Long (29)

Dingwall police launch search for Liam Long (29)

06 May 2025

Dingwall police have launched a search for a missing person (29) who has not been seen since April 29.


RASASH shortlisted for Charity of the Year at Scottish Charity Awards

06 May 2025
RASASH shortlisted for Charity of the Year at Scottish Charity Awards

RASASH shortlisted for Charity of the Year at Scottish Charity Awards

06 May 2025

Inverness-based charity, Rape and Sexual Abuse Service Highland (RASASH) has been shortlisted as a finalist for Charity of the Year.


Scene is set for Peat and Diesel’s Black Isle Belter 2025

01 May 2025
Scene is set for Peat and Diesel’s Black Isle Belter 2025

Scene is set for Peat and Diesel’s Black Isle Belter 2025

01 May 2025

The scene is set ahead of the 2nd instalment of the Black Isle Belter festival set to take place this weekend.


Free travel for military, ex-military and cadets on VE Day

30 April 2025
Free travel for military, ex-military and cadets on VE Day

Free travel for military, ex-military and cadets on VE Day

30 April 2025

Stagecoach North Scotland is providing free bus travel on May 8, to serving military, veterans, and cadets across its services.


Ullapool’s Oak and Grain open new pizzeria in former Costcutter building

30 April 2025
Ullapool’s Oak and Grain open new pizzeria in former Costcutter building

Ullapool’s Oak and Grain open new pizzeria in former Costcutter building

30 April 2025

A new Ullapool pizzeria has officially opened for business, after renovating a derelict eyesore into a sleek new eatery.


Inverness to Aberdeen services cancelled after train breakdown

29 April 2025
Inverness to Aberdeen services cancelled after train breakdown

Inverness to Aberdeen services cancelled after train breakdown

29 April 2025

Faults and a broken down train have sparked the cancellation of five services between Aberdeen and Inverness today (April 29).


Highland partnership aims to ‘deliver quality affordable housing’ in region

29 April 2025
Highland partnership aims to ‘deliver quality affordable housing’ in region

Highland partnership aims to ‘deliver quality affordable housing’ in region

29 April 2025

A Highland partnership has announced its aim to “deliver high quality and affordable housing for residents” in a new ten-year strategy for the region.


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