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Iona M.J. MacDonald


Community Reporter

Iona MJ 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

WATCH: Fortrose Academy girls inspired to pursue career in a male-dominated industry

09 February 2025
WATCH: Fortrose Academy girls inspired to pursue career in a male-dominated industry

WATCH: Fortrose Academy girls inspired to pursue career in a male-dominated industry

09 February 2025

A group of young women from Fortrose Academy have been inspired to pursue a career in business, after reaching the finals of a competition.


Fortrose Academy girls to compete in finals of prestigious national competition

06 February 2025
Fortrose Academy girls to compete in finals of prestigious national competition

Fortrose Academy girls to compete in finals of prestigious national competition

06 February 2025

The competition aims to carve out space for women in a heavily male-dominated industry.


Man arrested after ‘spate of thefts’ in Inverness

04 February 2025
Man arrested after ‘spate of thefts’ in Inverness

Man arrested after ‘spate of thefts’ in Inverness

04 February 2025

A man has been arrested following a “spate of thefts and attempted thefts from cars” in the Kinmylies area of Inverness.


Police appeal after sports car ‘narrowly avoided collision’ on A82

04 February 2025
Police appeal after sports car ‘narrowly avoided collision’ on A82

Police appeal after sports car ‘narrowly avoided collision’ on A82

04 February 2025

Reports of careless driving on the A82 involving a green sports car has triggered a police appeal for information.


UPDATE: Glasgow to Inverness trains now ‘running as scheduled’ after vehicle ‘struck bridge’

04 February 2025
UPDATE: Glasgow to Inverness trains now ‘running as scheduled’ after vehicle ‘struck bridge’

UPDATE: Glasgow to Inverness trains now ‘running as scheduled’ after vehicle ‘struck bridge’

04 February 2025

The vehicle, which struck a bridge between Dalwhinnie and Blair Atholl previously caused disruption to train services between Glasgow and Inverness.


Glasgow to Inverness train disruption after vehicle ‘struck bridge’

04 February 2025
Glasgow to Inverness train disruption after vehicle ‘struck bridge’

Glasgow to Inverness train disruption after vehicle ‘struck bridge’

04 February 2025

A vehicle which struck a bridge on the Highland Main Line has caused disruption for train services between Glasgow and Inverness today.


Search for ‘Directors of Fun’ to test out new Inverness bowling alley

04 February 2025
Search for ‘Directors of Fun’ to test out new Inverness bowling alley

Search for ‘Directors of Fun’ to test out new Inverness bowling alley

04 February 2025

Inverness’ new bowling alley has launched a recruitment campaign to find a parent and child to be their 'Directors of Fun'.


Highland Business Women choose RASASH as their charity of the year

29 January 2025
Highland Business Women choose RASASH as their charity of the year

Highland Business Women choose RASASH as their charity of the year

29 January 2025

Established in 2014, Rape and Sexual Abuse Service Highland (RASASH) provides specialised support to those aged 13 and over.


Parklands’ staff choose Mikeysline and Highland Hospice as new charity partnerships

28 January 2025
Parklands’ staff choose Mikeysline and Highland Hospice as new charity partnerships

Parklands’ staff choose Mikeysline and Highland Hospice as new charity partnerships

28 January 2025

Parklands Care Homes’ employees have voted for their two new charity partnerships.


Joiner’s mission to raise funds for potentially life-saving MS treatment

27 January 2025
Joiner’s mission to raise funds for potentially life-saving MS treatment

Joiner’s mission to raise funds for potentially life-saving MS treatment

27 January 2025

Graham has had a “crash course in MS” after his diagnosis last year, and is willing to do “whatever it takes” to raise funds for treatment.


Cromarty apprentice shortlisted for prestigious award

23 January 2025
Cromarty apprentice shortlisted for prestigious award

Cromarty apprentice shortlisted for prestigious award

23 January 2025

Stewart Smith, from Cromarty, has been shortlisted for Lantra Scotland’s Awards for Land-based and Aquaculture Skills (the ALBAS).


Bad Girl Bakery named as best Scottish artisan bakery by The Times

21 January 2025
Bad Girl Bakery named as best Scottish artisan bakery by The Times

Bad Girl Bakery named as best Scottish artisan bakery by The Times

21 January 2025

The Muir of Ord-based business has been commended as a “brilliant” and one of the best Scottish artisan bakeries.


Lifelong RNLI friends reveal why they declined a Buckingham Palace invite

19 January 2025
Lifelong RNLI friends reveal why they declined a Buckingham Palace invite

Lifelong RNLI friends reveal why they declined a Buckingham Palace invite

19 January 2025

Ena Smith and Sheila Paterson, both aged 82, are Black Isle natives who have been good friends ever since their school days.


Black Isle author scoops prestigious Scottish Book Trust award

17 January 2025
Black Isle author scoops prestigious Scottish Book Trust award

Black Isle author scoops prestigious Scottish Book Trust award

17 January 2025

Seaonaidh Charity is a secondary school teacher who works in Inverness. He is originally from Lochbroom but now lives on the Black Isle.


REVEALED: Only TWO Highland dog fouling fines issued since 2021

12 January 2025
REVEALED: Only TWO Highland dog fouling fines issued since 2021

REVEALED: Only TWO Highland dog fouling fines issued since 2021

12 January 2025

The stats emerged following our Freedom of Information request.


Illuminated charity tractor run sees ‘fabulous turnout’

05 January 2025
Illuminated charity tractor run sees ‘fabulous turnout’

Illuminated charity tractor run sees ‘fabulous turnout’

05 January 2025

The Illuminated Christmas Charity Tractor Run is organised by Rotary Clubs of Inverness Riverside and Dingwall alongside the InverRoss Young Farmers.


Cromarty shop for sale as owners decide to ‘concentrate on family’

04 January 2025
Cromarty shop for sale as owners decide to ‘concentrate on family’

Cromarty shop for sale as owners decide to ‘concentrate on family’

04 January 2025

A much-loved gift shop in the heart of Cromarty is up for sale, as the owners make the decision to “concentrate on family life”.


PICTURES: Tore A9 flooding amid Highland Hogmanay travel chaos

31 December 2024
PICTURES: Tore A9 flooding amid Highland Hogmanay travel chaos

PICTURES: Tore A9 flooding amid Highland Hogmanay travel chaos

31 December 2024

Flooding at Tore on the A9 is one of many Highland locations facing adverse weather today (December 31).


Fortrose to Avoch A832 landslide sees police turning back motorists

31 December 2024
Fortrose to Avoch A832 landslide sees police turning back motorists

Fortrose to Avoch A832 landslide sees police turning back motorists

31 December 2024

According to eyewitnesses, heavy rain, a landslide and tree caused the road to be blocked on the morning of December 31, since approximately 8.30am.


Cromarty teenager shares experience of losing cousin to suicide

27 December 2024
Cromarty teenager shares experience of losing cousin to suicide

Cromarty teenager shares experience of losing cousin to suicide

27 December 2024

Orlagh MacIver, has opened up alongside her mum Sarah in a new Mikeysline podcast titled Speaking of Suicide.


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