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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

Caithness woman dedicates award win to late best friend

16 March 2025
Caithness woman dedicates award win to late best friend

Caithness woman dedicates award win to late best friend

16 March 2025

A Caithness woman won Fundraiser of the Year at Highland Heroes for her project in tribute to her late best friend, Julie.


WATCH: Inverness High School ‘delighted’ about award win for well-deserving pupils

15 March 2025
WATCH: Inverness High School ‘delighted’ about award win for well-deserving pupils

WATCH: Inverness High School ‘delighted’ about award win for well-deserving pupils

15 March 2025

The headteacher of Inverness High School was “delighted” to win the School of the Year award at Highland Heroes on behalf of pupils.


WATCH: ‘I want to help make change’ - Cromarty teenager scoops award

15 March 2025
WATCH: ‘I want to help make change’ - Cromarty teenager scoops award

WATCH: ‘I want to help make change’ - Cromarty teenager scoops award

15 March 2025

A Cromarty teenager with a relentless dedication to youth work has scooped a prestigious accolade at this year’s Highland Heroes awards.


How the Highland Council proposes to solve NC500 issues

13 March 2025
How the Highland Council proposes to solve NC500 issues

How the Highland Council proposes to solve NC500 issues

13 March 2025

The problems posed by the Highlands’ 516-mile NC500 route are undeniably tricky – and almost everyone has very strong opinions about it.


10 YEARS OF THE NC500: What impact has it had?

12 March 2025
10 YEARS OF THE NC500: What impact has it had?

10 YEARS OF THE NC500: What impact has it had?

12 March 2025

On one hand, tourism from the NC500 is vital to the Highland economy, but on the other hand, many communities feel they are at breaking point.


Inverness’s new Falcon Square RBS branch prepares to open

12 March 2025
Inverness’s new Falcon Square RBS branch prepares to open

Inverness’s new Falcon Square RBS branch prepares to open

12 March 2025

The branch on the upper floor of the Eastgate Centre closed on February 20 of this year and the Harbour Road branch is set to close on March 14.


Fortrose Academy girls crowned winners of prestigious national competition

12 March 2025
Fortrose Academy girls crowned winners of prestigious national competition

Fortrose Academy girls crowned winners of prestigious national competition

12 March 2025

Four Fortrose girls have been crowned the winners of a prestigious competition, which aims to carve out space for women in a male-dominated industry.


Culloden Academy pupil awarded with diamond hoodie for 1000 hours volunteering

11 March 2025
Culloden Academy pupil awarded with diamond hoodie for 1000 hours volunteering

Culloden Academy pupil awarded with diamond hoodie for 1000 hours volunteering

11 March 2025

A High Life Highland Young Leader from Smithton has become the third person to receive the programme’s top leadership hoodie.


Parkinson’s nurse capacity to double for north Highlands

11 March 2025
Parkinson’s nurse capacity to double for north Highlands

Parkinson’s nurse capacity to double for north Highlands

11 March 2025

The new post has come about through the efforts of local people, who worked with the charity Parkinson’s UK to campaign for more support.


UHI Inverness leased unit to develop new Sustainable Construction Centre

11 March 2025
UHI Inverness leased unit to develop new Sustainable Construction Centre

UHI Inverness leased unit to develop new Sustainable Construction Centre

11 March 2025

A Highland property investment and development company has leased a unit to UHI Inverness to develop a Sustainable Construction Centre on the site.


Inverness Music Festival gets off to ‘wonderful’ start

10 March 2025
Inverness Music Festival gets off to ‘wonderful’ start

Inverness Music Festival gets off to ‘wonderful’ start

10 March 2025

Taking place at the Inverness Methodist Church on Huntly Street, the musical event sees performers compete in a variety of classes.


Inverness Music Festival performers ready to take to the stage this evening

06 March 2025
Inverness Music Festival performers ready to take to the stage this evening

Inverness Music Festival performers ready to take to the stage this evening

06 March 2025

Taking place at the Inverness Methodist Church on Huntly Street, the musical event will see performers compete in a range of classes.


Ullapool and Invergordon to see introduction of cruise ship tax?

28 February 2025
Ullapool and Invergordon to see introduction of cruise ship tax?

Ullapool and Invergordon to see introduction of cruise ship tax?

28 February 2025

The government is seeking views on the proposed levy, which would give local authorities the power to introduce a tax on cruise ships in their area.


Inverness house fire being treated as ‘wilful’

25 February 2025
Inverness house fire being treated as ‘wilful’

Inverness house fire being treated as ‘wilful’

25 February 2025

AN Inverness house fire is being treated as “wilful” by the police.


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.


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