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Val Sweeney


Senior reporter

Val Sweeney is an award-winning and experienced journalist. Having worked on several newspapers in the north of England in various roles as a reporter and feature writer, she joined the Inverness Courier in 2001.

Worship under canvas - the Inverness church holding services in a tent

17 June 2025
Worship under canvas - the Inverness church holding services in a tent

Worship under canvas - the Inverness church holding services in a tent

17 June 2025

An Inverness church is holding services under canvas as it works towards getting a permanent home.


Voting opens in search to find up-and-coming artist to open main stage at Belladrum Festival

17 June 2025
Voting opens in search to find up-and-coming artist to open main stage at Belladrum Festival

Voting opens in search to find up-and-coming artist to open main stage at Belladrum Festival

17 June 2025

Voting has opened to find the best up-and-coming musical talent from the Highlands and Islands to perform on the main stage at Belladrum Festival.


‘I have gone from singing in the corner to singing in the shopping centre’ - the charity helping people to believe in themselves

15 June 2025
‘I have gone from singing in the corner to singing in the shopping centre’ - the charity helping people to believe in themselves

‘I have gone from singing in the corner to singing in the shopping centre’ - the charity helping people to believe in themselves

15 June 2025

In a corner at Studio 58 - beyond a grand piano, comfy armchairs and various instruments - a group of teenagers are engrossed in a jamming session.


Call for public inquiry into proposed Loch Ness hydro schemes

13 June 2025
Call for public inquiry into proposed Loch Ness hydro schemes

Call for public inquiry into proposed Loch Ness hydro schemes

13 June 2025

A salmon conservation body has called for a public inquiry to look at the impact of proposed pump storage hydro schemes on Loch Ness.


Crowdfunding campaign launched in bid to buy Inverness’s oldest building for community use

12 June 2025
Crowdfunding campaign launched in bid to buy Inverness’s oldest building for community use

Crowdfunding campaign launched in bid to buy Inverness’s oldest building for community use

12 June 2025

Campaigners have launched a crowdfunding campaign in a bid to buy a historic Inverness building for community use.


Controversial Loch Ness hydro plans to go before councillors

11 June 2025
Controversial Loch Ness hydro plans to go before councillors

Controversial Loch Ness hydro plans to go before councillors

11 June 2025

Controversial plans for a green energy project at Loch Ness will go before Highland councillors next week for determination.


School library’s ‘bubble’ provides a cosy space for pupils

07 June 2025
School library’s ‘bubble’ provides a cosy space for pupils

School library’s ‘bubble’ provides a cosy space for pupils

07 June 2025

Pupils at an Inverness primary school have been given a special space where they can retreat with a book.


Acclaimed wildlife filmmaker described as ‘Scotland’s David Attenborough’ to visit Inverness during 30-date tour

05 June 2025
Acclaimed wildlife filmmaker described as ‘Scotland’s David Attenborough’ to visit Inverness during 30-date tour

Acclaimed wildlife filmmaker described as ‘Scotland’s David Attenborough’ to visit Inverness during 30-date tour

05 June 2025

A wildlife filmmaker, dubbed ‘Scotland’s David Attenborough’, will recount some of his adventures when he visits Inverness during a new 30-date tour.


Two-day music event at city centre pub to raise funds for refugees and people in Gaza

05 June 2025
Two-day music event at city centre pub to raise funds for refugees and people in Gaza

Two-day music event at city centre pub to raise funds for refugees and people in Gaza

05 June 2025

A two-day music event at an Inverness city centre pub is set to raise funds for charities supporting people in Gaza and refugees worldwide.


Closing date set for offers on 100-year-old church on market at £20k

04 June 2025
Closing date set for offers on 100-year-old church on market at £20k

Closing date set for offers on 100-year-old church on market at £20k

04 June 2025

A closing has been set for offers for a church in a scenic Highland glen after it was put up for sale at £20,000.


Offers for historic Inverness building drops to £99,500 as price tag slashed by one-third

03 June 2025
Offers for historic Inverness building drops to £99,500 as price tag slashed by one-third

Offers for historic Inverness building drops to £99,500 as price tag slashed by one-third

03 June 2025

The asking price of a historic Inverness building has been reduced by one-third after being placed back on the market about six months ago.


Comedians stand up for mental health charity

02 June 2025
Comedians stand up for mental health charity

Comedians stand up for mental health charity

02 June 2025

Ten nights. Ten venues. Ten different areas. That is the adventure awaiting seven comedians set to go on tour for mental health charity, Mikeysline.


Key role at children’s charity for dad whose son was born 12 weeks early

01 June 2025
Key role at children’s charity for dad whose son was born 12 weeks early

Key role at children’s charity for dad whose son was born 12 weeks early

01 June 2025

A father, whose son was born 12 weeks early, has been appointed business development and fundraising manager of a charity helping Highland children.


Pictures: Finding love online in later life - newly-married Inverness couple say digital dating worked for them

01 June 2025
Pictures: Finding love online in later life - newly-married Inverness couple say digital dating worked for them

Pictures: Finding love online in later life - newly-married Inverness couple say digital dating worked for them

01 June 2025

When well-known Inverness businessman David Dowling joined an online dating agency, a quirky profile caught his attention.


Quest to find best up-and-coming musical talent to open Belladrum’s main stage

27 May 2025
Quest to find best up-and-coming musical talent to open Belladrum’s main stage

Quest to find best up-and-coming musical talent to open Belladrum’s main stage

27 May 2025

As Belladrum prepares to welcome acts such as Texas, Supergrass, Paul Heaton and Tom Walker, the search is on for a winning homegrown talent.


Ancient landmark could be put at risk from controversial substation plans, opponents fear

27 May 2025
Ancient landmark could be put at risk from controversial substation plans, opponents fear

Ancient landmark could be put at risk from controversial substation plans, opponents fear

27 May 2025

Fears have been raised that a landmark dating back 800 years could be put at risk if controversial plans for a substation near Beauly are approved.


Car mechanic drives to Ukrainian front line to deliver Nessie the Nissan and vital aid

25 May 2025
Car mechanic drives to Ukrainian front line to deliver Nessie the Nissan and vital aid

Car mechanic drives to Ukrainian front line to deliver Nessie the Nissan and vital aid

25 May 2025

A Highland car mechanic has given a heartfelt account of a solo journey to deliver a vehicle packed with vital supplies to the front line in Ukraine.


Inverness Boys’ Brigade member is one of first recipients of new King’s Medal

24 May 2025
Inverness Boys’ Brigade member is one of first recipients of new King’s Medal

Inverness Boys’ Brigade member is one of first recipients of new King’s Medal

24 May 2025

A member of the Boys’ Brigade in Inverness has become one of the first recipients of the new King’s Medal, the youth organisation's highest award.


Burial grounds nearing capacity at several locations, report warns

19 May 2025
Burial grounds nearing capacity at several locations, report warns

Burial grounds nearing capacity at several locations, report warns

19 May 2025

Several burial grounds in the Inverness area have less than 10 years current capacity, according to a report to be presented to city councillors.


Experts believe historic Inverness building could be turned into something special, say community buyout campaigners

15 May 2025
Experts believe historic Inverness building could be turned into something special, say community buyout campaigners

Experts believe historic Inverness building could be turned into something special, say community buyout campaigners

15 May 2025

Campaigners trying to save a historic Inverness building for community use say their project is gaining interest from experts.


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