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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.

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.


1940s music and quiz mark 80th anniversary of VE Day

14 May 2025
1940s music and quiz mark 80th anniversary of VE Day

1940s music and quiz mark 80th anniversary of VE Day

14 May 2025

Music from the 1940s evoked the wartime spirit for guests at a tea party to mark the 80th anniversary of Victory in Europe (VE) Day.


Which celebrities will be banished to the Traitors castle for spin-off of TV reality programme filmed in Highlands?

13 May 2025
Which celebrities will be banished to the Traitors castle for spin-off of TV reality programme filmed in Highlands?

Which celebrities will be banished to the Traitors castle for spin-off of TV reality programme filmed in Highlands?

13 May 2025

The all-star cast taking part in the inaugural Celebrity Traitors TV series - filmed in the Highlands - has been revealed.


Opinion shifting to accept need for short term let control zone, says councillor

13 May 2025
Opinion shifting to accept need for short term let control zone, says councillor

Opinion shifting to accept need for short term let control zone, says councillor

13 May 2025

Opinion is shifting in favour of introducing rules to limit Airbnb-style holiday accommodation in Inverness, according to a city councillor.


March calling for peace in Gaza to be held in Inverness

07 May 2025
March calling for peace in Gaza to be held in Inverness

March calling for peace in Gaza to be held in Inverness

07 May 2025

Campaigners are preparing to take to the streets of Inverness city centre to call for peace in Gaza.


Large transformers for controversial substation project could be transported through Black Isle village

05 May 2025
Large transformers for controversial substation project could be transported through Black Isle village

Large transformers for controversial substation project could be transported through Black Isle village

05 May 2025

Community leaders in a Black Isle village have discovered equipment for a proposed massive substation could be transported through their area.


Fears and divided opinions in community as it considers the impact of massive substation plan

03 May 2025
Fears and divided opinions in community as it considers the impact of massive substation plan

Fears and divided opinions in community as it considers the impact of massive substation plan

03 May 2025

As tourists flock to Beauly enoying the warm weather and visiting places such as the Priory, it is not only the temperature which is on the rise.


Deadline approaches to submit responses to SSEN Transmission’s Fanellan substation planning application near Beauly

02 May 2025
Deadline approaches to submit responses to SSEN Transmission’s Fanellan substation planning application near Beauly

Deadline approaches to submit responses to SSEN Transmission’s Fanellan substation planning application near Beauly

02 May 2025

The deadline approaching for individuals to submit responses to the planning application for the Fanellan 400kV substation project near Beauly.


Black Isle community choir to be joined by more than 100 singers from across the UK at Inverness concert

02 May 2025
Black Isle community choir to be joined by more than 100 singers from across the UK at Inverness concert

Black Isle community choir to be joined by more than 100 singers from across the UK at Inverness concert

02 May 2025

More than 100 singers from across the UK will join a Black Isle community choir for a concert at Inverness Cathedral later this month.


Councillors to be briefed on rise of Airbnb-type accommodation

01 May 2025
Councillors to be briefed on rise of Airbnb-type accommodation

Councillors to be briefed on rise of Airbnb-type accommodation

01 May 2025

Fears that growing numbers of short-term let properties are adding to the housing crisis will be discussed by Inverness councillors next month.


New drop-in service aims to offer hope and help to families with children with complex needs

01 May 2025
New drop-in service aims to offer hope and help to families with children with complex needs

New drop-in service aims to offer hope and help to families with children with complex needs

01 May 2025

A new drop-in hub has been launched in Inverness to offer support to Highland families caring for children and young adults with complex needs.


80th anniversary of VE Day to be marked by service of remembrance

30 April 2025
80th anniversary of VE Day to be marked by service of remembrance

80th anniversary of VE Day to be marked by service of remembrance

30 April 2025

A service of remembrance will be among the events taking place in Inverness to mark the 80th anniversary of Victory in Europe (VE) Day.


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