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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

Gairloch youth work volunteer retires after 17 years

18 June 2025
Gairloch youth work volunteer retires after 17 years

Gairloch youth work volunteer retires after 17 years

18 June 2025

A Gairloch man has been thanked for his 17 years of service to the village’s young people, as he retires from voluntary youth work.


‘Kindness’ from Ardross Ark and The Traitors fulfil ‘final farewell’ wishes

18 June 2025
‘Kindness’ from Ardross Ark and The Traitors fulfil ‘final farewell’ wishes

‘Kindness’ from Ardross Ark and The Traitors fulfil ‘final farewell’ wishes

18 June 2025

“Understanding” from a local church and the team behind a hit reality TV show have made it possible for an Ardross family’s wishes to fulfilled.


£33m Highland video camera rollout to give police ‘more confidence’

17 June 2025
£33m Highland video camera rollout to give police ‘more confidence’

£33m Highland video camera rollout to give police ‘more confidence’

17 June 2025

The £33 million video camera rollout to Highland police officers will allow cops to “have more confidence in how they act”.


A9 crash between Tain and Alness causes road restrictions

17 June 2025
A9 crash between Tain and Alness causes road restrictions

A9 crash between Tain and Alness causes road restrictions

17 June 2025

A crash on the A9 between Tain and Alness has caused the road to be restricted in both directions.


Highland police to ‘feel more safe’ with new video cameras

17 June 2025
Highland police to ‘feel more safe’ with new video cameras

Highland police to ‘feel more safe’ with new video cameras

17 June 2025

Today (June 17), Police Scotland has rolled out body worn cameras to around 400 officers across the region.


Woodzstock organisers ‘immensely proud’ as final festival comes to an end

16 June 2025
Woodzstock organisers ‘immensely proud’ as final festival comes to an end

Woodzstock organisers ‘immensely proud’ as final festival comes to an end

16 June 2025

Organisers of the final rendition of the Black Isle’s Woodzstock music festival say they are “immensely proud” of what they have achieved.


Ullapool teenager set for Cyprus sea turtle mission after winning prestigious ocean award

16 June 2025
Ullapool teenager set for Cyprus sea turtle mission after winning prestigious ocean award

Ullapool teenager set for Cyprus sea turtle mission after winning prestigious ocean award

16 June 2025

An Ullapool teenager is among the first recipients of a prestigious ocean advocacy award, after her years of campaigning for a beloved sea creature.


‘Strong bond’ remains after Strathpeffer reunion of Ross and Sutherland constabulary

15 June 2025
‘Strong bond’ remains after Strathpeffer reunion of Ross and Sutherland constabulary

‘Strong bond’ remains after Strathpeffer reunion of Ross and Sutherland constabulary

15 June 2025

A Strathpeffer reunion of the Ross and Sutherland constabulary re-affirmed “the strong bond” that remains between the members.


Ullapool Sea Savers ‘massively honoured’ to scoop national award

14 June 2025
Ullapool Sea Savers ‘massively honoured’ to scoop national award

Ullapool Sea Savers ‘massively honoured’ to scoop national award

14 June 2025

A youth-led Ullapool environmental group are “massively honoured” to have scooped a prestigious national award.


Ullapool harbourmaster awarded MBE from the King

13 June 2025
Ullapool harbourmaster awarded MBE from the King

Ullapool harbourmaster awarded MBE from the King

13 June 2025

Ullapool’s stalwart harbourmaster, behind multiple initiatives to enhance the village, has been awarded with an MBE from the King.


Walker on Wester Ross mountain found dead

13 June 2025
Walker on Wester Ross mountain found dead

Walker on Wester Ross mountain found dead

13 June 2025

A walker on a Wester Ross mountain has been found dead, despite efforts from the local mountain rescue team.


Ullapool school path’s ‘busy junction eyesore’ remains smashed for two years

11 June 2025
Ullapool school path’s ‘busy junction eyesore’ remains smashed for two years

Ullapool school path’s ‘busy junction eyesore’ remains smashed for two years

11 June 2025

Patience is running thin for locals after an Ullapool “eyesore” at a busy junction adjacent to the high school turned two years old last month.


National treasure spotted sunbathing on Ullapool beach

11 June 2025
National treasure spotted sunbathing on Ullapool beach

National treasure spotted sunbathing on Ullapool beach

11 June 2025

A national treasure has been spotted catching some sun on an Ullapool beach.


Dingwall Fun Run for St Clement’s saw fantastic turnout

10 June 2025
Dingwall Fun Run for St Clement’s saw fantastic turnout

Dingwall Fun Run for St Clement’s saw fantastic turnout

10 June 2025

The Dingwall community rallied in force last weekend, as a part of a “tireless” fundraising drive for a local school in desperate need of upgrading.


Highland capital to become ‘completely country’ for a good cause

10 June 2025
Highland capital to become ‘completely country’ for a good cause

Highland capital to become ‘completely country’ for a good cause

10 June 2025

Highland capital to become ‘completely country’ for a good cause this summer


Ullapool High School pupils secure £3000 for worthy local cause

10 June 2025
Ullapool High School pupils secure £3000 for worthy local cause

Ullapool High School pupils secure £3000 for worthy local cause

10 June 2025

Three Ullapool youngsters “jumped out of their seats” when they managed to secure £3000 for a worthy local cause.


Highland crash that saw man taken to Raigmore Hospital sparks police appeal

10 June 2025
Highland crash that saw man taken to Raigmore Hospital sparks police appeal

Highland crash that saw man taken to Raigmore Hospital sparks police appeal

10 June 2025

Road Policing officers are appealing for information following a serious crash on the A82, three miles south of Inverness.


Loch Ness RNLI rescue large vessel that had lost power

10 June 2025
Loch Ness RNLI rescue large vessel that had lost power

Loch Ness RNLI rescue large vessel that had lost power

10 June 2025

A Loch Ness rescue service was tasked to respond to a large sailing vessel and small motor cruiser that had lost power, earlier this month.


Fortrose Academy pupil scoops award after ‘huge’ Ukraine fundraiser

09 June 2025
Fortrose Academy pupil scoops award after ‘huge’ Ukraine fundraiser

Fortrose Academy pupil scoops award after ‘huge’ Ukraine fundraiser

09 June 2025

A Fortrose Academy girl, who has been tirelessly fundraising for Ukraine, has scooped a prestigious award for her efforts.


Fortrose Academy pupils set for Athens trip after winning major award

09 June 2025
Fortrose Academy pupils set for Athens trip after winning major award

Fortrose Academy pupils set for Athens trip after winning major award

09 June 2025

Fortrose Academy’s team of young entrepreneurs has swept the boards at two top enterprise events.


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