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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

Ullapool trans man speaks out against watershed Supreme Court ruling

18 April 2025
Ullapool trans man speaks out against watershed Supreme Court ruling

Ullapool trans man speaks out against watershed Supreme Court ruling

18 April 2025

The man says he is “tired of having my rights discussed over the radio”.


Ullapool’s Betty the sheep shows off her adorable new lamb

18 April 2025
Ullapool’s Betty the sheep shows off her adorable new lamb

Ullapool’s Betty the sheep shows off her adorable new lamb

18 April 2025

Spring has sprung across Ross-shire and brought with it an abundance of fresh faces in fields across the region.


Cromarty teenager chosen as new Inverness Lord Lieutenant’s Cadet

17 April 2025
Cromarty teenager chosen as new Inverness Lord Lieutenant’s Cadet

Cromarty teenager chosen as new Inverness Lord Lieutenant’s Cadet

17 April 2025

A Black Isle girl has been given the “prestigious honour” of being appointed as a Lord Lieutenant’s Cadet


Ullapool Sea Savers say funding boost will ‘make a huge difference’

17 April 2025
Ullapool Sea Savers say funding boost will ‘make a huge difference’

Ullapool Sea Savers say funding boost will ‘make a huge difference’

17 April 2025

Ullapool eco-champions have been awarded funding to continue their marine conservation and education work.


Ullapool photographer captures northern lights dancing above Wester Ross

16 April 2025
Ullapool photographer captures northern lights dancing above Wester Ross

Ullapool photographer captures northern lights dancing above Wester Ross

16 April 2025

A local photographer has captured breath-taking new images of the Northern Lights above Ardmair, near Ullapool.


Highland 3-bed Lochside cottage hits market — for just £160,000

15 April 2025
Highland 3-bed Lochside cottage hits market — for just £160,000

Highland 3-bed Lochside cottage hits market — for just £160,000

15 April 2025

A stone-built Highland 3-bedroom cottage, located on the shores of Loch Broom overlooking Beinn Dearg, has hit the market — for just £160,000.


Locals warn of A832 pothole that ‘could cause serious damage’

14 April 2025
Locals warn of A832 pothole that ‘could cause serious damage’

Locals warn of A832 pothole that ‘could cause serious damage’

14 April 2025

Locals have warned of a mega pothole on the A832 that “could cause serious damage”.


Evanton’s new trishaw is contagiously ‘putting smiles on faces’

13 April 2025
Evanton’s new trishaw is contagiously ‘putting smiles on faces’

Evanton’s new trishaw is contagiously ‘putting smiles on faces’

13 April 2025

An Evanton trishaw project is already contagiously “putting a smile on people’s faces” in the village, with hopes of reducing loneliness.


Best-selling author to host talk at Ullapool Bookshop

11 April 2025
Best-selling author to host talk at Ullapool Bookshop

Best-selling author to host talk at Ullapool Bookshop

11 April 2025

Ullapool Bookshop is set to host a talk from a best-selling author next month.


Best-selling author to host talk at Ullapool Bookshop

11 April 2025
Best-selling author to host talk at Ullapool Bookshop

Best-selling author to host talk at Ullapool Bookshop

11 April 2025

Ullapool Bookshop is set to host a talk from a best-selling author next month.


OPINION: ‘Too many know diddly squat’: Far North line upgrades sparks debate

05 April 2025
OPINION: ‘Too many know diddly squat’: Far North line upgrades sparks debate

OPINION: ‘Too many know diddly squat’: Far North line upgrades sparks debate

05 April 2025

Our readers took to social media to share their thoughts on the planned upgrading works for the rail line north of Dingwall.


Lodges on ‘edge of NC500’ near Dingwall given the green light

05 April 2025
Lodges on ‘edge of NC500’ near Dingwall given the green light

Lodges on ‘edge of NC500’ near Dingwall given the green light

05 April 2025

A proposal for three lodges “on the edge of the NC500”, near Dingwall, have been granted approval by the Highland Council.


How 134,000 cups of tea made Dingwall a cornerstone in WWI

31 March 2025
How 134,000 cups of tea made Dingwall a cornerstone in WWI

How 134,000 cups of tea made Dingwall a cornerstone in WWI

31 March 2025

To celebrate Women’s History Month, Dingwall Museum have shared an interesting piece of history that can be seen in Ross-shire’s county town.


‘Get stuffed, take your wind turbines somewhere else’

29 March 2025
‘Get stuffed, take your wind turbines somewhere else’

‘Get stuffed, take your wind turbines somewhere else’

29 March 2025

Our readers have shared their opinions on news stories from the last week.


Highland 4-bed off-grid coastal cottage hits market — for just £125,000

28 March 2025
Highland 4-bed off-grid coastal cottage hits market — for just £125,000

Highland 4-bed off-grid coastal cottage hits market — for just £125,000

28 March 2025

A traditional off-grid four-bedroom cottage located on the shores of Loch Carron has hit the market — for just £125,000.


A9 collision between van and car near Invergordon sparks police appeal

28 March 2025
A9 collision between van and car near Invergordon sparks police appeal

A9 collision between van and car near Invergordon sparks police appeal

28 March 2025

Police are appealing for information following a collision between a van and a car on the A9 last Sunday (March 23).


Visitor levy ‘will affect everyone, not just tourists’ say Ullapool locals

27 March 2025
Visitor levy ‘will affect everyone, not just tourists’ say Ullapool locals

Visitor levy ‘will affect everyone, not just tourists’ say Ullapool locals

27 March 2025

Our readers have shared their thoughts in a letter to the editor.


Invergordon Academy’s ‘amazing’ pupils secure £3000 for local charity

27 March 2025
Invergordon Academy’s ‘amazing’ pupils secure £3000 for local charity

Invergordon Academy’s ‘amazing’ pupils secure £3000 for local charity

27 March 2025

Three Invergordon Academy pupils have secured £3000 for a local charity, who say the donation “means the world” to them.


Wester Ross shinty club’s 25-mile bed push raises much-needed funds

26 March 2025
Wester Ross shinty club’s 25-mile bed push raises much-needed funds

Wester Ross shinty club’s 25-mile bed push raises much-needed funds

26 March 2025

A Wester Ross sports club have raised much-needed funds after pushing a bed for 25 miles.


Chanonry Point’s plea after reports of toilet waste and overflowing bins

26 March 2025
Chanonry Point’s plea after reports of toilet waste and overflowing bins

Chanonry Point’s plea after reports of toilet waste and overflowing bins

26 March 2025

Chanonry Point, near Rosemarkie on the Black Isle, is a popular scenic point known for its views across the Moray Firth and regular dolphin activity.


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