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Niall Harkiss


Rural communities reporter

Niall Harkiss is our rural communities reporter, mostly covering stories for the Northern Times, Ross-shire Journal and Strathspey and Badenoch Herald titles. An experienced writer and publisher covering sport and community news, Niall joined the company in 2021.

Niall Harkiss

PICTURES: Easter Ross primary schools going for gold after UNICEF UK silver award for children’s rights work

14 May 2025
PICTURES: Easter Ross primary schools going for gold after UNICEF UK silver award for children’s rights work

PICTURES: Easter Ross primary schools going for gold after UNICEF UK silver award for children’s rights work

14 May 2025

Pupils and staff at Inver Primary and Knockbreck Primary have spent the last two years working towards the accolade.


Victory for ‘Beakman’ Kyle Mackenzie in charity boxing debut to raise funds in memory of Ullapool man Stefan Mauger

13 May 2025
Victory for ‘Beakman’ Kyle Mackenzie in charity boxing debut to raise funds in memory of Ullapool man Stefan Mauger

Victory for ‘Beakman’ Kyle Mackenzie in charity boxing debut to raise funds in memory of Ullapool man Stefan Mauger

13 May 2025

An Ullapool footballer now living in Inverness swapped his boots for boxing gloves last weekend.


Easter Ross cats charity launches plea for safe homing of ‘feisty’ feral cat trio

12 May 2025
Easter Ross cats charity launches plea for safe homing of ‘feisty’ feral cat trio

Easter Ross cats charity launches plea for safe homing of ‘feisty’ feral cat trio

12 May 2025

An Easter Ross cat protection charity has issued a heartfelt plea to find a rural home for three young feral kittens.


Highland Council urge Tain community to have say as future of TRACC — and town’s only swimming pool — hangs in the balance

09 May 2025
Highland Council urge Tain community to have say as future of TRACC — and town’s only swimming pool — hangs in the balance

Highland Council urge Tain community to have say as future of TRACC — and town’s only swimming pool — hangs in the balance

09 May 2025

Five options have been put forward to consider regarding the future of TRACC in Tain.


Portmahomack dry walling firm hail award-winning garden as ‘exemplary model of sustainable design and practice’

08 May 2025
Portmahomack dry walling firm hail award-winning garden as ‘exemplary model of sustainable design and practice’

Portmahomack dry walling firm hail award-winning garden as ‘exemplary model of sustainable design and practice’

08 May 2025

A Sutherland garden has earned national recognition after taking top prize in the Domestic Landscape category at the Natural Stone Awards.


Public consultation planned for Highland Council proposals on future of TRACC leisure facility that could put Tain’s only swimming pool at risk

02 May 2025
Public consultation planned for Highland Council proposals on future of TRACC leisure facility that could put Tain’s only swimming pool at risk

Public consultation planned for Highland Council proposals on future of TRACC leisure facility that could put Tain’s only swimming pool at risk

02 May 2025

A Highland Council review on the future of Tain’s main leisure facility could see the town lose its only swimming pool.


Lochbroom player-boss Ben Bruce says semi-final opportunity ‘means a lot more’ after decision to only enter cups

02 May 2025
Lochbroom player-boss Ben Bruce says semi-final opportunity ‘means a lot more’ after decision to only enter cups

Lochbroom player-boss Ben Bruce says semi-final opportunity ‘means a lot more’ after decision to only enter cups

02 May 2025

Lochbroom will host Helmsdale United in the Stafford Cup semi-final tomorrow.


New Tain 3-18 campus hit by more delays with opening set to extend past start of new school year

02 May 2025
New Tain 3-18 campus hit by more delays with opening set to extend past start of new school year

New Tain 3-18 campus hit by more delays with opening set to extend past start of new school year

02 May 2025

Developers for the new Tain 3-18 campus, Kier Construction, informed stakeholders at a meeting to discuss the progress project on Monday.


PICTURES: Faces of the future stars of the Highland League – and how they finished this season

29 April 2025
PICTURES: Faces of the future stars of the Highland League – and how they finished this season

PICTURES: Faces of the future stars of the Highland League – and how they finished this season

29 April 2025

Teams from across the north division of the Highland League under-18s have completed their campaigns for 2024-25.


‘They are there for a reason’ - North-west councillor urges public to respond to BT consultation on proposed removal of phone boxes across Highlands

28 April 2025
‘They are there for a reason’ - North-west councillor urges public to respond to BT consultation on proposed removal of phone boxes across Highlands

‘They are there for a reason’ - North-west councillor urges public to respond to BT consultation on proposed removal of phone boxes across Highlands

28 April 2025

Highland Council is now urging residents to submit comments highlighting the potential impact the closures could have.


Highland Council urges public to respond to BT consultation on proposed removal of 22 phone boxes across Ross-shire

28 April 2025
Highland Council urges public to respond to BT consultation on proposed removal of 22 phone boxes across Ross-shire

Highland Council urges public to respond to BT consultation on proposed removal of 22 phone boxes across Ross-shire

28 April 2025

Highland Council is now urging residents to submit comments highlighting the potential impact the closures could have.


Councillor’s motion offers hope for survival of Edderton Primary School earmarked for mothballing by Highland Council

25 April 2025
Councillor’s motion offers hope for survival of Edderton Primary School earmarked for mothballing by Highland Council

Councillor’s motion offers hope for survival of Edderton Primary School earmarked for mothballing by Highland Council

25 April 2025

Edderton Primary School, which has seen numbers dwindle to just two expected pupils for next year’s term, had been earmarked for closure.


Highland Council announce new partnership with charity Thriving Families to ensure ‘continuity in provision’ of autism information services for Highland parents

25 April 2025
Highland Council announce new partnership with charity Thriving Families to ensure ‘continuity in provision’ of autism information services for Highland parents

Highland Council announce new partnership with charity Thriving Families to ensure ‘continuity in provision’ of autism information services for Highland parents

25 April 2025

Highland Council say information services for parents of children with autism will continue as part of a new project.


Memorial football match for ‘much-missed legends’ held in Tain

21 April 2025
Memorial football match for ‘much-missed legends’ held in Tain

Memorial football match for ‘much-missed legends’ held in Tain

21 April 2025

Players and supporters, past and present gathered paid tribute to two Tain football stalwarts on Sunday.


Concert in aid of funds for Highland Cathedral repair to welcome 25 strings players from across the north Highlands

21 April 2025
Concert in aid of funds for Highland Cathedral repair to welcome 25 strings players from across the north Highlands

Concert in aid of funds for Highland Cathedral repair to welcome 25 strings players from across the north Highlands

21 April 2025

Dornoch Cathedral will be the setting for an “exceptional” evening of classical music on May 10.


Dornoch antique shop put up for sale for offers around £375k after ‘immensely enjoyable’ 40 years for retiring owners

21 April 2025
Dornoch antique shop put up for sale for offers around £375k after ‘immensely enjoyable’ 40 years for retiring owners

Dornoch antique shop put up for sale for offers around £375k after ‘immensely enjoyable’ 40 years for retiring owners

21 April 2025

An antique shop in Dornoch has hit the market after its owners have decided to retire.


‘Sleepwalking into a heightened wildfire risk’ — Rural organisations warn that muirburn licensing delays could heighten the danger of devastating wildfires

18 April 2025
‘Sleepwalking into a heightened wildfire risk’ — Rural organisations warn that muirburn licensing delays could heighten the danger of devastating wildfires

‘Sleepwalking into a heightened wildfire risk’ — Rural organisations warn that muirburn licensing delays could heighten the danger of devastating wildfires

18 April 2025

Leading rural organisations say muirburn licensing delays could risk exacerbating the growing threat of wildfires across Scotland.


Highland Council assistant chief-exec says ‘alternative ways’ to fund autism information service were offered in bid to prevent closure

14 April 2025
Highland Council assistant chief-exec says ‘alternative ways’ to fund autism information service were offered in bid to prevent closure

Highland Council assistant chief-exec says ‘alternative ways’ to fund autism information service were offered in bid to prevent closure

14 April 2025

Assistant chief-exec Kate Lackie says the local authority had continued to fund the service ‘without fail’ and would have continued to do so.


Could the next Angel di Maria be playing in Easter Ross? European football giants set to host ‘prestigious’ training session in Tain

12 April 2025
Could the next Angel di Maria be playing in Easter Ross? European football giants set to host ‘prestigious’ training session in Tain

Could the next Angel di Maria be playing in Easter Ross? European football giants set to host ‘prestigious’ training session in Tain

12 April 2025

Up and coming footballers in Tain are being asked to register for an opportunity to sample a taste of top-level European training.


‘Families will bear the burden’ – children with autism to miss out after no agreement reached on Highland Council funding

11 April 2025
‘Families will bear the burden’ – children with autism to miss out after no agreement reached on Highland Council funding

‘Families will bear the burden’ – children with autism to miss out after no agreement reached on Highland Council funding

11 April 2025

The National Autistic Society Scotland says its Highland Information Service will be forced to close due to lack of funding.


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