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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: 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.


UPDATE: Firefighters urge public to ‘stay away’ from wildfires and heavy smoke at Stac Pollaidh

06 April 2025
UPDATE: Firefighters urge public to ‘stay away’ from wildfires and heavy smoke at Stac Pollaidh

UPDATE: Firefighters urge public to ‘stay away’ from wildfires and heavy smoke at Stac Pollaidh

06 April 2025

Firefighters are urging the public to stay away from wildfires after an outbreak at Inverpolly Forest near Stac Pollaidh earlier today.


Wildfires force road closures on A835 in Wester Ross at junctions near Achiltibuie and Badnagyle

06 April 2025
Wildfires force road closures on A835 in Wester Ross at junctions near Achiltibuie and Badnagyle

Wildfires force road closures on A835 in Wester Ross at junctions near Achiltibuie and Badnagyle

06 April 2025

Police Scotland has confirmed that the A835 in Wester Ross is currently closed in two areas due to a wildfire outbreak.


Highland Council approve Invergordon FC plans to build floodlights, stand and fencing required for Scottish FA club license

04 April 2025
Highland Council approve Invergordon FC plans to build floodlights, stand and fencing required for Scottish FA club license

Highland Council approve Invergordon FC plans to build floodlights, stand and fencing required for Scottish FA club license

04 April 2025

The club aims to have the improvements in place by 2026.


Inverness law firm Macleod and MacCallum announce four new associate appointments

03 April 2025
Inverness law firm Macleod and MacCallum announce four new associate appointments

Inverness law firm Macleod and MacCallum announce four new associate appointments

03 April 2025

An Inverness-based solicitor, estate agent and letting agent has announced a range of promotions within its legal team, with four new appointments.


Nominations now open for firms who make a ‘positive difference’ in the Highlands and Islands

02 April 2025
Nominations now open for firms who make a ‘positive difference’ in the Highlands and Islands

Nominations now open for firms who make a ‘positive difference’ in the Highlands and Islands

02 April 2025

Nominations are now open ahead of the Prosper’s annual Highlands and Islands Business Excellence Awards, set to take place this September.


Ullapool athletes’ endurance event tribute to Stefan Mauger in support of young people’s cancer charity

01 April 2025
Ullapool athletes’ endurance event tribute to Stefan Mauger in support of young people’s cancer charity

Ullapool athletes’ endurance event tribute to Stefan Mauger in support of young people’s cancer charity

01 April 2025

Ullapool athletes William Godding and Sam Peukert are raising funds for charity Young Lives vs Cancer in memory of local lad Stefan Mauger.


Rescue helicopter’s ‘lucky’ assist for RNLI Kessock after call out to recover stranded casualties at Rosemarkie

01 April 2025
Rescue helicopter’s ‘lucky’ assist for RNLI Kessock after call out to recover stranded casualties at Rosemarkie

Rescue helicopter’s ‘lucky’ assist for RNLI Kessock after call out to recover stranded casualties at Rosemarkie

01 April 2025

Three casualties had to be winched to safety at Rosemarkie on Saturday after an HM Coastguard callout.


Bingally 400/132kV substation plans submitted to Highland Council as part of proposed Beauly to Denny overhead line upgrade

31 March 2025
Bingally 400/132kV substation plans submitted to Highland Council as part of proposed Beauly to Denny overhead line upgrade

Bingally 400/132kV substation plans submitted to Highland Council as part of proposed Beauly to Denny overhead line upgrade

31 March 2025

Plans have been submitted to Highland Council for the construction of a new SSEN substation at Bingally.


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