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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

‘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.


PICTURES: 5 fascinating objects you can see on display at Tain Museum as part of its 2025 exhibits

30 March 2025
PICTURES: 5 fascinating objects you can see on display at Tain Museum as part of its 2025 exhibits

PICTURES: 5 fascinating objects you can see on display at Tain Museum as part of its 2025 exhibits

30 March 2025

Tain & District Museum opens its doors to the local community and far beyond for its 2025 season on Tuesday.


Young people invited to apply for ‘unique and important’ role of Highland Youth Convener with Highland Council

30 March 2025
Young people invited to apply for ‘unique and important’ role of Highland Youth Convener with Highland Council

Young people invited to apply for ‘unique and important’ role of Highland Youth Convener with Highland Council

30 March 2025

The region’s new Youth Convener will attend meetings of Highland Council’s education committee.


‘Mothballing’ of Edderton primary school is ‘death delayed’ for school, says community council chair in letter to councillors and MSPs

29 March 2025
‘Mothballing’ of Edderton primary school is ‘death delayed’ for school, says community council chair in letter to councillors and MSPs

‘Mothballing’ of Edderton primary school is ‘death delayed’ for school, says community council chair in letter to councillors and MSPs

29 March 2025

Community councillors in Edderton say they feel “railroaded” after learning that staff and parents were told the school would close in July.


Enterprising Portmahomack teenager launches after-school service to help elderly in the village with shopping and food deliveries

28 March 2025
Enterprising Portmahomack teenager launches after-school service to help elderly in the village with shopping and food deliveries

Enterprising Portmahomack teenager launches after-school service to help elderly in the village with shopping and food deliveries

28 March 2025

An enterprising teenager from Portmahomack hopes his new after-school delivery service can help those who “find it hard to get out the house”.


Registrations for 77-mile Bridge to Bridge Highland Cycle open tomorrow as four ‘fantastic’ charities are revealed for 2025

27 March 2025
Registrations for 77-mile Bridge to Bridge Highland Cycle open tomorrow as four ‘fantastic’ charities are revealed for 2025

Registrations for 77-mile Bridge to Bridge Highland Cycle open tomorrow as four ‘fantastic’ charities are revealed for 2025

27 March 2025

Registration for this year’s event opens tomorrow, Friday March 28 just under six months ahead of the event date of Saturday, September 13.


Police thank public for assistance in tracing missing Inverness man (35) who has been found ‘safe and well’

27 March 2025
Police thank public for assistance in tracing missing Inverness man (35) who has been found ‘safe and well’

Police thank public for assistance in tracing missing Inverness man (35) who has been found ‘safe and well’

27 March 2025

Officers say the 35-year-old has been traced ‘safe and well’ after appeals to locate him.


‘Limited number’ of one-day tickets for Belladrum Tartan Heart Festival 2025 go on sale alongside day-split artwork reveal

26 March 2025
‘Limited number’ of one-day tickets for Belladrum Tartan Heart Festival 2025 go on sale alongside day-split artwork reveal

‘Limited number’ of one-day tickets for Belladrum Tartan Heart Festival 2025 go on sale alongside day-split artwork reveal

26 March 2025

Organisers of Belladrum Tartan Heart Festival have announced that a limited number of single-day tickets have been made available.


Fyrish Monument could be ‘dwarfed’ say campaigners, as petition launched to oppose 20-turbine windfarm near Evanton

24 March 2025
Fyrish Monument could be ‘dwarfed’ say campaigners, as petition launched to oppose 20-turbine windfarm near Evanton

Fyrish Monument could be ‘dwarfed’ say campaigners, as petition launched to oppose 20-turbine windfarm near Evanton

24 March 2025

The petition has so far amassed over 1500 signatures.


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