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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

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.


Invergordon secure back-to-back North Caledonian League titles with six-goal rout of Thurso

22 March 2025
Invergordon secure back-to-back North Caledonian League titles with six-goal rout of Thurso

Invergordon secure back-to-back North Caledonian League titles with six-goal rout of Thurso

22 March 2025

Invergordon completed their defence of the North Caledonian League championship this afternoon with a six-goal rout against Thurso.


UPDATE: A9 reopens at Tain after earlier closure due to collision

22 March 2025
UPDATE: A9 reopens at Tain after earlier closure due to collision

UPDATE: A9 reopens at Tain after earlier closure due to collision

22 March 2025

Traffic Scotland has confirmed the A9 has reopened following an earlier crash near Tain.


Nigg charity seeks public views on move to reclaim ‘ownerless’ Easter Ross village hall for the community

21 March 2025
Nigg charity seeks public views on move to reclaim ‘ownerless’ Easter Ross village hall for the community

Nigg charity seeks public views on move to reclaim ‘ownerless’ Easter Ross village hall for the community

21 March 2025

Nigg Community Hall Steering Group (NCHSG) says it is “making strong progress” as it aims to reclaim the asset for its residents.


Teenage football coach from Tain lands job as manager of amateurs after chest surgery curtailed youth career

19 March 2025
Teenage football coach from Tain lands job as manager of amateurs after chest surgery curtailed youth career

Teenage football coach from Tain lands job as manager of amateurs after chest surgery curtailed youth career

19 March 2025

Alex McDonald was just 16 when he was forced to put sport on hold – but after three years developing his coaching career he is now the man in charge.


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