Ross-shire Journal review of the year in front pages: January 2024
January 5
Hillwalker Sarah Bellis hailed as “heroes” the Dundonnell Mountain Rescue team volunteers who clutched her from the jaws of death after a 300m fall from a ridge on An Cabar on the Ben Wyvis massif.
Drifting in and out of consciousness over a 10-hour period after the morning fall in whiteout conditions, she later recalled: “Hypothermia was setting in and I thought this is it for me now, I’ll fall asleep and that’s the end.”
She said she owed her life to the DMRT, adding: “I will never forget that moment when the team reached me.”
Ms Bellis went on to fundraise for the team, which covers a massive swathe of the Highlands including some of the most inaccessible areas in the UK, to repay a massive debt of gratitude.
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January 12
Strictly Inverness contestant Ailsa Campbell, from Conon Bridge, movingly told us how she would be taking part in the popular dance fundraiser in tribute to her parents, Morag and Brian MacLeod, who died within weeks of each other at the start of the pandemic.
Her mum had battled with breast cancer and she said her dad died within weeks of Morag of what she called a broken heart.
It was the third time she had applied to take part and would be the latest in a line of fundraisers for Highland Hospice.
January 19
Muir of Ord employer SGL Carbon cut its workforce by a third in response to a cyclical slump in demand.
A downturn in demand from the wind industry and high stock levels were cited.
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The same front page reflected snow day joy for thousands of pupils as a cold snap forced closure of scores of schools. Our photographer caught up with some of the fun in Invergordon.
And Strathpeffer cyclist Remy de Jong was beaming after taking part in the notorious 24-hour Strathpuffer challenge to raise awareness of a “silent killer” and funds for Mikeysline.
He said he and his wife Marieke had received an amazing welcome since moving to the Highlands from the Netherlands and both had enjoyed support in earlier years during times of poor mental health. He raised over £1000.
January 26
Iconic Ben Wyvis was at the centre of a bid for a new national park which could have seen Dingwall as a gateway town.
A team backing the bid and seeking to gauge public support envisaged a huge swathe of land including Glen Affric be included in line with Scottish Government plans to create a new designation by the end of 2026.
It was hailed by supporters a “once in a generation opportunity” to work with a range of partners to look after the environment
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