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Iona M.J. MacDonald


Trainee Community Reporter

Iona MacDonald is a trainee community reporter. She joined Highland News and Media in 2022. Iona is part of the Community News Project funded by Meta and receiving NCTJ training through Glasgow Clyde College.

Iona M.J. MacDonald

Tain woman (103) reveals secret to long and happy life

16 May 2024
Tain woman (103) reveals secret to long and happy life

Tain woman (103) reveals secret to long and happy life

16 May 2024

Tain woman has shared her secret to a long and happy life, as she celebrates her 103rd birthday with a cherished tradition.


A9 road north of Inverness ‘must not be forgotten’, says MSP

16 May 2024
A9 road north of Inverness ‘must not be forgotten’, says MSP

A9 road north of Inverness ‘must not be forgotten’, says MSP

16 May 2024

MSP Rhoda Grant stated that the A9 road “north of Inverness must not be forgotten”, as she calls for more safety work to be carried out.


Ullapool’s boat-enthusiast festival weekend success inspires rumours of a Lugger Fest 2026

14 May 2024
Ullapool’s boat-enthusiast festival weekend success inspires rumours of a Lugger Fest 2026

Ullapool’s boat-enthusiast festival weekend success inspires rumours of a Lugger Fest 2026

14 May 2024

Ullapool’s new festival for boat enthusiasts proved to be a hit, with rumours of a Lugger Fest 26 already in the pipelines.


Ullapool’s Lugger Fest kicks off after hailing global visitors for festival

10 May 2024
Ullapool’s Lugger Fest kicks off after hailing global visitors for festival

Ullapool’s Lugger Fest kicks off after hailing global visitors for festival

10 May 2024

The first ever instalment of Lugger Fest has kicked off after hailing visitors from across the globe.


American billionaire’s yacht sails into Ullapool ahead of boat festival

08 May 2024
American billionaire’s yacht sails into Ullapool ahead of boat festival

American billionaire’s yacht sails into Ullapool ahead of boat festival

08 May 2024

Billionaire media baron’s superyacht sails into Ullapool ahead of the launch of a brand-new festival for boat enthusiasts.


Edinburgh ‘soap opera shenanigans’ must end

08 May 2024
Edinburgh ‘soap opera shenanigans’ must end

Edinburgh ‘soap opera shenanigans’ must end

08 May 2024

Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross MP Jamie Stone, and LibDem candidate David Green, both made the call to new First Minister John Swinney.


Ullapool parents to get free music workshops for tots and babies

07 May 2024
Ullapool parents to get free music workshops for tots and babies

Ullapool parents to get free music workshops for tots and babies

07 May 2024

Ullapool parents to see new free music workshops for babies and toddlers, led by two renowned local musicians.


13% of Highland children waited over 53 weeks for mental health treatment

07 May 2024
13% of Highland children waited over 53 weeks for mental health treatment

13% of Highland children waited over 53 weeks for mental health treatment

07 May 2024

13% of Highland children waited over a year for mental health treatment after being referred to CAMHS.


Achiltibuie art auction ‘resounding success’ with £20,000 raised

06 May 2024
Achiltibuie art auction ‘resounding success’ with £20,000 raised

Achiltibuie art auction ‘resounding success’ with £20,000 raised

06 May 2024

Coigach Heritage held an online and in-person art auction in a bid to raise funds for a new art instalment in the area, titled Lorg Na Còigich.


Loch Ness Monster spotted on holiday in Invergordon pothole

29 April 2024
Loch Ness Monster spotted on holiday in Invergordon pothole

Loch Ness Monster spotted on holiday in Invergordon pothole

29 April 2024

Nessie has been spotted on holiday in an Invergordon pothole.


Invergordon man writes song about strongman Stoltman brothers - and it’s a heavy metal epic!

23 April 2024
Invergordon man writes song about strongman Stoltman brothers - and it’s a heavy metal epic!

Invergordon man writes song about strongman Stoltman brothers - and it’s a heavy metal epic!

23 April 2024

What would Eurovision make of this banger inspired by Invergordon strongman brothers Tom and Luke Stoltman?


Dead humpback whale appears on shores of Wester Ross after ‘chronic entanglement’

22 April 2024
Dead humpback whale appears on shores of Wester Ross after ‘chronic entanglement’

Dead humpback whale appears on shores of Wester Ross after ‘chronic entanglement’

22 April 2024

Over the weekend (April 20), a fisherman reported seeing a whale washed ashore on the Scoraig peninsula, Wester Ross.


Ullapool to see BEAR Scotland remove mystery gorilla sign

18 April 2024
Ullapool to see BEAR Scotland remove mystery gorilla sign

Ullapool to see BEAR Scotland remove mystery gorilla sign

18 April 2024

NC500 gorilla road sign in Ullapool is set to be taken down by BEAR Scotland as a “non-prescribed sign”.


NC500 hotspot village of Ullapool sees new ‘gorilla’ road sign

17 April 2024
NC500 hotspot village of Ullapool sees new ‘gorilla’ road sign

NC500 hotspot village of Ullapool sees new ‘gorilla’ road sign

17 April 2024

NC500 hotspot village of Ullapool has seen a new sign pop-up for a rather exotic animal.


CalMac warns of ‘reduced capacity’ on Ullapool to Stornoway ferry ‘until further notice’

15 April 2024
CalMac warns of ‘reduced capacity’ on Ullapool to Stornoway ferry ‘until further notice’

CalMac warns of ‘reduced capacity’ on Ullapool to Stornoway ferry ‘until further notice’

15 April 2024

CalMac has warned Ullapool to Stornoway passengers of an issue resulted in reduced capacity on the ferry.


Ullapool woman’s journey to Himalayas to find father she never knew

12 April 2024
Ullapool woman’s journey to Himalayas to find father she never knew

Ullapool woman’s journey to Himalayas to find father she never knew

12 April 2024

Ullapool musician Anne Wood tells the incredible story of a journey from her Highland home to the Himalayas to meet her father for the first time.


Ullapool High School pupils demonstrate ‘impressive’ photography skills in ‘popular’ subject

08 April 2024
Ullapool High School pupils demonstrate ‘impressive’ photography skills in ‘popular’ subject

Ullapool High School pupils demonstrate ‘impressive’ photography skills in ‘popular’ subject

08 April 2024

Budding photographers at a Ross-shire secondary school have been showcasing their talents through a school project.


Ullapool’s new Rhidorroch Distillery bar celebrates Topping Out during construction work

05 April 2024
Ullapool’s new Rhidorroch Distillery bar celebrates Topping Out during construction work

Ullapool’s new Rhidorroch Distillery bar celebrates Topping Out during construction work

05 April 2024

The highly-anticipated new addition to the Wester Ross village has been under construction since the beginning of 2024.


CalMac CEO to step down as board cites ‘real challenges’

03 April 2024
CalMac CEO to step down as board cites ‘real challenges’

CalMac CEO to step down as board cites ‘real challenges’

03 April 2024

CalMac CEO, Robbie Drummond is to step down from his role, with the ferry company citing the “real challenges” faced by island communities.


Invergordon arrival of AIDAdiva ship marks beginning of cruise liner season

03 April 2024
Invergordon arrival of AIDAdiva ship marks beginning of cruise liner season

Invergordon arrival of AIDAdiva ship marks beginning of cruise liner season

03 April 2024

AIDA Cruises’ arrival of the AIDAdiva in port of Invergordon today (April 3) marks the beginning of the highly-anticipated cruise liner season.


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