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Iona M.J. MacDonald


Community Reporter

Iona M.J Macdonald joined Highland News and Media aged 16 in 2022, as a trainee community reporter. By 18, Iona won Highlands and Islands Young Journalist of the Year, the Community News Project's Best Campaign Award, featured in the Young Women's Movement 30 Under 30 list and completed her NCTJ diploma in journalism. She is a Wester Ross native, and is passionate about telling the stories that would otherwise go unheard.

Iona M.J. MacDonald

Endangered seagull caught in fishing hook saved after rescue mission

21 October 2025
Endangered seagull caught in fishing hook saved after rescue mission

Endangered seagull caught in fishing hook saved after rescue mission

21 October 2025

An endangered Golspie bird tangled in a fishing hook and wire has been saved, after a mercy-mission from a skilled wildlife rescue team and vets.


Coigach Half Marathon sees participants from across UK — and even Australia

20 October 2025
Coigach Half Marathon sees participants from across UK — and even Australia

Coigach Half Marathon sees participants from across UK — and even Australia

20 October 2025

The half marathon challenge set within Achiltibuie’s wilderness saw a good turnout from locals and visitors alike.


Lochinver lifeboat rescues crew after vessel runs aground

14 October 2025
Lochinver lifeboat rescues crew after vessel runs aground

Lochinver lifeboat rescues crew after vessel runs aground

14 October 2025

RNLI Lochiver received a Mayday distress call after a vessel ran aground at the entrance to Loch Inver.


New benches installed across Ullapool - but three go missing

14 October 2025
New benches installed across Ullapool - but three go missing

New benches installed across Ullapool - but three go missing

14 October 2025

Ullapool’s public benches, scattered throughout the village’s many beauty spots, have been replaced thanks to funding from the council.


Ullapool woman’s musical journey in Pakistan to ‘explore heritage’ alongside son

13 October 2025
Ullapool woman’s musical journey in Pakistan to ‘explore heritage’ alongside son

Ullapool woman’s musical journey in Pakistan to ‘explore heritage’ alongside son

13 October 2025

An Ullapool woman has journeyed to Pakistan alongside her son to “explore our shared heritage”, to perform her hit music-theatre show.


Portmahomack launch for fascinating Book of Kells tome from renowned medieval scholar

10 October 2025
Portmahomack launch for fascinating Book of Kells tome from renowned medieval scholar

Portmahomack launch for fascinating Book of Kells tome from renowned medieval scholar

10 October 2025

Portmahomack is set to host the launch of a new book this weekend, from an “acclaimed medieval scholar”.


Highland charity expands service’s age bracket amidst donation value doubling-drive

08 October 2025
Highland charity expands service’s age bracket amidst donation value doubling-drive

Highland charity expands service’s age bracket amidst donation value doubling-drive

08 October 2025

A Highland charity has announced that their services are being expanded to 11+, amidst an opportunity for the value of your donations to be doubled.


Man taken to hospital following two-vehicle Tain crash

07 October 2025
Man taken to hospital following two-vehicle Tain crash

Man taken to hospital following two-vehicle Tain crash

07 October 2025

A man has been taken to hospital following a two-vehicle crash at Tain’s Moss Road junction.


Winning the roundtable: Highland teenager shares verdict on The Traitors

06 October 2025
Winning the roundtable: Highland teenager shares verdict on The Traitors

Winning the roundtable: Highland teenager shares verdict on The Traitors

06 October 2025

Journalist Iona MacDonald shares her view of The Traitors after being invited to visit Ardross Castle earlier this year.


Tain Royal Campus opening delayed until February 2026

04 October 2025
Tain Royal Campus opening delayed until February 2026

Tain Royal Campus opening delayed until February 2026

04 October 2025

A trailblazing superschool campus serving a vast swathe of Easter Ross has been hit by further delays and won’t now welcome pupils until 2026.


‘Sad and troubling’: Highlands sees 17% increase in alcohol-specific deaths

25 September 2025
‘Sad and troubling’: Highlands sees 17% increase in alcohol-specific deaths

‘Sad and troubling’: Highlands sees 17% increase in alcohol-specific deaths

25 September 2025

The 17 per cent increase in Highland alcohol-specific deaths have been described as “very sad and troubling” by a local MSP.


Highland Bronze Age discovery to feature in Highland Archaeology Festival

25 September 2025
Highland Bronze Age discovery to feature in Highland Archaeology Festival

Highland Bronze Age discovery to feature in Highland Archaeology Festival

25 September 2025

A Rosemarkie Bronze Age discovery is set to be at the forefront of the Highland Archaeology Festival this weekend.


Highland alcohol-specific deaths rise by 17% despite national decrease

23 September 2025
Highland alcohol-specific deaths rise by 17% despite national decrease

Highland alcohol-specific deaths rise by 17% despite national decrease

23 September 2025

Alcohol-specific deaths in the Highlands have risen by 17 per cent between 2023 and 2024, according to new statistics.


Edderton woman with spine and breast cancer takes on ‘emotional’ head shave

18 September 2025
Edderton woman with spine and breast cancer takes on ‘emotional’ head shave

Edderton woman with spine and breast cancer takes on ‘emotional’ head shave

18 September 2025

A brave Edderton woman with spine and breast cancer has shaved her head for Maggie’s Highland, in hopes helping others.


Ullapool Sea Savers ‘absolutely delighted’ with award shortlisting

16 September 2025
Ullapool Sea Savers ‘absolutely delighted’ with award shortlisting

Ullapool Sea Savers ‘absolutely delighted’ with award shortlisting

16 September 2025

A youth-led Ullapool environmental group are “absolutely delighted” to be shortlisted for a national award.


Ullapool 14-hour vigil for Palestine saw ‘lots of support from visitors’

13 September 2025
Ullapool 14-hour vigil for Palestine saw ‘lots of support from visitors’

Ullapool 14-hour vigil for Palestine saw ‘lots of support from visitors’

13 September 2025

An Ullapool vigil for an “end to violence against Palestinians”, which lasted 14 hours, saw a “good turnout”.


Edderton woman with spine cancer ‘takes back control’ with charity head shave

12 September 2025
Edderton woman with spine cancer ‘takes back control’ with charity head shave

Edderton woman with spine cancer ‘takes back control’ with charity head shave

12 September 2025

A courageous Easter Ross woman is shaving her head for charity, in a bid to “take back control” after being diagnosed with spine and breast cancer.


Mikeysline invite community into hives to mark World Suicide Prevention Day

09 September 2025
Mikeysline invite community into hives to mark World Suicide Prevention Day

Mikeysline invite community into hives to mark World Suicide Prevention Day

09 September 2025

A Highland mental health charity are inviting the community into their hives to mark World Suicide Prevention Day tomorrow (September 10).


Ullapool 14-hour vigil for an ‘end to violence against Palestine’

05 September 2025
Ullapool 14-hour vigil for an ‘end to violence against Palestine’

Ullapool 14-hour vigil for an ‘end to violence against Palestine’

05 September 2025

Ullapool is set to hold a 14-hour vigil for “peace and an end to the violence against the Palestinian people”.


Ullapool harbourmaster says cruise levy has ‘potential to decimate jobs and income’

03 September 2025
Ullapool harbourmaster says cruise levy has ‘potential to decimate jobs and income’

Ullapool harbourmaster says cruise levy has ‘potential to decimate jobs and income’

03 September 2025

Ullapool’s harbourmaster has voiced his dismay over the prospect of a cruise levy, citing “potential to decimate the sector”.


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