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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

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.


Gairloch Museum to hold Easter Egg painting and nest crafting workshop

01 April 2024
Gairloch Museum to hold Easter Egg painting and nest crafting workshop

Gairloch Museum to hold Easter Egg painting and nest crafting workshop

01 April 2024

Gairloch Museum to hold Easter Egg painting workshop for all the family, this Thursday (April 4).


Tom Stoltman ‘delighted’ to scoop Influencer of the Year award

29 March 2024
Tom Stoltman ‘delighted’ to scoop Influencer of the Year award

Tom Stoltman ‘delighted’ to scoop Influencer of the Year award

29 March 2024

Tom Stoltman “delighted” to scoop award for Influencer of the Year in Sport, citing his heartfelt message to empower autistic people.


West coast offers new motorhome chemical toilet waste disposal for caravans on NC500 route

27 March 2024
West coast offers new motorhome chemical toilet waste disposal for caravans on NC500 route

West coast offers new motorhome chemical toilet waste disposal for caravans on NC500 route

27 March 2024

A new toilet facility has opened at Gairloch beach, in a bid to cope with increasing pressure from tourism with high-quality infrastructure.


Ullapool Bookshop to exclusively launch new book from best-selling author

25 March 2024
Ullapool Bookshop to exclusively launch new book from best-selling author

Ullapool Bookshop to exclusively launch new book from best-selling author

25 March 2024

Ullapool Bookshop is to exclusively launch a new novel from the author with the “fastest-selling" book in its 20 year history.


Greens call for investigation into council's slow net zero progress

24 March 2024
Greens call for investigation into council's slow net zero progress

Greens call for investigation into council's slow net zero progress

24 March 2024

Hundreds have signed petitions asking Highland Council to take action on climate change – but many believe there is not nearly enough being done.


North pupil to represent Caithness, Sutherland and Ross at Scottish Youth Parliament

20 March 2024
North pupil to represent Caithness, Sutherland and Ross at Scottish Youth Parliament

North pupil to represent Caithness, Sutherland and Ross at Scottish Youth Parliament

20 March 2024

Alness Academy pupil, Jamie Dickson, has been chosen to represent Caithness, Sutherland and Ross at the Scottish Youth Parliament.


Screen Machine mobile Highland cinema that visits Sutherland is saved

18 March 2024
Screen Machine mobile Highland cinema that visits Sutherland is saved

Screen Machine mobile Highland cinema that visits Sutherland is saved

18 March 2024

The mobile screen has been a lifeline for far-flung communities and for people who would struggle to make it to Inverness otherwise.


Ullapool Post Office to close with mobile service to take over

14 March 2024
Ullapool Post Office to close with mobile service to take over

Ullapool Post Office to close with mobile service to take over

14 March 2024

Ullapool's Village Hall Post Office is set to close, with a new mobile post office service from Dingwall to replace services.


Ullapool to launch brand-new Ulluminate Festival focussing on arts and culture

13 March 2024
Ullapool to launch brand-new Ulluminate Festival focussing on arts and culture

Ullapool to launch brand-new Ulluminate Festival focussing on arts and culture

13 March 2024

Ullapool is gearing up for the first ever instalment of a brand-new festival, Ulluminate, with tickets now on sale.


ScotRail announces apprenticeship opportunities to 'kick-start careers'

13 March 2024
ScotRail announces apprenticeship opportunities to 'kick-start careers'

ScotRail announces apprenticeship opportunities to 'kick-start careers'

13 March 2024

The new ScotRail apprenticeships have positions available in sectors ranging from engineering and administration to customer service.


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