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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

Ullapool teenager set for Cyprus sea turtle mission after winning prestigious ocean award

16 June 2025
Ullapool teenager set for Cyprus sea turtle mission after winning prestigious ocean award

Ullapool teenager set for Cyprus sea turtle mission after winning prestigious ocean award

16 June 2025

An Ullapool teenager is among the first recipients of a prestigious ocean advocacy award, after her years of campaigning for a beloved sea creature.


Ullapool Sea Savers ‘massively honoured’ to scoop national award

15 June 2025
Ullapool Sea Savers ‘massively honoured’ to scoop national award

Ullapool Sea Savers ‘massively honoured’ to scoop national award

15 June 2025

A youth-led Ullapool environmental group are “massively honoured” to have scooped a prestigious national award.


Ullapool harbourmaster awarded MBE from the King

15 June 2025
Ullapool harbourmaster awarded MBE from the King

Ullapool harbourmaster awarded MBE from the King

15 June 2025

Ullapool’s stalwart harbourmaster, behind multiple initiatives to enhance the village, has been awarded with an MBE from the King.


‘Strong bond’ remains after Strathpeffer reunion of Ross and Sutherland constabulary

15 June 2025
‘Strong bond’ remains after Strathpeffer reunion of Ross and Sutherland constabulary

‘Strong bond’ remains after Strathpeffer reunion of Ross and Sutherland constabulary

15 June 2025

A Strathpeffer reunion of the Ross and Sutherland constabulary re-affirmed “the strong bond” that remains between the members.


Ullapool school path’s ‘busy junction eyesore’ remains smashed for two years

12 June 2025
Ullapool school path’s ‘busy junction eyesore’ remains smashed for two years

Ullapool school path’s ‘busy junction eyesore’ remains smashed for two years

12 June 2025

Patience is running thin for locals after an Ullapool “eyesore” at a busy junction adjacent to the high school turned two years old last month.


National treasure spotted sunbathing on Ullapool beach

11 June 2025
National treasure spotted sunbathing on Ullapool beach

National treasure spotted sunbathing on Ullapool beach

11 June 2025

A national treasure has been spotted catching some sun on an Ullapool beach.


Ullapool High School pupils secure £3000 for worthy local cause

11 June 2025
Ullapool High School pupils secure £3000 for worthy local cause

Ullapool High School pupils secure £3000 for worthy local cause

11 June 2025

Three Ullapool youngsters “jumped out of their seats” when they managed to secure £3000 for a worthy local cause.


Raigmore doctor, Kinlochbervie teacher and Achiltibuie author officially become UK citizens

26 May 2025
Raigmore doctor, Kinlochbervie teacher and Achiltibuie author officially become UK citizens

Raigmore doctor, Kinlochbervie teacher and Achiltibuie author officially become UK citizens

26 May 2025

A doctor, teacher and an award-winning author are among the latest people to officially become British citizens.


Journalist Lesley Riddoch to bring Denmark documentary screening to Tain

25 May 2025
Journalist Lesley Riddoch to bring Denmark documentary screening to Tain

Journalist Lesley Riddoch to bring Denmark documentary screening to Tain

25 May 2025

Award-winning journalist, Lesley Riddoch is set to visit Tain with a special screening of “Denmark: The State of Happiness” followed by a Q&A session.


Port of Cromarty Firth warns Highlands cruise levy could cost businesses millions

23 May 2025
Port of Cromarty Firth warns Highlands cruise levy could cost businesses millions

Port of Cromarty Firth warns Highlands cruise levy could cost businesses millions

23 May 2025

The port has warned that the introduction of a cruise levy could have a damaging impact on the economy, potentially costing businesses millions.


Tain post office set to move into phone and vape shop

23 May 2025
Tain post office set to move into phone and vape shop

Tain post office set to move into phone and vape shop

23 May 2025

Post Office said that they “remain confident” that the new branch will continue to “deliver an excellent service”.


Ullapool artist named as finalist for prestigious award

22 May 2025
Ullapool artist named as finalist for prestigious award

Ullapool artist named as finalist for prestigious award

22 May 2025

A young Ullapool artist has been named as a finalist for a prestigious art award.


Celebrity Traitors: 100 coffins seen floating on Loch Glass

21 May 2025
Celebrity Traitors: 100 coffins seen floating on Loch Glass

Celebrity Traitors: 100 coffins seen floating on Loch Glass

21 May 2025

Around 100 coffins have appeared in a loch near Alness, as a part of filming for hit reality TV show The Traitors.


Amazingly rare yet ‘worrying’ creature spotted in Ullapool loch

21 May 2025
Amazingly rare yet ‘worrying’ creature spotted in Ullapool loch

Amazingly rare yet ‘worrying’ creature spotted in Ullapool loch

21 May 2025

An amazingly rare yet “worrying” creature has been spotted in the waters of Loch Broom.


German journeymen help haul 130kg of waste from Ullapool seas

15 May 2025
German journeymen help haul 130kg of waste from Ullapool seas

German journeymen help haul 130kg of waste from Ullapool seas

15 May 2025

Ullapool locals have managed to haul out 130kg of waste from the sea, including a “massive net”, with help from a couple of German journeymen.


Invergordon fire pictures reveal damage blaze caused to Balcas plant

15 May 2025
Invergordon fire pictures reveal damage blaze caused to Balcas plant

Invergordon fire pictures reveal damage blaze caused to Balcas plant

15 May 2025

Nine fire appliances from all over the Highlands have been battling the fire for over 20 hours.


Golf day raises cash for charity in memory of Ullapool lad

15 May 2025
Golf day raises cash for charity in memory of Ullapool lad

Golf day raises cash for charity in memory of Ullapool lad

15 May 2025

Ullapool Rotary’s annual golf day has raised a sum of cash for local good causes, including a donation in memory of a dearly-missed local lad.


Ullapool’s An Talla Solais opens latest art exhibition

11 May 2025
Ullapool’s An Talla Solais opens latest art exhibition

Ullapool’s An Talla Solais opens latest art exhibition

11 May 2025

An award-winning Ullapool artist is set to feature in a new exhibition in the Wester Ross village, alongside a fellow local artist.


Ullapool families to benefit from £87k funding for wellbeing through nature

10 May 2025
Ullapool families to benefit from £87k funding for wellbeing through nature

Ullapool families to benefit from £87k funding for wellbeing through nature

10 May 2025

Families in the Ullapool High School catchment area are set to benefit from £87,000 in funding to support family wellbeing through nature connection.


Screen Machine granted ‘very, very generous’ £500k from Scottish Government

09 May 2025
Screen Machine granted ‘very, very generous’ £500k from Scottish Government

Screen Machine granted ‘very, very generous’ £500k from Scottish Government

09 May 2025

A BELOVED Highland mobile cinema, which has been under threat for the last 18 months, has been granted a “very very generous” £500,000.


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