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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

Tain’s Phone Store to ‘remove’ vape advertising as post office move date confirmed

23 June 2025
Tain’s Phone Store to ‘remove’ vape advertising as post office move date confirmed

Tain’s Phone Store to ‘remove’ vape advertising as post office move date confirmed

23 June 2025

The moving date for Tain’s controversial new post office location has been confirmed.


Tain Phone Store responds to backlash after Post Office move

20 June 2025
Tain Phone Store responds to backlash after Post Office move

Tain Phone Store responds to backlash after Post Office move

20 June 2025

The owner of Tain’s Phone Store responded to negative backlash, following a controversial decision for the town’s post office.


‘Kindness’ from Ardross Ark and The Traitors fulfil ‘final farewell’ wishes

18 June 2025
‘Kindness’ from Ardross Ark and The Traitors fulfil ‘final farewell’ wishes

‘Kindness’ from Ardross Ark and The Traitors fulfil ‘final farewell’ wishes

18 June 2025

“Understanding” from a local church and the team behind a hit reality TV show have made it possible for an Ardross family’s wishes to fulfilled.


£33m Highland video camera rollout to give police ‘more confidence’

17 June 2025
£33m Highland video camera rollout to give police ‘more confidence’

£33m Highland video camera rollout to give police ‘more confidence’

17 June 2025

The £33 million video camera rollout to Highland police officers will allow cops to “have more confidence in how they act”.


A9 crash between Tain and Alness causes road restrictions

17 June 2025
A9 crash between Tain and Alness causes road restrictions

A9 crash between Tain and Alness causes road restrictions

17 June 2025

A crash on the A9 between Tain and Alness has caused the road to be restricted in both directions.


Highland police to ‘feel more safe’ with new video cameras

17 June 2025
Highland police to ‘feel more safe’ with new video cameras

Highland police to ‘feel more safe’ with new video cameras

17 June 2025

Today (June 17), Police Scotland has rolled out body worn cameras to around 400 officers across the region.


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.


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