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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 singer (20) reveals Belladrum gig was ‘best day of my life’

10 September 2024
Tain singer (20) reveals Belladrum gig was ‘best day of my life’

Tain singer (20) reveals Belladrum gig was ‘best day of my life’

10 September 2024

A Tain singer (20) who opened for a renowned 25,000-person music festival has summed up his experience as “the best day of my life”.


PICTURES: Ullapool Angling Competition sees record-breaking number of entrants

08 September 2024
PICTURES: Ullapool Angling Competition sees record-breaking number of entrants

PICTURES: Ullapool Angling Competition sees record-breaking number of entrants

08 September 2024

Ullapool’s biggest community fishing event of the year returned for its 10th anniversary.


‘Do not use this area as a toilet’ plea at Struie Hill beauty spot

06 September 2024
‘Do not use this area as a toilet’ plea at Struie Hill beauty spot

‘Do not use this area as a toilet’ plea at Struie Hill beauty spot

06 September 2024

Highland Council has been forced to erect a new sign at Struie Hill urging people to ‘Bag and Bin’ all waste.


Ullapool paramedic speaks out about ‘life-saving’ importance of the Sandpiper Trust as two local businesses link to fundraise for the charity

06 September 2024
Ullapool paramedic speaks out about ‘life-saving’ importance of the Sandpiper Trust as two local businesses link to fundraise for the charity

Ullapool paramedic speaks out about ‘life-saving’ importance of the Sandpiper Trust as two local businesses link to fundraise for the charity

06 September 2024

The Seafood Shack and Rhidorroch Distillery will donate all profits from a fundraising day to the Sandpiper Trust.


PICTURES: ‘Brilliant weekend’ at one of UK’s most rural music festivals

05 September 2024
PICTURES: ‘Brilliant weekend’ at one of UK’s most rural music festivals

PICTURES: ‘Brilliant weekend’ at one of UK’s most rural music festivals

05 September 2024

The first instalment of one of the most rural music festivals in the UK was a “brilliant weekend” with hopes high of a return next year.


Ullapool Harbour’s £10m Shore Street promenade project scoops major national award

04 September 2024
Ullapool Harbour’s £10m Shore Street promenade project scoops major national award

Ullapool Harbour’s £10m Shore Street promenade project scoops major national award

04 September 2024

Pitted against nineteen other cutting-edge engineering projects, the Ullapool project won the day.


WATCH: What’s it like to volunteer for Highland and Islands Blood Bikes?

01 September 2024
WATCH: What’s it like to volunteer for Highland and Islands Blood Bikes?

WATCH: What’s it like to volunteer for Highland and Islands Blood Bikes?

01 September 2024

The charity, which is entirely run by volunteers and funded by public donations, provides a rapid response service 365 days a year.


Fallen chicks transported 92 miles to rescue centre by ‘crucial volunteer network’

27 August 2024
Fallen chicks transported 92 miles to rescue centre by ‘crucial volunteer network’

Fallen chicks transported 92 miles to rescue centre by ‘crucial volunteer network’

27 August 2024

Getting injured, abandoned and sick wildlife from across the Highlands to a rescue centre in the area is made easier by a network of volunteers.


‘Massive landslide’ across the loch from Eilean Donan Castle

26 August 2024
‘Massive landslide’ across the loch from Eilean Donan Castle

‘Massive landslide’ across the loch from Eilean Donan Castle

26 August 2024

A “massive landslide” has taken place across the loch from major Highland tourist destination Eilean Donan Castle.


Ullapool to see ambitious week-long ‘arts festival’ packed with events

24 August 2024
Ullapool to see ambitious week-long ‘arts festival’ packed with events

Ullapool to see ambitious week-long ‘arts festival’ packed with events

24 August 2024

An Talla Solais Art Week 2024, running from September 6 to 14, will see over 30 different exhibitions, workshops, talks and events.


Tain police warn of ‘possible bogus workmen’

23 August 2024
Tain police warn of ‘possible bogus workmen’

Tain police warn of ‘possible bogus workmen’

23 August 2024

Police Scotland issued a statement on their social media, advising residents to treat door-to-door traders with caution.


WATCH: Motorcyclist and dog turn heads on visit to Ullapool

14 August 2024
WATCH: Motorcyclist and dog turn heads on visit to Ullapool

WATCH: Motorcyclist and dog turn heads on visit to Ullapool

14 August 2024

The NC500 hotspot of Ullapool saw a “new” type of tourist pay a visit to the Wester Ross village.


‘We’re going to need more space!’ - Ullapool exhibition filled with ‘exciting and inspiring’ artwork

11 August 2024
‘We’re going to need more space!’ - Ullapool exhibition filled with ‘exciting and inspiring’ artwork

‘We’re going to need more space!’ - Ullapool exhibition filled with ‘exciting and inspiring’ artwork

11 August 2024

An Ullapool art gallery’s highly-anticipated annual exhibition was ‘overwhelmed’ with the number and quality of artworks submitted this year.


Ullapool ‘Overnight Stay Bays’ spark concerns around ‘totally unhygienic’ overflowing bins

11 August 2024
Ullapool ‘Overnight Stay Bays’ spark concerns around ‘totally unhygienic’ overflowing bins

Ullapool ‘Overnight Stay Bays’ spark concerns around ‘totally unhygienic’ overflowing bins

11 August 2024

Ullapool locals have raised concerns over the “totally unhygienic” and potentially “hazardous” bins which are facing increasing pressure.


Achnasheen to Lochcarron road sees new mystery midge warning sign

09 August 2024
Achnasheen to Lochcarron road sees new mystery midge warning sign

Achnasheen to Lochcarron road sees new mystery midge warning sign

09 August 2024

An NC500 road has seen a new mystery warning sign pop-up for a local menace.


Nearly 60% of Ullapool High School S6 secure five Highers

08 August 2024
Nearly 60% of Ullapool High School S6 secure five Highers

Nearly 60% of Ullapool High School S6 secure five Highers

08 August 2024

Around 145,000 pupils across Scotland received their high school exam results on August 6 from the Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA).


11 locals went ‘out of their way’ to help family after A9 breakdown

07 August 2024
11 locals went ‘out of their way’ to help family after A9 breakdown

11 locals went ‘out of their way’ to help family after A9 breakdown

07 August 2024

11 locals stopped to help a woman after late night car breakdown, meaning the difficult situation “didn’t feel as bad, knowing that people cared”.


Highland ‘hidden gem’ bar best known for hosting Billy Connolly and The Proclaimers, now up for sale

06 August 2024
Highland ‘hidden gem’ bar best known for hosting Billy Connolly and The Proclaimers, now up for sale

Highland ‘hidden gem’ bar best known for hosting Billy Connolly and The Proclaimers, now up for sale

06 August 2024

The iconic bar in the Highland Capital is now listed for sale


Ullapool teenager (17) paves the way for change in new BBC documentary

30 July 2024
Ullapool teenager (17) paves the way for change in new BBC documentary

Ullapool teenager (17) paves the way for change in new BBC documentary

30 July 2024

Nuala has always had to fight for the support she needs as an autistic person — so now she is paving the way for change in a new TV documentary.


Muir of Ord woman dedicates final design to granda in BBC competition

30 July 2024
Muir of Ord woman dedicates final design to granda in BBC competition

Muir of Ord woman dedicates final design to granda in BBC competition

30 July 2024

A Muir of Ord woman in the finals of BBC One series, The Great British Sewing Bee, dedicated her final fashion design to her granda.


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