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Iona M.J. MacDonald


Community Reporter

Iona MJ 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

‘Massive relief’ for Ullapool pizza business’ plans for restaurant approved

22 January 2025
‘Massive relief’ for Ullapool pizza business’ plans for restaurant approved

‘Massive relief’ for Ullapool pizza business’ plans for restaurant approved

22 January 2025

Pizza aficionados Oak and Grain’s plan to fire new life into an ageing Ullapool property have proven successful.


Red Squirrel Appreciation Day — and how to protect the adorable rodents

21 January 2025
Red Squirrel Appreciation Day — and how to protect the adorable rodents

Red Squirrel Appreciation Day — and how to protect the adorable rodents

21 January 2025

Lots of Scottish woodlands house some red squirrels but the pine forests and broadleaf woodlands of the Highlands offer some of the best chances.


Only TWO Highland dog fouling fines issued since 2021

12 January 2025
Only TWO Highland dog fouling fines issued since 2021

Only TWO Highland dog fouling fines issued since 2021

12 January 2025

ONLY two fines for dog fouling have been issued since 2021 in the Highlands, prompting local politicians to call out “lazy and selfish” pet owners.


Portmahomack four-bed bungalow hits the market — for nearly £1,000,000

11 January 2025
Portmahomack four-bed bungalow hits the market — for nearly £1,000,000

Portmahomack four-bed bungalow hits the market — for nearly £1,000,000

11 January 2025

A four-bedroom bungalow near Portmahomack has hit the market — and is looking for offers just under £1 million.


Burst water pipe near Ullapool causes supply issues

07 January 2025
Burst water pipe near Ullapool causes supply issues

Burst water pipe near Ullapool causes supply issues

07 January 2025

The estimated time for completing the repair is 2pm.


CalMac warns of several Ullapool ferry cancellations

07 January 2025
CalMac warns of several Ullapool ferry cancellations

CalMac warns of several Ullapool ferry cancellations

07 January 2025

CalMac has issued yellow, amber and red warnings for the sailings, due to “strong northerly winds and associated sea and swell”.


CalMac announces Ullapool to Stornoway ferry cancellations

06 January 2025
CalMac announces Ullapool to Stornoway ferry cancellations

CalMac announces Ullapool to Stornoway ferry cancellations

06 January 2025

CalMac has announced that multiple ferries between Ullapool and Stornoway are cancelled, or at risk of cancellation.


Boxing Day break-in at village shop prompts police appeal

27 December 2024
Boxing Day break-in at village shop prompts police appeal

Boxing Day break-in at village shop prompts police appeal

27 December 2024

The incident, which occurred in the early hours of December 26, saw a “significant” quantity of alcohol and cigarettes being taken from the shop.


Ullapool’s Christmas Tree Festival has returned with over 40 quirky creations

15 December 2024
Ullapool’s Christmas Tree Festival has returned with over 40 quirky creations

Ullapool’s Christmas Tree Festival has returned with over 40 quirky creations

15 December 2024

Hosted by the Lochbroom and Ullapool Church of Scotland on Mill Street, the event sees entries of extremely creative trees.


Ullapool’s former tourist information centre to become new shop

15 December 2024
Ullapool’s former tourist information centre to become new shop

Ullapool’s former tourist information centre to become new shop

15 December 2024

The shop is due to move into the former VisitScotland tourist information centre on 6 Argyle Street.


Met Office issues ice warning for Highlands and Moray

03 December 2024
Met Office issues ice warning for Highlands and Moray

Met Office issues ice warning for Highlands and Moray

03 December 2024

Beginning at 9pm today until 10am tomorrow, the yellow ice warning covers the whole east coast of Scotland.


Four Highland suicides in eight days: charity says ‘many people need support’

02 December 2024
Four Highland suicides in eight days: charity says ‘many people need support’

Four Highland suicides in eight days: charity says ‘many people need support’

02 December 2024

October saw four Highland suicides over just eight days — proving that Cromarty-based charity James Support Group is needed now more than ever.


UHI Inverness survey campaign raises donation for James Support Group

01 December 2024
UHI Inverness survey campaign raises donation for James Support Group

UHI Inverness survey campaign raises donation for James Support Group

01 December 2024

UHI Inverness has achieved a 96% overall satisfaction rating in its first-term student survey for the second year in a row.


Highland unpaid carers urged to check eligibility for financial support

01 December 2024
Highland unpaid carers urged to check eligibility for financial support

Highland unpaid carers urged to check eligibility for financial support

01 December 2024

Caithness, Sutherland and Ross MSP Maree Todd has urged unpaid carers in Highland to check their eligibility for financial support.


‘It would be horrendous if we closed’: James Support Group faces funding crisis

01 December 2024
‘It would be horrendous if we closed’: James Support Group faces funding crisis

‘It would be horrendous if we closed’: James Support Group faces funding crisis

01 December 2024

The charity says that demand has grown for their services, yet resources and funding has only gotten thinner each year.


MSP calls for VisitScotland to stop closing tourist information centres

30 November 2024
MSP calls for VisitScotland to stop closing tourist information centres

MSP calls for VisitScotland to stop closing tourist information centres

30 November 2024

A Highlands and Islands MSP has contacted Scottish Ministers again calling for a freeze on any more closures of VisitScotland’s iCentres.


Ullapool world-famous creel tree celebrations set to return

28 November 2024
Ullapool world-famous creel tree celebrations set to return

Ullapool world-famous creel tree celebrations set to return

28 November 2024

Almost every business in the Wester Ross village will be open late, with festive delights to share to celebrate the annual lights switch-on.


Tain man (80) says walking football club is ‘what makes me feel happy’

28 November 2024
Tain man (80) says walking football club is ‘what makes me feel happy’

Tain man (80) says walking football club is ‘what makes me feel happy’

28 November 2024

The Saint Duthus Walking Football club began in 2021 — some of the members have shared what brings them to the club each week.


Ullapool cafe up for sale as owners reveal New Zealand plans

26 November 2024
Ullapool cafe up for sale as owners reveal New Zealand plans

Ullapool cafe up for sale as owners reveal New Zealand plans

26 November 2024

An Ullapool cafe is up for sale, looking for offers in the region of £160k, as the owners reveal their New Zealand plans.


How I became an award-winning teenage journalist — and you can too

25 November 2024
How I became an award-winning teenage journalist — and you can too

How I became an award-winning teenage journalist — and you can too

25 November 2024

Our reporter, Iona MacDonald (18) shares how she got a head start in journalism — and how you can too.


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