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Niall Harkiss


Rural communities reporter

Niall Harkiss is our rural communities reporter, mostly covering stories for the Northern Times, Ross-shire Journal and Strathspey and Badenoch Herald titles. An experienced writer and publisher covering sport and community news, Niall joined the company in 2021.

Niall Harkiss

Sutherland amateur match abandoned after 25 minutes at 13-0 after home team are reduced to seven players

24 May 2025
Sutherland amateur match abandoned after 25 minutes at 13-0 after home team are reduced to seven players

Sutherland amateur match abandoned after 25 minutes at 13-0 after home team are reduced to seven players

24 May 2025

The visitors had raced into a 13-0 lead by the time the game was called off.


Signing of ex-Highland League goalkeeper can be a ‘game changer’ says Bonar Bridge boss Bobby Breen

23 May 2025
Signing of ex-Highland League goalkeeper can be a ‘game changer’ says Bonar Bridge boss Bobby Breen

Signing of ex-Highland League goalkeeper can be a ‘game changer’ says Bonar Bridge boss Bobby Breen

23 May 2025

The ex-Brora Rangers, Clachnacuddin and Strathspey Thistle goalkeeper joins Bonar Bridge ahead of the 2025-26 campaign.


Sutherland lodge ‘light touch’ conservation project earns top architecture accolade

23 May 2025
Sutherland lodge ‘light touch’ conservation project earns top architecture accolade

Sutherland lodge ‘light touch’ conservation project earns top architecture accolade

23 May 2025

Kinloch Lodge near Lairg has earned a prestigious national architecture award.


Alan Murray plays down talk of title contention after ‘relentless’ Melvich net a dozen in league opener

22 May 2025
Alan Murray plays down talk of title contention after ‘relentless’ Melvich net a dozen in league opener

Alan Murray plays down talk of title contention after ‘relentless’ Melvich net a dozen in league opener

22 May 2025

Melvich have emerged as the early pace setters after beating Embo 12-2 on Saturday.


Dornoch football club sets sights on North Caledonian League return amid plans to build new multi-use sports facility at the Meadows

21 May 2025
Dornoch football club sets sights on North Caledonian League return amid plans to build new multi-use sports facility at the Meadows

Dornoch football club sets sights on North Caledonian League return amid plans to build new multi-use sports facility at the Meadows

21 May 2025

A renewed push is under way in Dornoch to bring senior football back to the town for the first time in nearly two decades.


Victory for ‘Beakman’ Kyle Mackenzie in charity boxing debut to raise funds in memory of Ullapool man Stefan Mauger

13 May 2025
Victory for ‘Beakman’ Kyle Mackenzie in charity boxing debut to raise funds in memory of Ullapool man Stefan Mauger

Victory for ‘Beakman’ Kyle Mackenzie in charity boxing debut to raise funds in memory of Ullapool man Stefan Mauger

13 May 2025

An Ullapool footballer now living in Inverness swapped his boots for boxing gloves last weekend.


Bunillidh Sports Club dominates in Sutherland pool competitions

12 May 2025
Bunillidh Sports Club dominates in Sutherland pool competitions

Bunillidh Sports Club dominates in Sutherland pool competitions

12 May 2025

Bunillidh have capped off a remarkable season in the Sutherland Pool League, clinching a league and fours double.


Tain cats charity launches plea for safe homing of ‘feisty’ feral cat trio

12 May 2025
Tain cats charity launches plea for safe homing of ‘feisty’ feral cat trio

Tain cats charity launches plea for safe homing of ‘feisty’ feral cat trio

12 May 2025

An Easter Ross cat protection charity has issued a heartfelt plea to find a rural home for three young feral kittens.


Highland Council urge Tain community to have say as future of TRACC — and town’s only swimming pool — hangs in the balance

10 May 2025
Highland Council urge Tain community to have say as future of TRACC — and town’s only swimming pool — hangs in the balance

Highland Council urge Tain community to have say as future of TRACC — and town’s only swimming pool — hangs in the balance

10 May 2025

Five options have been put forward to consider regarding the future of TRACC in Tain.


Stafford Cup semi-final wins for Helmsdale United and Golspie Stafford set scene for all-east Sutherland cup final

07 May 2025
Stafford Cup semi-final wins for Helmsdale United and Golspie Stafford set scene for all-east Sutherland cup final

Stafford Cup semi-final wins for Helmsdale United and Golspie Stafford set scene for all-east Sutherland cup final

07 May 2025

Helmsdale United will challenge cup holders Golspie Stafford in this year’s Stafford Cup Final.


Owners ‘delighted’ after Dornoch garden scoops nationwide award for use of natural stone

07 May 2025
Owners ‘delighted’ after Dornoch garden scoops nationwide award for use of natural stone

Owners ‘delighted’ after Dornoch garden scoops nationwide award for use of natural stone

07 May 2025

A Sutherland garden has earned national recognition after taking top prize in the Domestic Landscape category at the Natural Stone Awards.


Police launch witness appeal after 18-year-old man killed in collision involving car and motorcycle near Wick

01 May 2025
Police launch witness appeal after 18-year-old man killed in collision involving car and motorcycle near Wick

Police launch witness appeal after 18-year-old man killed in collision involving car and motorcycle near Wick

01 May 2025

Police Scotland have launched an appeal for witnesses following a fatal crash near Watten last night.


Lochinver boss Ally Macleod lauds ‘work rate’ of players ahead of Stafford Cup semi-final showdown with Golspie

01 May 2025
Lochinver boss Ally Macleod lauds ‘work rate’ of players ahead of Stafford Cup semi-final showdown with Golspie

Lochinver boss Ally Macleod lauds ‘work rate’ of players ahead of Stafford Cup semi-final showdown with Golspie

01 May 2025

Lochinver, Golspie Stafford and Helmsdale United join Lochbroom in the semi-finals of the Stafford Cup.


Police name 49-year-old Etape Loch Ness cyclist killed in collision with BMW

30 April 2025
Police name 49-year-old Etape Loch Ness cyclist killed in collision with BMW

Police name 49-year-old Etape Loch Ness cyclist killed in collision with BMW

30 April 2025

A 49-year-old man who died following a fatal crash on Island Bank Road, Inverness has been named.


Dornoch cricketers show ‘real heart’ to secure historic victory over Ross County 2nd XI in north league debut

29 April 2025
Dornoch cricketers show ‘real heart’ to secure historic victory over Ross County 2nd XI in north league debut

Dornoch cricketers show ‘real heart’ to secure historic victory over Ross County 2nd XI in north league debut

29 April 2025

Dornoch Cricket Club made a winning return to competitive league cricket on Sunday with a 31-run victory over Ross County 2nd XI at Castle Leod.


‘They are there for a reason’ - North-west councillor urges public to respond to BT consultation on proposed removal of 19 phone boxes across Sutherland

28 April 2025
‘They are there for a reason’ - North-west councillor urges public to respond to BT consultation on proposed removal of 19 phone boxes across Sutherland

‘They are there for a reason’ - North-west councillor urges public to respond to BT consultation on proposed removal of 19 phone boxes across Sutherland

28 April 2025

Highland Council is now urging residents to submit comments highlighting the potential impact the closures could have.


Samantha Kane slashes asking price for Carbisdale Castle as ‘iconic’ property returns to market

25 April 2025
Samantha Kane slashes asking price for Carbisdale Castle as ‘iconic’ property returns to market

Samantha Kane slashes asking price for Carbisdale Castle as ‘iconic’ property returns to market

25 April 2025

Carbisdale Castle was returned to the market today — but at a much reduced asking price.


Sutherland councillor’s motion offers hope for survival of Edderton Primary School earmarked for mothballing by Highland Council

25 April 2025
Sutherland councillor’s motion offers hope for survival of Edderton Primary School earmarked for mothballing by Highland Council

Sutherland councillor’s motion offers hope for survival of Edderton Primary School earmarked for mothballing by Highland Council

25 April 2025

Edderton Primary School, which has seen numbers dwindle to just two expected pupils for next year’s term, had been earmarked for closure.


Highland Council announce new partnership with charity Thriving Families to ensure ‘continuity in provision’ of autism information services for Highland parents

25 April 2025
Highland Council announce new partnership with charity Thriving Families to ensure ‘continuity in provision’ of autism information services for Highland parents

Highland Council announce new partnership with charity Thriving Families to ensure ‘continuity in provision’ of autism information services for Highland parents

25 April 2025

Highland Council say information services for parents of children with autism will continue as part of a new project.


Embo coach asks for ‘more of the same’ ahead of Stafford Cup clash with Helmsdale

24 April 2025
Embo coach asks for ‘more of the same’ ahead of Stafford Cup clash with Helmsdale

Embo coach asks for ‘more of the same’ ahead of Stafford Cup clash with Helmsdale

24 April 2025

Embo assistant Leigh Mcaffer has championed the club’s inclusion of young players.


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