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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

Dornoch antique shop put up for sale for offers around £375k after ‘immensely enjoyable’ 40 years for retiring owners

21 April 2025
Dornoch antique shop put up for sale for offers around £375k after ‘immensely enjoyable’ 40 years for retiring owners

Dornoch antique shop put up for sale for offers around £375k after ‘immensely enjoyable’ 40 years for retiring owners

21 April 2025

An antique shop in Dornoch has hit the market after its owners have decided to retire.


Cliffs and beaches of Caithness set to feature in BBC special on Scotland’s coasts this week

19 April 2025
Cliffs and beaches of Caithness set to feature in BBC special on Scotland’s coasts this week

Cliffs and beaches of Caithness set to feature in BBC special on Scotland’s coasts this week

19 April 2025

Caithness is set to feature in a BBC special on Scotland’s coasts which airs later this week.


‘Helmsdale is the best!’ – Booth hails support of village ahead of Highland Amateur Cup opener against Embo

18 April 2025
‘Helmsdale is the best!’ – Booth hails support of village ahead of Highland Amateur Cup opener against Embo

‘Helmsdale is the best!’ – Booth hails support of village ahead of Highland Amateur Cup opener against Embo

18 April 2025

Helmsdale United boss Josh Booth says his young squad can play “without pressure” this year as he embarks on his first season at the helm.


‘Sleepwalking into a heightened wildfire risk’ — Rural organisations warn that muirburn licensing delays could heighten the danger of devastating wildfires

18 April 2025
‘Sleepwalking into a heightened wildfire risk’ — Rural organisations warn that muirburn licensing delays could heighten the danger of devastating wildfires

‘Sleepwalking into a heightened wildfire risk’ — Rural organisations warn that muirburn licensing delays could heighten the danger of devastating wildfires

18 April 2025

Leading rural organisations say muirburn licensing delays could risk exacerbating the growing threat of wildfires across Scotland.


UPDATE: A9 reopens at Helmsdale after three are taken to hospital in one-vehicle crash

15 April 2025
UPDATE: A9 reopens at Helmsdale after three are taken to hospital in one-vehicle crash

UPDATE: A9 reopens at Helmsdale after three are taken to hospital in one-vehicle crash

15 April 2025

Police Scotland has confirmed that the A9 has been reopened


Highland Council assistant chief-exec says ‘alternative ways’ to fund autism information service were offered in bid to prevent closure

14 April 2025
Highland Council assistant chief-exec says ‘alternative ways’ to fund autism information service were offered in bid to prevent closure

Highland Council assistant chief-exec says ‘alternative ways’ to fund autism information service were offered in bid to prevent closure

14 April 2025

Assistant chief-exec Kate Lackie says the local authority had continued to fund the service ‘without fail’ and would have continued to do so.


Could the next Angel di Maria be playing in Easter Ross? European football giants set to host ‘prestigious’ training session in Tain

13 April 2025
Could the next Angel di Maria be playing in Easter Ross? European football giants set to host ‘prestigious’ training session in Tain

Could the next Angel di Maria be playing in Easter Ross? European football giants set to host ‘prestigious’ training session in Tain

13 April 2025

Up and coming footballers in Tain are being asked to register for an opportunity to sample a taste of top-level European training.


‘Families will bear the burden’ – children with autism to miss out after no agreement reached on Highland Council funding

11 April 2025
‘Families will bear the burden’ – children with autism to miss out after no agreement reached on Highland Council funding

‘Families will bear the burden’ – children with autism to miss out after no agreement reached on Highland Council funding

11 April 2025

The National Autistic Society Scotland says its Highland Information Service will be forced to close due to lack of funding.


Dornoch cricketers prepare for competitive return to North development league two years after revival of club

09 April 2025
Dornoch cricketers prepare for competitive return to North development league two years after revival of club

Dornoch cricketers prepare for competitive return to North development league two years after revival of club

09 April 2025

Dornoch Cricket Club will compete in the NOSCA Development League this coming season.


Manager of Sutherland’s most isolated amateur team lauds confidence of young footballers defying rural depopulation

04 April 2025
Manager of Sutherland’s most isolated amateur team lauds confidence of young footballers defying rural depopulation

Manager of Sutherland’s most isolated amateur team lauds confidence of young footballers defying rural depopulation

04 April 2025

Melvich amateur football club are one of just two north-west teams still active in the summer.


Westminster Foundation and Sported launch partnership to benefit clubs and organisations in Sutherland with £600k of funding and expertise

03 April 2025
Westminster Foundation and Sported launch partnership to benefit clubs and organisations in Sutherland with £600k of funding and expertise

Westminster Foundation and Sported launch partnership to benefit clubs and organisations in Sutherland with £600k of funding and expertise

03 April 2025

Over £600,000 of funding, resources and expertise will be invested between the Highlands and Lancashire through the ground-breaking partnership.


Discovery of rare photographs of Cambusmore Estate in Dornoch sparks launch of new archive

02 April 2025
Discovery of rare photographs of Cambusmore Estate in Dornoch sparks launch of new archive

Discovery of rare photographs of Cambusmore Estate in Dornoch sparks launch of new archive

02 April 2025

The estate’s new owners plan to create an archive to chart its history.


Nominations now open for firms who make a ‘positive difference’ in the Highlands and Islands

02 April 2025
Nominations now open for firms who make a ‘positive difference’ in the Highlands and Islands

Nominations now open for firms who make a ‘positive difference’ in the Highlands and Islands

02 April 2025

Nominations are now open ahead of the Prosper’s annual Highlands and Islands Business Excellence Awards, set to take place this September.


PICTURES: 5 fascinating objects you can see on display at Tain Museum as part of its 2025 exhibits

30 March 2025
PICTURES: 5 fascinating objects you can see on display at Tain Museum as part of its 2025 exhibits

PICTURES: 5 fascinating objects you can see on display at Tain Museum as part of its 2025 exhibits

30 March 2025

Tain & District Museum opens its doors to the local community and far beyond for its 2025 season on Tuesday.


Young people invited to apply for ‘unique and important’ role of Highland Youth Convener with Highland Council

30 March 2025
Young people invited to apply for ‘unique and important’ role of Highland Youth Convener with Highland Council

Young people invited to apply for ‘unique and important’ role of Highland Youth Convener with Highland Council

30 March 2025

The region’s new Youth Convener will attend meetings of Highland Council’s education committee.


‘Mothballing’ of Edderton primary school is ‘death delayed’ for school, says community council chair in letter to councillors and MSPs

29 March 2025
‘Mothballing’ of Edderton primary school is ‘death delayed’ for school, says community council chair in letter to councillors and MSPs

‘Mothballing’ of Edderton primary school is ‘death delayed’ for school, says community council chair in letter to councillors and MSPs

29 March 2025

Community councillors in Edderton say they feel “railroaded” after learning that staff and parents were told the school would close in July.


Brora window broken by catapult fire sparks police appeal

28 March 2025
Brora window broken by catapult fire sparks police appeal

Brora window broken by catapult fire sparks police appeal

28 March 2025

Police have launched an appeal for information after a house suffered damage in a residential area in Brora.


Registrations for 77-mile Bridge to Bridge Highland Cycle open tomorrow as four ‘fantastic’ charities are revealed for 2025

27 March 2025
Registrations for 77-mile Bridge to Bridge Highland Cycle open tomorrow as four ‘fantastic’ charities are revealed for 2025

Registrations for 77-mile Bridge to Bridge Highland Cycle open tomorrow as four ‘fantastic’ charities are revealed for 2025

27 March 2025

Registration for this year’s event opens tomorrow, Friday March 28 just under six months ahead of the event date of Saturday, September 13.


Police thank public for assistance in tracing missing Inverness man (35) who has been found ‘safe and well’

27 March 2025
Police thank public for assistance in tracing missing Inverness man (35) who has been found ‘safe and well’

Police thank public for assistance in tracing missing Inverness man (35) who has been found ‘safe and well’

27 March 2025

Officers say the 35-year-old has been traced ‘safe and well’ after appeals to locate him.


‘Limited number’ of one-day tickets for Belladrum Tartan Heart Festival 2025 go on sale alongside day-split artwork reveal

26 March 2025
‘Limited number’ of one-day tickets for Belladrum Tartan Heart Festival 2025 go on sale alongside day-split artwork reveal

‘Limited number’ of one-day tickets for Belladrum Tartan Heart Festival 2025 go on sale alongside day-split artwork reveal

26 March 2025

Organisers of Belladrum Tartan Heart Festival have announced that a limited number of single-day tickets have been made available.


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