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Val Sweeney


Senior reporter

Val Sweeney is an award-winning and experienced journalist. Having worked on several newspapers in the north of England in various roles as a reporter and feature writer, she joined the Inverness Courier in 2001.

Astronaut Tim Peake to share wonders of space at Highland talk

22 January 2025
Astronaut Tim Peake to share wonders of space at Highland talk

Astronaut Tim Peake to share wonders of space at Highland talk

22 January 2025

British astronaut Tim Peake will bring the awe and wonder of space travel past, present and future to Inverness as his show tours the UK.


Micro apartments planned for Highland hospital staff and students

22 January 2025
Micro apartments planned for Highland hospital staff and students

Micro apartments planned for Highland hospital staff and students

22 January 2025

Accommodation for up to 100 hospital staff and students is being planned in the Highlands.


New Highland prison will help to reduce offending, says Highlands and Islands MSP

22 January 2025
New Highland prison will help to reduce offending, says Highlands and Islands MSP

New Highland prison will help to reduce offending, says Highlands and Islands MSP

22 January 2025

The new Inverness prison will be a place where prisoners can get the support to turn their lives around, according to a Highlands and Islands MSP.


Update: A9 near Alness reopens following collision

21 January 2025
Update: A9 near Alness reopens following collision

Update: A9 near Alness reopens following collision

21 January 2025

The A9 near Alness has now reopened following a collision earlier today.


A9 closed in both directions near Alness following collision

21 January 2025
A9 closed in both directions near Alness following collision

A9 closed in both directions near Alness following collision

21 January 2025

The A9 is closed in both directions near Alness due to a collision.


School closures in the Highlands

07 January 2025
School closures in the Highlands

School closures in the Highlands

07 January 2025

Six schools and three nurseries in the Highlands have so far announced they will be closed or will open later today.


Met Office issues yellow warning for snow and ice in north of Scotland

06 January 2025
Met Office issues yellow warning for snow and ice in north of Scotland

Met Office issues yellow warning for snow and ice in north of Scotland

06 January 2025

Further wintry showers may lead to some travel disruption in the Highlands amid a yellow weather warning for snow and ice.


School closures in Highlands

06 January 2025
School closures in Highlands

School closures in Highlands

06 January 2025

Eight schools in the Highlands have been reported to be closed so far this morning.


First Minister to chair emergency meeting as heavy rain warning in Highlands upgraded to amber on Hogmanay

30 December 2024
First Minister to chair emergency meeting as heavy rain warning in Highlands upgraded to amber on Hogmanay

First Minister to chair emergency meeting as heavy rain warning in Highlands upgraded to amber on Hogmanay

30 December 2024

​​The ​Scottish Government Resilience Room (SGORR) has activated as weather warnings for rain were upgraded to amber.


Hundreds of tributes pour in following the death of ‘legendary’ Highland baker Harry Gow

21 December 2024
Hundreds of tributes pour in following the death of ‘legendary’ Highland baker Harry Gow

Hundreds of tributes pour in following the death of ‘legendary’ Highland baker Harry Gow

21 December 2024

Tributes have poured in following the death of Highland baker Harry Gow aged 89.


Highland film inspiring people to tackle climate change gains international recognition

14 December 2024
Highland film inspiring people to tackle climate change gains international recognition

Highland film inspiring people to tackle climate change gains international recognition

14 December 2024

A Highland-made film aimed at inspiring people to tackle climate change has received international recognition in its first year since production.


Deadline looms for entries for Inverness Music Festival 2025

12 December 2024
Deadline looms for entries for Inverness Music Festival 2025

Deadline looms for entries for Inverness Music Festival 2025

12 December 2024

Performers of all ages and stages are urged to submit entries for next year’s Inverness Music Festival - described as ‘performance for everyone’.


Growing calls to halt proposals for future funding of women’s aid services in Highlands

04 December 2024
Growing calls to halt proposals for future funding of women’s aid services in Highlands

Growing calls to halt proposals for future funding of women’s aid services in Highlands

04 December 2024

Calls are growing for an urgent rethink on proposals which could affect services for women and children affected by domestic abuse in the Highlands.


Domestic abuse services in the Highlands at risk under council’s funding plans, warn Women’s Aid services

26 November 2024
Domestic abuse services in the Highlands at risk under council’s funding plans, warn Women’s Aid services

Domestic abuse services in the Highlands at risk under council’s funding plans, warn Women’s Aid services

26 November 2024

Domestic abuse services for women and children in the Highlands could close under funding plans by Highland Council, Women’s Aid groups are warning.


School staff in Highlands suffering average of almost 8 assaults a day, shock figures reveal

14 November 2024
School staff in Highlands suffering average of almost 8 assaults a day, shock figures reveal

School staff in Highlands suffering average of almost 8 assaults a day, shock figures reveal

14 November 2024

School staff in the Highlands are suffering an average of almost eight physical or verbal assaults every day, official figures have revealed.


PICTURES: Skinny dippers bare all in sunrise swim at Loch Ness

04 November 2024
PICTURES: Skinny dippers bare all in sunrise swim at Loch Ness

PICTURES: Skinny dippers bare all in sunrise swim at Loch Ness

04 November 2024

Skinny dippers braved the cold waters of Loch Ness as they bared all in celebration of a new festival.


First dedicated Gaelic cultural centre in Highlands awarded £370k from Scottish Government

02 November 2024
First dedicated Gaelic cultural centre in Highlands awarded £370k from Scottish Government

First dedicated Gaelic cultural centre in Highlands awarded £370k from Scottish Government

02 November 2024

A new centre to promote Gaelic language and culture in Inverness is to receive a £370,000 funding boost from the Scottish Government.


Why I will vote against assisted dying

01 November 2024
Why I will vote against assisted dying

Why I will vote against assisted dying

01 November 2024

A Highland MP fears that legalised assisted dying could be seen as an “economically useful” route amid tight budgets and high care home costs.


Stop ‘salami slicing’ of applications for major energy projects, demand community councils across the Highlands

28 September 2024
Stop ‘salami slicing’ of applications for major energy projects, demand community councils across the Highlands

Stop ‘salami slicing’ of applications for major energy projects, demand community councils across the Highlands

28 September 2024

A growing number of community councils in the Highlands have joined forces calling for greater clarity on plans for major energy projects.


UPDATE: A9 remains closed at Tomich following two-vehicle crash

23 September 2024
UPDATE: A9 remains closed at Tomich following two-vehicle crash

UPDATE: A9 remains closed at Tomich following two-vehicle crash

23 September 2024

The A9 remains closed at Tomich in Easter Ross following a two-vehicle collision this afternoon.


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