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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.

PICTURES: Peat & Diesel’s Black Isle Belter ‘fantastic’, say fans - despite long bar queues

27 May 2024
PICTURES: Peat & Diesel’s Black Isle Belter ‘fantastic’, say fans - despite long bar queues

PICTURES: Peat & Diesel’s Black Isle Belter ‘fantastic’, say fans - despite long bar queues

27 May 2024

Hot weather and thousands of thirsty festival-goers led to long bar queues on day one of Peat & Diesel’s Black Isle Belter.


PICTURES: Festival-goers gather for Peat & Diesel’s Black Isle Belter

26 May 2024
PICTURES: Festival-goers gather for Peat & Diesel’s Black Isle Belter

PICTURES: Festival-goers gather for Peat & Diesel’s Black Isle Belter

26 May 2024

Festival-goers have been gathering on the Black Isle for two-days of music from a range of bands including Peat & Diesel.


Highland MSP calls on SNP to drop wood-burner ban

25 May 2024
Highland MSP calls on SNP to drop wood-burner ban

Highland MSP calls on SNP to drop wood-burner ban

25 May 2024

The importance of wood-burning stoves to homes in rural and islands communities will be debated in the Scottish Parliament next week.


Motorists caught speeding on North Coast 500 during weekend police operation

20 May 2024
Motorists caught speeding on North Coast 500 during weekend police operation

Motorists caught speeding on North Coast 500 during weekend police operation

20 May 2024

A police operation on the North Coast 500 route has resulted in 24 drivers being charged with speeding offences.


‘There were times I thought I would never see them alive again’ - Inverness doctor reunited with family

04 May 2024
‘There were times I thought I would never see them alive again’ - Inverness doctor reunited with family

‘There were times I thought I would never see them alive again’ - Inverness doctor reunited with family

04 May 2024

An Inverness doctor is hoping to evacuate more of his family out of Gaza after four members were allowed to leave the war-torn territory.


Vital step for freeport as Inverness and Cromarty Firth set to become green energy super hub

08 April 2024
Vital step for freeport as Inverness and Cromarty Firth set to become green energy super hub

Vital step for freeport as Inverness and Cromarty Firth set to become green energy super hub

08 April 2024

The Highlands are set become the focus of international attention from the renewable energy industry as the region’s freeport reached a milestone.


Committed public transport user joins HiTrans board

07 April 2024
Committed public transport user joins HiTrans board

Committed public transport user joins HiTrans board

07 April 2024

A former champion of Gaelic culture and language is taking up a new role to help improve public transport in the Highlands.


Police issue appeal to help trace missing 51-year-old Lairg man

30 March 2024
Police issue appeal to help trace missing 51-year-old Lairg man

Police issue appeal to help trace missing 51-year-old Lairg man

30 March 2024

Police have issued an appeal for public help in tracing a 51-year-old man reported missing from Lairg in Sutherland.


VisitScotland announces visitor information centres to close over next two years

27 March 2024
VisitScotland announces visitor information centres to close over next two years

VisitScotland announces visitor information centres to close over next two years

27 March 2024

VisitScotland has announced it will close its network of information centres over the next two years.


Children in Highland hospital to benefit as charity's fundraising tops £1.6m

18 March 2024
Children in Highland hospital to benefit as charity's fundraising tops £1.6m

Children in Highland hospital to benefit as charity's fundraising tops £1.6m

18 March 2024

Young patients admitted to Raigmore Hospital in Inverness have benefited from a children's charity which saw its income rise by 12 per cent last year.


Thoughts with bereaved family after A9 crash, says Inverness MSP

11 March 2024
Thoughts with bereaved family after A9 crash, says Inverness MSP

Thoughts with bereaved family after A9 crash, says Inverness MSP

11 March 2024

Inverness and Nairn MSP Fergus Ewing has said his thoughts are with the bereaved family following a fatal crash on the A9 near Aviemore.


Devastating blow for Haven Centre caught up in £136k funding wrangle

10 March 2024
Devastating blow for Haven Centre caught up in £136k funding wrangle

Devastating blow for Haven Centre caught up in £136k funding wrangle

10 March 2024

A centre for young people with complex needs in the Highlands has received a devastating blow in a wrangle over Scottish Government funding.


Wanted Southampton man may be in Highlands

07 March 2024
Wanted Southampton man may be in Highlands

Wanted Southampton man may be in Highlands

07 March 2024

Police have issued a public appeal to help locate a wanted man who may be in the Highlands.


PICTURES: 'Remembering Ron' – lighting up the night in tribute to Mikeysline founder

24 February 2024
PICTURES: 'Remembering Ron' – lighting up the night in tribute to Mikeysline founder

PICTURES: 'Remembering Ron' – lighting up the night in tribute to Mikeysline founder

24 February 2024

The life of the man who founded Highland mental health charity, Mikeysline, has been celebrated at a memorial event in Inverness.


PICTURES: Behind-the-scenes as Inverness Castle project makes good progress

10 February 2024
PICTURES: Behind-the-scenes as Inverness Castle project makes good progress

PICTURES: Behind-the-scenes as Inverness Castle project makes good progress

10 February 2024

Amid towers of scaffolding and stacks of construction materials, work is gathering pace at the very heart of Inverness Castle.


Further travel woes as Highland roads closed following heavy rain

05 February 2024
Further travel woes as Highland roads closed following heavy rain

Further travel woes as Highland roads closed following heavy rain

05 February 2024

Motorists are being warned of various road closures in the Highlands following heavy rain.


Why we should all take time to talk and listen

01 February 2024
Why we should all take time to talk and listen

Why we should all take time to talk and listen

01 February 2024

"We should never underestimate the ability to change lives by being there for others," says Highland councillor.


Another weather warning issued for Highlands

29 January 2024
Another weather warning issued for Highlands

Another weather warning issued for Highlands

29 January 2024

Strong winds could bring disruption to the Highlands during Wednesday.


Highlands perform well with multiple nominations in Gaelic film competition

28 January 2024
Highlands perform well with multiple nominations in Gaelic film competition

Highlands perform well with multiple nominations in Gaelic film competition

28 January 2024

Young film makers across the Highlands have won nominations in the annual Gaelic film competition FilmG.


'My family are at risk of dying any second': Highland doctor's plea to save family in Gaza

26 January 2024
'My family are at risk of dying any second': Highland doctor's plea to save family in Gaza

'My family are at risk of dying any second': Highland doctor's plea to save family in Gaza

26 January 2024

Raigmore Hospital paediatric consultant speaks of desperation to get his family out.


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