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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.

Highland’s biggest free book festival, Ness Book Fest, to return to Inverness in autumn with theme of Nature

15 February 2025
Highland’s biggest free book festival, Ness Book Fest, to return to Inverness in autumn with theme of Nature

Highland’s biggest free book festival, Ness Book Fest, to return to Inverness in autumn with theme of Nature

15 February 2025

The Highland’s biggest free book festival is set to return to Inverness this October under the theme of nature.


WATCH: Lack of affordable housing in the Highlands adding to crisis in recruiting care staff

11 February 2025
WATCH: Lack of affordable housing in the Highlands adding to crisis in recruiting care staff

WATCH: Lack of affordable housing in the Highlands adding to crisis in recruiting care staff

11 February 2025

A lack of affordable housing in the Highlands is fuelling the social care staffing crisis, care homes across the region are warning.


Inverness doctor with family in Gaza says Donald Trump’s Gaza plans are ‘morally incomprehensible’

08 February 2025
Inverness doctor with family in Gaza says Donald Trump’s Gaza plans are ‘morally incomprehensible’

Inverness doctor with family in Gaza says Donald Trump’s Gaza plans are ‘morally incomprehensible’

08 February 2025

Proposals by President Donald Trump for the US to take over Gaza and relocate its people are ‘morally incomprehensible’, says an Inverness doctor.


Gold award for breastfeeding support provided by Highland Council and NHS Highland

06 February 2025
Gold award for breastfeeding support provided by Highland Council and NHS Highland

Gold award for breastfeeding support provided by Highland Council and NHS Highland

06 February 2025

The high level of support provided to breastfeeding mothers in the Highlands has been recognised with a gold award.


Inverness-born author Ali Smith on longlist for Highland Book Prize 2024

28 January 2025
Inverness-born author Ali Smith on longlist for Highland Book Prize 2024

Inverness-born author Ali Smith on longlist for Highland Book Prize 2024

28 January 2025

New fiction by Inverness-born writer Ali Smith is among the work longlisted for the Highland Book Prize 2024.


Major disruption for train services in Highlands continues in wake of Storm Eowyn

25 January 2025
Major disruption for train services in Highlands continues in wake of Storm Eowyn

Major disruption for train services in Highlands continues in wake of Storm Eowyn

25 January 2025

Train services across the Highlands continue to be affected today in the wake of Storm Éowyn.


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.


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