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Iona M.J. MacDonald


Trainee Community Reporter

Iona MacDonald is a trainee community reporter. She joined Highland News and Media in 2022. Iona is part of the Community News Project funded by Meta and receiving NCTJ training through Glasgow Clyde College.

Iona M.J. MacDonald

Work set to start at Achmelvich beach

20 January 2024
Work set to start at Achmelvich beach

Work set to start at Achmelvich beach

20 January 2024

A £1 million project to provide new toilets and extend the car park at a popular north-west Sutherland beach will start later this month.


SCHOOL CLOSURES: Over 9000 pupils affected by icy blast

18 January 2024
SCHOOL CLOSURES: Over 9000 pupils affected by icy blast

SCHOOL CLOSURES: Over 9000 pupils affected by icy blast

18 January 2024

SCHOOLS across the Highlands are being affected by bad weather again today (January 18).


BBC Peat and Diesel documentary follows the band's 'challenging but triumphant' year

18 December 2023
BBC Peat and Diesel documentary follows the band's 'challenging but triumphant' year

BBC Peat and Diesel documentary follows the band's 'challenging but triumphant' year

18 December 2023

The two-part documentary airing over the festive season follows the folk-rock band's road to musical success over a challenging but triumphant year.


Melvich Primary earns Eco Schools Green Flag in recognition of sustainability

17 December 2023
Melvich Primary earns Eco Schools Green Flag in recognition of sustainability

Melvich Primary earns Eco Schools Green Flag in recognition of sustainability

17 December 2023

Far north school Melvich primary has achieved its first Green Flag accreditation after the "fantastic" addition of a timber tunnel in the playground.


Highland Council receives approval for amended Household Waste Policy

29 November 2023
Highland Council receives approval for amended Household Waste Policy

Highland Council receives approval for amended Household Waste Policy

29 November 2023

Households will get an extra bin as part of the changes which aim to increase the amount of waste recycled while saving money for the service.


Abandoned seal pup cared for at Caithness rehab centre after Highland rescue mission

03 November 2023
Abandoned seal pup cared for at Caithness rehab centre after Highland rescue mission

Abandoned seal pup cared for at Caithness rehab centre after Highland rescue mission

03 November 2023

An abandoned grey seal pup is in the care of a Caithness rehab centre after being thrown a lifeline thanks to a network of Highland rescuers.


MP calls on Network Rail to repair far north railway line

31 October 2023
MP calls on Network Rail to repair far north railway line

MP calls on Network Rail to repair far north railway line

31 October 2023

The far north railway line was damaged between Brora and Helmsdale during Storm Babet, leaving passengers facing significant disruption this week.


Highland reporter's Vape-Free Youth campaign up for national award

30 October 2023
Highland reporter's Vape-Free Youth campaign up for national award

Highland reporter's Vape-Free Youth campaign up for national award

30 October 2023

We need your votes!


Inverness Courier reporter's Vape-Free Youth campaign up for national award

30 October 2023
Inverness Courier reporter's Vape-Free Youth campaign up for national award

Inverness Courier reporter's Vape-Free Youth campaign up for national award

30 October 2023

We need your votes!


Peat & Diesel plot a Black Isle Belter

27 October 2023
Peat & Diesel plot a Black Isle Belter

Peat & Diesel plot a Black Isle Belter

27 October 2023

Peat and Diesel to hold Black Isle Belter weekend extravaganza over the 2024 May Bank Holiday, in aid of MikeysLine, and MFR CashForKids.


This is how easy I found it to buy vapes underage in the Highlands

19 August 2023
This is how easy I found it to buy vapes underage in the Highlands

This is how easy I found it to buy vapes underage in the Highlands

19 August 2023

A 17-year-old reporter attempted to buy vapes underage from stores in Inverness city centre. This is her story of what happened


New programme to offer coaching to Highland youth group boards

24 May 2023
New programme to offer coaching to Highland youth group boards

New programme to offer coaching to Highland youth group boards

24 May 2023

Coaching is on offer for boards of Highland youth work organisations, to enable better support for young people involved in social enterprises.


Warning over conmen in Caithness after elderly couple targeted

28 March 2023
Warning over conmen in Caithness after elderly couple targeted

Warning over conmen in Caithness after elderly couple targeted

28 March 2023

People have been urged to be on the lookout for conmen in Caithness after one couple was almost left £600 out of pocket from a cold-calling scam.


Going social – The Inverness Courier leadership debate from a young journalist's perspective

18 March 2023
Going social – The Inverness Courier leadership debate from a young journalist's perspective

Going social – The Inverness Courier leadership debate from a young journalist's perspective

18 March 2023

Iona MacDonald joined Highland News and Media last summer. Here, the 17-year-old shares her experience of the debate as part of the social media team


MSP urges Highlanders to donate after Syria–Türkiye earthquake death toll rises to 30,000

13 February 2023
MSP urges Highlanders to donate after Syria–Türkiye earthquake death toll rises to 30,000

MSP urges Highlanders to donate after Syria–Türkiye earthquake death toll rises to 30,000

13 February 2023

MSP Maree Todd is urging people to donate to emergency relief charities, as Türkiye–Syria earthquake death toll rises to 30,000.


'The Highlands stands in solidarity with Ukraine' says MP Jamie Stone

08 February 2023
'The Highlands stands in solidarity with Ukraine' says MP Jamie Stone

'The Highlands stands in solidarity with Ukraine' says MP Jamie Stone

08 February 2023

MP Jamie Stone says he is proud that Ukrainian refugees in the Highlands 'have been welcomed so warmly into local communities'.


Age Scotland scheme to reduce loneliness for older folk in 2023

02 January 2023
Age Scotland scheme to reduce loneliness for older folk in 2023

Age Scotland scheme to reduce loneliness for older folk in 2023

02 January 2023

Age Scotland is encouraging older folk to look for new groups to get involved with in 2023.


Five new train request-stop kiosks installed on Far North Line

20 December 2022
Five new train request-stop kiosks installed on Far North Line

Five new train request-stop kiosks installed on Far North Line

20 December 2022

The £5m Investment, including roll out of request–stop kiosks on the Far North Line has launched.


Three year CAMHS waiting list leaves families to suffer until 'point of crisis'

16 December 2022
Three year CAMHS waiting list leaves families to suffer until 'point of crisis'

Three year CAMHS waiting list leaves families to suffer until 'point of crisis'

16 December 2022

The report also discussed the recently implemented support groups in Caithness, due to a high–number of suicides in the area.


RMT Network Rail strikes underway as more action announced over Christmas

13 December 2022
RMT Network Rail strikes underway as more action announced over Christmas

RMT Network Rail strikes underway as more action announced over Christmas

13 December 2022

ScotRail services will be significantly disrupted this week during the latest round of strike action by RMT members of Network Rail.


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