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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

Police reveal individual was spiked at Belladrum 2022 — here are the signs you’ve been spiked

24 July 2024
Police reveal individual was spiked at Belladrum 2022 — here are the signs you’ve been spiked

Police reveal individual was spiked at Belladrum 2022 — here are the signs you’ve been spiked

24 July 2024

The warning follows from an inquiry which reveals a report of the “horrific” crime was made to the police in relation to the 2022 event.


Caithness BDMLR teaches life-saving skills to volunteers at ‘fantastic’ training day

21 July 2024
Caithness BDMLR teaches life-saving skills to volunteers at ‘fantastic’ training day

Caithness BDMLR teaches life-saving skills to volunteers at ‘fantastic’ training day

21 July 2024

Life-saving skills were learnt at a BDMLR training day, which saw “stunning weather” and volunteers from across the Highlands taking part.


Parents’ plea to find daughter (29) missing in the Highlands and ‘very vulnerable’

19 July 2024
Parents’ plea to find daughter (29) missing in the Highlands and ‘very vulnerable’

Parents’ plea to find daughter (29) missing in the Highlands and ‘very vulnerable’

19 July 2024

Mary Sweetman from west Wales, is autistic “very vulnerable” according to her parents. Contact was last made with Mary on July 2.


Highland voters ‘frustrated and angry’ over ‘inability to vote’ after postal ballot delays

28 June 2024
Highland voters ‘frustrated and angry’ over ‘inability to vote’ after postal ballot delays

Highland voters ‘frustrated and angry’ over ‘inability to vote’ after postal ballot delays

28 June 2024

“Frustrated and angry” Highlanders have spoken out about the delays in receiving their postal vote, meaning they won’t get a say in the election.


Wick-born singer to play gig at ‘legendary’ Glastonbury Festival

26 June 2024
Wick-born singer to play gig at ‘legendary’ Glastonbury Festival

Wick-born singer to play gig at ‘legendary’ Glastonbury Festival

26 June 2024

Born in Wick and raised on the Black Isle, Tamzene Allison-Power (27) is preparing to play at one of the world’s most renowned musical event.


Dingwall to host general election hustings focusing on energy

25 June 2024
Dingwall to host general election hustings focusing on energy

Dingwall to host general election hustings focusing on energy

25 June 2024

Organisers say the event is an opportunity for constituents concerned about energy in the local area, to question the candidates on the topic.


NC500 request local opinions in bid to ‘reduce negative impacts of tourism’

24 June 2024
NC500 request local opinions in bid to ‘reduce negative impacts of tourism’

NC500 request local opinions in bid to ‘reduce negative impacts of tourism’

24 June 2024

The NC500 have claimed they “want to reduce the negative impacts of tourism”, as they ask for feedback from locals in anew survey.


NC500 drivers reminded by police to ‘respect other road users’ after biker’s appeal

15 June 2024
NC500 drivers reminded by police to ‘respect other road users’ after biker’s appeal

NC500 drivers reminded by police to ‘respect other road users’ after biker’s appeal

15 June 2024

The police reminder comes after a motorcyclist had her trip cut short due to a motorhome driver with “no common sense”.


SNP predicted to win Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross, according to YouGov

04 June 2024
SNP predicted to win Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross, according to YouGov

SNP predicted to win Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross, according to YouGov

04 June 2024

According to new data from YouGov, it is “likely” that SNP will win the constituency seat.


Netflix star actress Lily Collins hits the NC500 in Highland getaway

03 June 2024
Netflix star actress Lily Collins hits the NC500 in Highland getaway

Netflix star actress Lily Collins hits the NC500 in Highland getaway

03 June 2024

Netflix Emily in Paris star actress Lily Collins hits the NC500 in Highland getaway


Thurso bakery to stop selling bread rolls after £350k investment to boost business

24 May 2024
Thurso bakery to stop selling bread rolls after £350k investment to boost business

Thurso bakery to stop selling bread rolls after £350k investment to boost business

24 May 2024

Thurso’s Reids Bakery to stop trading in morning goods such as bread rolls and pies, as it “concentrates on the strengths of the business”.


A9 road north of Inverness ‘must not be forgotten’, says MSP

16 May 2024
A9 road north of Inverness ‘must not be forgotten’, says MSP

A9 road north of Inverness ‘must not be forgotten’, says MSP

16 May 2024

MSP Rhoda Grant stated that the A9 road “north of Inverness must not be forgotten”, as she calls for more safety work to be carried out.


Why Thurso boy (5) with extremely rare disease is searching for a Ross County kit

15 May 2024
Why Thurso boy (5) with extremely rare disease is searching for a Ross County kit

Why Thurso boy (5) with extremely rare disease is searching for a Ross County kit

15 May 2024

A Highland boy (5) with an extremely rare genetic disease is searching for a Ross County FC kit in time for his “best day ever” as club mascot.


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.


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