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Iona M.J. MacDonald


Community Reporter

Iona M.J Macdonald joined Highland News and Media aged 16 in 2022, as a trainee community reporter. By 18, Iona won Highlands and Islands Young Journalist of the Year, the Community News Project's Best Campaign Award, featured in the Young Women's Movement 30 Under 30 list and completed her NCTJ diploma in journalism. She is a Wester Ross native, and is passionate about telling the stories that would otherwise go unheard.

Iona M.J. MacDonald

Neurodiversity charity with Dingwall base becomes subsidiary of Scottish Autism

05 November 2025
Neurodiversity charity with Dingwall base becomes subsidiary of Scottish Autism

Neurodiversity charity with Dingwall base becomes subsidiary of Scottish Autism

05 November 2025

A neurodiversity support service with a Dingwall base has become a subsidiary of national charity, Scottish Autism.


Highland charity expands service’s age bracket amidst donation value doubling-drive

08 October 2025
Highland charity expands service’s age bracket amidst donation value doubling-drive

Highland charity expands service’s age bracket amidst donation value doubling-drive

08 October 2025

A Highland charity has announced that their services are being expanded to 11+, amidst an opportunity for the value of your donations to be doubled.


Three hospitalised in A836 collision near Dounreay as road reopens

07 October 2025
Three hospitalised in A836 collision near Dounreay as road reopens

Three hospitalised in A836 collision near Dounreay as road reopens

07 October 2025

A woman has been charged in connection to a three-vehicle crash near the Dounreay nuclear site earlier today (October 7).


Winning the roundtable: Highland teenager shares verdict on The Traitors

06 October 2025
Winning the roundtable: Highland teenager shares verdict on The Traitors

Winning the roundtable: Highland teenager shares verdict on The Traitors

06 October 2025

Journalist Iona MacDonald shares her view of The Traitors after being invited to visit Ardross Castle earlier this year.


‘Sad and troubling’: Highlands sees 17% increase in alcohol-specific deaths

25 September 2025
‘Sad and troubling’: Highlands sees 17% increase in alcohol-specific deaths

‘Sad and troubling’: Highlands sees 17% increase in alcohol-specific deaths

25 September 2025

The 17 per cent increase in Highland alcohol-specific deaths have been described as “very sad and troubling” by a local MSP.


Highland Bronze Age discovery to feature in Highland Archaeology Festival

25 September 2025
Highland Bronze Age discovery to feature in Highland Archaeology Festival

Highland Bronze Age discovery to feature in Highland Archaeology Festival

25 September 2025

A Rosemarkie Bronze Age discovery is set to be at the forefront of the Highland Archaeology Festival this weekend.


Highland alcohol-specific deaths rise by 17% despite national decrease

23 September 2025
Highland alcohol-specific deaths rise by 17% despite national decrease

Highland alcohol-specific deaths rise by 17% despite national decrease

23 September 2025

Alcohol-specific deaths in the Highlands have risen by 17 per cent between 2023 and 2024, according to new statistics.


Mikeysline invite community into hives to mark World Suicide Prevention Day

09 September 2025
Mikeysline invite community into hives to mark World Suicide Prevention Day

Mikeysline invite community into hives to mark World Suicide Prevention Day

09 September 2025

A Highland mental health charity are inviting the community into their hives to mark World Suicide Prevention Day tomorrow (September 10).


Tributes made to ‘forever cherished’ Evanton man (27)

09 September 2025
Tributes made to ‘forever cherished’ Evanton man (27)

Tributes made to ‘forever cherished’ Evanton man (27)

09 September 2025

Tributes have been paid to a “sorely-missed” Evanton man (27), described as “one-of-a-kind” by his friends and loved ones.


A99 Latheron collision sees air ambulance, fire service and police in attendance

02 September 2025
A99 Latheron collision sees air ambulance, fire service and police in attendance

A99 Latheron collision sees air ambulance, fire service and police in attendance

02 September 2025

The air ambulance is now on-scene at a two-vehicle collision on the A99 in Caithness, with other emergency services in attendance.


A99 near Latheron closed in both directions following collision

02 September 2025
A99 near Latheron closed in both directions following collision

A99 near Latheron closed in both directions following collision

02 September 2025

The A99 at Latheron in Caithness is closed in both directions following a road traffic incident.


Five Highland train services cancelled due to signalling faults

02 September 2025
Five Highland train services cancelled due to signalling faults

Five Highland train services cancelled due to signalling faults

02 September 2025

Signalling system faults have caused the cancellation of five Highland trains today, September 2.


Police welcome sentencing of Highland rapist

02 September 2025
Police welcome sentencing of Highland rapist

Police welcome sentencing of Highland rapist

02 September 2025

A man has been sentenced to 14 years in prison following serious sexual and violent offences against three women in Inverness-shire and Moray.


Highland woman’s ‘ultimate food dream’ of competing in BBC One’s MasterChef

26 August 2025
Highland woman’s ‘ultimate food dream’ of competing in BBC One’s MasterChef

Highland woman’s ‘ultimate food dream’ of competing in BBC One’s MasterChef

26 August 2025

The Highland woman is pursuing her “ultimate food dream” as she competes BBC1’s 2025 MasterChef competition.


Highland residents urged to replace Radio Teleswitch electricity meters

26 August 2025
Highland residents urged to replace Radio Teleswitch electricity meters

Highland residents urged to replace Radio Teleswitch electricity meters

26 August 2025

Residents in the Highlands are being reminded to contact their energy suppliers to replace Radio Teleswitch Service electricity meters.


SSEN issues weather warning for lightning this week

12 August 2025
SSEN issues weather warning for lightning this week

SSEN issues weather warning for lightning this week

12 August 2025

SSEN has moved to Weather Warning Status for the Highlands and Moray ahead of lighting forecasted for Wednesday and Thursday this week.


SQA results day for young Highlanders shows pass rate increase

05 August 2025
SQA results day for young Highlanders shows pass rate increase

SQA results day for young Highlanders shows pass rate increase

05 August 2025

SQA exam results day for Highlanders show increase in National 5 and Higher pass rates.


Tributes to ‘caring, kind and funny’ Caithness woman killed in A96 crash

25 July 2025
Tributes to ‘caring, kind and funny’ Caithness woman killed in A96 crash

Tributes to ‘caring, kind and funny’ Caithness woman killed in A96 crash

25 July 2025

Hundreds of tributes have been made to a “lovely, kind, caring and funny woman” who was loved by many, following a tragic crash on the A96.


NC500’s ‘disgusting public health problem exacerbated by tourism’

08 July 2025
NC500’s ‘disgusting public health problem exacerbated by tourism’

NC500’s ‘disgusting public health problem exacerbated by tourism’

08 July 2025

One of our readers has shared his thoughts on an issue that can be found at many beauty spots across the Highland region.


Jailed rapist to face ‘consequences of his actions’, police say

04 July 2025
Jailed rapist to face ‘consequences of his actions’, police say

Jailed rapist to face ‘consequences of his actions’, police say

04 July 2025

A Highland rapist who subjected young women to violent and sexual offences will now “face the consequences of his actions”, according to police.


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