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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.

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.


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.


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.


Highland politicians seek urgent answers over future of domestic abuse services

26 November 2024
Highland politicians seek urgent answers over future of domestic abuse services

Highland politicians seek urgent answers over future of domestic abuse services

26 November 2024

A Highland politician - and survivor of sexual violence - is seeking a meeting with Highland Council amid concerns Women’s Aid services are at risk.


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.


School staff in Highlands suffering average of almost 8 assaults a day, shock figures reveal

14 November 2024
School staff in Highlands suffering average of almost 8 assaults a day, shock figures reveal

School staff in Highlands suffering average of almost 8 assaults a day, shock figures reveal

14 November 2024

School staff in the Highlands are suffering an average of almost eight physical or verbal assaults every day, official figures have revealed.


Police officers in Caithness issue appeal for information after tools reported stolen

28 September 2024
Police officers in Caithness issue appeal for information after tools reported stolen

Police officers in Caithness issue appeal for information after tools reported stolen

28 September 2024

Police officers in Caithness have issued an appeal for information following reported thefts of tools and other items in Watten.


Stop ‘salami slicing’ of applications for major energy projects, demand community councils across the Highlands

28 September 2024
Stop ‘salami slicing’ of applications for major energy projects, demand community councils across the Highlands

Stop ‘salami slicing’ of applications for major energy projects, demand community councils across the Highlands

28 September 2024

A growing number of community councils in the Highlands have joined forces calling for greater clarity on plans for major energy projects.


UPDATE: A9 remains closed at Tomich following two-vehicle crash

23 September 2024
UPDATE: A9 remains closed at Tomich following two-vehicle crash

UPDATE: A9 remains closed at Tomich following two-vehicle crash

23 September 2024

The A9 remains closed at Tomich in Easter Ross following a two-vehicle collision this afternoon.


Eden Court Theatre announces four artists and community partners for new creative project

31 August 2024
Eden Court Theatre announces four artists and community partners for new creative project

Eden Court Theatre announces four artists and community partners for new creative project

31 August 2024

Four artists and their community partners across the Highlands are set to produce original live performances in a new creative project.


Drug deaths in Highlands fell in 2023, new figures reveal

20 August 2024
Drug deaths in Highlands fell in 2023, new figures reveal

Drug deaths in Highlands fell in 2023, new figures reveal

20 August 2024

The number of people in the Highlands who died due to drug misuse last year has shown a marked decrease.


‘I feel we have to constantly justify ourselves’ - mum still waiting after 10 years to get son assessed for autism

17 August 2024
‘I feel we have to constantly justify ourselves’ - mum still waiting after 10 years to get son assessed for autism

‘I feel we have to constantly justify ourselves’ - mum still waiting after 10 years to get son assessed for autism

17 August 2024

There is an exhausted note in Zoe Willis France’s voice as she reflects on the 10 years she has been waiting to get an autism diagnosis for her son.


Campaigner still waiting for proof infected blood compensation payouts will be life-changing

16 August 2024
Campaigner still waiting for proof infected blood compensation payouts will be life-changing

Campaigner still waiting for proof infected blood compensation payouts will be life-changing

16 August 2024

Bruce Norval was among more than 30,000 people in the UK infected with HIV and hepatitis C after being given contaminated blood products.


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