Caithness reporter receives lifetime achievement award
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CAITHNESS freelance reporter Iain Grant has received an award for lifetime achievement in journalism in the Highlands and Islands.
He was presented with the Barron Trophy at the annual Highlands and Islands Press Ball and Media Awards held in the Kingsmills Hotel, Inverness.
Thurso-based Iain is a former staff reporter on the John O’Groat Journal and Caithness Courier and also had a spell as editor of the two titles. However, he is known more widely across the north for his many years of service as a freelance, notably for the Press and Journal, as well as for other daily newspapers and for broadcasters.
Iain and his wife Jane were among some 240 guests at the function on Friday night. Journalists and PR professionals were joined by politicians and leading figures from the public and private sector, from Shetland to Argyll and from Moray to the Outer Hebrides.
In his nomination, Alan Hendry, interim content editor of the Groat and Courier, had described Iain as a complete all-rounder, covering a wide range of news, human interest and sporting stories “with total professionalism”.
After receiving the Barron Trophy from Gordon Fyfe, chairman of the Highlands and Islands Media Awards, Iain recalled how he got into journalism after winning a Caithness Courier writing competition in 1978.
He spoke of the many changes he had seen in the media landscape since the days when his only option for filing copy when out on a job was to phone it through from the nearest public kiosk.
He acknowledged that the newspaper industry had gone through some tough times in recent years but said the Highlands and Islands had fared better than other areas, one factor being a strong sense of loyalty from readers who can trust their local papers.
West Highland Free Press reporter Keith Mackenzie was named as Journalist of the Year. Ian McCormack, long-serving editor of the West Highland Free Press, was given a special recognition award following his retirement after more than 40 years with the Skye-based weekly.
The Shetland Times was named as Highlands and Islands Newspaper of the Year.
Principal sponsor of the press ball and media awards was Diageo. Statkraft provided additional support along with Quatro PR, Chivas Brothers, Highlands and Islands Enterprise, the National Union of Journalists, Hub North Scotland and Inverness Chamber of Commerce.
Fundraising at Friday's event will result in more than £3000 being shared among four chosen charities – Day1; Birchwood Highland; Alzheimer Scotland; and Children’s Hospices Across Scotland (CHAS).
The event has now raised well over £108,000 for good causes, with all the money staying in the Highlands and Islands.
