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Niall Harkiss


Rural communities reporter

Niall Harkiss is our rural communities reporter, mostly covering stories for the Northern Times, Ross-shire Journal and Strathspey and Badenoch Herald titles. An experienced writer and publisher covering sport and community news, Niall joined the company in 2021.

Niall Harkiss

Highland bin lorries to collect mobile phone signal data to help boost accuracy of coverage checks

09 June 2025
Highland bin lorries to collect mobile phone signal data to help boost accuracy of coverage checks

Highland bin lorries to collect mobile phone signal data to help boost accuracy of coverage checks

09 June 2025

The initiative is being rolled out across the Highlands, Moray and Aberdeenshire.


BREAKING: Man arrested and charged in connection with death of woman in Inverness

03 June 2025
BREAKING: Man arrested and charged in connection with death of woman in Inverness

BREAKING: Man arrested and charged in connection with death of woman in Inverness

03 June 2025

The arrest and charge come after a 51-year-old woman died in hospital.


Amateur match abandoned after 25 minutes at 13-0 after home team are reduced to seven players

24 May 2025
Amateur match abandoned after 25 minutes at 13-0 after home team are reduced to seven players

Amateur match abandoned after 25 minutes at 13-0 after home team are reduced to seven players

24 May 2025

Inver had raced into a 13-0 lead by the time the game was called off.


Chance to renew link with ex-Caley Thistle coach was a ‘main factor’, says striker Shaun Morrison after Strathspey Thistle move

08 May 2025
Chance to renew link with ex-Caley Thistle coach was a ‘main factor’, says striker Shaun Morrison after Strathspey Thistle move

Chance to renew link with ex-Caley Thistle coach was a ‘main factor’, says striker Shaun Morrison after Strathspey Thistle move

08 May 2025

Inverness-based Shaun Morrison joins the Strathspey Jags on a three-year-deal.


Police name 49-year-old Etape Loch Ness cyclist killed in collision with BMW

30 April 2025
Police name 49-year-old Etape Loch Ness cyclist killed in collision with BMW

Police name 49-year-old Etape Loch Ness cyclist killed in collision with BMW

30 April 2025

A 49-year-old man who died following a fatal crash on Island Bank Road, Inverness has been named.


Jags boss puts faith in striker and club chaplain Daniel Whitehorn with one-year extension

22 April 2025
Jags boss puts faith in striker and club chaplain Daniel Whitehorn with one-year extension

Jags boss puts faith in striker and club chaplain Daniel Whitehorn with one-year extension

22 April 2025

‘Having someone to talk to is so important in life’


‘Sleepwalking into heightened wildfire risk’ in Cairngorms National Park and elsewhere

18 April 2025
‘Sleepwalking into heightened wildfire risk’ in Cairngorms National Park and elsewhere

‘Sleepwalking into heightened wildfire risk’ in Cairngorms National Park and elsewhere

18 April 2025

Leading rural organisations believe muirburn licensing delays could fan flames of devastating wildfire threat


Nominations now open for firms who make a ‘positive difference’ in the Highlands and Islands

02 April 2025
Nominations now open for firms who make a ‘positive difference’ in the Highlands and Islands

Nominations now open for firms who make a ‘positive difference’ in the Highlands and Islands

02 April 2025

Nominations are now open ahead of the Prosper’s annual Highlands and Islands Business Excellence Awards, set to take place this September.


Police launch dashcam footage appeal after attempted theft of quad bikes from farm on Grantown-on-Spey

27 March 2025
Police launch dashcam footage appeal after attempted theft of quad bikes from farm on Grantown-on-Spey

Police launch dashcam footage appeal after attempted theft of quad bikes from farm on Grantown-on-Spey

27 March 2025

Police say the incident, which took place on Friday, March 21 at around 3.20am, involved three men.


‘Limited number’ of one-day tickets for Belladrum Tartan Heart Festival 2025 go on sale alongside day-split artwork reveal

26 March 2025
‘Limited number’ of one-day tickets for Belladrum Tartan Heart Festival 2025 go on sale alongside day-split artwork reveal

‘Limited number’ of one-day tickets for Belladrum Tartan Heart Festival 2025 go on sale alongside day-split artwork reveal

26 March 2025

Organisers of Belladrum Tartan Heart Festival have announced that a limited number of single-day tickets have been made available.


Firefighters battle wildfire on the doorstep of the Cairngorms National Park

21 March 2025
Firefighters battle wildfire on the doorstep of the Cairngorms National Park

Firefighters battle wildfire on the doorstep of the Cairngorms National Park

21 March 2025

Firefighters are in attendance battling big blaze which broke out this morning near Farr


Driving force behind evolution of independent newspaper publishing in Highlands and Moray, Peter Fowler MBE, dies at 86

06 March 2025
Driving force behind evolution of independent newspaper publishing in Highlands and Moray, Peter Fowler MBE, dies at 86

Driving force behind evolution of independent newspaper publishing in Highlands and Moray, Peter Fowler MBE, dies at 86

06 March 2025

Peter Granville Fowler MBE, a visionary newspaper publisher who played a pivotal role in the evolution of regional news across the north has died.


Grantown Primary School hailed for ‘stellar performance’ in Sunday Times primary school league table for 2025

28 February 2025
Grantown Primary School hailed for ‘stellar performance’ in Sunday Times primary school league table for 2025

Grantown Primary School hailed for ‘stellar performance’ in Sunday Times primary school league table for 2025

28 February 2025

Town’s school is singled out for praise after soaring up league table


Scottish Government and council provision of additional support for learning (ASL) must be ‘fundamentally evaluated’, says watchdog

27 February 2025
Scottish Government and council provision of additional support for learning (ASL) must be ‘fundamentally evaluated’, says watchdog

Scottish Government and council provision of additional support for learning (ASL) must be ‘fundamentally evaluated’, says watchdog

27 February 2025

Local authorities such as Highland Council are being called upon to review ASL provision processes.


BREAKING: Southbound traffic restricted on A9 near Kingussie after collision

03 February 2025
BREAKING: Southbound traffic restricted on A9 near Kingussie after collision

BREAKING: Southbound traffic restricted on A9 near Kingussie after collision

03 February 2025

Traffic has been restricted southbound on the A9 due to a collision near Kingussie.


‘It’s always been more than a job’ – University Dean’s fond farewell after ‘transformative’ 21 years with UHI

22 December 2024
‘It’s always been more than a job’ – University Dean’s fond farewell after ‘transformative’ 21 years with UHI

‘It’s always been more than a job’ – University Dean’s fond farewell after ‘transformative’ 21 years with UHI

22 December 2024

One of the people involved in the “transformative” establishment of UHI will be moving on to new challenges after the new year.


Inverness councillor slams ‘arrogant’ rejection of motion to consider splitting up Highland Council

15 December 2024
Inverness councillor slams ‘arrogant’ rejection of motion to consider splitting up Highland Council

Inverness councillor slams ‘arrogant’ rejection of motion to consider splitting up Highland Council

15 December 2024

Inverness Central councillor Dr Michael Gregson branded as “arrogant”.


UPDATE: Body found in search for missing Cairngorms skier

14 December 2024
UPDATE: Body found in search for missing Cairngorms skier

UPDATE: Body found in search for missing Cairngorms skier

14 December 2024

The body of a man has been found in the Cairngorms.


Heavy frost claims three Highland League fixtures ahead of further pitch inspections

14 December 2024
Heavy frost claims three Highland League fixtures ahead of further pitch inspections

Heavy frost claims three Highland League fixtures ahead of further pitch inspections

14 December 2024

Three Highland League games have been postponed so far.


Non-executive director vacancies set to arise on High Life Highland main and trading boards

13 December 2024
Non-executive director vacancies set to arise on High Life Highland main and trading boards

Non-executive director vacancies set to arise on High Life Highland main and trading boards

13 December 2024

High Life Highland has announced plans to appoint new non-executive directors to its boards.


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