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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.

Did Highland writer create greatest literary hoax of all time?

13 April 2025
Did Highland writer create greatest literary hoax of all time?

Did Highland writer create greatest literary hoax of all time?

13 April 2025

It has been described as the ‘greatest literary hoax of all time’.


Fire-hit retail units demolished as police inquiries continue

12 April 2025
Fire-hit retail units demolished as police inquiries continue

Fire-hit retail units demolished as police inquiries continue

12 April 2025

Demolition work has started on a row of shops destroyed in a massive blaze at an Inverness business park last month.


Controversial plans for visitor levy prompt 4000 ‘very mixed’ responses during consultation

08 April 2025
Controversial plans for visitor levy prompt 4000 ‘very mixed’ responses during consultation

Controversial plans for visitor levy prompt 4000 ‘very mixed’ responses during consultation

08 April 2025

About 4000 “very mixed” responses were received during the public consultation on the possible introduction of a visitor levy for the Highlands.


Reindeer herders issue plea to drone users after herd ‘spooked’

08 April 2025
Reindeer herders issue plea to drone users after herd ‘spooked’

Reindeer herders issue plea to drone users after herd ‘spooked’

08 April 2025

Reindeer herders in the Cairngorms have issued a plea to drone users after the herd was spooked by a machine flying overhead.


Ukraine-bound aid from Highlands will make huge difference, says solicitor in war zone

06 April 2025
Ukraine-bound aid from Highlands will make huge difference, says solicitor in war zone

Ukraine-bound aid from Highlands will make huge difference, says solicitor in war zone

06 April 2025

A solicitor in Ukraine has outlined how aid from the Highlands will make a huge difference as Russia ramps up its attacks on her homeland.


Police stop 156 vehicles for road traffic offences during weekend operation in Highlands

01 April 2025
Police stop 156 vehicles for road traffic offences during weekend operation in Highlands

Police stop 156 vehicles for road traffic offences during weekend operation in Highlands

01 April 2025

Police stopped 156 vehicles in connection with road traffic offences during a two-day operation in the Highlands and Islands.


Proposed tourist tax should be used to address housing crisis, say Living Rent Highland campaigners

31 March 2025
Proposed tourist tax should be used to address housing crisis, say Living Rent Highland campaigners

Proposed tourist tax should be used to address housing crisis, say Living Rent Highland campaigners

31 March 2025

Campaigners have delivered a petition to Highland Council’s headquarters calling for a proposed tourist tax to be used to address the housing crisis.


Essential A9 roadworks at Drumochter to involve 24-hour single lane closure for 3 weeks

17 March 2025
Essential A9 roadworks at Drumochter to involve 24-hour single lane closure for 3 weeks

Essential A9 roadworks at Drumochter to involve 24-hour single lane closure for 3 weeks

17 March 2025

Motorists are being advised of potential delays on the A9 south of Inverness starting later this month to enable essential roadworks.


Who did this? Community left shocked in aftermath of blaze which destroyed several Inverness shops

11 March 2025
Who did this? Community left shocked in aftermath of blaze which destroyed several Inverness shops

Who did this? Community left shocked in aftermath of blaze which destroyed several Inverness shops

11 March 2025

Appeal for dashcam footage to capture culprit who drove car into building


Rock legend Bryan Adams set for Bare Bones performance in Inverness

24 February 2025
Rock legend Bryan Adams set for Bare Bones performance in Inverness

Rock legend Bryan Adams set for Bare Bones performance in Inverness

24 February 2025

Rock legend Bryan Adams is set to appear in Inverness this spring.


It took 13 years to achieve, cost £850k - but one year after opening Raigmore Hospital bus gate is beset with problems

18 February 2025
It took 13 years to achieve, cost £850k - but one year after opening Raigmore Hospital bus gate is beset with problems

It took 13 years to achieve, cost £850k - but one year after opening Raigmore Hospital bus gate is beset with problems

18 February 2025

A public transport link that took 13 years to achieve, cost £850,000 and was mired in controversy is still experiencing problems a year after opening.


WATCH: Lack of affordable housing in the Highlands adding to crisis in recruiting care staff

10 February 2025
WATCH: Lack of affordable housing in the Highlands adding to crisis in recruiting care staff

WATCH: Lack of affordable housing in the Highlands adding to crisis in recruiting care staff

10 February 2025

A lack of affordable housing in the Highlands is fuelling the social care staffing crisis, care homes across the region are warning.


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.


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.


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.


Risk of flooding in Nairn and Badenoch and Strathspey on Hogmanay

30 December 2024
Risk of flooding in Nairn and Badenoch and Strathspey on Hogmanay

Risk of flooding in Nairn and Badenoch and Strathspey on Hogmanay

30 December 2024

Flood barriers have been installed in Nairn as an amber weather warning from the Met Office is due to take effect from just after midnight (Tuesday).


Police ask farmers to check fields and outbuildings as search continues for man reported missing in Aviemore

30 December 2024
Police ask farmers to check fields and outbuildings as search continues for man reported missing in Aviemore

Police ask farmers to check fields and outbuildings as search continues for man reported missing in Aviemore

30 December 2024

Police are asking farmers to check their fields and any outbuildings for a man who has been reported missing in the Aviemore area since December 17.


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.


Police issue appeal for help to trace man reported missing in Aviemore

22 December 2024
Police issue appeal for help to trace man reported missing in Aviemore

Police issue appeal for help to trace man reported missing in Aviemore

22 December 2024

Police in Aviemore are appealing for help to trace Marc Drostle, who has been reported missing.


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.


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