Strathy just misses out on Highlands and Islands newspaper of the year award
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The Strathy missed out to the West Highland Free Press at the weekend's Highlands and Islands Media Awards.
The Skye title claimed local newspaper of the year for the region, also beating The Shetland Times on the shortlist of three, when the winners were announced at the Kingsmill Hotel in Inverness on Friday evening.
There was good news, however, for Inverness-based Andrew Henderson, of Highland News and Media – owners of the Strathy, who was named Feature Writer of the Year.
Donald Wilson, recently retired reporter with HNM, based in Nairn, received the Barron Trophy for lifelong achievement in journalism.
Chatterbox, which serves the Black Isle, won community newspaper of the year.
Mark Harcus, of The Orcadian, was named Diageo Journalist of the Year at the annual media awards.
He was the unanimous choice of the judges for his features and the quality of his reporting of news, sport, business and the environment.
He also won the Sports Reporter of the Year Award.
Judging panel chairman Gordon Fyfe, said: “Mark is a worthy winner of our top individual award for demonstrating ability across news, sports and feature writing.
"His work is consistently of a very high quality and contributes hugely to the excellent service the Orcadian delivers to its readers.”
The Orcadian picked up a second award thanks to Ethan Flett winning the Alex Main Trophy for being Young Writer of the Year.
And long-serving photographer Ken Amer made it a hat-trick for Orkney by being presented with a Special Recognition Award for his contribution to journalism on the island over 37 years and for promoting an important health message surrounding prostate cancer.
The awards were presented at the 34th annual edition of the Highlands and Islands Press Ball, the only event that brings together industry colleagues from across a huge and dispersed region.
Nearly 250 media representatives, politicians and heads of public and private organisations attended the event.
The ball, and associated Highlands and Islands Media Awards, attracted journalists from Shetland to Argyll and from Moray to the Outer Hebrides serving print, broadcast and online media.
Principal sponsor of the evening was Diageo, with additional support from Statkraft, Chivas Brothers, the National Union of Journalists, Highlands and Islands Enterprise, Hub North Scotland, the Kane Partnership, Highland Tourism and Bord an Gàidhlig.
The event raised £4,111 which will benefit four local charities: Highland Hospice, Centred (formerly Birchwood Highland), Children’s Hospices Across Scotland (CHAS) and the Liam Colgan Music Fund.
The ball has now raised nearly £120,000 for good causes, with all the money staying in the Highlands and Islands.
Ball chairman John Ross said: “We are delighted the Press Ball continues to bring together colleagues from across the area where they are an essential part of local communities.
“Our charity fundraising is also a vital part of the occasion and we are extremely pleased to be able to contribute in a small way to some fantastic local causes.”
The full list of award winners is –
• Environment and Sustainability (Highland Tourism Award): Donna MacAllister (Press and Journal).
• Business Writer of the Year: Peter Ranscombe (Press and Journal).
• Gaelic Writer of the Year (Bòrd na Gàidhlig Award): Angus Peter Campbell (West Highland Free Press).
• Young Reporter of the Year (Alex Main Trophy): Ethan Flett (Orcadian).
• Sports Writer of the Year: Mark Harcus (Orcadian).
• Photographer of the Year: Paul Campbell (Inverness Freelance).
• Reporter of the Year (Jim Love Memorial Trophy): Stuart Findlay (Press and Journal).
• Feature Writer of the Year: Andrew Henderson (Highland News and Media).
• Community Newspaper of the Year: Chatterbox (Black Isle).
• Newspaper of the Year: (West Highland Free Press).
• Diageo Journalist of the Year: Mark Harcus (Orcadian).
• Barron Trophy for Lifetime Achievement: Donald Wilson (Nairn).
• Special Recognition Award: Ken Amer (Orkney).
