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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

WATCH: Cllr Helen Crawford issues rallying call as Highland community councils back unified statement opposing large scale energy plans

15 June 2025
WATCH: Cllr Helen Crawford issues rallying call as Highland community councils back unified statement opposing large scale energy plans

WATCH: Cllr Helen Crawford issues rallying call as Highland community councils back unified statement opposing large scale energy plans

15 June 2025

A powerful rallying call from Cllr Helen Crawford brought Saturday’s landmark convention to a close.


Evanton locals’ ‘extreme concern’ over three-month road closure

15 June 2025
Evanton locals’ ‘extreme concern’ over three-month road closure

Evanton locals’ ‘extreme concern’ over three-month road closure

15 June 2025

Residents in Evanton have been voicing “extreme concern” over plans for a three-month closure of the A862.


Kiltarlity and Kirkhill voices call for action at Highland convention to address impact of major infrastructure

15 June 2025
Kiltarlity and Kirkhill voices call for action at Highland convention to address impact of major infrastructure

Kiltarlity and Kirkhill voices call for action at Highland convention to address impact of major infrastructure

15 June 2025

The event brought together over 300 representatives from 53 community councils across Highland.


‘We are shouting as loud as we can’ – Ardross statement draws rallying support at Highland community councils convention

15 June 2025
‘We are shouting as loud as we can’ – Ardross statement draws rallying support at Highland community councils convention

‘We are shouting as loud as we can’ – Ardross statement draws rallying support at Highland community councils convention

15 June 2025

A powerful speech from Ardross Community Council prompted a rousing response at a major Highland convention in Beauly on Saturday.


‘Take that to government, and crack on!’ – 53 community councils unite to demand pause on energy projects across Highlands

15 June 2025
‘Take that to government, and crack on!’ – 53 community councils unite to demand pause on energy projects across Highlands

‘Take that to government, and crack on!’ – 53 community councils unite to demand pause on energy projects across Highlands

15 June 2025

Over 350 community councillors and members of the public attended the convention in Beauly yesterday.


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.


Black Isle festival plans to ‘go out with a bang’ after organisers confirm event will be the last

06 June 2025
Black Isle festival plans to ‘go out with a bang’ after organisers confirm event will be the last

Black Isle festival plans to ‘go out with a bang’ after organisers confirm event will be the last

06 June 2025

The Fortrose-based event is to be held on Saturday, June 14.


Police advise motorists to take care as ‘slow moving’ escort from Nigg through Alness and Ardross is expected to last ‘most of the day’

06 June 2025
Police advise motorists to take care as ‘slow moving’ escort from Nigg through Alness and Ardross is expected to last ‘most of the day’

Police advise motorists to take care as ‘slow moving’ escort from Nigg through Alness and Ardross is expected to last ‘most of the day’

06 June 2025

Police Scotland road policing officers are escorting an abnormal load from Nigg to Strathrory Windfarm.


Tain councillor urges residents to voice concerns over ‘challenging’ Highland Council online survey on future of TRACC

06 June 2025
Tain councillor urges residents to voice concerns over ‘challenging’ Highland Council online survey on future of TRACC

Tain councillor urges residents to voice concerns over ‘challenging’ Highland Council online survey on future of TRACC

06 June 2025

Cllr Dundas fears the “confusing” consultation process could spell disaster for the future of the facility.


Specialist abseiling team deployed to tackle invasive non-native species (INNS) at Corrieshalloch Gorge in Wester Ross

05 June 2025
Specialist abseiling team deployed to tackle invasive non-native species (INNS) at Corrieshalloch Gorge in Wester Ross

Specialist abseiling team deployed to tackle invasive non-native species (INNS) at Corrieshalloch Gorge in Wester Ross

05 June 2025

The National Trust for Scotland project took aim at species such as Japanese knotweed and Rhododendron ponticum.


Kintail MRT and Police Scotland appeal for help to trace missing walker Roddy MacPherson (67)

05 June 2025
Kintail MRT and Police Scotland appeal for help to trace missing walker Roddy MacPherson (67)

Kintail MRT and Police Scotland appeal for help to trace missing walker Roddy MacPherson (67)

05 June 2025

Police Scotland say the experienced walker was last seen outside the Sligachan Hotel on the Isle of Skye on Monday.


PICTURES: Tain clean-up mission hailed as ‘great achievement’ after first night sees 75 bags filled

03 June 2025
PICTURES: Tain clean-up mission hailed as ‘great achievement’ after first night sees 75 bags filled

PICTURES: Tain clean-up mission hailed as ‘great achievement’ after first night sees 75 bags filled

03 June 2025

Organiser David Purvis praised the efforts of volunteers.


‘Let’s make Tain sparkle’ – Community clean-up begins after taxi driver wages war on weeds

02 June 2025
‘Let’s make Tain sparkle’ – Community clean-up begins after taxi driver wages war on weeds

‘Let’s make Tain sparkle’ – Community clean-up begins after taxi driver wages war on weeds

02 June 2025

The clean up begins in Tain tonight, and will continue on Tuesday and Wednesday.


Police directing traffic after emergency services called to three-vehicle crash at Cromarty Bridge

30 May 2025
Police directing traffic after emergency services called to three-vehicle crash at Cromarty Bridge

Police directing traffic after emergency services called to three-vehicle crash at Cromarty Bridge

30 May 2025

Emergency services remain at the scene.


79-year-old cyclist’s ‘special thank you’ to volunteers and emergency crews after airlift rescue from Fyrish Hill near Evanton

29 May 2025
79-year-old cyclist’s ‘special thank you’ to volunteers and emergency crews after airlift rescue from Fyrish Hill near Evanton

79-year-old cyclist’s ‘special thank you’ to volunteers and emergency crews after airlift rescue from Fyrish Hill near Evanton

29 May 2025

Experienced rider John Smallwood was rescued after suffering broken ribs upon making his descent from the summit.


Highland MSP Maree Todd calls for parents and young people to accept HPV vaccine amid drop in uptake across north

29 May 2025
Highland MSP Maree Todd calls for parents and young people to accept HPV vaccine amid drop in uptake across north

Highland MSP Maree Todd calls for parents and young people to accept HPV vaccine amid drop in uptake across north

29 May 2025

Highland MSP Maree Todd is calling on parents and young people to accept the offer of an HPV vaccine.


UPDATE: Woman hospitalised after A9 crash involving car and pedestrian near Tain, police confirm

25 May 2025
UPDATE: Woman hospitalised after A9 crash involving car and pedestrian near Tain, police confirm

UPDATE: Woman hospitalised after A9 crash involving car and pedestrian near Tain, police confirm

25 May 2025

The A9 has now reopened after being closed in both directions for over four hours.


Police name 67-year-old motorcyclist killed in A862 crash near Beauly as appeal for witnesses continues

25 May 2025
Police name 67-year-old motorcyclist killed in A862 crash near Beauly as appeal for witnesses continues

Police name 67-year-old motorcyclist killed in A862 crash near Beauly as appeal for witnesses continues

25 May 2025

A man who died following a crash on the A862 near Beauly has been named.


UPDATE: A9 closed at Tain after collision between car and female pedestrian, police confirm

25 May 2025
UPDATE: A9 closed at Tain after collision between car and female pedestrian, police confirm

UPDATE: A9 closed at Tain after collision between car and female pedestrian, police confirm

25 May 2025

The road has been closed in both directions at the junction with Craighill Terrace with emergency services attending the scene.


BREAKING: A9 closed in both directions at Tain after collision

25 May 2025
BREAKING: A9 closed in both directions at Tain after collision

BREAKING: A9 closed in both directions at Tain after collision

25 May 2025

The A9 is closed in both directions at Tain.


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