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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

Portmahomack man awarded prestigious Honorary Blue for commitment to university sport with UHI

11 July 2025
Portmahomack man awarded prestigious Honorary Blue for commitment to university sport with UHI

Portmahomack man awarded prestigious Honorary Blue for commitment to university sport with UHI

11 July 2025

A Portmahomack man has been awarded an Honorary Blue for his commitment to university sport.


WATCH: North-west Highland estates to be revitalised as part of 30-year ecological restoration project

10 July 2025
WATCH: North-west Highland estates to be revitalised as part of 30-year ecological restoration project

WATCH: North-west Highland estates to be revitalised as part of 30-year ecological restoration project

10 July 2025

A landmark regeneration project is set to breathe new life into the wild landscapes of the north-west.


Tain artist Archie MacArthur stages first solo exhibition in Dornoch

09 July 2025
Tain artist Archie MacArthur stages first solo exhibition in Dornoch

Tain artist Archie MacArthur stages first solo exhibition in Dornoch

09 July 2025

A Tain-based artist is showcasing his first ever solo exhibition in Dornoch this month.


Police appeal for information on paddleboard found near Stac Pollaidh after owner could not be traced

08 July 2025
Police appeal for information on paddleboard found near Stac Pollaidh after owner could not be traced

Police appeal for information on paddleboard found near Stac Pollaidh after owner could not be traced

08 July 2025

Police say a significant multi-agency search was conducted, but “no person was traced”.


Far North Line reopens after 3-week closure north of Dingwall to allow £11.5m track upgrade

30 June 2025
Far North Line reopens after 3-week closure north of Dingwall to allow £11.5m track upgrade

Far North Line reopens after 3-week closure north of Dingwall to allow £11.5m track upgrade

30 June 2025

Train services on the Far North Line north of Dingwall have resumed after three weeks of essential engineering work.


Steering group secure permission to acquire ‘ownerless’ Easter Ross village hall

23 June 2025
Steering group secure permission to acquire ‘ownerless’ Easter Ross village hall

Steering group secure permission to acquire ‘ownerless’ Easter Ross village hall

23 June 2025

Efforts to bring an Easter Ross village hall back into the hands of the community have reached a major milestone.


Newly elected Cromarty Firth councillor Richard Cross pledges to do ‘absolute level best’ for ward after by-election victory

20 June 2025
Newly elected Cromarty Firth councillor Richard Cross pledges to do ‘absolute level best’ for ward after by-election victory

Newly elected Cromarty Firth councillor Richard Cross pledges to do ‘absolute level best’ for ward after by-election victory

20 June 2025

Independent candidate Richard Cross has been elected as the new Highland councillor for Ward 6 (Cromarty Firth).


What would you do if a bull was running loose at your school?

19 June 2025
What would you do if a bull was running loose at your school?

What would you do if a bull was running loose at your school?

19 June 2025

That is one of the questions being asked at an Easter Ross primary school next week as part of a planned safety “lockdown drill”.


Multi-time world champion boxer Tyson Fury greets fans during pit stop in Alness after far north visit

18 June 2025
Multi-time world champion boxer Tyson Fury greets fans during pit stop in Alness after far north visit

Multi-time world champion boxer Tyson Fury greets fans during pit stop in Alness after far north visit

18 June 2025

The “Gypsy King” was making his way down the A9 after a visit to Caithness.


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.


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