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Rachel Smart


Business reporter

I studied my undergraduate degree in politics and international relations at the University of Aberdeen and I completed my Masters in Journalism at RGU this year. I have always been interested in people and how society works. It's great when your passions align with your job.

Highland Shortbread Showdown returns for 2025

12 January 2025
Highland Shortbread Showdown returns for 2025

Highland Shortbread Showdown returns for 2025

12 January 2025

The Highland Shortbread Showdown is back for its third edition in 2025, with businesses encouraged to enter their best bakes.


Death of soldier (24) in Tain after tragic accident ‘was avoidable’

08 January 2025
Death of soldier (24) in Tain after tragic accident ‘was avoidable’

Death of soldier (24) in Tain after tragic accident ‘was avoidable’

08 January 2025

The sheriff said: “He was clearly a much loved son, brother and partner and a very highly regarded soldier, both by his peers and senior officers.”


Best bars in Inverness are named at annual awards ceremony

08 January 2025
Best bars in Inverness are named at annual awards ceremony

Best bars in Inverness are named at annual awards ceremony

08 January 2025

Accolades have been dished out to a number of city centre businesses.


New online platform launched to encourage people to engage directly with NHS Highland

05 January 2025
New online platform launched to encourage people to engage directly with NHS Highland

New online platform launched to encourage people to engage directly with NHS Highland

05 January 2025

The NHS Highland Engagement Hub is a one-stop shop to let the agency know about the topics people would like to hear more about.


NHS Highland and Highland Council agree to proposed changes in how care is delivered in communities

04 January 2025
NHS Highland and Highland Council agree to proposed changes in how care is delivered in communities

NHS Highland and Highland Council agree to proposed changes in how care is delivered in communities

04 January 2025

NHS Highland and Highland Council have agreed to proposed changes in how care is delivered in communities.


Three professors return to Highlands to open cutting-edge research centre

02 January 2025
Three professors return to Highlands to open cutting-edge research centre

Three professors return to Highlands to open cutting-edge research centre

02 January 2025

The wound healing and lymphedema research centre is based at the Life Sciences Innovation Centre.


Ones to watch 2025: Business

01 January 2025
Ones to watch 2025: Business

Ones to watch 2025: Business

01 January 2025

With a new year comes new hope and optimism is key for anyone running their own enterprise: so who are the business figures to keep an eye on in 2025?


Domestic abuse: ‘We need to get better at calling out poor behaviour in the Highlands,’ says detective

01 January 2025
Domestic abuse: ‘We need to get better at calling out poor behaviour in the Highlands,’ says detective

Domestic abuse: ‘We need to get better at calling out poor behaviour in the Highlands,’ says detective

01 January 2025

Domestic abuse is a serious issue across Scotland, including in the Highlands.


Healthcare worker at Raigmore honoured as the UKs physician associate of the year 2024

30 December 2024
Healthcare worker at Raigmore honoured as the UKs physician associate of the year 2024

Healthcare worker at Raigmore honoured as the UKs physician associate of the year 2024

30 December 2024

A healthcare worker at Raigmore has been honoured as the UKs physician associate of the year 2024.


Do you need help running your business? The HR Dept Highlands and Moray can help you

29 December 2024
Do you need help running your business? The HR Dept Highlands and Moray can help you

Do you need help running your business? The HR Dept Highlands and Moray can help you

29 December 2024

Running a business in the North of Scotland comes with unique challenges.


Scotrail services between Kyle and Inverness face cancellations after early morning train hits stag

27 December 2024
Scotrail services between Kyle and Inverness face cancellations after early morning train hits stag

Scotrail services between Kyle and Inverness face cancellations after early morning train hits stag

27 December 2024

Train services between Kyle of Lochalsh and Inverness are facing cancellation due to the early morning train supposedly hitting a stag on the line.


Babies and children at Raigmore Hospital donated Christmas gifts from SSEN Transmission

26 December 2024
Babies and children at Raigmore Hospital donated Christmas gifts from SSEN Transmission

Babies and children at Raigmore Hospital donated Christmas gifts from SSEN Transmission

26 December 2024

Babies and children at Raigmore Hospital have received gifts from a local business.


5113 domestic abuse reports last festive season: don’t suffer in silence in the Highlands this Christmas

23 December 2024
5113 domestic abuse reports last festive season: don’t suffer in silence in the Highlands this Christmas

5113 domestic abuse reports last festive season: don’t suffer in silence in the Highlands this Christmas

23 December 2024

Scotland’s senior law officer has encouraged victims not to suffer in silence this festive period.


THE GOVERNOR SPEAKS: Why we sentence too many to jail, Christmas, corruption and addiction at HMP Highland

20 December 2024
THE GOVERNOR SPEAKS: Why we sentence too many to jail, Christmas, corruption and addiction at HMP Highland

THE GOVERNOR SPEAKS: Why we sentence too many to jail, Christmas, corruption and addiction at HMP Highland

20 December 2024

Scott Watson, the governor of HMP Inverness gives an exclusive interview to the Inverness Courier.


Former Velocity staff launch crowdfunding campaign to bring new Roots Café to Inverness

19 December 2024
Former Velocity staff launch crowdfunding campaign to bring new Roots Café to Inverness

Former Velocity staff launch crowdfunding campaign to bring new Roots Café to Inverness

19 December 2024

Staff who worked at Velocity Café hope to carry on the venue’s ethos by re-opening with new ownership and a new name.


Tourist tax sparks debate in the Highlands amid concerns over economic impact

16 December 2024
Tourist tax sparks debate in the Highlands amid concerns over economic impact

Tourist tax sparks debate in the Highlands amid concerns over economic impact

16 December 2024

Highland Council’s proposed visitor levy has sparked a heated debate.


UHI Inverness students to provide hundreds of free meals for Ross-shire families in need this festive period

16 December 2024
UHI Inverness students to provide hundreds of free meals for Ross-shire families in need this festive period

UHI Inverness students to provide hundreds of free meals for Ross-shire families in need this festive period

16 December 2024

UHI Inverness students are set to provide over 400 meals for families in need across Inverness and Ross-shire this winter.


High Life Highland countryside ranger service win gold at international awards

08 December 2024
High Life Highland countryside ranger service win gold at international awards

High Life Highland countryside ranger service win gold at international awards

08 December 2024

The team were awarded for the Highland Wildflower Meadow Mosaic Project at the annual Green Apple Environment Awards.


Police Scotland officers safeguard 66 people being exploited by County Lines gangs in one week

06 December 2024
Police Scotland officers safeguard 66 people being exploited by County Lines gangs in one week

Police Scotland officers safeguard 66 people being exploited by County Lines gangs in one week

06 December 2024

Between Monday, November 25 and Sunday, December 1, officers across the country identified and safeguarded a number of vulnerable people.


COURT ROUND UP: Ross-shire sites used for a man who subjected a woman to repeated rapes and sexual assaults

30 November 2024
COURT ROUND UP: Ross-shire sites used for a man who subjected a woman to repeated rapes and sexual assaults

COURT ROUND UP: Ross-shire sites used for a man who subjected a woman to repeated rapes and sexual assaults

30 November 2024

Here's our recap of some of the cases that made the headlines last week.


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