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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.

Pictures: Work of social enterprises in Inverness outlined to Deputy First Minister

10 January 2025
Pictures: Work of social enterprises in Inverness outlined to Deputy First Minister

Pictures: Work of social enterprises in Inverness outlined to Deputy First Minister

10 January 2025

Scotland’s Deputy First Minister has been given an insight into work by social enterprises in the Inverness area during visits to two organisations.


School closures in the Highlands

07 January 2025
School closures in the Highlands

School closures in the Highlands

07 January 2025

Six schools and three nurseries in the Highlands have so far announced they will be closed or will open later today.


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.


Muir of Ord business criticises card company after delays in payments over festive period

02 January 2025
Muir of Ord business criticises card company after delays in payments over festive period

Muir of Ord business criticises card company after delays in payments over festive period

02 January 2025

An Inverness businessman has voiced his disappointment after discovering that payments made via ZettlebyPayPal before Christmas have been delayed.


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.


Afghan women completing medical studies in Scotland celebrate Christmas in Highlands

24 December 2024
Afghan women completing medical studies in Scotland celebrate Christmas in Highlands

Afghan women completing medical studies in Scotland celebrate Christmas in Highlands

24 December 2024

A group of 19 Afghan women medical students have celebrated the festival of Yalda while experiencing their first Scottish Christmas in the Highlands.


Behind the Lens special: Remembering legendary Highland baker Harry Gow creator of the famous Dream Ring

23 December 2024
Behind the Lens special: Remembering legendary Highland baker Harry Gow creator of the famous Dream Ring

Behind the Lens special: Remembering legendary Highland baker Harry Gow creator of the famous Dream Ring

23 December 2024

As tributes pour in after the death of baker Harry Gow, we publish these images in honour of a man known for quality, tradition, and community spirit.


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.


Highland-born acoustic scientist presented with British Empire Medal for services to community in Tweedale and Edinburgh

18 December 2024
Highland-born acoustic scientist presented with British Empire Medal for services to community in Tweedale and Edinburgh

Highland-born acoustic scientist presented with British Empire Medal for services to community in Tweedale and Edinburgh

18 December 2024

An Inverness-born acoustic scientist has been presented with a British Empire Medal (BEM).


Highland film inspiring people to tackle climate change gains international recognition

14 December 2024
Highland film inspiring people to tackle climate change gains international recognition

Highland film inspiring people to tackle climate change gains international recognition

14 December 2024

A Highland-made film aimed at inspiring people to tackle climate change has received international recognition in its first year since production.


Deadline looms for entries for Inverness Music Festival 2025

12 December 2024
Deadline looms for entries for Inverness Music Festival 2025

Deadline looms for entries for Inverness Music Festival 2025

12 December 2024

Performers of all ages and stages are urged to submit entries for next year’s Inverness Music Festival - described as ‘performance for everyone’.


WATCH: Saving the lives of people and dogs in all weathers - RNLI Kessock volunteer notches up 40 years

12 December 2024
WATCH: Saving the lives of people and dogs in all weathers - RNLI Kessock volunteer notches up 40 years

WATCH: Saving the lives of people and dogs in all weathers - RNLI Kessock volunteer notches up 40 years

12 December 2024

Dougie Grant recalls as a youngster witnessing a half-submerged ship which had grounded near home, knowing his father had helped to rescue 12 people.


Road closed in Ullapool due to concern for a person

10 December 2024
Road closed in Ullapool due to concern for a person

Road closed in Ullapool due to concern for a person

10 December 2024

A road in Ullapool has been closed due to concern for a person.


Bid made to wind up Velocity Cafe and Bicycle Workshop in Inverness and appoint liquidators

10 December 2024
Bid made to wind up Velocity Cafe and Bicycle Workshop in Inverness and appoint liquidators

Bid made to wind up Velocity Cafe and Bicycle Workshop in Inverness and appoint liquidators

10 December 2024

A well-known and popular cafe and bicycle workshop in Inverness could be wound up.


Care inspectors highlight need for improvements at the Highland branch of Women’s Aid

08 December 2024
Care inspectors highlight need for improvements at the Highland branch of Women’s Aid

Care inspectors highlight need for improvements at the Highland branch of Women’s Aid

08 December 2024

An Inverness organisation providing services to women and children who have experienced domestic abuse has received two ‘weak’ ratings by inspectors.


Growing calls to halt proposals for future funding of women’s aid services in Highlands

04 December 2024
Growing calls to halt proposals for future funding of women’s aid services in Highlands

Growing calls to halt proposals for future funding of women’s aid services in Highlands

04 December 2024

Calls are growing for an urgent rethink on proposals which could affect services for women and children affected by domestic abuse in the Highlands.


Former WAAF corporal who took message World War II was over receives special commemorative medals in surprise presentation

03 December 2024
Former WAAF corporal who took message World War II was over receives special commemorative medals in surprise presentation

Former WAAF corporal who took message World War II was over receives special commemorative medals in surprise presentation

03 December 2024

In September 1945, Corporal Margaret Higgins was on duty as a teleprinter operator with the WAAF when a message came through that the war was over.


Black Isle nursery closed due to staffing levels

02 December 2024
Black Isle nursery closed due to staffing levels

Black Isle nursery closed due to staffing levels

02 December 2024

Staffing levels at a Black Isle primary school nursery have resulted in its closure today.


Highland politicians seek urgent answers over future of domestic abuse services

26 November 2024
Highland politicians seek urgent answers over future of domestic abuse services

Highland politicians seek urgent answers over future of domestic abuse services

26 November 2024

A Highland politician - and survivor of sexual violence - is seeking a meeting with Highland Council amid concerns Women’s Aid services are at risk.


Domestic abuse services in the Highlands at risk under council’s funding plans, warn Women’s Aid services

26 November 2024
Domestic abuse services in the Highlands at risk under council’s funding plans, warn Women’s Aid services

Domestic abuse services in the Highlands at risk under council’s funding plans, warn Women’s Aid services

26 November 2024

Domestic abuse services for women and children in the Highlands could close under funding plans by Highland Council, Women’s Aid groups are warning.


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