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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.

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.


Man dies after four-vehicle crash on A9

19 November 2024
Man dies after four-vehicle crash on A9

Man dies after four-vehicle crash on A9

19 November 2024

A man has died following a crash involving a lorry and three other vehicles on the A9 near Ballinluig.


School staff in Highlands suffering average of almost 8 assaults a day, shock figures reveal

14 November 2024
School staff in Highlands suffering average of almost 8 assaults a day, shock figures reveal

School staff in Highlands suffering average of almost 8 assaults a day, shock figures reveal

14 November 2024

School staff in the Highlands are suffering an average of almost eight physical or verbal assaults every day, official figures have revealed.


Police appeal for information after person pushed in front of car in Ross-shire town

10 November 2024
Police appeal for information after person pushed in front of car in Ross-shire town

Police appeal for information after person pushed in front of car in Ross-shire town

10 November 2024

Police officers in Dingwall are appealing for witnesses after a person was pushed into the path of an oncoming car.


Highland bars win recognition at Scottish awards ceremony

09 November 2024
Highland bars win recognition at Scottish awards ceremony

Highland bars win recognition at Scottish awards ceremony

09 November 2024

Hospitality operators and workers in the Highlands were among the winners at an event to recognise excellence across Scotland’s hospitality industry.


Why I will vote against assisted dying

01 November 2024
Why I will vote against assisted dying

Why I will vote against assisted dying

01 November 2024

A Highland MP fears that legalised assisted dying could be seen as an “economically useful” route amid tight budgets and high care home costs.


A82 closed in both directions near Loch Ness due to road traffic incident

03 October 2024
A82 closed in both directions near Loch Ness due to road traffic incident

A82 closed in both directions near Loch Ness due to road traffic incident

03 October 2024

Motorists are being advised that the A82 is closed by Loch Ness due a road traffic incident.


Stop ‘salami slicing’ of applications for major energy projects, demand community councils across the Highlands

28 September 2024
Stop ‘salami slicing’ of applications for major energy projects, demand community councils across the Highlands

Stop ‘salami slicing’ of applications for major energy projects, demand community councils across the Highlands

28 September 2024

A growing number of community councils in the Highlands have joined forces calling for greater clarity on plans for major energy projects.


UPDATE: A9 remains closed at Tomich following two-vehicle crash

23 September 2024
UPDATE: A9 remains closed at Tomich following two-vehicle crash

UPDATE: A9 remains closed at Tomich following two-vehicle crash

23 September 2024

The A9 remains closed at Tomich in Easter Ross following a two-vehicle collision this afternoon.


Highland dental practice says it is working ‘tirelessly’ to overcome shortage of dentists

15 September 2024
Highland dental practice says it is working ‘tirelessly’ to overcome shortage of dentists

Highland dental practice says it is working ‘tirelessly’ to overcome shortage of dentists

15 September 2024

An Inverness dental practice says it is working tirelessly to overcome a nationwide shortage of dentists which has put a strain on services.


Watch: Raising a Paralympic gold medallist - parents of Highland paracyclist Fin Graham say ‘don’t focus on the disability’

11 September 2024
Watch: Raising a Paralympic gold medallist - parents of Highland paracyclist Fin Graham say ‘don’t focus on the disability’

Watch: Raising a Paralympic gold medallist - parents of Highland paracyclist Fin Graham say ‘don’t focus on the disability’

11 September 2024

The cycling shirts on hangers on his wall in the family home and display of medals are testament to the achievements of paracyclist Fin Graham.


Eden Court Theatre announces four artists and community partners for new creative project

05 September 2024
Eden Court Theatre announces four artists and community partners for new creative project

Eden Court Theatre announces four artists and community partners for new creative project

05 September 2024

Four artists and their community partners across the Highlands are set to produce original live performances in a new creative project.


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