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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: Moonlight Ball raises more than £100k for children’s charity

14 November 2025
Pictures: Moonlight Ball raises more than £100k for children’s charity

Pictures: Moonlight Ball raises more than £100k for children’s charity

14 November 2025

A charity ball in the Highlands has raised over £100,000 to support babies, children and families across the Highlands.


Inspiring staff and volunteers at High Life Highland celebrated at awards ceremony

30 October 2025
Inspiring staff and volunteers at High Life Highland celebrated at awards ceremony

Inspiring staff and volunteers at High Life Highland celebrated at awards ceremony

30 October 2025

Staff and volunteers at High Life Highland have been recognised for their efforts in making life better for residents and visitors across the region.


Who will win the 2026 Scottish Parliamentary election? Former MSP gives her prediction

27 October 2025
Who will win the 2026 Scottish Parliamentary election? Former MSP gives her prediction

Who will win the 2026 Scottish Parliamentary election? Former MSP gives her prediction

27 October 2025

In seven months’ time, voters will take to the polls in the Scottish Parliamentary election.


‘My husband decided he wanted to leave and go off with another woman’ - former MSP recalls how marriage breakdown paved way into politics

26 October 2025
‘My husband decided he wanted to leave and go off with another woman’ - former MSP recalls how marriage breakdown paved way into politics

‘My husband decided he wanted to leave and go off with another woman’ - former MSP recalls how marriage breakdown paved way into politics

26 October 2025

When Mary Scanlon’s husband walked out on her and their two young children, it was to be a defining moment in her life.


Closure of tourist information centre was a mistake, claim critics

12 October 2025
Closure of tourist information centre was a mistake, claim critics

Closure of tourist information centre was a mistake, claim critics

12 October 2025

The closure of the tourist information centre in the Highland capital has sparked a lively public debate with critics saying it is a mistake.


Haunting works by internationally-renowned artist to be exhibited at Highland museum

11 October 2025
Haunting works by internationally-renowned artist to be exhibited at Highland museum

Haunting works by internationally-renowned artist to be exhibited at Highland museum

11 October 2025

Haunting works by an internationally-renowned Scottish artist are to be exhibited at a Highland museum and art gallery.


Tourist information centre in Highland capital closes doors for final time

08 October 2025
Tourist information centre in Highland capital closes doors for final time

Tourist information centre in Highland capital closes doors for final time

08 October 2025

The tourist information centre in the Highland capital has closed its doors for the final time.


‘There is often some rapport between the horses and the participant’ - benefits of riding for people with disabilities

04 October 2025
‘There is often some rapport between the horses and the participant’ - benefits of riding for people with disabilities

‘There is often some rapport between the horses and the participant’ - benefits of riding for people with disabilities

04 October 2025

There is almost a sense of the transcendental as a riding lesson draws to a close for three Dingwall Academy pupils.


‘Busy mind’ Highland artist’s heartfelt mental health message

01 October 2025
‘Busy mind’ Highland artist’s heartfelt mental health message

‘Busy mind’ Highland artist’s heartfelt mental health message

01 October 2025

Acclaimed Ross-shire artist shares poignant message from personal experience to anyone struggling with their mental health.


Arts festival aims to tackle stigma around mental health

20 September 2025
Arts festival aims to tackle stigma around mental health

Arts festival aims to tackle stigma around mental health

20 September 2025

Walks and exhibitions are among the events taking place during an annual Highland festival promoting arts for mental wellbeing.


Pictures: Epic cycle challenge raises more than £80k for charities

19 September 2025
Pictures: Epic cycle challenge raises more than £80k for charities

Pictures: Epic cycle challenge raises more than £80k for charities

19 September 2025

A gruelling cycling challenge has raised more than £80,000 for four Highland charities.


‘I wanted to have an experience that would be life changing and it really has been’ - Highland Great British Sewing Bee finalist

17 September 2025
‘I wanted to have an experience that would be life changing and it really has been’ - Highland Great British Sewing Bee finalist

‘I wanted to have an experience that would be life changing and it really has been’ - Highland Great British Sewing Bee finalist

17 September 2025

For 10 weeks, she impressed the judges and a growing following of fans with her creativity, energy and enthusiasm.


Great British Sewing Bee final - was it a win for Highland student?

17 September 2025
Great British Sewing Bee final - was it a win for Highland student?

Great British Sewing Bee final - was it a win for Highland student?

17 September 2025

Fans of the Great British Sewing Bee finally found out last night who was the winner of the popular BBC show in a gripping final.


Highland student in tonight’s final of The Great British Sewing Bee

16 September 2025
Highland student in tonight’s final of The Great British Sewing Bee

Highland student in tonight’s final of The Great British Sewing Bee

16 September 2025

Fans of the popular BBC show The Great British Sewing Bee will find out tonight who has been crowned Britain’s best amateur sewer.


Story of Jacobite family and their travelling rose highlighted in new book

07 September 2025
Story of Jacobite family and their travelling rose highlighted in new book

Story of Jacobite family and their travelling rose highlighted in new book

07 September 2025

A Black Isle writer has collaborated in a new book based on the true story of an emigrant family from the Highlands - and a rose they took with them.


‘I think about all the risks’ - car mechanic admits he is nervous as he embarks on second dangerous mercy mission to Ukrainian front line

04 September 2025
‘I think about all the risks’ - car mechanic admits he is nervous as he embarks on second dangerous mercy mission to Ukrainian front line

‘I think about all the risks’ - car mechanic admits he is nervous as he embarks on second dangerous mercy mission to Ukrainian front line

04 September 2025

A Highland car mechanic heading to the Ukrainian front line on a dangerous mercy mission is inviting people to write messages on a 4x4 vehicle.


Awarding-winning author to launch new novel at Highland’s biggest free book festival

30 August 2025
Awarding-winning author to launch new novel at Highland’s biggest free book festival

Awarding-winning author to launch new novel at Highland’s biggest free book festival

30 August 2025

Award-winning Highland author Philip Paris is set to launch his new book at Ness Book Fest this autumn.


Community garden at pioneering centre for young people with complex needs set to enable people and friendships to grow

24 August 2025
Community garden at pioneering centre for young people with complex needs set to enable people and friendships to grow

Community garden at pioneering centre for young people with complex needs set to enable people and friendships to grow

24 August 2025

Work has begun on creating a welcoming and nurturing community garden at an Inverness centre for children and young adults with complex needs.


Pictures: ‘I love the company and seeing things grow’ - community garden volunteers reflect on 10-year transformation of abandoned site

17 August 2025
Pictures: ‘I love the company and seeing things grow’ - community garden volunteers reflect on 10-year transformation of abandoned site

Pictures: ‘I love the company and seeing things grow’ - community garden volunteers reflect on 10-year transformation of abandoned site

17 August 2025

When Effie Ferguson first became involved as a volunteer in the Beauly Community Garden, it was a wilderness covered in tall weeds and rubbish.


Climate emergency conference to explore how Highland communities can work together towards net zero targets

16 August 2025
Climate emergency conference to explore how Highland communities can work together towards net zero targets

Climate emergency conference to explore how Highland communities can work together towards net zero targets

16 August 2025

Steps to tackle the climate emergency will be discussed at a Highland Climate Conference in Inverness this autumn.


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