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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: ‘Our Bothy’ - Grateful Ukrainian family says farewell to Inverness

25 April 2024
WATCH: ‘Our Bothy’ - Grateful Ukrainian family says farewell to Inverness

WATCH: ‘Our Bothy’ - Grateful Ukrainian family says farewell to Inverness

25 April 2024

A Ukrainian family has made a short evocative film bidding farewell to Inverness where they found a safe haven after fleeing their homeland.


Scotland is like a bothy in the world, says Ukrainian family after finding safe haven in Inverness

25 April 2024
Scotland is like a bothy in the world, says Ukrainian family after finding safe haven in Inverness

Scotland is like a bothy in the world, says Ukrainian family after finding safe haven in Inverness

25 April 2024

For more than 18 months, home for three generations of the Petrov family has been three shared rooms in an Inverness hotel.


Sell-out event raises more than £7k in support of Inverness doctor’s family in Gaza

24 April 2024
Sell-out event raises more than £7k in support of Inverness doctor’s family in Gaza

Sell-out event raises more than £7k in support of Inverness doctor’s family in Gaza

24 April 2024

The plight of an Inverness doctor’s family in Gaza was highlighted a coffee morning which raised £7784 to support efforts to get them to safety.


‘It is a once-in-a-lifetime experience’ - Strictly Inverness contestant

24 April 2024
‘It is a once-in-a-lifetime experience’ - Strictly Inverness contestant

‘It is a once-in-a-lifetime experience’ - Strictly Inverness contestant

24 April 2024

When Beth Saunders steps on to the Strictly Inverness dance floor next month, she will be especially keen to make her mum proud.


PICTURES: Wine tasting ‘bus trip’ around Italy for Strictly Inverness contestant

22 April 2024
PICTURES: Wine tasting ‘bus trip’ around Italy for Strictly Inverness contestant

PICTURES: Wine tasting ‘bus trip’ around Italy for Strictly Inverness contestant

22 April 2024

Supporters of a Strictly Inverness contestant enjoyed fine wines and food during an Italian “bus trip” without leaving Inverness.


Pipers pay tribute as former Army piping chief laid to rest

22 April 2024
Pipers pay tribute as former Army piping chief laid to rest

Pipers pay tribute as former Army piping chief laid to rest

22 April 2024

A former Army piping chief has been laid to rest in Inverness to the sounds of a tune specially composed in his honour.


Behind The Lens: The legacy of a Highland news photographer

21 April 2024
Behind The Lens: The legacy of a Highland news photographer

Behind The Lens: The legacy of a Highland news photographer

21 April 2024

July 2018: The painstaking restoration of the mosaic at the former AI Welders building in Academy Street, Inverness, gets under way.


Doctors in Ukraine are as busy as ever and expecting worse to come, says Inverness surgeon

21 April 2024
Doctors in Ukraine are as busy as ever and expecting worse to come, says Inverness surgeon

Doctors in Ukraine are as busy as ever and expecting worse to come, says Inverness surgeon

21 April 2024

An Inverness surgeon has made a return visit to Ukraine as the conflict continues more than two years after the full-scale invasion by Russia.


Business expansion helping to reduce carbon emissions, say couple in planning appeal

20 April 2024
Business expansion helping to reduce carbon emissions, say couple in planning appeal

Business expansion helping to reduce carbon emissions, say couple in planning appeal

20 April 2024

A couple are challenging refusal of plans to build a house to support their business which they say is helping to reduce carbon emissions.


What is your 20-year vision for improved transport in Highlands and Islands?

20 April 2024
What is your 20-year vision for improved transport in Highlands and Islands?

What is your 20-year vision for improved transport in Highlands and Islands?

20 April 2024

How can access to public and shared transport be improved in the Highlands and Islands?


Renowned Army piper who was awarded MBE by the Queen dies aged 88

18 April 2024
Renowned Army piper who was awarded MBE by the Queen dies aged 88

Renowned Army piper who was awarded MBE by the Queen dies aged 88

18 April 2024

A renowned piper who mentored hundred of Army pipers and was involved in 24 Edinburgh Military Tattoos has died aged 88.


Mystery continues over future of A-listed Old High Church in Inverness

17 April 2024
Mystery continues over future of A-listed Old High Church in Inverness

Mystery continues over future of A-listed Old High Church in Inverness

17 April 2024

The future of a historic Inverness building remains a mystery five months after its sale was approved.


Action needed to protect planet and jobs, say trade unionists following hottest year on record

15 April 2024
Action needed to protect planet and jobs, say trade unionists following hottest year on record

Action needed to protect planet and jobs, say trade unionists following hottest year on record

15 April 2024

The impacts of climate change on workers’ safety and health will be highlighted during a ceremony in Inverness later this month.


Behind The Lens: The legacy of a Highland news photographer

14 April 2024
Behind The Lens: The legacy of a Highland news photographer

Behind The Lens: The legacy of a Highland news photographer

14 April 2024

July 2013: On a historic night in Inverness, Highlander Gary Cornish floored Paul Butlin to become the first Scot to win a British heavyweight crown.


Descendant of royalty prepares to take to Strictly Inverness dance floor

14 April 2024
Descendant of royalty prepares to take to Strictly Inverness dance floor

Descendant of royalty prepares to take to Strictly Inverness dance floor

14 April 2024

Strictly Inverness contestant Clare MacDonald acknowledges she is not one for keeping still.


Inverness restaurant manager recalls actor Hugh Grant and food critic Jay Rayner among customers

14 April 2024
Inverness restaurant manager recalls actor Hugh Grant and food critic Jay Rayner among customers

Inverness restaurant manager recalls actor Hugh Grant and food critic Jay Rayner among customers

14 April 2024

Christine Robertson jokes she almost fainted after actor Hugh Grant walked into The Mustard Seed restaurant in Inverness one Sunday evening.


Tribute paid to one of greatest Inverness Thistle strikers of all time

12 April 2024
Tribute paid to one of greatest Inverness Thistle strikers of all time

Tribute paid to one of greatest Inverness Thistle strikers of all time

12 April 2024

Fond memories have been recalled of a former Inverness Thistle legend who has died aged 81.


More safe routes needed for people fleeing Gaza, says Scotland minister after hearing ‘heartbreaking’ stories

12 April 2024
More safe routes needed for people fleeing Gaza, says Scotland minister after hearing ‘heartbreaking’ stories

More safe routes needed for people fleeing Gaza, says Scotland minister after hearing ‘heartbreaking’ stories

12 April 2024

Scotland’s Migration Minister is calling on the UK Government to allow more Palestinian people fleeing Gaza join their families in the UK


New agreement aims to boost Highlands and Islands economy

10 April 2024
New agreement aims to boost Highlands and Islands economy

New agreement aims to boost Highlands and Islands economy

10 April 2024

A conference bringing together international innovators in aquaculture, animal health and agritech will be held in Inverness later this year.


Behind The Lens: The Legacy of a Highland news photographer

09 April 2024
Behind The Lens: The Legacy of a Highland news photographer

Behind The Lens: The Legacy of a Highland news photographer

09 April 2024

2013: This striking silhouetted image of Inverness MP Danny Alexander and former Chancellor Alistair Darling was taken by photographer Gary Anthony.


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