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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.

‘We lost out on quality time when the children were little’ - devastating toll of Infected blood scandal on family

13 June 2024
‘We lost out on quality time when the children were little’ - devastating toll of Infected blood scandal on family

‘We lost out on quality time when the children were little’ - devastating toll of Infected blood scandal on family

13 June 2024

The thought of coming home from school and finding her father dead was one which used to fill Bruce Norval’s daughter with dread.


Inverness actor returns for Q&A on cult horror Winnie the Pooh: Blood and Honey II

13 June 2024
Inverness actor returns for Q&A on cult horror Winnie the Pooh: Blood and Honey II

Inverness actor returns for Q&A on cult horror Winnie the Pooh: Blood and Honey II

13 June 2024

A former Inverness performer who appears in a new cult horror film is to take part in a Q&A following a special screening at Eden Court Theatre.


‘It made us social pariahs’ - Black Isle campaigner reflects on personal impact of infected blood scandal

12 June 2024
‘It made us social pariahs’ - Black Isle campaigner reflects on personal impact of infected blood scandal

‘It made us social pariahs’ - Black Isle campaigner reflects on personal impact of infected blood scandal

12 June 2024

As he reflects on the personal impact of the infected blood scandal, Bruce Norval recalls how he was once threatened in an Inverness city centre pub.


Deadline looms for public consultation on improving transport in Highlands and Islands

12 June 2024
Deadline looms for public consultation on improving transport in Highlands and Islands

Deadline looms for public consultation on improving transport in Highlands and Islands

12 June 2024

The deadline is looming for people to give their views on a 20-year vision to improve transport in the Highlands and Islands.


‘It is not like a lottery win’ - Black Isle victim of infected blood scandal says compensation does not match decades of suffering

11 June 2024
‘It is not like a lottery win’ - Black Isle victim of infected blood scandal says compensation does not match decades of suffering

‘It is not like a lottery win’ - Black Isle victim of infected blood scandal says compensation does not match decades of suffering

11 June 2024

The compensation scheme announced for UK victims in the infected blood scandal victims is not like a lottery win, says a Black Isle campaigner.


Inverness plumbing apprentice wins renewable competition

11 June 2024
Inverness plumbing apprentice wins renewable competition

Inverness plumbing apprentice wins renewable competition

11 June 2024

An Inverness plumbing apprentice won top prize in a Scotland-wide competition.


Historic fishing lodge in finals of BBC Scotland’s Home of the Year

10 June 2024
Historic fishing lodge in finals of BBC Scotland’s Home of the Year

Historic fishing lodge in finals of BBC Scotland’s Home of the Year

10 June 2024

An historic Highland fishing lodge will feature in tonight’s televised grand final to find Scotland’s Home of the Year.


Behind The Lens: The Legacy of a Highland news photographer

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

Behind The Lens: The Legacy of a Highland news photographer

09 June 2024

December 2016: Hollywood actress Karen Gillan films in High Street, Inverness.


Behind The Lens: The Legacy of a Highland news photographer

02 June 2024
Behind The Lens: The Legacy of a Highland news photographer

Behind The Lens: The Legacy of a Highland news photographer

02 June 2024

March 2022: The Hydro Ness on the River Ness in Inverness becomes operational.


Mental health charity Mikeysline moves to new base in Inverness city centre

02 June 2024
Mental health charity Mikeysline moves to new base in Inverness city centre

Mental health charity Mikeysline moves to new base in Inverness city centre

02 June 2024

A Highland mental health charity has relocated to a new base in Inverness city centre as its work continues to expand.


PICTURES: Pupils at Inverness primary school turn hall into art gallery

02 June 2024
PICTURES: Pupils at Inverness primary school turn hall into art gallery

PICTURES: Pupils at Inverness primary school turn hall into art gallery

02 June 2024

Pupils at an Inverness primary school have shown off their artistic talents after turning their school hall into an art gallery.


Feedback sought on plans for new indoor skatepark for Inverness

31 May 2024
Feedback sought on plans for new indoor skatepark for Inverness

Feedback sought on plans for new indoor skatepark for Inverness

31 May 2024

Public feedback is being sought on plans to create the first indoor skatepark for Inverness.


Hydro developers in race to pump Loch Ness dry, says fishery board

30 May 2024
Hydro developers in race to pump Loch Ness dry, says fishery board

Hydro developers in race to pump Loch Ness dry, says fishery board

30 May 2024

Developers are in a race to pump Loch Ness dry, according to a salmon conservation body.


Behind The Lens: The Legacy of a Highland news photographer

26 May 2024
Behind The Lens: The Legacy of a Highland news photographer

Behind The Lens: The Legacy of a Highland news photographer

26 May 2024

Donkey enclosure, Black Isle Wildlife Park.


PICTURES: Peat & Diesel’s Black Isle Belter ‘fantastic’, say fans - despite long bar queues

26 May 2024
PICTURES: Peat & Diesel’s Black Isle Belter ‘fantastic’, say fans - despite long bar queues

PICTURES: Peat & Diesel’s Black Isle Belter ‘fantastic’, say fans - despite long bar queues

26 May 2024

Hot weather and thousands of thirsty festival-goers led to long bar queues on day one of Peat & Diesel’s Black Isle Belter.


Permission sought to extend empty Inverness city centre building

26 May 2024
Permission sought to extend empty Inverness city centre building

Permission sought to extend empty Inverness city centre building

26 May 2024

Plans have been resubmitted to extend a prominent building in Inverness city centre which has been empty since last autumn.


PICTURES: Festival-goers gather for Peat & Diesel’s Black Isle Belter

25 May 2024
PICTURES: Festival-goers gather for Peat & Diesel’s Black Isle Belter

PICTURES: Festival-goers gather for Peat & Diesel’s Black Isle Belter

25 May 2024

Festival-goers have been gathering on the Black Isle for two-days of music from a range of bands including Peat & Diesel.


Pictures: Renewing friendships over roast beef and Yorkshire pudding at Merkinch Community Centre

25 May 2024
Pictures: Renewing friendships over roast beef and Yorkshire pudding at Merkinch Community Centre

Pictures: Renewing friendships over roast beef and Yorkshire pudding at Merkinch Community Centre

25 May 2024

New friendships were forged and old ones renewed over lunch at an Inverness community centre.


More than 700 sign petition urging rethink of Inverness Caley Thistle move

25 May 2024
More than 700 sign petition urging rethink of Inverness Caley Thistle move

More than 700 sign petition urging rethink of Inverness Caley Thistle move

25 May 2024

More than 700 people have signed a petition urging Inverness Caledonian Thistle to reverse its decision to move the club’s training base to Fife.


Police issue appeal for witnesses following deaths of two men after car leaves A87

25 May 2024
Police issue appeal for witnesses following deaths of two men after car leaves A87

Police issue appeal for witnesses following deaths of two men after car leaves A87

25 May 2024

Police officers have issued an appeal for information following the deaths of two men after a car left the A87 at Invergarry.


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