Inverness Courier's happier highlights of 2023: January
Some media may focus on doom and gloom but we like to share positive stories about people in our communities.
Here's a selection from January:
An Inverness surgeon who has treated the injured in Ukraine's war zone has been recognised in the New Year Honours list.
Andy Kent has been made an OBE for services to UK health support overseas, particularly in Ukraine, and during the Covid-19 pandemic.
Mr Kent, a trauma and orthopaedic surgeon at Raigmore Hospital, has travelled to Ukraine on several occasions to help treat the injured following the Russian invasion.
Donald Wilson, who recently retired from Highland News and Media after 51 years in journalism, has been awarded the Barron Trophy for lifetime achievement in the newspaper business.
Donald (67), who lives in Nairn, will receive his trophy at the annual Highland and Islands Press Ball and Media Awards at the Kingsmills Hotel, Inverness, on Friday, February 3.
In 2020, he spearheaded the launch of the new Nairnshire edition of the Inverness Courier, which he saw as his career coming full circle after beginning his trade in his home town.
Cory Jones and Dave Crosbie, successfully completed a 1000-mile canoe through the Canadian Wilderness.
The expedition was titled Unpeeled. They passed through two time zones and six river systems, on their mission to prove that life doesn't stop at 50.
Bars and pubs in Inverness were honoured in an awards ceremony tonight for the first time since the start of the pandemic.
The Best Bar None Awards were held at the city’s Waterside Hotel.
A total of 20 venues took part, with 160 guests attending, with charitable donations at the event going to mental health cause Mikeysline.
A ball gown made of recycled materials including a trampoline has won its young Inverness creator an award at the world finals of a fashion competition.
Órla Ní Eadhra, who modelled her creation at the Junk Kouture World Final in Abu Dhabi, was named the London winner.
The 18-year-old was selected as one of 10 UK finalists in the global youth sustainable fashion competition to create and model high-end couture from everyday junk.
