Celebrations as Highland News and Media journalists honoured at Highlands and Islands Media Awards
A series of features shining the spotlight on the LGBT+ sporting community has won a Highland News and Media journalist a top award.
Sports writer Andrew Henderson was named Feature Writer of the Year in the annual Highlands and Islands Media Awards.
He was presented with his prize at the Highlands and Islands Press Ball held at the Kingsmills Hotel in Inverness.
Donald Wilson, recently retired reporter with the Highland News and Media, based in Nairn, was also presented with the Barron Trophy for lifelong achievement in journalism.
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Paul Campbell, an Inverness freelance, is Photographer of the Year.
Nearly 250 media representatives, politicians and heads of public and private organisations attended the event.
The ball, and associated Highlands and Islands Media Awards, attracted journalists from Shetland to Argyll and from Moray to the Outer Hebrides serving print,broadcast and online media.
Principal sponsor of the evening was Diageo, with additional support from Statkraft, Chivas Brothers, the National Union of Journalists, Highlands and Islands Enterprise, Hub North Scotland, the Kane Partnership, Highland Tourism and Bord an Gàidhlig.
The event raised £4111 which will benefit four local charities: Highland Hospice, Centred (formerly Birchwood Highland), Children’s Hospices Across Scotland (CHAS) and the Liam Colgan Music Fund. The ball has now raised nearly £120,000 for good causes, with all the money staying in the Highlands and Islands.
Ball chairman John Ross said: "We are delighted the Press Ball continues to bring together colleagues from across the area where they are an essential part of local communities.
"Our charity fundraising is also a vital part of the occasion and we are extremely pleased to be able to contribute in a small way to some fantastic local causes."
The full list of award winners is:
Environment and Sustainability (Highland Tourism Award) – Donna MacAllister, Press and Journal
Business Writer of the Year – Peter Ranscombe, Press and Journal
Gaelic Writer of the Year (Bòrd na Gàidhlig Award) – Angus Peter Campbell, West Highland Free Press
Young Reporter of the Year (Alex Main Trophy) – Ethan Flett, Orcadian
Sports Writer of the Year – Mark Harcus, Orcadian
Photographer of the Year – Paul Campbell, Inverness Freelance
Reporter of the Year (Jim Love Memorial Trophy) – Stuart Findlay, Press and Journal
Feature Writer of the Year – Andrew Henderson, Highland News and Media
Community Newspaper of the Year – Chatterbox, Black Isle
Newspaper of the Year – West Highland Free Press
Diageo Journalist of the Year – Mark Harcus, Orcadian
Barron Trophy for Lifetime Achievement – Donald Wilson, Nairn
Special Recognition Award – Ken Amer, Orkney
