Publication

Mum’s last words to murdered son were: ‘Be careful’

THE parents of an Inverness murder victim feared for his safety just hours before he died, his family said last night. Much-loved musician Iain Gordon Macfarlane, 32, pictured left, was brutally killed in his own flat by a homeless man he gave shelter...

BA flight sex act shame of community stalwart, 65 Moray business figure in court after fondling himself in front of horrified plane passengers

A LEADING Moray business figure has been found guilty of outraging public decency after fondling his privates in a “sexualised” manner in front of shocked passengers on a plane back to the UK from Miami. Gordon Christie, 65, pictured, also tweaked his...

Swinney: I welcome Fresh Start campaign

FIRST Minister John Swinney said he has “very much welcomed” The Press and Journal’s Fresh Start campaign calling for the relaxing of business rates rules on vacant properties. We have launched the joint mission with our fellow DC Thomson news brands,...

DC Thomson’s news brands unite to launch campaign to help save our city and town centres

SCOTLAND’S high streets were once the beating heart of our town and city centres – bustling shops, thriving bars and restaurants and offices jam-packed with workers. Now the picture across the country is bleak and high street decline is one of the...

New MSP on Lyme disease battle

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Wrong terminal cancer diagnosis devastated family

A FAMILY’S lives were turned upside down after a grandmother was incorrectly diagnosed with terminal breast cancer. Mary Crowley, 63, was told by doctors at NHS Grampian that even with treatment she would only have a “few good years left”. This news...

Council defends £546k overpaid to its employees

HIGHLAND Council officials have revealed they have overpaid staff by hundreds of thousands of pounds for the second year in a row. The local authority defended the £545,770 figure, calling it “relatively low”. This year’s figure has decreased since...

Youngsters on tracks narrowly avoid train

NETWORK Rail bosses have hit out after a train had a near-miss with youths “hanging around” on tracks in Inverness. The driver of the train was forced to hit the emergency brakes at the Far North Line pedestrian crossing near South Kessock and...

Police officer is guilty of raping two isles women

A VIOLENT north police officer was yesterday convicted of raping two women. A jury found fiend Cameron Ross, 39, pictured, guilty of the harrowing sex attacks in the Stornoway area of Lewis in 2012 and 2014. Ross, who is from Nairn, was also...

Brodie on why it does not fear the A96 bypass

A LONG-STANDING Moray business is confident A96 dualling will not harm its trade. Brodie Countryfare has been a roadside staple between Forres and Nairn for the past 50 years. The current plans to upgrade the A96 would see Brodie bypassed – but that...

Maria’s app aims to help you decode your dog’s behaviour

Maria Makarova never set out to become the co-founder of a start-up, she just wanted to understand her anxious rescue dog Riley better. Almost seven years ago, she adopted the nervous pet from the Edinburgh Cat and Dog Home, but Riley’s nervy...

School’s campus opening delayed by building work

A NEW state-of-the-art school campus in Nairn that was due to open in August will now likely not welcome pupils until after the October holidays. Highland Council has confirmed that the academy campus – which has cost around £61 million to create –...

City man saved by quick-acting cyclist’s actions

A WOMAN riding her bike down an Inverness street became a hero after her actions helped save a man’s life. Jason Condon had collapsed next to his car near Culduthel Christian Centre last month after he started feeling unwell while driving. NHS worker...

Children so poor they have never even been to cafe

AN NHS Highland boss has called for action in tackling child poverty in the region as a report revealed some youngsters have never even been to a cafe or a swimming pool due to a lack of money. The Press and Journal spoke to director of public health...

Businesses face action in city gull crackdown

BUSINESSES in Inverness are to face “enforcement action” if they fail to prevent making food available for gulls. Councillors have agreed a plan to tackle the avian “epidemic” that has seen city residents attacked by the birds. Highland Council’s...

‘Rural Highlands need new homes to ensure future’

RURAL communities in the north will die out if new properties aren’t built, a housebuilder has warned. Kirsty MacKinnon, of Skye-based property developers R.House, told The P&J the company has been working in partnership with the Attadale Trust to...

Transplant kickstarts Duncan’s football dream

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Family’s tribute to ‘heart of gold’ dad after canal tragedy

THE family of an Inverness man who was found dead at the Caledonian Canal has paid tribute to the “happy-go-lucky” dad. A search was launched for 27-year-old Billy McKenzie after his dogs were found wandering alone. But despite the efforts of...

Legal threat over council short-term let controls

HIGHLAND Council could face a legal challenge over its proposed short-term let control areas. The local authority says the move would bring “a better balance” between tourism growth and local housing need. But the Association of Scotland’s...

Store owner’s drink licence at risk after police probe

THE owner of six Inverness stores could lose his alcohol licence following a police raid. Venkata Surendra Babu Gaddam appeared at the Highland Council Licensing Board yesterday for a review into whether he is fit to hold a licence allowing him to...

Mum: I had to tell child their rapist will soon be freed

A HORRIFIED Inverness mum has told how she fears the monster who raped her child will offend again when he is released from prison in a matter of weeks. Evil and manipulative Robert McGregor, pictured, was jailed for 10 years in 2017 for a shocking...

North crash victim ‘was best friend to everyone’

THE heartbroken family of a motorcyclist killed in a Highland crash by a tourist have told how he was “a best friend” to everyone. Michael Gall, 51, died after a vehicle being driven on the wrong side of the road by Matthias Hunecke crashed into him...

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Heritage bosses want viaduct’ s parts ‘salvaged’

PARTS of the collapsed Spey Viaduct should be “salvaged”, heritage bosses have said. Historic Environment Scotland has said that while they “accept the justification” to remove the pieces of the collapsed crossing, they have said that some of the...

‘School bus axe will push me to breaking point’

A WIDOWED Portgordon mum has told how Moray Council’s decision to scrap school buses for some pupils will leave her at “breaking point”. Kellie Lawtie has two children – 10-year-old son Xander and nine-year-old daughter Ruadh – who will soon be making...

‘Oakley had big heart and was loved by all of us’

‘Policies at every level are hurting hospitality trade’

INVERNESS hotel tycoon Tony Story has warned policymakers at all levels of government that hospitality businesses will close unless they stop piling ever-increasing financial burdens on the sector. Mr Story, pictured, said the combined impact of...

Firms hit out over £2 fares ‘targeted at cruise ships’

INVERGORDON businesses have raised concerns about a taxpayer-subsidised bus scheme being targeted at visitors arriving in the Highlands on cruise ships. Last month, the Scottish Government announced all bus journeys in the region would be capped at...

Body of teen boy is found in loch

THE body of a 17-year-old boy was found yesterday in a loch at a Highland beauty spot. Search teams, pictured, made the tragic discovery at Lochindorb, near Grantown, at 11.25am after first being alerted to “a male youth in difficulty in the water” on...

‘Reform net-zero purge would hit hardest in north’

THE Highlands could be negatively impacted by Reform’s plans to slash support for greener industries, a new report warns. Nigel Farage’s party has hit out at “net zero” policies and wants to ramp up North Sea drilling instead. Reform’s manifesto for...

Man stabbed his mother to death after attempt to poison dad

A MENTALLY ILL Inverness man killed his mother as she reported him to the police for trying to poison his father. Thomas Fraser, pictured above right, stabbed Miriam MacDonald, 52, in the neck while she was on the 999 call. The 31-year-old had...

Owners of second homes hit out at new 300% tax rate

A GROUP of Highland second home owners are urging the council to rethink taxing them 300% for their properties. Councillors voted for the increase on second homes in a bid to ease the housing crisis. But a new group – Second Home Owners for Fair...

City firm Global aiming to boost workforce to 3k

THE new strategy boss at an Inverness-headquartered energy infrastructure firm has unveiled ambitions to boost the workforce from 2,000 to 3,000 as it chases a £500 million sales target Global has appointed former ScottishPower executive Barry...

North rural life ‘is at risk from housing policy’

BOSSES at housing associations across the north have joined forces to demand the next Scottish Government takes action to protect rural communities. Many areas across the Highlands and Islands – such as in and around Fort William, pictured – are...

‘Holyrood can aid Elgin’s ambitions’

MORAY business leaders and traders have called on the next Scottish Government to match their ambitions to kickstart a vibrant transformation of Elgin. We spoke to leading figures in the town about how they are overcoming obstacles such as the closure...

North school is evacuated over ‘safety threat’

HUNDREDS of pupils were evacuated yesterday after a “safety threat” at a Highland school. Youngsters at Inverness Royal Academy on the city’s Culduthel Road were told to exit the building in an alarming public address system announcement just after...

Knifeman caged over terrifying post office raid

A KNIFE-WIELDING armed robber who threatened to stab a Moray post office manager has been jailed. Masked Colin Sutcliffe brandished an eight-inch blade during the hold-up at Buckie Post Office and escaped with £1,400 from the till. During the...

‘Drastic overhaul needed to fix the care homes crisis’

THE boss of a north care home operator says the entire system governing the industry needs ripped up and rewritten. Ron Taylor told The P&J that none of the political parties vying for votes at next month’s Holyrood election have the right solution to...

Plans to create 165 new homes in city revealed

A HOUSEBUILDING firm has unveiled its plans for 165 new homes in Inverness. Scotia Homes is behind the proposals to create dozens of properties in the city’s Inshes area. Drawings submitted to Highland Council as part of the plan show a mix of...

Trampoline park news ‘devastates’ ASN families

FAMILIES have been left devastated after news an Inverness trampoline park will close within weeks. Infinity Trampoline park hosts specialist sessions for children with autism and parents say the closure will have a ‘devastating effect’. The Sunday...

WIN tickets to see Strictly stars

Strictly The Professionals returns to P&J Live on Saturday 2nd May 2026, bringing a spectacular night of world-class dance to Aberdeen. The show features 10 professional dancers from the hit BBC One series Strictly Come Dancing, alongside a sensational...

SNP vows on A9, A96 and school for north voters

THE SNP yesterday unveiled its Holyrood election manifesto in a bid to woo north voters with promises on A9 and A96 dualling, a new Buckie High School campus and a new GP walk-in centre in Inverness. First Minister John Swinney, pictured, laid out his...

SSEN to go after council for costs if it wins appeal

SSEN bosses aim to chase Highland Council for tens of thousands of pounds in costs if the Scottish Government overturns a decision to reject plans for a major substation near Beauly. In February the local authority voted against the proposals for the...

‘A9 needs to be ready for renewables revolution’

THE next Scottish Government needs to commit the cash to complete dualling of the A9, according to Inverness Chamber of Commerce. The business association has released its manifesto for the upcoming Scottish election. And with a so-called “renewables...

Tributes as stalwart of north darts circuit dies

THE Highland darts community is in mourning after the “tragic and sudden death” of a legend of the local oche scene. Stephen Grant, pictured, known to everyone as Stevie, passed away on Friday. His death was announced by members of the Inverness...

Two injured in A9 Ember bus crash

TWO people were taken to hospital after a bus crash on the A9. The smash involving an Ember coach was reported at around 9.40am yesterday near the Granish junction north of Aviemore. Dramatic pictures showed the bus stuck down an embankment.

Swinney vow to fix housing shortage

FIRST Minister John Swinney said he will look to tackle the housing crisis in the north if his party returns to power after next month’s Holyrood election. Mr Swinney hit the campaign trail in Inverness yesterday and paid a visit to construction firm...

Labour ‘must end delay and give go-ahead to Rosebank’

LABOUR should already have approved the new Rosebank oil field off Shetland, according to an ex-prime minister’s think tank. A new report published today by the Tony Blair Institute (TBI) says the UK Government is risking the nation’s energy security...

‘Wildfires could destroy wildlife’

AN out-of-control fire could decimate the Cairngorms, an expert has warned. Ross Watson, pictured, who lives in Strathspey and works as an adviser for Forestry and Land Scotland, has voiced his support for the new campfire and barbecue ban in the...

Survivor: Abuser’s jail time is ‘justice’ for me and others

A WOMAN who was targeted by a Highland paedophile when she was a child has said that she is happy she helped “take him off the streets”. Kenneth Polus, pictured, was jailed for nine years after he was convicted of a number of sexual abuse offences...

Man fined for homophobic train abuse

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‘Crippling’ new business rates spark closure fears in the hospitality sector

Highland hospitality businesses have warned soaring business rates will force firms to shut their doors. Ginny Knox runs two self-catering properties in Dornoch which are currently below the nondomestic rates threshold. However, she faces a £9,000...

Plug is pulled on China plan...and up to 4,000 jobs

The UK Government says it “cannot support” a Chinese plan to build turbines at a factory at Ardersier, which was expected to generate thousands of jobs. The update follows “rumours” in the Scottish Parliament that Energy Secretary Ed Miliband was...

Elgin hotel joins hospitality giant IHG’ s portfolio

AN Elgin hotel will reopen next year as part of a globe-spanning hospitality portfolio. The Eight Acres is currently undergoing a swish £250,000 makeover. And The Press and Journal can reveal it has joined up with the multinational IHG Hotels &...

‘It’s time to bring home Renee and her son Andrew’

A Highland councillor said it was time to “bring home” Renee MacRae and her toddler son Andrew as the police and armed forces searched for their bodies at the former home of their killer. It has been almost 50 years since the Inverness mum and her...

Army and police to renew search for Renee’s body

A NEW search to find the bodies of murdered Renee MacRae and her son is due to be launched. Nearly 50 years after they were killed by William MacDowell, specialist investigators are set to examine land at his former Highland lodge in...

‘No outcome can ever make up for our family’s loss’ Wife’s tribute to Andrew, 34, as woman walks free over death crash

THE devastated wife of a motorcyclist killed in a head-on collision on the A96 has told The Press and Journal that the “future has been robbed from” her and her young son. Elgin dad Andrew Wright, 34, pictured, died after driver Dawn McIntosh’s...

Neighbourhoods ‘being erased by short-term lets’

RESIDENTS in Inverness neighbourhoods with a high percentage of short-term lets have told The Press and Journal how close-knit communities are slowly vanishing across the city. We hit the streets of the Highland capital to discover the human impact of...

‘More wind farm funds should go to communities’

COUNCILLORS are poised to fight for more community funding from onshore wind farms in a showdown with Holyrood. The Scottish Government has proposed increasing the recommendations from £5,000 per megawatt per year from the energy projects to £6,000 as...

Region in running for UK city of culture title

INVERNESS and the Highlands is one of nine places on the longlist to be named the 2029 UK City of Culture. Highland Council convener Bill Lobban said: “This is an extraordinary moment which recognises the creativity, resilience and cultural richness...

Man, 55, in court after £600,000 drugs find

A MORAY man has appeared in court after police seized cocaine with an estimated street value of £600,000 in the Highlands. Officers arrested a 55-year-old man after discovering a “significant” amount of the Class A drug in a car near Fort William....

Tycoon sold city venue to himself in £14m package

A HIGHLAND property tycoon sold a former music venue in Inverness to himself as part of a £14 million deal, The Press and Journal can today reveal. It was widely reported that businessman David Cameron had acquired the Ironworks in 2016 for just...

MRT alarm at triplefold rescues rise

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We join police in crackdown on drug gangs

“It was a fire door, they’re a nightmare,” said an officer after his colleague impressively smashed a six-inch-thick wooden and metal door to gain access to a property in the Merkinch area. Despite having arms the size of traffic cones, it took him 14...

Parents ‘kept in the dark’ about blade incident

PARENTS have hit out at school bosses after a pupil brought a knife on to the premises. Staff at Ness Castle Primary in Inverness sent a letter to parents after the incident on Tuesday morning. However, some adults were not happy that they only...

Safety fears for Moray pupils as free buses axed

PUPILS in Moray face trudging up to four miles to school and back each day alongside an unlit road after their bus was axed. The council has changed its free school transport rule from two miles to three miles for youngsters going to secondary. That...

Noise row thug’ s eye attack on neighbour

A VIOLENT brawl erupted at a supported accommodation block in which a man jammed his fingers into another resident’s eye sockets, a court heard. George Dow, 54, was convicted of assault following the fracas at the Blue Triangle complex in Oban over...