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Editor Alan named Journalist of the Year

Alan Hendry, editor of the Caithness Courier and John o’Groat Journal, has been named Journalist of the Year for the Highlands and Islands.

Alan received his award from the Rt Hon George Reid, MSP, presiding officer of the Scottish Parliament.

Alan impressed judges with an outstanding portfolio of features, together with his skills in editing popular and campaigning newspapers, and received £500 to donate to a charity of his choice.

He also picked up the award for Feature Writer of the Year, for which he received a further £100.

  • Alan (left) collects his award
  • Gordon Fyfe, chairman of the judging panel, said: “Alan finds time from his duties as editor of two excellent local newspapers to pen well written and well researched features.

    “His success is deserved reward for many years of providing his local community with a first class news and features service.”

    Alan was one of 11 winners who collected awards at the Highlands and Islands Press Ball which was held at Nairn on Friday.

    His award came as a particular surprise as it was the only one which had not been announced ahead of the ceremony.

    Other winners were:

  • Local Newspaper Photographer of the Year: Bob Bruce, Northern Scot;
  • Photographer of the Year: Iain Ferguson, The Write Image;
  • Young Journalist of the Year: Jane Candlish, Strathspey and Badenoch Herald;
  • Sports Writer of the Year: Charles Bannerman, freelance;
  • Local Reporter of the Year: Leanne Carter, Northern Scot;
  • Reporter of the Year: Lorraine Shearer, Orcadian;
  • Community Newspaper of the Year: Rudhach, Point, Lewis;
  • Newspaper of the Year: Strathspey and Badenoch Herald and
  • Bill Lucas who received the Barron Trophy for lifetime achievement in journalism.

    The Press Ball raised £3,000 which will be split between four charities: The Highland Homeless Trust; the Sibling Group (Birnie Child Development Centre, Raigmore Hospital, Inverness); the Multiple Sclerosis Therapy Centre; and the Highland Wheelchair Dancing Club.