Strathspey & Badenoch Herald reporter Miriam Clift has died from cancer, aged 47.

Miriam had been a reporter at the paper's Kingussie office since joining the Herald last September.

Editor Gavin Musgrove said: "Miriam was already a very well-respected member of the Strath community when she joined the 'Strathy' which helped her to quickly settle into the job.

"She had shown considerable talent and I have no doubts that she would have formed the cornerstone of the 'Strathy' for many years to come.

"Her easy-going nature made her a joy to work with. She was always cheerful and nothing was too much of a chore for her.

"In her last three months with the 'Strathy' we now know that she had been unwell at times, but she never complained; in fact, she did not even take a day off preferring to carry on with the job she clearly so very much enjoyed."

Former Herald editor Ken Smith said: "When I first became the editor of the 'Strathy' in 1989, Miriam ran reception and the front office. She immediately took me under her wing, introducing me to people around the town, making sure that I met the people I should meet.

"When she was appointed as reporter, I was delighted, because I knew that this was something that she really wanted to do, and something that she would be good at."

Miriam also worked briefly at the Writer's News in Nairn and in London for a publishing house.

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