HELD annually, the Highlands and Islands Media Awards recognise – say the organisers – “excellence in journalism from writers, photographers and editors and celebrate the wide range of newspapers, broadcast media and online news services which keep the region informed”.
They are held during the Highlands and Islands Press Ball, which has operated in its current form since 1989 by former The Scotsman Highlands correspondent, John Ross.
Add the organisers: “A previous event had been running for many years in Inverness, but its latest incarnation extended the event to include the Northern and Western Isles, Argyll and Moray as well as the Highland mainland.”
This is the 26th year of the Ball.
Media Awards winners:
Barron Trophy, for services to journalism
Winner: Clive Dennier, awarded posthumously
Bòrd na Gàidhlig Award for Best Gaelic Entry:
Winner: Monster FM
Nominated: Andrea Wolff, freelance
Best use of Digital Media:
Winner: Stornoway Gazette
Nominated: Shetland News
Photographer of the Year:
Winner: Gary Anthony, Scottish Provincial Press
Nominated: Iain Ferguson, freelance
Nominated: Andrew Smith, Scottish Provincial Press
Top Shot of the Year:
Winner: Gary Anthony, Scottish Provincial Press
Nominated: Ken Amer, freelance
Nominated: James Gunn, freelance
Young Journalist of the Year and the Alex Main Trophy:
Winner: Alistair Walker – Fios
Nominated: Nick Humphreys, Highland News
Nominated: Jamie Durent, Inverness Courier
Sports Writer of the Year:
Winner: Keith MacKenzie, West Highland Free Press
Nominated: Ian Johnston, The Orcadian
Nominated: Chris Saunderson, The Northern Scot
Reporter of the Year and the Jim Love Memorial Trophy:
Winner: Ryan Taylor, Shetland Times
Nominated: Jenna Conti, Highland News
Nominated: Kaye Nicolson, The Press and Journal
Top Story of the Year:
Winner: Roger Hutchinson, West Highland Free Press – Raasay shooting rights
Nominated: Helen Aird, The Inverness Courier
Nominated: Jane Candlish, The Press and Journal
Feature Writer of the Year:
Winner: Catriona MacPhee, Press and Journal
Nominated: Euan Paterson, The Oban Times
Nominated: Keith Mackenzie, West Highland Free Press
Community Newspaper of the Year:
Winner: Am Paipear, Uist
Nominated: Ileach, Islay and Jura
Nominated: The Nethy, Nethy Bridge
Newspaper of the Year:
Winner: Stornoway Gazette
Nominated: Island News & Advertiser
Nominated: The Shetland Times
Diageo Journalist of the Year
Winner: Gary Anthony, Scottish Provincial Press
