Lifetime achievement award for Morrison

A NEWSPAPER reporter who has just retired after 40 years in the industry, has been recognised by his colleagues in the Highlands and Islands, with the presentation of a lifetime achievement award.

Willie Morrison is the latests recipient of the Barron Trophy, at this year’s Highlands and Islands Media Awards.

The Durness-born Gaelic-speaking 66 year-old will receive his award at the Highland and Islands Press Ball, which is being held a week tomorrow.

Willie entered journalism with DC Thomson at the company’s Sunday Post office in Glasgow in 1966. It was later that year that he was given the opportunity to return to the Highlands as the Inverness-based reporter with the People’s Journal.

He remained with the Journal until 1981, when he moved to Edinburgh to work in public relations with the National Trust for Scotland. He had spells with the Alloa Advertiser and Lothian Courier before the late Willie Wilson, editor of the North Star, offered him the chance to return to the Highlands in 1984.

Willie joined Aberdeen Journals in 1989, to set up and edit the Dingwall-based East Ross Herald and Post, and became the Press and Journal ‘s reporter in Dingwall in 1991.

He edited the North Star for three years.