From Inverness to the front line of Ukraine, "Nessie the Nissan", a well-worn X-Trail has completed a 2800 mile journey.

Behind the wheel was local mechanic Danny Ward, who gave up his annual leave, loaded Nessie with humanitarian aid and drove across Europe to deliver support to Kramatorsk. Packed with Highland kindness - from food to a bottle of single malt - this mission proves what many here already know: when the Highlands rally, the impact can reach far beyond our glens.

"They (Aid Ukraine) said they need a four-wheel drive, ideally a Nissan X-Trail, mainly because the people out there are used to them: driving them, working on them, (they) probably have spare parts for them; they're cheaper parts and are reliable vehicles.

The shocking thing is, the budget comes out of the soldiers' wages. They do a whip-round to buy vehicles that they're losing."

"I'd be proud if I were Ukrainian. You can't always say that for being British, but I would certainly be proud if I were Ukrainian"

Danny's story takes us through the journey from meeting bomb makers to experiencing drone attacks. A crowd funding page has been set up to buy a truck which Danny will be behind the wheel of, heading to Kramatorsk once more.

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The stories we discuss on this episode:

https://www.inverness-courier.co.uk/news/car-mechanic-drives-to-ukrainian-front-line-to-deliver-nessi-382678/

https://www.inverness-courier.co.uk/news/part-one-from-inverness-to-ukrainian-front-line-car-mecha-382751/

https://www.inverness-courier.co.uk/news/part-2-i-was-in-a-war-zone-now-car-mechanic-describes-s-382757/

https://www.inverness-courier.co.uk/news/part-3-meeting-a-bombmaker-turning-scrap-into-weapons-of-re-382761/

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This podcast was brought to you by Highland News and Media. 

Hosted by: Shannon Marvell

Produced by: Christopher Dixon

Journalist: Andrew Henderson 

Keep up to date with everything happening from Thurso to Grampian with Digital+. Use the code: SOCIAL20 for your first year at £20.

On June 28 1969, police raided Stonewall Inn, a gay bar in Greenwich Village, New York. Since 1970, the world has taken the month of June to protest for equal rights for the LGBTQ+ community. 

Recent months have brought both frustration and changes in the legal understanding of the trans community. However, this period also presents an opportunity for broader learning and discussion for everyone.

The stories featuring in the podcast: 

Highland-based members of the LGBTQ+ community come together for a round table discussion in Inverness for History Month

In February, Andrew Henderson ran a group discussion, along with five members of the community, to speak on how inter-generational conversations are important and the challenges that are currently being faced by people who identify as LGBTQ+. 

Now that we’re in Pride month and Highland Pride is tomorrow, hear the stories in full.  

Keep up to date with the latest LGBTQ+ news from around the Highlands by subscribing to our free newsletter, The Queerier

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This podcast was brought to you by Highland News and Media. 

Hosted by: Shannon Marvell

Produced by: Christopher Dixon

Journalist: Andrew Henderson 

Keep up to date with everything happening from Thurso to Grampian with Digital+. Use the code: SOCIAL20 for your first year at £20.

Just over seven months of Caley Jags not knowing if Inverness Caley Thistly will recover from administration. As of today, the future looks bright again as the company voluntary agreement (CVA) is agreed.

Listen to the full press conference exclusively on Beyond the Briefing.

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This podcast was brought to you by Highland News and Media. 

Hosted by: Shannon Marvell

Produced by: Shannon Marvell

Journalist: Andrew Henderson 

Keep up to date with everything happening from Thurso to Grampian with Digital+. Use the code: SOCIAL20 for your first year at £20.

Cancer is a life-altering diagnosis. While many cancer stories focus on inspiring events and challenges, Rachel's "Life After Cancer Series" highlights another crucial aspect: life continues beyond cancer.

We hear the powerful journeys of five individuals from the Highlands who have transformed their lives following cancer diagnoses.

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Read more on their stories here:

https://www.inverness-courier.co.uk/news/life-after-cancer-survivor-retrains-to-be-a-personal-traine-376974/

https://www.inverness-courier.co.uk/news/life-after-cancer-i-can-do-this-attitude-helps-woman-lear-376408/

https://www.inverness-courier.co.uk/news/life-after-cancer-why-society-needs-normalise-post-surgery-378789/

https://www.inverness-courier.co.uk/news/life-after-cancer-tattoos-kayaking-and-a-new-career-helps-377252/

https://www.inverness-courier.co.uk/news/life-after-cancer-man-who-survived-cancer-three-times-urges-378221/

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This podcast was brought to you by Highland News and Media. 

Hosted by: Shannon Marvell

Produced by: Christopher Dixon

Journalist: Rachel Smart

Keep up to date with everything happening from Thurso to Grampian with Digital+. Use the code: SOCIAL20 for your first year at £20.

In light of a 13 year-old boy's letter to the Highland Council pleading for his support to be reinstanted was a heart wrenching story to hear. No child should feel left out of an education. It' is crutial for the right needs to be put in place at the start of a child's education.

We spoke to Federica Stefani who tells us about what criteria a child has to meet to recieve additional support needs (ASN) in thwe Highland and what effect this may have in the near future.

You can find our success story, and more here: https://www.northern-scot.co.uk/news/i-am-struggling-teenager-13-calls-to-reinstate-additio-380714/

Get full access to your local content by using SHANNON at checkout for a Digital+ Annual subscription, at £20 for the first year.

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This Podcast is created by Highland News and Media

Host: Shannon Marvell

Producer: Christopher Dixon

Journalist: Federica Stefani

We're diving into the heartwarmng initiative that swept across the Highlands and Moray: the 'Give Blood, Save Lives' Campaign. Launched by Highland News & Media and the Scottish Nation Blood Transfusion Service in November 2024, this collaborative effort aimed to collect 5,000 vital blood donations by Easter 2025 to combat critical shortages and encourage regular donations.

We are joined by Grrgor White who brough this campign to life, a new donor himself, we looked inot how one donation can benefit patients with different care needs and how simple the donation was.

You can find our success story, and more here: https://www.inverness-courier.co.uk/news/5000-thank-yous-campaign-to-boost-blood-donations-in-the-no-380357/

Get full access to your local content by using SHANNON at checkout for a Digital+ Annual subscription, at £20 for the first year.

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This Podcast is created by Highland News and Media

Host: Shannon Marvell

Producer: Christopher Dixon

Journalist: Gregor White

Inverness has everuything from History to wild lanscapes - but despite this image, crime ios still an issue.

We are jouined by Political Reporter, Scot Maclennan and Highlands and Island MSP, Edward Mountain, to discuss his recent walk with Police Scotland and his recent visit to HMP Inverness and HMP Highland.

Mountain discusses his fustration of the lack of implimentation of a database that would streamline the process of completing paperwork that would mean officers would be out on the streets quicker.

Find out what he discovered about the experience of officers in Inverness on a typically lively Friday evening

Prescribed £34 Million in Patient Compensation – What Went Wrong?

The NHS is a service many of us rely on often with the quiet reassurance that it is there when we need it most. For some it's more than just reassurance, it's a lifeline

But when this lifeline fails the cons can be deeply traumatic and, in some cases, life altering.

Over the past 5 years NHS Highland and Grampian have paid out a combined £34 million in patient compensation. Meanwhile the Scottish Government have been criticised for leaving front line staff dangerously overstretched - a situation that is increasing the risk of error and put both p and prof at a greater a risk

Today Scott MacLennan is here to make sense of it all. NHS Highland and Grampian are experiencing strain across various areas. This report examines the actions being taken to alleviate this pressure and improve the health service.

Read more here: https://www.inverness-courier.co.uk/news/nhs-highland-and-nhs-grampian-paid-out-a-combined-34m-in-pa-379972/

Keep up to date with everything happening from Thurso to Grampian with Digital+. Use the code: SOCIAL20 for your first year at £20.