Highland News crowned best Scottish weekly newspaper
Some of the HN team celebrate their success with a glass of champagne
THE Highland News has scooped Scotland's top weekly newspaper award.
The winner of the prestigious prize was announced at a national awards ceremony.
The HN was crowned Weekly Newspaper of the Year at the 32nd Scottish Press Awards.
The announcement was made at a glittering ceremony in the Grand Central Hotel, Glasgow.
The night was hosted by broadcast journalist Isla Traquair.
The Highland News battled it out against a number of weekly titles from across the country to win the award.
The eyes of the judges were caught by the in-depth local news coverage, our unique features such as HN Action and City Seen! and were impressed wit the substantial sports content and entertainments section.
Our sister newspaper, the Elgin-based Northern Scot won Campaign of the Year for their work on attempting to save RAF Lossiemouth and was also the runner up in the Weekly Newspaper of the Year award.
Highland News editor Paul Breen said: "We are absolutely delighted to have won this major accolade in the Scottish newspaper industry's premier awards and it is a wonderful reward for all the hard work of our small team of reporters, specialist writers, sub-editors and photographers.
"This is the second year running the Highland News had made the short-list for this prestigious award of top weekly newspaper and to win it this year in it the face of extremely tough competition is an endorsement of the bright package of local news, sport and entertainment we offer readers every week along with regular fun features.
"The judges have recognised our concentration on stories that matter about local people - whether they involve good or bad news - mixed with regular features including our City Seen big night out picture spread, our HN Action watchdog section, four-page Highland Freetime entertainment news, our in-depth coverage of Caley Thistle and other sports, and Tried and Tested consumer guides.
"But we are not resting on our laurels and since our entry to this year's awards we have remodelled the look of the Highland News and also transformed our website to offer a comprehensive electronic package to complement our award-winning print version. I have nothing but praise for my staff who have maintained extremely high standards while adapting to these considerable changes."
