One of the Press and Journal’s veteran journalists is to be honoured for his contribution to journalism.
Neil MacPhail, the north news editor based in Inverness, is to receive the Barron Trophy in recognition of his lifelong achievement.
Mr MacPhail, 66, who lives in the Highland capital, will receive his award at the annual Highlands and Islands Press Ball and Media Awards at the New Drumossie Hotel, Inverness, on Friday February 6.
This will be Mr MacPhail’s second recent honour. Together with Press and Journal photographer Sandy McCook, he won an award for outstanding coverage of the Royal National Mod in Inverness last year.
Mr MacPhail hails from Campbeltown, where his dad was a farm manager and his mum a teacher. His early education was in the Argyll town and he later moved to Peebles and Inverurie before deciding on a career in journalism.
In 1968, Mr MacPhail began as a trainee reporter with the Evening Express and Press and Journal, initially working in Broad Street, Aberdeen.
As part of his training, he spent six months working in a district office at Inverness, and has been based in the Highland capital since. He had two spells as a freelance journalist and a further two periods with the Press and Journal in a career spanning 46 years.
Mr MacPhail said: “It is fantastic to be recognised by my colleagues for my career which has been highly enjoyable, doing something I love. I have worked with some great journalists, met some really interesting people and had the privilege of working in the Highlands, one of the most beautiful parts of the country. I hope I have a few more years left in journalism.”
Gordon Fyfe, chairman of the judges, said: “Neil is the most experienced Highland reporter in the business, having covered all the top stories in this highly newsworthy area of Scotland over the past four decades.
“In his days as a reporter, he had a nose for a story and was always fearless in the way he gathered the information to get it on the front page. From his position now as a news editor, he provides sound direction and guidance to his reporters and photographers to deliver the stories his readers want.”
Damian Bates, editor of the Press and Journal, said: “If anyone deserves recognition for his work in journalism, it’s Neil MacPhail. He’s a class act who does what any good journalist does: digs and digs for great stories.
“He’s been there, seen it and done it and young journalists entering our trade today could do worse than emulate the hard work he puts in each and every day.”
The Press and Journal’s Inverness office also has two nominations in the main media awards. Trainee reporter David Kerr is in the running for young reporter of the year, while chief reporter Jane Candlish is nominated in the top story category.