LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD FOR CAITHNESS JOURNALIST

28th January 2008

Noel Donaldson, reporter with the Caithness Courier and John O'Groat Journal, is the winner of this year's Barron Trophy, which recognises lifetime achievement in journalism in the Highlands and Islands. Noel (62) will receive his award from Scottish First Minister Alex Salmond at the Highlands and Islands Press Ball being held at Nairn on Friday 1 February.

A former Journalist of the Year for the Highlands and Islands, Noel has spent a total of 47 years in the business. He joined the Wick-based freelance agency run by his late father, John "Hot News" Donaldson at the age of 15 and took over the agency in 1967.

Successive jobs took him from The Orcadian, to the Banffshire Advertiser, the Ellon Times, the Largs and Millport Weekly News and the Greenock Evening Telegraph. He set his compass for home in his native Wick, 15 years ago.

Since then he has been a reporter with the Caithness Courier and John O'Groat Journal, covering news and producing a regular column, Wicker's World, with its mix of opinions, anecdotes, nostalgic snippets and archive photos.

When he hangs up his notebook and pencil, he can do so in the knowledge that the long Donaldson tradition in journalism is being carried on. Son James is production editor with the Aberdeen Evening Express and his brother, David, is a radio journalist in Newcastle.

Gordon Fyfe, Chairman of the Highlands and Islands Media Awards' Judging Panel said: "Noel has been a superb servant to journalism in Caithness and beyond, a news-hound of the old school whose ability to sniff out a story remains undimmed by the passage of years. Highly regarded by colleagues and hugely supportive of trainees in the office, Noel understands what a reporter on a local newspaper needs to be. He has the ability to connect with his readers and his Wicker's World is a great example of this.

"From cub reporter to seasoned veteran, Noel's contribution over the best part of half a century has been truly outstanding. He is a worthy winner of the Barron Trophy."

Alan Hendry, editor of the John O'Groat Journal and Caithness Courier, said: "We're all delighted for Noel and he richly deserves the Barron Trophy in recognition of his many years of valued service to the industry. "Noel's career has taken him virtually the length and breadth of Scotland - to Ayrshire, Aberdeenshire and Orkney - but thankfully for much of the time the two Caithness papers have had the benefit of his experience and
expertise.

"He has a wealth of tales from the old days but never loses sight of the urgency and immediacy that dictates our weekly workload. Noel is not just committed to his job, he is immersed in the whole profession of journalism."