Recognition of Willie's lifetime of achievement in journalism

The winner of the Barron Trophy, which recognises lifetime achievement in journalism in the Highlands and Islands, is Willie Morrison, the Durness-born Gaelic-speaking reporter, who retired recently after 40 years in the business.

Willie (66) will receive his award at the Highland and Islands Press Ball, which is being held at the Newton Hotel, Nairn, on Friday 2 February.

A former pupil of Durness Primary and Dornoch Academy, Willie graduated from the Scottish College of Commerce in Glasgow and 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 from  June  2002,  ending his career with the Inverness Courier before retiring in January, 2006.

He still occasionally provides holiday relief  cover  for  local newspapers and undertakes  public relations assignments.

Willie's other main interest has been serving with the Territorial Army.  He joined in 1960 and retired as a Major in 1992, spending his final 13 years in TA Public Relations.

Living in Inverness, he is married to Jennifer and the couple have two grown up sons, Iain and Calum and a grand-daughter.

Gordon Fyfe, Chairman of the Highland Media Awards, said: "In his 40 years as a journalist in the Highlands, Willie has covered the full range of stories - from the Mod to Madonna. He is known as a stickler for detail and accuracy, qualities which have earned him the respect of politicians, sheriffs, procurators fiscal and other prominent community leaders."