The Northern Scot's top front page stories for 2023
IT has been an eventful year for Moray and as 2024, here is a look back at some of The Northern Scot's front page stories from last year.
January
Holiday park ‘reduced to a bomb site’ (Friday, January 13 – Thursday, January 19)
Caravan owners at a Lossiemouth site shared their growing frustration following the holiday park's takeover. Owners were left without running water, broken appliances and said they felt the park had become a “bomb site”.
February
Moray's Turkish community 'heartbroken' over earthquake (Friday, February 10 to Thursday, February 16)
Moray's Turkish community were left distraught by the dreadful earthquake that hit their homeland. Members of the community spoke of their sadness in the aftermath of the two huge quakes.
March
Lossiemouth groups join forces to tackle antisocial behaviour (Friday, March 24 to Thursday, March 30)
Lossiemouth community groups joined forces with the police and fire service to patrol the streets and work towards solutions to help tackle a rise in antisocial behaviour in the town.
April
Attackers jailed after vicious rampage (Friday, April 21 to Thursday, April 27)
Four people were jailed for a total of more than 11 years following the “vicious, prolonged and unprovoked” attacks of staff and customers at two Moray businesses. Two of the five victims were left seriously injured.
May
Families unite for right royal celebrations (Friday, May 5 to Thursday, May 1)
FAMILIES from Ukraine who fled the horror of war took part in a Moray celebration for the coronation of King Charles III. Community events took place across Moray and Aberdeenshire to mark the crowning of the new King.
Top Stories
June
'Unbelievable' donation gives hope to Moray woman battling cancer (Friday, June 9 to Thursday, June 15)
A Moray youth worker battling bone cancer awoke one morning to discover someone had donated an incredible £19,000 to her fundraiser – meaning she could now cover the cost of a new treatment in Germany.
July
First Minister’s bypass pledge (Friday, July 28 to Thursday, August 3)
Speaking exclusively to the Northern Scot, during a visit to Speyfest, First Minister Humza Yousaf made a “cast iron” commitment to ensuring bypasses for Elgin and Keith, despite the delays in A96 duelling review.
August
'Frightening': Moray mums share their ‘horrific’ childbirth stories five years after hospital downgrade (Friday, August 4 to Thursday, August 10)
Five years on from the downgrade of Moray's maternity services, three mums shared their experiences of giving birth when there was no obstetric consultant-led service in Moray for them to turn to.
September
‘Our son (9) tried to take his own life’ (Friday, September 15 to Thursday, September 21)
Parents of children with additional support needs shared their heartbreaking stories of how the lack of support available to them in Moray has impacted their children's quality of life.
October
Opinions split over £20m boost (Friday, October 6 to Thursday, October 12)
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak announced in October that Elgin would receive a £20 million cash boost as part of the UK Government's Levelling Up project. The announcement divided politicians and Moray residents.
November
Police hunt for Kiesha’s killer (Friday, November 24 to Thursday, November 30)
The community in Elgin were left devastated following the shocking murder of mother-of-two Kiesha Donaghy. A team of more than 40 police officers were involved in the hunt for her killer.
December
Home for Christmas (Friday, December 29 to Thursday, January 4, 2024)
A brave teen who lost her leg to bone cancer spent her first Christmas at home since her amputation. Abbie Howie (18) was delighted to decorate her tree this year, after spending last Christmas in hospital.
