AN EMOTIVE story of a father rekindling a childhood friendship has earned its author the top prize at this year's Scottish Student Journalism Awards.

The 3000-word piece by Blair Dingwall, a 23-year-old journalism student at Glasgow's Cardonald College, was based on his father's time at an orphanage in Speyside.

Mr Dingwall said being named Scottish Student Journalist of the Year was totally unexpected.

"I couldn't believe it was me to be honest – I thought the person would have already been told," he said. "They said some really nice things about me and the article. I'm hoping to get a training position, so for it to come along at this time should help me."

Mr Dingwall also picked up Column of the Year. The Caledonian Chronicle was named student publication of the year while Strathclyde University's The Inner Circle won the equivalent multimedia prize.