THE widely recognised world’s oldest magazine still being published is now available as an app for iPad, iPhone and iPod Touch.
It means The Scots Magazine, first published in February 1739, joins for four other titles owned by publishers, DC Thomson – The Beano, The Dandy, The People’s Friend and Animal Planet magazine – as an app on the Apple Newsstand.
With an estimated UK readership of 307,000, plus a further near 20 per cent overseas, the app is available for £19.99 for 12 issues, £10.99 for six and £1.99 for one.
A free sample issue of the app is available too. And coming are app versions for Android and other digital devices. A standard annual subscription for the print edition of the magazine is £25.
In a DC Thomson statement, The Scots Magazine editor, Philip Smith, is quoted as saying: “This is a fantastic opportunity to connect with Scots and lovers of Scotland around the world. The magazine is 273 years old but we have to reflect the changing needs of our audience, and for many that means taking advantage of new technologies and ways to get our great content as far and wide as possible. Our new app puts the history, culture and wildlife of Scotland at your fingertips.”
The Scots Magazine was first published on February 9 1739 as a 48-page pamphlet, priced sixpence monthly. In 1826, The Scots Magazine ceased publication and the title does not appear to have been used again until 1888.
In its present form, The Scots Magazine dates from April 1924 when it was re-established by the St Andrew Society (Glasgow) as the official organ of the Scottish Societies throughout the world. In April 1927, it was taken over by DC Thomson.
According to the latest audited sales figures from the Audit Bureau of Circulation, its average sale between July and December last year was 28,355.
