ONE of Scotland’s most iconic newspapers, The Scotsman, today marks 200 years since the publication of its first edition in 1817.
To mark this significant milestone, today’s newspaper has been published as a souvenir edition and over the next few months the title’s rich heritage will be celebrated through a number of events and activities.
Also published in today’s newspaper, which has reproduced the original front page, is a letter from Her Majesty The Queen, who has sent her best wishes to The Scotsman.
“Please convey my congratulations to all those on the newspaper’s staff and my good wishes to your readers in Scotland, and elsewhere, as you mark this significant anniversary,” she writes.
Scotland’s First Minister, Nicola Sturgeon, has also sent her congratulations, writing: “The Scotsman occupies a special place in Scottish journalism, and I commend its staff, past and present, for all the work they have done in ensuring its success over so many years.”
Today’s issue features the first of The Scotsman 200 – an array of specially-selected contributors from all walks of life, who will share their thoughts and opinions.
The special edition begins a year-long calendar of celebrations showcasing both the paper’s rich heritage and looking ahead to the publication’s future, shining a light on the digital innovations across the brand’s platforms.
The Scotsman is also embarking on a year-long multi-platform pioneering project to bring to life the past, present and future of Scotland through the voices of 200 remarkable people who have played a major role in the nation in a series called 200 Voices.
One of the country’s most acclaimed young poets has produced a special work to mark the 200th anniversary.
The Scotsman 200 Years, by William Letford, is a call for optimism yet also responsibility at a crucial juncture in the country’s history.
It follows the award-winning poet’s work, Louder, which was penned for the title’s refresh in 2015.
Award-winning illustrator and architectural designer, David Fleck, has unveiled a new artwork to commemorate the milestone.
The intricate hand-drawn map also features some of the country’s best-known buildings and iconic structures, from Edinburgh Castle and the Scott Monument to the Forth Bridge, the Titan crane and the SECC ‘armadillo’, the Glenfinnan viaduct, the Kelpies, a North Sea oil rig, and, at its northernmost point, Muckle Flugga lighthouse.
As part of the wider campaign, today’s souvenir edition has also launched a reader competition, where five golden tickets, worth £200 each, have been hidden in copies of today’s paper, waiting to be discovered by five lucky winners.
Meanwhile, those travelling by taxi throughout Edinburgh today will be in with the chance of winning a free ride with The Scotsman, if they’re lucky enough to hail its subtly branded taxi with free copies of the paper within.
Ian Stewart, editor at The Scotsman, said: “For two centuries, The Scotsman has been at the heart of Scotland as a nation, covering the breaking news stories that have shaped our past and influenced our future; and we’re incredibly proud to be part of that story.
“The celebrations that have kicked off today are just the beginning, with various events and editorial initiatives still to come throughout 2017.
“We very much look forward to taking our readers on this journey with us, as we take our step together into the third century of The Scotsman as Scotland’s national newspaper.”
The celebrations kick off following the premiere of The Paper Thistle: 200 Years of The Scotsman, a major television documentary on BBC Two Scotland, which goes behind the scenes at the newspaper’s headquarters in Edinburgh, exploring its vast archives and 200 years of history at the heart of Scotland.
ENDS
About Johnston Press
Johnston Press is one of the UK’s largest newspaper publishers, with brands including i, The Scotsman, The Yorkshire Post and Belfast News Letter. Our content leverages i’s newsroom and global perspective alongside the expertise from our portfolio of over 900 journalists across the country, providing news and information services to our local communities at a national level.
Our news brands – both online and in print – now touch the lives of more than 32m people nationally each month and, through our continued focus to accelerate our digital offering, we’re able to deliver national and regional advertisers a highly successful platform to link them directly with local audiences.
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For more information, please get in touch with Sarah Rice on 077696 80116, or sarah.rice@wcommunications.co.uk
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