The Queen Leads The Scotsman 200th Anniversary Tributes
The Queen has led the tributes to The Scotsman as the newspaper celebrates its bicentenary.
In a letter to Ian Stewart, editorial director of The Scotsman, the Queen wrote: “I was most interested to learn that The Scotsman is today celebrating its bicentenary as a national Scottish newspaper. 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.”
Key figures from across the nation’s public life including First Minister Nicola Sturgeon and leaders of all the main political parties have also sent messages of congratulations, The Scotsman reported. They include political, religious and business leaders as well as leading lights in the worlds of the arts and sport.
First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said: “For two centuries, the paper has been part of the everyday life of Edinburgh and of Scotland, informing, entertaining and commentating on events great and small. “Through 200 years of tumultuous change across the country and the wider world, the Scotsman has been there to report on and analyse it all.
“The paper’s journey has mirrored that of Scotland as a whole, and I look forward to it continuing to report, scrutinise and commentate as the nation looks to tackle the challenges that lie ahead. “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.”
Secretary of State for Scotland David Mundell said: “From your very first edition in 1817 you promised to banish ‘unblushing subserviency’ from your pages and you are still guided by that principle today.
“Down the years you have been at heart of public debate in Scotland, raising the vital issues of the day, never afraid to question and challenge those in power. You’ve earned a worldwide reputation for the quality of your journalism and your knowledge of Scotland and I know there are many more exciting chapters in the Scotsman’s history still to be written.” –
Scottish Conservative leader Ruth Davidson said: “When I was still at high school, the paper paid me £80 for a piece I wrote on drugs education. It helped me decide that was what I wanted to do for a living.
“Newspapers are facing unprecedented challenges, but with its distinct voice and a focus on encouraging talent and investing in people, I hope The Scotsman secures its place as one of the country’s essential news sources for many years to come.”
Scottish Labour leader Kezia Dugdale said: “This newspaper has been a proud champion of devolution for decades. The opening of the Scottish Parliament is one of Labour’s greatest achievements, and for decades The Scotsman worked to build public support for devolution.
“For 200 years, this newspaper has often been ahead of its time. It highlighted gender inequality in 1995 when it was published as The Scotswoman, and launched the online Steamie site over a decade ago when blogs were in their infancy. I was a regular contributor, and being able to have my voice heard as a young political enthusiast was a great privilege.”
Scottish Greens co-leader Patrick Harvie said: “The Scotsman has long played a central role in Scotland’s changing media landscape. Over the years it has been served by many talented reporters and writers. As it marks two centuries in print, I wish it well for the future. Journalistic scrutiny plays a vital role in our society, and the ‘impartiality and independence’ pledged by the Scotsman’s founders are qualities I hope it holds on to.”
Scottish Liberal Democrat leader Willie Rennie said: “The Scotsman has a rich history of strong journalism and delivering the news to the people of Scotland. It has nurtured some of the best journalists in the land. As news becomes more bite sized and digital, the Scotsman has been able to successfully deal with the challenges that comes with it and has been able to continue reporting the news in the 21st century. ”
An early day motion sponsored by Alistair Carmichael, MP Orkney and Shetland, Lib Dems, said: “That this House congratulates the Scotsman newspaper on its 200th birthday; recognises the Scotsman’s contribution to journalism and news in Scotland for two centuries; notes the newspaper’s fine traditions of speaking truth to power, chronicling the history of Scotland and giving a voice to Scotland’s political and civic life; and wishes the Scotsman the very best in its birthday celebrations.”