Scotsman launches writing prize in memory of former journalist

THE Scotsman newspaper has launched a writing competition in memory of a former journalist, the late Jim Dow.

The competition aims to “seek out fledgling talent in the commercial property and journalism arenas”, recognising Dow’s role as The Scotsman’s commercial property editor until he died two years ago, aged 71.

The competition has been established in association with property consultant, CBRE (Scotland).

Announcing the award, The Scotsman said: “Jim Dow was highly respected and regarded both by his fellow journalists and by the commercial property sector in Scotland as a whole thanks to his honest and open reporting style; his commitment to the industry; and his overall passion for journalism.

“The aim of this competition is to seek out fledgling talent in the commercial property and journalism arenas, so we are asking the talent of tomorrow to see if they have what’s needed to take the first steps in emulating a successful a career as Jim’s.”

The winning entry will be published by The Scotsman, online through Scotsman.com, and will also receive £500 from CBRE (Scotland) There is a £250 award for a further two finalists.

The competition is open to all final year undergraduate students on full-time property, journalism and/or media courses at university in Scotland (property courses to be RICS accredited).

The judges are: Doug Smith, chair, CB Richard Ellis (Scotland); Bill Jamieson, executive editor, The Scotsman; Stewart McIntosh, freelance journalist and editor of ComPropScotland; Ken Houston, commercial property editor, The Scotsman; and Graeme Hartley, director, RICS Scotland.

The closing date for entries is February 17.

Dow’s impressive journalistic career spanned more than half a century. Over 20 of those years were spent working for The Scotsman where he was also a reporter, night news editor, supplements editor and business editor.