Montrose Review celebrates 200th birthday

WHAT’S believed to be the second-old weekly newspaper in Scotland has celebrated its 200th birthday.

The Montrose Review was founded in 1811 as the Montrose, Arbroath and Brechin Review and Forfar and Kincardineshire Advertiser. When it comes to weekly newspapers in Scotland, only the Ayr Advertiser is said to be older than the Johnston Press-owed title.

At a party to celebrate – attended by staff, local councillors, customers and local business owners – editor, Brian Stormont, was quoted, saying: “I feel priviledged to be part of the team that produces the Montrose Review on the occasion of its 200th anniversary.

“It is truly humbling to be involved with a newspaper which is the second oldest in Scotland and has reached its bicentenary.

“I wonder if [founder] James Watt believed that the newspaper he founded would still be in existence two centuries after he put the first issue to bed.

“The ethos of the Review is no different to what it was two centuries ago. Bringing local news to local people is what we do and what we will continue to do.

“It is a vitally important function and gives every journalist a great deal of satisfaction as that is the reason you get into the business.”

The party doubled up as an opportunity to present senior sales manager, Linda Ruxton, with a gift to recognise her 25 years’ service with the company.