West Highland Free Press
Encyclopedia
The West Highland Free Press was founded in the Scottish Highlands
in 1972 as a left-wing weekly newspaper, but with the principal objective of providing its immediate circulation area with the service which a local paper is expected to provide. It is based at Broadford
on the Isle of Skye, covering Skye, Wester Ross
and the Outer Hebrides
and is known to local residents as the 'Broadford Beano'.
The paper’s priorities are summarised in the Gaelic slogan on its masthead: "An Tir, an Canan 'sna Daoine - The Land, the Language, the People". It is a slogan borrowed from the Highland Land League
which, in the late 19th century, fought crucial battles to win security of tenure for crofters
.
The land issue is at the heart of the Free Press’s politics. The paper perceives a fundamental conflict of interest in private landlord
ism (which persists to the present), and this is reflected in many of the most celebrated stories which it has reported.
The Free Press has also championed the cause of the Gaelic language, both by giving it political support and by publishing written Gaelic material.
The West Highland Free Press has a number of notable columnists, including Professor Donald MacLeod
, principal of the Free Church of Scotland College in Edinburgh
and Angus Peter Campbell
, the award-winning Gaelic writer. The paper's founding editor, Brian Wilson, has also become a regular contributor again since retiring from politics as a Labour
MP
and British government minister.
The Free Press has reported and campaigned on stories of major environmental importance, such as the construction of a private-enterprise tollbridge
to Skye. It has also supported renewable energy
though this has recently proved to be a controversial stance, particularly on the Isle of Lewis. Though generally supportive of the Labour Party, it was extremely critical of the 1997–2010 Labour government on issues such as crofting reform and the failure to deliver a Gaelic television channel.
The West Highland Free Press is available extensively within the West Highlands and Islands and in towns and cities throughout Scotland
, each Friday. The full paper is now also available by subscription on the internet.
The newspaper recently won seven awards at the Highlands and Islands Media Awards; Newspaper of the Year, Website of the Year, Journalist of the Year, Feature Writer of the Year, Gaelic Columnist of the Year, Reporter of the Year and Photographer of the Year. All awards were presented for the year 2007 and are co-sponsored by Highlands and Islands Enterprise
and drinks manufacturer Diageo
. The newspaper repeated this success during 2008 winning five major prizes at the Highlands and Islands Media Awards. The awards were presented by the Scottish Government's First Minister, Alex Salmond
. The newspaper, for the second year running, was also shortlisted in the category "weekly newspaper of the year" at the Scottish Media Awards.
On 27 October 2009 the West Highland Free Press became the first employee-owned newspaper in the British Isles
.
Scottish Highlands
The Highlands is an historic region of Scotland. The area is sometimes referred to as the "Scottish Highlands". It was culturally distinguishable from the Lowlands from the later Middle Ages into the modern period, when Lowland Scots replaced Scottish Gaelic throughout most of the Lowlands...
in 1972 as a left-wing weekly newspaper, but with the principal objective of providing its immediate circulation area with the service which a local paper is expected to provide. It is based at Broadford
Broadford
Broadford may refer to:Places*Broadford, County Clare, Republic of Ireland*Broadford, County Limerick, Republic of Ireland*Broadford, Skye, Scotland*Broadford, Pennsylvania, United States*Broadford, Victoria, Australia...
on the Isle of Skye, covering Skye, Wester Ross
Wester Ross
is a western area of Ross and Cromarty in Scotland, notably containing the villages on the west coast such as:* Lochcarron* Applecross* Shieldaig* Torridon* Kinlochewe * * * Aultbea* Laide* Ullapool* Achiltibuie...
and the Outer Hebrides
Outer Hebrides
The Outer Hebrides also known as the Western Isles and the Long Island, is an island chain off the west coast of Scotland. The islands are geographically contiguous with Comhairle nan Eilean Siar, one of the 32 unitary council areas of Scotland...
and is known to local residents as the 'Broadford Beano'.
The paper’s priorities are summarised in the Gaelic slogan on its masthead: "An Tir, an Canan 'sna Daoine - The Land, the Language, the People". It is a slogan borrowed from the Highland Land League
Highland Land League
The first Highland Land League emerged as a distinct political force in Scotland during the 1880s, with its power base in the country's Highlands and Islands. It was known also as the Highland Land Law Reform Association and the Crofters' Party...
which, in the late 19th century, fought crucial battles to win security of tenure for crofters
Croft (land)
A croft is a fenced or enclosed area of land, usually small and arable with a crofter's dwelling thereon. A crofter is one who has tenure and use of the land, typically as a tenant farmer.- Etymology :...
.
The land issue is at the heart of the Free Press’s politics. The paper perceives a fundamental conflict of interest in private landlord
Landlord
A landlord is the owner of a house, apartment, condominium, or real estate which is rented or leased to an individual or business, who is called a tenant . When a juristic person is in this position, the term landlord is used. Other terms include lessor and owner...
ism (which persists to the present), and this is reflected in many of the most celebrated stories which it has reported.
The Free Press has also championed the cause of the Gaelic language, both by giving it political support and by publishing written Gaelic material.
The West Highland Free Press has a number of notable columnists, including Professor Donald MacLeod
Donald MacLeod
Pipe Major Donald MacLeod was a Scottish piper. Born in Stornoway on the Isle of Lewis, he was one of the finest, most creative and merriest, recent, great highland Scottish bagpipers. He was also a remarkable teacher of the highland bagpipe. In addition, Donald MacLeod was one of the most...
, principal of the Free Church of Scotland College in Edinburgh
Edinburgh
Edinburgh is the capital city of Scotland, the second largest city in Scotland, and the eighth most populous in the United Kingdom. The City of Edinburgh Council governs one of Scotland's 32 local government council areas. The council area includes urban Edinburgh and a rural area...
and Angus Peter Campbell
Angus Peter Campbell
Angus Peter Campbell is a Scottish award-winning poet, novelist, journalist, broadcaster and actor.-Early life:...
, the award-winning Gaelic writer. The paper's founding editor, Brian Wilson, has also become a regular contributor again since retiring from politics as a Labour
Labour Party (UK)
The Labour Party is a centre-left democratic socialist party in the United Kingdom. It surpassed the Liberal Party in general elections during the early 1920s, forming minority governments under Ramsay MacDonald in 1924 and 1929-1931. The party was in a wartime coalition from 1940 to 1945, after...
MP
Member of Parliament
A Member of Parliament is a representative of the voters to a :parliament. In many countries with bicameral parliaments, the term applies specifically to members of the lower house, as upper houses often have a different title, such as senate, and thus also have different titles for its members,...
and British government minister.
The Free Press has reported and campaigned on stories of major environmental importance, such as the construction of a private-enterprise tollbridge
Skye Bridge
The Skye Bridge is a road bridge over Loch Alsh, connecting mainland Highland with the Isle of Skye, Scotland. It forms part of the A87. The bridge is located at around , with one pillar standing on the island of Eilean Bàn....
to Skye. It has also supported renewable energy
Renewable energy
Renewable energy is energy which comes from natural resources such as sunlight, wind, rain, tides, and geothermal heat, which are renewable . About 16% of global final energy consumption comes from renewables, with 10% coming from traditional biomass, which is mainly used for heating, and 3.4% from...
though this has recently proved to be a controversial stance, particularly on the Isle of Lewis. Though generally supportive of the Labour Party, it was extremely critical of the 1997–2010 Labour government on issues such as crofting reform and the failure to deliver a Gaelic television channel.
The West Highland Free Press is available extensively within the West Highlands and Islands and in towns and cities throughout Scotland
Scotland
Scotland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Occupying the northern third of the island of Great Britain, it shares a border with England to the south and is bounded by the North Sea to the east, the Atlantic Ocean to the north and west, and the North Channel and Irish Sea to the...
, each Friday. The full paper is now also available by subscription on the internet.
The newspaper recently won seven awards at the Highlands and Islands Media Awards; Newspaper of the Year, Website of the Year, Journalist of the Year, Feature Writer of the Year, Gaelic Columnist of the Year, Reporter of the Year and Photographer of the Year. All awards were presented for the year 2007 and are co-sponsored by Highlands and Islands Enterprise
Highlands and Islands Enterprise
Highlands and Islands Enterprise is the Scottish Government's economic and community development agency for a diverse region which covers more than half of Scotland and is home to around 450,000 people....
and drinks manufacturer Diageo
Diageo
Diageo plc is a global alcoholic beverages company headquartered in London, United Kingdom. It is the world's largest producer of spirits and a major producer of beer and wine....
. The newspaper repeated this success during 2008 winning five major prizes at the Highlands and Islands Media Awards. The awards were presented by the Scottish Government's First Minister, Alex Salmond
Alex Salmond
Alexander Elliot Anderson "Alex" Salmond MSP is a Scottish politician and current First Minister of Scotland. He became Scotland's fourth First Minister in May 2007. He is the Leader of the Scottish National Party , having served as Member of the Scottish Parliament for Gordon...
. The newspaper, for the second year running, was also shortlisted in the category "weekly newspaper of the year" at the Scottish Media Awards.
On 27 October 2009 the West Highland Free Press became the first employee-owned newspaper in the British Isles
British Isles
The British Isles are a group of islands off the northwest coast of continental Europe that include the islands of Great Britain and Ireland and over six thousand smaller isles. There are two sovereign states located on the islands: the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and...
.