An end of an era is being marked at the West Highland Free Press this week as long-
Having first cut his teeth in journalism at the Kilmarnock Standard and Glasgow Herald, Ian joined the Free Press as a reporter in October 1975, before being quickly promoted a few months later to replace the departing Calum Neish.
Ian’s appointment was heralded with a short, simple message on the front page of
WHFP issue number 203, but that eight-
At a rough estimate, Ian will have edited over 60,000 pages and looked over 75 million
words during a four-
As editor he has overseen coverage of dozens of celebrated stories, as well as countless
numbers of community and school campaigns, local events and simple human-
The rise and fall of Kishorn; a Toll Bridge to Skye; the collapse of BCCI; land reform
and local ownership and the fight for better recognition for Gaelic have all been
captured, documented and debated in the newspaper under Ian’s ever-
After moving north in the 70s Ian also became a quick convert to shinty, and reporting from venues up and down the country became a real labour of love.
Among the highlights brought to life on the back pages thanks to Ian’s coverage were
Skye’s historic Camanachd Cup triumph of 1990 – as featured in the WHFP’s first colour
supplement -
There are also very many journalists whose careers owe a great debt to the training, advice and patient counsel offered to them by Ian through the years.
Free Press managing director Paul Wood said: “Anyone who knows Ian well will know how understated he is and that he’ll hate any fuss to be made over his retirement.
“That won’t stop me from not only paying tribute to Ian’s unswerving loyalty and
commitment to the Free Press over a 45-
“He has served this paper and our community with distinction. His contribution to Highland and Island life is immeasurable. An appointment of a new editor will be announced in the coming weeks.”
End of an era as long-
30 January 2020
