A daily newspaper set up with a pro-Scottish independence political stance has launched a companion website with a metered paywall.

The National’s website will allow browser to view five articles per month without charge, as well as another five once they have completed a free registration process.

Readers can sign up for one edition at 50 pence, five editions at £ 1.50, one month at £5.50, three months at £16.99, six months at £32.99 or one year at £64.99.

The ability to leave comments on stories will initially be linked to posters’ Facebook accounts.

A screenshot of The National’s new website, featuring a photograph of editor Richard Walker pressing the button to make it live

An editorial welcoming readers to the new site states: “Apologies to those readers who may find that restrictive but it’s the best way we currently have available to allow instant comment and debate.

“We’ll monitor how it works and if we need to make changes, we will.

“And National staff will be keeping an eye on the postings and will join in when time allows.

“The website will be behind a paywall because we don’t believe that journalism should be routinely given away free.

“Good journalism – and good journalists – needs financial support.

“But you can access five articles a month at thenational.scot completely free and another five free if you register, at no cost.”

The ability to share stories via social media will operate outside the paywall.

The launch of the new website, following a trial last week, coincides with changes to The National’s print edition – which will now include daily TV listings and a daily puzzle page.

Its previous photograph of the day feature will become photograph of the week every Friday.

A new typeface for headlines has also been introduced.

The National was launched last November in the wake of Scotland’s referendum on independence.

The editorial concludes: “Finally, we’d like to thank the thousands of readers who support The National every day.

“We don’t take that support for granted, nor the responsibility to provide an alternative take on the big stories – political and otherwise – which affect the lives of those who live in Scotland.

“We hope you continue to enjoy the paper… and continue to let us know when you feel we have not lived up to your expectations.”

Last week the Newsquest-owned Herald & Times Group, which counts The National as one of its titles, announced 10 editorial roles were under threat.