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New editors take on Scots sister papers

Iain Martin, editor of The Scotsman for the past three years, is to become editor of its sister paper, Scotland on Sunday.

He will be succeeded by John McGurk, editorial director of The Scotsman Publications Ltd.

When appointed as editor of The Scotsman in December 2001, Iain, (33), became the youngest journalist to take on the role, and during his reign has overseen the conversion of the title from broadsheet to compact.

He has also previously been political editor of The Scotsman and was assistant editor (politics) and then deputy editor of Scotland on Sunday before joining The Scotsman.

He said: “I am delighted to be taking over the editorship of Scotland on Sunday. It is the paper on which I cut my teeth and, following the successful launch of The Scotsman in a compact format, this is another challenge I relish.

“I am leaving behind a great team at The Scotsman after three very enjoyable years in post. But I take on a newspaper in great shape and look forward to moving it to the next stage of its development as Scotland’s leading broadsheet Sunday title.”

The reshuffle also means that John McGurk, (51), will become the first journalist to have edited all three Scotsman Publications’ titles.

He was editor of the Edinburgh Evening News from 1995 to 1997 and Scotland on Sunday from 1997 to 2001 before taking up his current role across the company.

He also previously edited the Sunday Sun in Newcastle, from 1989 to 1991, and is a former member of the Press Complaints Commission and a former chairman of the editors’ committee of the Scottish Daily Newspaper Society.

John said: “I am delighted to have been offered the opportunity to edit Scotland’s quality national daily newspaper at such an exciting time in its development and wish Iain Martin the very best following his decision to edit Scotland on Sunday.”

Steven Walker, managing director of The Scotsman Publications, said: “These moves demonstrate our confidence in the strength of talent within the company.”

  • The changes follow the appointment of Scotland on Sunday editor John McLellan to the same role at the Edinburgh Evening News. Former Evening News editor Ian Stewart, is now deputy editor at The Scotsman.

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