A magazine editor is making a personal online plea for a successor to step forward – after two decades at the helm of his unique journal.
Former regional reporter Kenneth Roy has announced his intention to “give up journalism” next January, 20 years since launching the Scottish Review.
Now he’s looking for a new editor for the magazine, which started as an independent quarterly commentating on Scottish affairs in 1995 and went online-only six years ago.
The Review, which does not accept any advertising or sponsorship of any kind and relies on £30 donations from readers, boasts a number of influential columnists including Alex Bell, the former policy advisor to Scotland’s First Minister Alex Salmond.
In an open letter to his readers, Kenneth said: “It is almost time to pass on the torch. On 7 January 2015, I will relinquish the editorship, hang my last prejudice out to dry, and give up journalism.
“A vacancy arises for a modestly remunerated part-time appointment. Expressions of interest are invited. If you have a notion to be only the second editor of the Scottish Review in human history, let’s be hearing from you no later than Friday 29 August.”
Kenneth adds the proviso: “The new editor should have a working knowledge of Scotland, a rough ability with words, a desk and chair of some kind, and a respect for the magazine’s sceptical traditions.
A former ‘Man of the Year’ in his home town of Falkirk, Kenneth began his writing career on the now defunct Falkirk Mail.
He enjoyed a brief spell as greyhound racing tipster with the Daily Record before becoming one of the youngest reporters on the old Glasgow Herald.
He launched the Scottish Theatre magazine at the age of 24 but three years later switched to presenting Reporting Scotland on BBC TV – establishing himself as a current affairs anchor man on television and radio.
He left the BBC to establish West Sound, a new independent local radio station in south-west Scotland, before founding Carrick Media which publishes Who’s Who in Scotland.
After a 21-year break he resumed his journalistic career as a weekly columnist on the launch edition of Scotland on Sunday in 1988. A daily column on The Scotsman followed – twice being named Critic of the Year in Scotland – as well as writing five books.
After the launch of the Scottish Review, he founded the Institute of Contemporary Scotland – now publisher of the online magazine – in 2000 with Magnus Magnusson as its first patron and himself as first director.
As chairman of the Young Scotland programme, he intends to devote more time to a project which encourages debate and exchange of ideas among young adults