A former newspaper editor who now runs a publishing trade association has joined a PR company in a consultancy role.

John McLellan, left, has edited The Scotsman, Scotland on Sunday and the Edinburgh Evening News during a 40-year career in the media.

After leaving newspapers he went on to become the director Newsbrands Scotland, the trade association for Scottish news publishers.

Now in addition to that role he has joined Glasgow-based public relations company Media House International as a senior consultant.

John becomes the third former editor to join Media House International, which was founded in 1991 by launch editor of the Scottish Sun Jack Irvine.

His deputy is Ramsay Smith, a former editor of the Scottish Daily Mail who also held senior roles at The Scotsman.

Said Jack: “Ramsay and I have known John for a very long time, and we are thrilled that somebody with such an in-depth understanding of media and politics is joining the team.

“Luckily there is nobody in the company who can talk to him about rugby or else we’d never get any work done.”

John added: “I’m delighted to be joining Media House at what is a very exciting time for the company, and having known Jack and Ramsay for more years than we dare to count I’m sure it will be lots of fun too.

“And having spent my rugby career in the front row, I’m not sure I know much about the game anyway.”

John’s other roles include teaching journalism as an honorary professor at the University of Stirling, from where he graduated with a BA in English Studies in 1983.

He also continues to write weekly columns for The Scotsman and Edinburgh Evening News.