The Edinburgh based Johnston Press, fourth largest regional newspaper publisher in the UK, has purchased the Scotsman newspaper group for 160 million pounds stirling. In addition to its title daily the Scotsman group publishes Scotland on Sunday, The Edinburgh Evening News and the Edinburgh Herald and Post series of free weeklies.

Johnston CEO Tim Bowdler said the following about the acquisition: "Scotsman Publications comprises one of Scotland's highest quality newspaper portfolios and the Scotsman and its website Scotsman.com are amongst Scotland's best known newspaper and internet brands … With its Scottish heritage, Johnston Press is particularly pleased to have reached agreement to acquire Scotsman Publications."

The Scotsman group has a total weekly paid circulation of 840,000 copies and a weekly free distribution of 254,000 copies.

Bowdler has stated that the acquisition of the Scotsman does not rule out a future purchase of Northcliffe Newspapers, currently up for sale by owners Daily Mail and General Trust. (see previous posting)

Bowdler also asserted that Johnston has no cost-cutting plans to eliminate jobs at the Scotsman group, rather he said: "Our instinct is to look at the business very much with a view to developing and growing it."

The National Union of Journalists (NUJ) has responded positively to the news of the acquisition. Paul Holleran, Scottish organiser of the NUJ, said "I've been hoping and praying for this for a number of years." He commented that Johnston Press has a good relationship with the NUJ.

Source: Guardian Unlimited, Guardian Media