Perthshire Advertiser
The Perthshire Advertiser is a twice-weekly Scottish tabloid newspaper serving Perthshire and surrounding communities.
Last updated August 25, 2026
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Overview
The Perthshire Advertiser is a local Scottish newspaper associated with Perth and the wider Perthshire area. It began publication in 1829 in Coupar Angus under the title Strathmore Journal, making it one of the long-established provincial newspaper titles in Scotland. It later adopted the name Perthshire Advertiser and Strathmore Journal, a title that reflected both its geographic ambitions and its connection with the Strathmore area. The publication is commonly known as the PA. In its early period, the newspaper was a compact, densely set title. Its first issues consisted of four pages and were published on Thursday mornings, with an initial cover price of seven pence. The paper subsequently reduced its price in response to changes in newspaper taxation and stamp duty. It moved to fourpence halfpenny in 1836 and reduced the price again in 1855 after the reduction of newspaper stamp duty. In 1870, its price was reduced to three pence. The title developed its publishing frequency over time. In 1873 it began appearing three times each week, on Monday, Wednesday and Friday. Its schedule changed repeatedly during its history, reflecting the operating requirements of local newspaper production and distribution. On 1 March 1977, publication days were changed from Wednesday and Saturday to Tuesday and Friday. The newspaper is now published twice a week, on Tuesdays and Fridays. The paper has passed through several publishing and ownership arrangements. Samuel Cowan became its printer and publisher in 1866 and held that role until 1907. Later publishers and corporate owners included Donald Mathieson, Munro Press, Scottish Counties Newspapers, George Outram, Scottish and Universal Newspapers, and Holmes MacDougall. The title ultimately became part of the newspaper operations now controlled by Reach plc. The Perthshire Advertiser has historically combined local reporting with the functions typical of a provincial newspaper, including coverage of community affairs, local government, public services, sport, business, events and regional issues. Its role has been closely tied to the communities around Perth and Perthshire rather than to a national mass-market audience. Its digital presence extends the brand beyond its printed editions through an official website carrying local news and related content. Printing arrangements also changed as the Scottish newspaper industry consolidated. The paper was originally produced locally, including at a printing office in Kings' Arms Close near Perth High Street. In the mid-1990s, printing of Scottish and Universal or Media Scotland titles was centralised at a plant in Blantyre. In 2016, production of editions and guides was transferred to Merseyside. These changes separated the newspaper's editorial and commercial identity from the location where its physical copies were printed. Today, the Perthshire Advertiser remains a regional newspaper brand within Reach plc's Scottish portfolio. Its continuing identity rests on local coverage, a long publishing history and a twice-weekly print schedule supported by online distribution.
History
The Perthshire Advertiser traces its origins to 1829, when it was launched in Coupar Angus as the Strathmore Journal. The early newspaper was issued on Thursday mornings and consisted of four densely printed pages. It initially cost seven pence. The title was later expanded to Perthshire Advertiser and Strathmore Journal, linking the newspaper more explicitly with Perthshire while retaining its original regional association. Pricing changed during the nineteenth century as the economics of newspaper publishing evolved. The cover price fell to fourpence halfpenny on 8 September 1836 and was reduced again in 1855 following a reduction in newspaper stamp duty. By 1870, the price had fallen to three pence. The newspaper also increased its publishing frequency: in 1873 it moved to three issues per week, appearing on Monday, Wednesday and Friday. The paper's publishing history includes a succession of individual and corporate operators. John Taylor is identified with the 1830s, followed by George Penny and Charles Anderson. Samuel Cowan became printer and publisher in 1866 and remained in that position until 1907. Donald Mathieson followed in 1907. Later arrangements involved Davidson and Mackay or Munro Press, Scottish Counties Newspapers, George Outram, Scottish and Universal Newspapers, and Holmes MacDougall. These changes illustrate the gradual consolidation of the Scottish regional newspaper sector. The Perthshire Advertiser was originally printed locally in Perth, at a printing office in Kings' Arms Close near the town's High Street and municipal buildings. The newspaper later operated from premises at 36–38 Tay Street. During the mid-1990s, printing for Scottish and Universal or Media Scotland newspapers was centralised at a purpose-built plant in Blantyre. In 2016, the printing of the group's newspaper editions and guides was transferred to Merseyside, reflecting wider industrial consolidation and centralisation in newspaper production. The publication schedule changed again in the twentieth century. On 1 March 1977, the paper moved from Wednesday and Saturday publication to Tuesday and Friday. It is currently described as a twice-weekly tabloid, appearing on Tuesdays and Fridays. Historical accounts record strong circulation claims during the title's earlier development, including claims in the 1830s that subscriptions had grown substantially. Later figures cited for the newspaper include separate weekday circulation claims in 1979, with a higher figure for Friday than Wednesday. Because the available historical material presents these figures in different formats and contexts, they are not treated here as directly comparable modern circulation statistics. The newspaper's editorial role has traditionally been local and regional. It has served Perth, Perthshire and surrounding communities with reporting on local affairs, public institutions, community life, sport, business and regional events. The brand now operates within Reach plc and maintains an online presence alongside its established print editions. Its principal continuity is its focus on geographically specific journalism and its long-running connection with the communities of Perthshire.
- 2016
Printing transferred to Merseyside
[1]Production of the newspaper's editions and guides is transferred from Scotland to Merseyside.
- 1990
Scottish printing becomes centralised
[1]In the mid-1990s, printing for Scottish and Universal or Media Scotland titles is centralised at a new plant in Blantyre.
- 1977
Publication days changed to Tuesday and Friday
[1]On 1 March, the newspaper changes from Wednesday and Saturday publication to Tuesday and Friday publication.
- 1873
Move to three issues per week
[1]The newspaper begins publishing on Monday, Wednesday and Friday.
- 1870
Price reduced to three pence
[1]The publication records another reduction in its cover price.
- 1866
Samuel Cowan becomes printer and publisher
[1]Samuel Cowan takes on the printer and publisher role, which he retains until 1907.
- 1855
Further price reduction after stamp-duty change
[1]The newspaper reduces its price again following a reduction in newspaper stamp duty.
- 1836
First recorded nineteenth-century price reduction
[1]The cover price is reduced to fourpence halfpenny on 8 September.
- 1829
Launch as the Strathmore Journal
[1]The newspaper begins publication in Coupar Angus under the name Strathmore Journal.
Products and positioning
A long-established local newspaper serving Perth, Perthshire and nearby communities through twice-weekly print editions and digital local journalism.
Local newspaper · 1829
Perthshire Advertiser print editions
The core product is a tabloid local newspaper serving Perthshire and nearby communities. The title is published twice weekly, currently on Tuesdays and Fridays, and provides geographically focused reporting on local affairs, public services, community activity, sport, business and regional events.
Digital news service
Perthshire Advertiser online
The newspaper's website extends the brand into digital publishing, carrying local news and related content for readers in Perthshire and surrounding areas. It complements the established print editions and supports the title's continuing regional-news role.
Brand decisions
1977
Change weekly publication scheduleStrategyBackground
The newspaper revised its established weekly distribution pattern.
Action taken
From 1 March, publication days changed from Wednesday and Saturday to Tuesday and Friday.
Aftermath
The Tuesday-and-Friday schedule became the title's current twice-weekly pattern.
1873
Increase publication frequencyStrategyBackground
The newspaper was operating in a nineteenth-century market in which frequency and distribution were important competitive factors.
Action taken
It began publishing three times a week on Monday, Wednesday and Friday.
Aftermath
The change established a more frequent publishing pattern before later schedule revisions.
Sources2 sources
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