Southern Reporter
A weekly tabloid newspaper serving communities across the Scottish Borders.
Last updated August 31, 2026
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Overview
The Southern Reporter is a regional weekly newspaper serving the Scottish Borders in Scotland. Established in 1855, it is one of the long-running local newspaper titles associated with the area. The paper is published on Thursdays and has traditionally focused on local reporting, community affairs, public institutions, sport, business, events and other matters of interest to readers across the Borders. The title was historically associated with the Tweeddale Press Group. In 2000, the group was acquired by Johnston Press for £7.8 million and became part of that publisher's newspaper portfolio. During the early 2000s, the Southern Reporter received industry recognition, being named Scotland's best weekly newspaper in both 2002 and 2003. These awards reflected the paper's role as a substantial regional title and its editorial presence in a market where local newspapers have traditionally served as important sources of community information. The newspaper experienced several organisational and editorial changes during the 2000s and 2010s. In 2004, publication of a caption that caused local offence led to the editor's resignation. Susan Windram subsequently succeeded Willie Mack as editor in 2007. Later editorial leadership included Phil Johnson, appointed in June 2015, followed by Darin Hutson, who became editor in 2016. The paper also changed its operating base. Johnston Press announced in 2012 that the existing office would close and that the newspaper operation would move to other premises in Selkirk. The relocation was completed in April 2014. This change formed part of the wider transformation affecting regional newspapers, including the consolidation of local publishing operations and the movement toward more centralised production arrangements. In 2013, after more than 150 years in broadsheet form, the Southern Reporter adopted a tabloid format. The redesign brought the title into line with changing newspaper consumption habits and the broader shift toward more compact print products. The paper has also faced the circulation pressures experienced by many paid regional newspapers. Reference material reports average paid circulation of approximately 12,500 copies per issue during a period of progressive decline, although no current circulation figure is supplied here. The Southern Reporter is currently owned by National World, the UK regional publishing group created from assets formerly associated with Johnston Press. Its core identity remains that of a community newspaper for the Scottish Borders, combining a weekly print edition with an online presence. The title's principal value lies in its geographic focus, local knowledge and continuity rather than in national reach. Its business model and editorial role reflect the broader transition of regional journalism from predominantly print-based publishing toward a combined print and digital model.
History
The Southern Reporter was established in 1855 as a newspaper for the Scottish Borders and has retained a local and regional editorial remit throughout its existence. Its traditional format was a broadsheet, and its weekly publishing cycle placed it among the area's continuing community newspaper institutions. The title's coverage has centred on local public life, community affairs, sport, business and events rather than national reporting. For much of its corporate history, the Southern Reporter was associated with the Tweeddale Press Group. Johnston Press acquired that group in 2000 for £7.8 million, making the title a subsidiary within one of the UK's major regional newspaper publishers. The Southern Reporter subsequently received notable industry recognition, being named Scotland's best weekly newspaper in 2002 and again in 2003. The title encountered an editorial controversy in 2004 when a caption published by the paper caused offence locally. The incident resulted in the editor's resignation. Willie Mack was later succeeded as editor by Susan Windram in 2007. Further changes in editorial leadership followed, with Phil Johnson appointed in June 2015 and Darin Hutson appointed in 2016. The newspaper's physical operations were also reorganised. In 2012, Johnston Press announced plans to close the existing office and relocate the operation to other premises in Selkirk. The move was completed in April 2014. The reorganisation occurred during a period when regional publishers were consolidating offices and adapting their production structures in response to declining print circulation and changing media economics. In 2013, the Southern Reporter changed from broadsheet to tabloid format. The redesign ended a format tradition that had lasted for more than 150 years and reflected the wider shift among newspapers toward more compact editions. Reference material records a progressive decline in circulation, with average paid circulation reported at approximately 12,500 copies per issue during the cited period. The title is now owned by National World and continues to publish for the Scottish Borders, both through a weekly Thursday newspaper and an online outlet. Its history illustrates the continuity and adaptation of a regional newspaper brand: it has maintained a distinct local identity while changing ownership, editorial leadership, premises, format and distribution practices. No current circulation, editor, staff structure or detailed financial information is established by the supplied reference material.
- 2016
Darin Hutson appointed editor
[1]Darin Hutson became editor.
- 2015
Phil Johnson appointed editor
[1]Phil Johnson was appointed editor in June.
- 2014
Selkirk relocation completed
[1]The office move to new premises in Selkirk was completed in April.
- 2013
Format changed from broadsheet to tabloid
[1]The paper adopted a tabloid format after more than 150 years as a broadsheet.
- 2012
Relocation announced
[1]Johnston Press announced plans to close the existing office and relocate the operation within Selkirk.
- 2007
Susan Windram succeeds Willie Mack
[1]Susan Windram became editor after Willie Mack.
- 2004
Editorial controversy
[1]A caption that caused local offence led to the editor's resignation.
- 2003
Weekly newspaper award repeated
[1]The Southern Reporter received the same Scottish weekly-newspaper recognition for a second consecutive year.
- 2002
Named Scotland's best weekly newspaper
[1]The title received recognition as Scotland's best weekly newspaper.
- 2000
Acquisition by Johnston Press
[1]Johnston Press acquired the Tweeddale Press Group, which owned the Southern Reporter.
Products and positioning
A long-established Scottish Borders community newspaper combining weekly print journalism with digital local-news coverage.
Regional newspaper · 1855
Southern Reporter weekly newspaper
The core product is a weekly regional newspaper published on Thursdays for the Scottish Borders. It covers local news, public affairs, community activity, sport, business and events. The publication used a broadsheet format for more than 150 years before switching to a tabloid layout in 2013. Reference material reports average paid circulation of around 12,500 copies per issue during a period of decline, but does not provide a current figure.
Digital local-news service
Southern Reporter digital edition
The Southern Reporter also maintains an official website providing digital access to local reporting and newspaper-related content. The supplied material confirms the website but does not specify the full range of digital products, subscription arrangements, audience metrics or publication schedule beyond the established weekly print edition.
Controversies
Brand decisions
2013
Conversion from broadsheet to tabloidGeneration changeBackground
The newspaper had been published in broadsheet form for more than 150 years, during a period when regional print publishers were adapting to changing reader preferences and circulation pressure.
Action taken
The Southern Reporter changed its print format to a tabloid.
Aftermath
The format change established a more compact print presentation. The supplied sources do not quantify its effect on circulation, revenue or readership.
2012
Office relocation to SelkirkStrategyBackground
Johnston Press announced an operational change involving closure of the existing office and a move to other premises in Selkirk.
Action taken
The newspaper operation was relocated, with the move completed in April 2014.
Aftermath
The title continued operating from Selkirk. The source does not provide staffing, property or cost details.
Recent events
- 2016
Darin Hutson appointed editor[1]
Leadership change
Darin Hutson became editor of the newspaper.
- 2015
Phil Johnson appointed editor[1]
Leadership change
Phil Johnson was appointed editor in June.
- 2014
Selkirk office relocation completed[1]
Other
The move to new premises in Selkirk was completed in April.
- 2013
Southern Reporter adopts tabloid format[1]
Product generation
The newspaper moved from broadsheet to tabloid format after more than 150 years as a broadsheet.
- 2012
Johnston Press announces office relocation[1]
Other
Johnston Press announced that the newspaper's office would close and operations would move to other premises in Selkirk.
- 2003
Southern Reporter wins the Scottish weekly award again[1]
Other
The paper was again named Scotland's best weekly newspaper.
- 2002
Southern Reporter recognised as Scotland's best weekly newspaper[1]
Other
The title received a Scottish weekly-newspaper award, an achievement repeated the following year.
- 2000
Tweeddale Press Group acquired by Johnston Press[1]
M&A
Johnston Press purchased the Tweeddale Press Group, bringing the Southern Reporter into its newspaper portfolio.
Sources2 sources
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