The Buteman
A former weekly tabloid newspaper serving the Isle of Bute in Scotland.
Last updated August 31, 2026
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Overview
The Buteman was a weekly tabloid newspaper serving the Isle of Bute, an island in the Firth of Clyde off the west coast of Scotland. It was a highly local publication whose editorial remit centered on the island community, including local government, civic affairs, community organizations, businesses, events, and issues affecting residents of Rothesay and surrounding settlements. The title began publication on 13 December 1854 under the longer name A General Advertiser for the Western Isles, making it one of the long-established local newspaper titles in Scotland. The paper was founded and operated in Rothesay, the principal town on Bute. Its early premises were at 23 High Street. During the twentieth century, its offices moved successively to Moodie's Court, Montague Street, and Castle Street. The Castle Street premises housed staff until 2002. For much of its history the newspaper was printed on the island, but local printing ended in 1980, reflecting the logistical and economic changes affecting small regional newspapers. Ownership changed several times during the late twentieth and early twenty-first centuries. Goldenbolt International acquired the newspaper in 1981. In November 1997, Score Press, the newspaper division of Scottish Radio Holdings, bought the title for £300,000. Johnston Press acquired it in 2006, bringing the publication into a larger regional newspaper group. After Johnston Press entered administration in 2018, its newspaper assets, including The Buteman, were taken over by JPI Media. The final publisher was Angus County Press Ltd, operating within JPI Media's Scotland and North East England division. The Buteman continued to function as a community newspaper even as its circulation and staffing contracted. In 2015, reported weekly sales were approximately 1,800 to 2,000 copies. That year, editor Craig Borland attracted attention after publishing an editorial supporting the welcoming of Syrian refugees following the local authority's announcement that Rothesay would receive refugees. The editorial was praised as an example of community leadership and demonstrated the paper's willingness to take a public position on a contentious local issue. By the later years of publication, the title had only two remaining staff members, who were based in Edinburgh rather than on Bute. The last audited circulation figure, recorded in 2018, was 730 copies, against an Isle of Bute population of 6,144 in the previous year. Circulation subsequently fell to about 500 copies. In 2019, JPI Media announced that the newspaper would close. The final edition was published on 21 June 2019, ending more than 160 years of publication. The Buteman is therefore best understood as a defunct local newspaper brand whose historical importance lay in its sustained coverage of island life and its role in Bute's civic information system.
History
The Buteman originated in Rothesay, the only town on the Isle of Bute, with its first issue published on 13 December 1854. The original title was A General Advertiser for the Western Isles. From the beginning, its principal function was to provide a local news and advertising service for the island and its surrounding community. The newspaper's offices were initially located at 23 High Street in Rothesay. During the twentieth century, the business moved to Moodie's Court, then Montague Street, and later Castle Street. Staff remained at the Castle Street location until 2002. The paper retained an island-based production identity for much of its history: it was printed on Bute until 1980, after which printing was conducted elsewhere. Ownership passed to Goldenbolt International in 1981. In November 1997, Score Press, the newspaper division of Scottish Radio Holdings, acquired the title for £300,000. Johnston Press purchased the newspaper in 2006, placing the long-standing island publication within one of the United Kingdom's major regional newspaper groups. Despite its small market, The Buteman continued to report on local events, public administration, community organizations, and issues of direct importance to Bute residents. In 2015, its weekly sales were reported at between 1,800 and 2,000 copies. The same year, editor Craig Borland wrote an editorial defending the decision to welcome Syrian refugees to Rothesay after comments appeared on the newspaper's website. The editorial received praise for presenting a community-minded position during a politically sensitive local debate. The newspaper's later history reflected the broader financial pressure on local print media. Johnston Press entered administration in 2018, and JPI Media assumed control of the title. By then, The Buteman had only two remaining staff members, both based in Edinburgh rather than on the island. Its last audited circulation figure was 730 copies in 2018. With circulation falling further to roughly 500 copies, JPI Media announced that the title would close. The last edition was published on 21 June 2019, ending a run of more than 160 years.
- 2019
Final edition published
[1]The last issue of The Buteman was published on 21 June, after circulation had fallen to approximately 500 copies.
- 2018
JPI Media assumes ownership
[1]Following Johnston Press's administration, JPI Media took over the title. The last audited circulation figure was 730 copies.
- 2015
Reported weekly circulation reaches approximately 1,800–2,000
[1]The title was reported to be selling between 1,800 and 2,000 copies per week.
- 2006
Acquired by Johnston Press
[1]Johnston Press purchased the newspaper.
- 2002
Castle Street office period ends
[1]The newspaper's staff ceased to be based at its Castle Street premises in Rothesay.
- 1997
Score Press acquisition
[1]Score Press, the newspaper division of Scottish Radio Holdings, acquired The Buteman in November.
- 1981
Acquired by Goldenbolt International
[1]Goldenbolt International took ownership of the title.
- 1980
Printing on the island ends
[1]The newspaper ceased to be printed on the Isle of Bute.
- 1854
First issue published
[1]The first issue appeared in Rothesay on 13 December under the title A General Advertiser for the Western Isles.
Products and positioning
A community-focused weekly newspaper serving the Isle of Bute, with an emphasis on hyperlocal news, public affairs, island events, and local advertising.
Newspaper · 1854
The Buteman weekly print edition
The core product was a weekly tabloid newspaper for the Isle of Bute. It carried local news, community reporting, public-affairs coverage, island events, and local advertising. The print edition remained the principal expression of the brand until publication ended in 2019.
Digital news
The Buteman website
The newspaper also operated a website associated with the buteman.co.uk domain. It provided a digital outlet for the title and served as a venue for reader comments, including the discussion that preceded the 2015 editorial on Syrian refugees.
Brand decisions
2019
Closure of The ButemanStrategyBackground
Circulation had fallen from 730 audited copies in 2018 to approximately 500, while the publication operated with only two remaining staff members.
Action taken
JPI Media announced that the newspaper would cease publication.
Aftermath
The final edition was published on 21 June 2019, ending the title's publication after more than 160 years.
2006
Johnston Press purchases The ButemanM&ABackground
The title was sold during a period of consolidation among regional newspaper publishers.
Action taken
Johnston Press acquired The Buteman.
Aftermath
The newspaper became part of Johnston Press's regional newspaper portfolio.
1997
Score Press acquires the titleM&ABackground
The newspaper was sold to Score Press, the newspaper division of Scottish Radio Holdings.
Action taken
Score Press acquired The Buteman in November 1997 for £300,000.
Aftermath
The title continued under the ownership of a larger Scottish newspaper group until its later sale to Johnston Press.
Acquisition price. £300,000 (November 1997)
Sources2 sources
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