The publication launched on 20th September 1816, starting out as The Dundee Weekly Courier and Forfarshire Agricultural and Commercial Advertiser, a Friday paper that was often a single sheet of two pages. In a feature to run today, Historian Norman Watson talks to readers about the publication’s history. For nearly 50 years, it was published weekly or bi-weekly but in 1861 it became a daily newspaper.
Norman explained, “It was in 1866 that the newspaper celebrated its 5,000th issue. In 1884 David Couper Thomson (DC Thomson) was made a partner with responsibility for the publishing business.”
“Another transformative landmark came in January 2012 when the paper switched to a smaller compact format – taking it back to the size printed by Thomas Colville in 1816.”
Throughout the newspaper’s history it has held the belief that ‘local matters’, says the publisher. The Courier successfully fought for Dundee’s own university, campaigned for the Tay Road Bridge and battled to preserve Fife as a single local authority. In more recent times it campaigned to scrap road bridge tolls, supported moves to prevent ship-to-ship oil transfers in the Forth and successfully campaigned to dual the A9 through Perthshire and to return city status to Perth.
The Courier Editor Richard Neville said, “We are proud to boast that 50,000 issues on, The Courier is still bringing local and national news to the people of Dundee, Fife, Clackmannanshire, Stirlingshire, Perthshire, Angus and the Mearns.
“Of course, the publication has changed somewhat since 1816, not least by shortening its name! The Courier has moved with the times, ensuring that readers receive news when and how they want to. Our printed title is still very much at the heart of The Courier operation but is supported by our popular website and growing social media channels.”
He added, “This is a momentous occasion – here’s to another 50,000 copies.”
