Journalism in Scotland celebrated as winners of 46th Scottish Press Awards revealed

Journalism in Scotland celebrated as the winners of the 46th Scottish Press Awards are revealed

It was a triumphant night for The Scottish Sun at the 46th Scottish Press Awards, named as Scottish Newsbrand of the Year at a ceremony celebrating Scotland’s best journalism.

The Scottish Sun also picked up the Journalism Team of the Year for their reporting on the death of Alex Salmond, and their reporter Graham Mann took home the Scoop of the Year for his tenacity in recording every twist and turn of Stuart Hogg’s fall from rugby legend to domestic abuser.

Held at Glasgow’s Doubletree by Hilton hotel on Thursday (22 May 2025), the highly coveted Journalist of the Year was picked up by Bryan Rutherford of The Press and Journal who continued his successful evening after being awarded Regional Journalist of the Year and Specialist Journalist of the Year earlier.

The team from The Press and Journal also celebrated winning Front Page of the Year – one that caused a nasty spat between the then First Minister and the opposition leader with the shockwaves being felt 400 miles away as Labour Party leaders were accused of turning their backs on the North East of Scotland – of being The Traitors, no less.

The notable Lifetime Achievement Award which this year went to Melanie Reid, columnist and journalist at The Times Scotland. Melanie has been widely recognised for her inspirational contribution to journalism, disability rights and awareness and her weekly ‘Spinal Column’ will be much missed.

As Magnus Linklater, who presented the award, said: “She is an inspiration to journalists and readers everywhere.”

Martin Williams of The Herald was awarded Reporter of the Year and The Sunday Post celebrated winning Campaign of the Year with their campaign, ‘Saving Mothers and Babies’ which resulted in the Scottish Government agreeing funding for pre-eclampsia tests.

The team at East Lothian Courier were awarded Weekly Newsbrand of the Year.

A total of 27 awards crediting the vital work of print and digital journalism were announced in celebration of the finest journalism in Scotland.

Journalism in Scotland celebrated as the winners of the 46th Scottish Press Awards are revealed

Chair of Judges, Richard Neville, former Head of News Brands at DC Thomson and current Director of Neville Robertson Communications, said: “These awards celebrate talent from across the whole of Scotland and represent thriving journalism in every community from our big cities to our smallest villages.

“Maintaining that quality and consistency of coverage in every community is difficult these days but tonight’s winners show that our industry has the talent, skills and dedication needed to do the job.”

Richard Neville was joined by 35 independent judges from across the Scottish media, communications and public affairs industries. Former BBC Scotland newsreader Jackie Bird hosted the event at the DoubleTree by Hilton Glasgow Central. 

Journalism in Scotland celebrated as the winners of the 46th Scottish Press Awards are revealed

The final awards of the evening were as follows:

  • Lifetime Achievement Award
    • Melanie Reid – The Times Scotland
  • Weekly Newsbrand of the Year
    • East Lothian Courier
  • Scoop of the Year
    • Graham Mann – The Scottish Sun
  • Front Page of the Year
    • The Press and Journal
  • Journalism Team of the Year
    • The Scottish Sun – The death of Alex Salmond
  • Campaign of the Year
    • The Sunday Post – ‘Saving Mothers and Babies’
  • Reporter of the Year
    • Martin Williams – The Herald
  • Journalist of the Year
    • Bryan Rutherford – The Press and Journal
  • Scottish Newsbrand of the Year
    • The Scottish Sun
Journalism in Scotland celebrated as the winners of the 46th Scottish Press Awards are revealed

The full list of Scottish Press Awards winners can be found here.

The 46th Scottish Press Awards were sponsored by Diageo, Edrington, VisitScotland, Royal Bank of Scotland, Openreach, The Glenmorangie Company Ltd, The Law Society of Scotland, Caledonian MacBrayne, Muckle Media, Weber Shandwick, Women in Journalism Scotland, Media House International, Event Consultants Scotland and Newsbrands Scotland.

More information can be found at https://www.newsbrandsscotland.com/

Shortlist revealed for 45th Scottish Press Awards

Over 100 entries have been shortlisted for the 45th Scottish Press Awards, it has been announced. The awards recognise excellence in national, regional, and digital journalism from across the country.

With 26 categories featuring a mix of several long-standing award titles complemented by a range of new-look categories, the judges have received a flood of entries, representing the finest talent from across the industry.

The finalists will be hoping to scoop an award from a range of categories including politics, business, sport, and the arts.

This full list of categories for 2024 includes:

  • Arts and Entertainment Journalist of the Year
  • Best Coverage of a Live Event
  • Campaign of the Year
  • Columnist of the Year
  • Feature Writer of the Year
  • Financial/Business Journalist of the Year
  • Food and Drink Writer of the Year
  • Front Page of the Year
  • Journalism Team of the Year
  • Lifetime Achievement Award (not applicable for entry, chosen by the editors’ committee)
  • Scottish Newsbrand of the Year
  • News Photographer of the Year
  • Nicola Barry Award
  • Podcast of the Year
  • Political Journalist of the Year
  • Regional Journalist of the Year
  • Reporter of the Year
  • Specialist Reporter of the Year
  • Sports Columnist of the Year
  • Sports Feature Writer of the Year
  • Sports News Writer of the Year
  • Sports Photographer of the Year
  • Weekly Journalist of the Year
  • Weekly Newsbrand of the Year
  • Young Journalist of the Year
  • Journalist of the Year (not applicable for entry, chosen by the judges)

Shortlists for the sought-after Scottish Newsbrand of the Year, Journalist of the Year, and Lifetime Achievement Award have not been revealed as winners will be announced on the night of the ceremony. The shortlist for Weekly Newsbrand of the Year will be revealed in May.

This year’s judging panel was led by Richard Neville, former Head of News Brands at DC Thomson, and current Director of Neville Robertson Communications.

Richard Neville, chair of the Scottish Press Awards judges, said: “It has been fantastic to see the quality of entries to this year’s awards. The talent in this industry stretches right across the spectrum of digital and print publishing and across every region of the country.

“The need for incisive, challenging journalism grows every year and Scotland’s journalists have risen to the task in the past 12 months.

“Telling good stories will always be at the heart of what the industry does but holding the rich, powerful, and opportunistic chancers to account is of equal importance. It is clear from this year’s shortlist that Scotland is not a place to come to avoid scrutiny.”

The 45th Scottish Press Awards are sponsored by Royal Bank of Scotland, Diageo, VisitScotland, Edrington, Openreach, Glenmorangie, The Law Society of Scotland, Caledonian MacBrayne, Registers of Scotland, Muckle Media, Amazon, Women in Journalism Scotland, BIG Partnership, Weber Shandwick, Event Consultants Scotland and Newsbrands Scotland.

Overseen by Newsbrands Scotland (formerly the Scottish Newspaper Society), the awards ceremony and dinner will take place at the DoubleTree by Hilton Glasgow Central on 29 May 2024.

For more information and to view the shortlist, visit:

Local democracy under threat?

Concerns have been expressed in Edinburgh that politicians and city leaders may be cutting corners as crucial decisions are made about our city – all during a time when the press is under increased strain due to falling revenue.
In this conversation with four leading Edinburgh journalists we will explore the threats to local democracy and press reporting during the coronavirus outbreak.

Joining us for this conversation will be Euan McGrory (The Scotsman), Mure Dickie (Financial Times), Phyllis Stephen (The Edinburgh Reporter) and David Bol (The Herald).

Date: Thursday 25 June 2020
Start time: 6pm
Venue: Zoom online (how to join info will be sent to you via email)

Book your free ticket now

We look forward to seeing you on the evening. If you have any questions, please contact us on the details below.

Edinburgh World Heritage
5 Bakehouse Close
146 Canongate
EH8 8DD

members@ewht.org.uk