John McLellan

Edinburgh

Director at Scottish Newspaper Society

Director, Newsbrands Scotland; senior consultant, Media House International; Hon prof, Stirling Uni; columnist. Views here my own, not Newsbrands members

Articles

How two local pensioners defeated plans for Galloway National Park

5 days ago | scotsman.com | John McLellan

Was it Media House wot won it? Widely recognised as an extraordinarily divided process, the fierce arguments over the creation of a national park in Galloway and Ayrshire are over. Opponents have won the day decisively, and in their struggle to understand how they lost after years of preparation, supporters point to the involvement of a public relations company as the reason for their defeat.
Sir Tom taught us one thing: chin-stroking doesn't build houses - private money does

1 week ago | heraldscotland.com | John McLellan

Sir Tom Farmer redeveloped the Lochend area (Image: Ken Whitcombe) The applause from Hibernian supporters for Sir Tom Farmer as the hearse carrying his body passed Easter Road stadium this week took me back to the 90s when the attitude of many Hibs fans towards the Kwik Fit tycoon was not one of affection.
Telling people road closures are 'for their own good' tends to go down badly

2 weeks ago | heraldscotland.com | John McLellan

Central Park in New York (Image: PA) I’d never been to New York until last month, and like most people visiting for the first time, I was blown away by the experience. Hamilton on Broadway, the Staten Island ferry, jazz at Birdland, walking the High Line, the whole schtick. And of course, the overwhelming sadness and eerie tranquillity of Ground Zero. “Hey, you just missed those Tartan celebrations,” said one taxi driver. “Aye,” I said.
More than 60 transport schemes cancelled in Scottish city in one fell swoop

3 weeks ago | heraldscotland.com | John McLellan

The postponement of significant alterations to Portobello High Street ─ to cut through traffic and widen pavements ─ could face stiff resistance (Image: PA) Most folk enjoy a good old moan about the state of the roads, if enjoy is the right word. Potholes, speed limits, bad junctions and all that sort of stuff is what fills councillors’ inboxes, each message wanting to know whitareyegonnadoabootit.
Suspended Cammy Day wants to rejoin the Labour benches in Edinburgh

4 weeks ago | heraldscotland.com | John McLellan

Sources close to Cammy Day say he’s very keen to rejoin the Labour benches (Image: free) There are few occasions Edinburgh councillors are in full and genuine agreement, but Thursday’s emotional tributes to the late Val Walker, the Labour councillor who died suddenly last month, was one of them.
Second Agreement Concerning Amendment To CEPA Agreement On Trade In Services To Be Implemented On 1 March 2025

1 month ago | mondaq.com | John McLellan |Amanda Gu

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Tear up the council red tape - and let the builders build

1 month ago | heraldscotland.com | John McLellan

Housebuilders say features like cycle routes and increased green space requirement put up the cost of infrastructure while reducing the space for the houses (Image: Ian Dyball) It was the local government equivalent of the “I’m Spartacus” moment when Kirk Douglas was about to be nailed up at the end of the 1960 sword and sandals epic.
John McLellan: Stop the fighting: Scotland’s two great cities need to pull together

2 months ago | heraldscotland.com | John McLellan

The last vehicle to roll out of the Madelvic factory in Granton was before the First World War ended, one of the first casualties in the sorry saga of motor manufacturing in Scotland.
Will we ever find out truth about Edinburgh whistleblowing scandal?

2 months ago | heraldscotland.com | John McLellan

Adam Nols-McVey with Cammy Day (Image: Newsquest) Now Sir Keir Starmer’s bandwagon has been derailed in spectacular fashion by a litany of broken principles and promises, the chances of Anas Sarwar measuring up for new carpets and curtains in Bute House are receding by the day. If Winston Churchill was still alive, he would testify that strutting the world stage counts for nothing if the wind of change is against you.
Shortlist is revealed for the 46th Scottish Press Awards

2 months ago | newsbrandsscotland.com | John McLellan

The shortlist for the 46th Scottish Press Awards has been announced today (27 March 2025), recognising excellence in national, regional, and digital journalism from across the country. With 27 categories featuring a mix of several long-standing award titles complemented by new-look categories, the judges have received a flood of entries, representing the finest talent from across the industry.