Moray SNP News

FORMER NORTHERN SCOT EDITOR SUCCESS PRAISED IN PARLIAMENT

Richard Lochhead MSP has tabled a motion in the Scottish Parliament congratulating the former editor of the Northern Scot, Mike Collins, on being awarded the prestigious Barron Trophy at this year’s Highlands and Islands Press Ball and Media Awards.

Mr Lochhead’s motion highlights the key role played by Mike Collins in the local media throughout his 44 year career, including his success in leading the Northern Scot to win national awards for its coverage of the 201-11 Save RAF Lossiemouth campaign.

The text of the motion tabled by Moray’s MSP is below:

That the Parliament congratulates the former Northern Scot editor, Mike Collins, on being awarded the prestigious Barron Trophy, which recognises lifetime achievement in journalism in the Highlands and Islands; understands that he will receive the award at the annual Highlands and Islands Press Ball and Media Awards, which are being held at the Kingsmills Hotel, Inverness, on 2 February 2018; acknowledges his 44-year career in journalism, which spanned across such titles as the Banffshire Herald , Huntly Express , Aberdeen Press and Journal , Forres Gazette , Banffshire Journal , Strathspey and Badenoch Herald  and  Northern Scot ; notes that his career has produced thousands of reports from across Moray; understands that he stood down as the editor of the Northern Scot at the end of 2017 after 10 years in the role; notes that, under his leadership, the paper was named the Highlands and Islands Scottish and UK Weekly Newspaper of the Year for its coverage of the 2010-11 Save RAF Lossiemouth campaign; recognises the significance of this achievement; believes it demonstrates the importance of Mike's prolific career; commends him on his service to journalism and Moray, and wishes him the best for all his future endeavours.

Commenting, Mr Lochhead said:

“Mike played a key role in local, community news in Moray and the North East for many years and thoroughly deserves to be recognised with this lifetime achievement award.

“Having spent time at the Banffshire Herald, the Forres Gazette, the Banffshire Journal, and the Northern Scot, there will be no part of Moray that has gone unreported by Mike over the years. 

“There are undoubtedly many achievements in his career that he will be proud of, particularly the leadership he showed in the campaign to save RAF Lossiemouth, which rightly won the newspaper national recognition.  Picking up the Barron Trophy at the Press Ball, after his retirement at the end of last year, seems a fitting way to mark Mike’s contribution to our local media.”