Newspaper launched in 1817

THE first edition of The Inverness Courier rolled off the press on December 4, 1817, after receiving the backing of subscribers including mainly booksellers, bankers and postmasters in the town.

While they promised "a sufficient supply of national news and all the ordinary contents of a newspaper", they pledged the Courier's distinguishing feature would be the interest and variety of its provincial news.

It was printed and published by bookseller W. Ettles whose shop was in the High Street. In its early days, the paper comprised four pages and cost seven pence. The first editors were Mr and Mrs John Johnstone.

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