The first issue of The Scots Magazine was the January issue, published on 9th February 1739 as a 48-page pamphlet, price sixpence monthly. It was edited and printed in Edinburgh. Throughout the 18th century it prided itself on its news service, both foreign and domestic. Long parliamentary reports were published, the names of speakers being given fictitiously, this being a device to circumvent the ban on the reporting of parliamentary proceedings. Through its pages the people of Scotland often obtained their first news of major events involving their country. Among such was an account of the defeat of the Jacobites at the Battle of Culloden in 1746. The sympathies of the magazine, and of most people outside the Highlands, were with the Hanoverians. In the early years of the 19th century the influence of the magazine declined, owing largely to the livelier editorial policy of newcomers, such as Blackwood's Magazine. In 1826 The Scots Magazine ceased publication. The title does not appear to have been used again until 1888. The Scots Magazine was published from then until 1893, the printers being S. Cowan, Perth. The magazine, much the same size as at present, had apparently been published for two and a half years as The Scottish Church before reverting to The Scots Magazine.
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