Kenneth Roy
 Kenneth Roy  (Journalist, Author) | |
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Kenneth Roy, born and brought up in Falkirk, Scotland, is a journalist and author. After ten years working as an anchorman in BBC TV News and Current Affairs he became a critic and columnist in the print media, notably Scotland on Sunday and the Observer. He founded The Institute of Contemporary Scotland in 2000 and became editor of online campaigning journal the Scottish Review.[1]
Editorial vacancy
In August 2014, Kenneth Roy wrote an open letter to readers of the Scottish Review:
“It is almost time to pass on the torch. On 7 January 2015, I will relinquish the editorship, hang my last prejudice out to dry, and give up journalism.
“A vacancy arises for a modestly remunerated part-time appointment. Expressions of interest are invited. If you have a notion to be only the second editor of the Scottish Review in human history, let’s be hearing from you no later than Friday 29 August.
“The new editor should have a working knowledge of Scotland, a rough ability with words, a desk and chair of some kind, and a respect for the magazine’s sceptical traditions."
Journalistic career
A former "Man of the Year" in his home town of Falkirk, Kenneth Roy began his writing career on the now defunct Falkirk Mail. He enjoyed a brief spell as greyhound racing tipster with the Daily Record before becoming one of the youngest reporters on the old Glasgow Herald.
He launched the Scottish Theatre magazine at the age of 24 but three years later switched to presenting Reporting Scotland on BBC TV – establishing himself as a current affairs anchor man on television and radio.
He left the BBC to establish West Sound, a new independent local radio station in south-west Scotland, before founding Carrick Media which publishes "Who’s Who" in Scotland.
After a 21-year break, Roy resumed his journalistic career as a weekly columnist on the launch edition of Scotland on Sunday in 1988. A daily column on The Scotsman followed – twice being named "Critic of the Year" in Scotland – as well as writing five books.
After the launch of the Scottish Review, he founded the Institute of Contemporary Scotland – now publisher of the online magazine – in 2000 with Magnus Magnusson as its first patron and himself as first director.
As chairman of the Young Scotland programme, he intends to devote more time to a project which encourages debate and exchange of ideas among young adults.[2]
