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Ross-shire Journal’s ex-printing press is 140 years old — and still going strong!





Thomas MacDonald checks out the former Ross-shire Journal printing press now enjoying pride of place at Highland Print Studio in Inverness. Picture courtesy of Highland Print Studio
Thomas MacDonald checks out the former Ross-shire Journal printing press now enjoying pride of place at Highland Print Studio in Inverness. Picture courtesy of Highland Print Studio

A FORMER Ross-shire Journal printing press built more than 140 years ago is still going strong - and turning heads!

The Albion Press was donated to Highland Print Studio (HPS) more than 20 years ago but came to the attention of a sharp-eyed passer-by rather more recently.

Former Ross-shire Journal printer Tommy MacDonald spotted the familiar looking piece of kit through the window while walking past the HPS, which is located on Bank Street in Inverness.

Having spent much of his life working with a variety of different printing presses - from mechanical letterpress through to multimillion-pound custom-built machines - he was naturally interested to see it.

Alison McMenemy, director of Highland Print Studio, said: “It was lovely to meet someone with a connection to the press in its previous life.

“It’s very much a permanent feature and recently had a wee bit of refurbishment work done on it, so it’s busier than ever.”

John McNaught, studio manager, recalled: “I think the Albion Press was donated to HPS around 1992/93. At that time I was visual artist in residence at Ross and Cromarty District Council, and also did freelance work at HPS.

“So the connection was through Jock Watt, former director of leisure services, who I worked under. Obviously his brother David Watt came through Jock to see if we would like the press.

Former Ross-shire Journal editor David Watt was keen to see the press find a new home - and it’s still being used to this day.
Former Ross-shire Journal editor David Watt was keen to see the press find a new home - and it’s still being used to this day.

“It has been here ever since and like Alison already said is busier than ever, having been mechanically refurbished. I believe it was used in the Ross-shire Journal as a proofing press up until the last days of letterpress printing. We think it was built around 1880.”

He added: “Tommy was just passing and saw it through our front windows as it sits just inside the door, on full view from Bank Street.”



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