Dunoon Observer and Argyllshire Standard

The Dunoon Observer and Argyllshire Standard is a weekly local tabloid newspaper serving the Cowal Peninsula in Argyll and Bute, on the west coast of Scotland. The publication is closely associated with Dunoon, where its editorial offices are located and where it is currently edited and printed. Locally, it is commonly known as the Standard. The newspaper was established on 25 March 1871 in the nearby village of Sandbank by William Inglis Sr., who acted as both editor and proprietor. Its early history was closely connected with the Inglis family. In 1906, the paper moved to Dunoon for the first time. Printing was transferred that year to Oban, where the newspaper was produced alongside The Oban Times, before returning to Dunoon in 1991. For much of its modern history, the publication was operated by E&R Inglis Ltd. Ownership and management remained within the Inglis family for 144 years. In 2015, owners Marion and John Carmichael retired, ending that long family association. The newspaper was acquired by Argyll Media Ltd, while its editorial operations remained in Dunoon. The title focuses on local news, community affairs, public institutions, local politics, events, sport and other topics of interest to residents across Cowal and the surrounding Argyll area. Its role is primarily regional rather than national: it provides a dedicated print and online outlet for communities that may receive limited coverage from larger Scottish media organizations. The newspaper has been described as having a circulation of approximately 5,500, although the available reference material does not specify the measurement period or methodology. The publication forms part of Argyll Media Ltd's local newspaper interests. In 2019, the company launched The Isle of Bute News, creating a second local newspaper title alongside the Dunoon Observer and Argyllshire Standard. The current editor identified in the reference material is Gordon Neish. The brand's enduring identity is rooted in its long publication history, its Dunoon base and its service to the communities of the Cowal Peninsula.

The Dunoon Observer and Argyllshire Standard began publication on 25 March 1871 in Sandbank, near Dunoon. Its founder, William Inglis Sr., served as editor and proprietor, establishing the title as a locally owned newspaper for communities in the Cowal area of Argyll. The paper subsequently became associated with the Inglis family, whose involvement continued for more than a century. In 1906, the newspaper moved to Dunoon. Its printing operations also changed that year, moving to Oban so that the title could be printed alongside The Oban Times. This arrangement connected the paper to a broader regional newspaper-printing operation while it continued to serve its established local readership. Printing eventually returned to Dunoon in 1991, restoring production to the community with which the title was most closely identified. The newspaper was published for many years by E&R Inglis Ltd. The publication remained in the Inglis family tradition for 144 years, making continuity of ownership a defining feature of its history. During this period, the newspaper developed a local identity reflected in its informal name, The Standard, and in its focus on news and public life in Dunoon, the Cowal Peninsula and surrounding parts of Argyll and Bute. A major ownership transition took place in 2015. Marion and John Carmichael, who owned the paper at the time, retired, and Argyll Media Ltd purchased the publication. The editorial offices remained in Dunoon after the acquisition, preserving the newspaper's local base despite the change in ownership. The transaction marked the end of the long Inglis-family ownership era and placed the title within a wider local-media group. Argyll Media Ltd broadened its newspaper activities in 2019 by launching The Isle of Bute News. This gave the company a second local newspaper property and extended its publishing presence within the island and mainland communities of Argyll and Bute. The Dunoon Observer and Argyllshire Standard nevertheless remained focused on the Cowal Peninsula and continued as a weekly local newspaper with both print and online activity. The title's continuing importance comes from its role as a dedicated community publication. Rather than competing primarily as a national news outlet, it covers local institutions, community developments, events, public affairs, sport, notices and advertising. Reference material identifies its circulation as approximately 5,500, but does not provide a date or detailed circulation methodology. The current editor is Gordon Neish. Its long history, Dunoon editorial presence and regional focus remain central to the brand.

• 2019

  Launch of The Isle of Bute News

  [1]Dunoon Observer and Argyllshire Standarden.wikipedia.org

  Owner Argyll Media Ltd launched a second newspaper, The Isle of Bute News.

• 2015

  Acquisition by Argyll Media Ltd

  [1]Dunoon Observer and Argyllshire Standarden.wikipedia.org

  Argyll Media Ltd acquired the newspaper following the retirement of owners Marion and John Carmichael.

• 1991

  Printing returns to Dunoon

  [1]Dunoon Observer and Argyllshire Standarden.wikipedia.org

  Printing operations returned to Dunoon after an extended period in which the paper had been printed in Oban.

• 1906

  Move to Dunoon and transfer of printing to Oban

  [1]Dunoon Observer and Argyllshire Standarden.wikipedia.org

  The newspaper moved to Dunoon, while its printing was transferred to Oban so it could be produced alongside The Oban Times.

• 1871

  Newspaper founded in Sandbank

  [1]Dunoon Observer and Argyllshire Standarden.wikipedia.org

  William Inglis Sr. founded the newspaper on 25 March 1871 in Sandbank and became its editor and proprietor.

A long-established community newspaper providing local reporting and advertising for Dunoon, the Cowal Peninsula and wider Argyll and Bute.

• Weekly local newspaper · 1871

  Dunoon Observer and Argyllshire Standard

  The core weekly newspaper title, commonly known locally as The Standard. It serves Dunoon, the Cowal Peninsula and nearby communities in Argyll and Bute through local reporting, community coverage, public-affairs journalism, events, sport, notices and advertising. The title operates in print and has an online edition.

• Digital news publication

  Online edition

  The newspaper's web presence provides an online outlet for the publication and extends access to its local reporting beyond the physical weekly edition. The available reference material identifies an online edition but does not provide detailed information about its publishing schedule, business model or digital audience.

• 2019

  Expansion into a second local newspaperProduct launch

  Background

  Argyll Media Ltd expanded its regional publishing interests after acquiring the Dunoon Observer and Argyllshire Standard.

  Action taken

  The company launched The Isle of Bute News.

  Aftermath

  The launch created a second newspaper title within the owner's local-media portfolio. The available source does not provide circulation or financial results.

  Source

• 2015

  Sale to Argyll Media LtdM&A

  Background

  Owners Marion and John Carmichael retired after a period in which the newspaper had been associated with the Inglis family for 144 years.

  Action taken

  Argyll Media Ltd purchased the newspaper, while the editorial offices remained in Dunoon.

  Aftermath

  The acquisition ended the long family ownership era and placed the newspaper within Argyll Media Ltd's local publishing portfolio.

  Source

• 1991

  Return of printing to DunoonStrategy

  Background

  After printing had been carried out in Oban for many years, the newspaper restored production to Dunoon.

  Action taken

  Printing operations were brought back to the newspaper's principal community.

  Aftermath

  The move reinforced the title's connection with Dunoon, although the available source does not provide further operational details.

  Source

• 1906

  Relocation and printing arrangement with The Oban TimesStrategy

  Background

  The newspaper relocated to Dunoon while its printing was moved to Oban, where it could be produced alongside The Oban Times.

  Action taken

  The publication retained its Dunoon identity and editorial base while using an Oban printing arrangement.

  Aftermath

  Printing later returned to Dunoon in 1991. The available sources do not state the financial or operational reasons for the original arrangement.

  Source

1. 1Dunoon Observer and Argyllshire Standarden.wikipedia.org
2. 2Dunoon Observer and Argyllshire Standard online editiondunoon-observer.com