Death of former Oban Times owner Freddy Johnston

Freddy Johnston, a previous owner of The Oban Times, has died aged 86.

Described by his peers as a ‘leading light in the newspaper industry and a much-loved character’, his leadership of the firm saw F Johnston & Co grow from a handful of Scottish titles to one with 200 daily and weekly newspapers the length and breadth of the country.

Born in Edinburgh in 1935, Freddy attended Morrisons Academy in Crieff and Lancing College. He later went to New College, Oxford, where he read history.

Freddy was required to do National Service and loved his time in the army. It was during regimental reunions he met Alan Cameron, the owner of The Oban Times. When Alan Cameron retired in 1976, he offered the newspaper to Freddy. Thus Johnston expanded from the Central Belt and Falkirk to Argyll and the Highlands and Islands. There were fond memories of the holidays the family had in the flat in the old Oban Times building.

Later in 1976 Freddy added The Campbeltown Courier to the sister papers of The Oban Times and the Argyllshire Advertiser.

Expansion into England became Freddy ’s aim. In 1983, whilst in New York, Freddy met up with Howard Bennett and it was there negotiations took place for Freddy to be introduced by Howard to the owners of a large weekly newspaper in Lancashire. Freddy bought this paper and sold The Oban Times portfolio to Howard and Joan Bennett later in 1983. Five years later, Johnston Press Ltd was floated on the London Stock Exchange. It continued to make acquisitions and in 2006 bought The Scotsman daily newspaper. Freddy had retired in 2001 but he remained on the board of directors.

In 1961 he married Ann Jones, originally from midWales. They had two sons, Michael and Robert, both of whom worked in newspapers and publishing. He is survived by Ann, Michael and Robert and partners, Claire and Nick, and four grandchildren.

The death of Freddy brings to a end an era in newspaper publishing. Freddy was no hard-nosed media hack or mogul. He was a gentle, humorous and dignified man.