Early edition discovered

Writer Carolyn stumbles upon rare copy of the 18th century Edinburgh Courant

AYRSHIRE-BASED English tutor and freelance writer, Carolyn O'Hara, came across a 316 year old copy of the Edinburgh Courant newspaper when researching a social history book about one of her ancestors, who lived and worked in Ayr in the late 19th century.

Carolyn said: “The story is about my great-grandfather, William Gilmore Wallace on my mother's side, who was a journalist.

“He was managing editor of the Ayrshire Post from 1890. He decided when he took over that there were a lot of things going on in Ayr that needed "airing"so to speak.”

Carolyn explained that because he was a journalist, her Grandpa hoarded journalistic artefacts, and once the book was published, she looked at the papers again. Among them was a poly bag full of old newspapers with an envelope bearing her greatgrandfather's writing. On the envelope he wrote “First Edition of Edinburgh Courant 1705”, and the envelope contained that first edition - a single sheet back and front. She said : "When I started researching I found collectors who have limited editions of when it became the Evening Courant, but no-one seemed to have this copy. It covers the period from Wednesday 14th to Monday 19th of February 1705. I would love to know where he got it from.

"There are other newspapers in the bag but nothing as unique as this."

The story that Carolyn particularly likes relates the tale of an alleged bank fraud in Edinburgh by bank teller, Robert Pringle, who went off with £425 of the bank's money. There are articles from Madrid and

Amsterdam included, bringing news of the Siege of Verue.

But Carolyn also pointed out that the advertisements are interesting from a social history perspective. One advertises "loozengees" to be sold by George Anderson at the foot of Fishmarket and at George Moubray's Shop, opposite to the Main-Guard to “stop the pains of the breast. Price 8 shillings the Box”. Hopefully they worked.

We believe that the Edinburgh Courant was the forerunner to the Edinburgh Evening News, and of course we wonder if anyone else has old copies of the paper. Do let us know if you do.