The very first issue of the Ileach was published in October 1973, so as of the issue of early October, they have reached the grand old age of forty. In that time, the paper has seen more than nine different editors and experienced huge changes in print and computer technology. The first issues were printed on a hand-operated Gestetner, with pages created on a typewriter.

Nowadays we have the latest in Apple Macintosh computers and state of the art page-layout and image manipulation software. And the embracing of digital print has allowed the wrapping of the anniversary edition in a colour cover. Additionally, technology has allowed the luxury of producing a full-colour digital version available anywhere in the world before the printed version makes it as far as Islay’s shops.

The arrival of the fortieth birthday places the Ileach as one of the longest surviving community newspapers in Scotland if not the UK. None of the present staff are likely still to be in their current positions by the time the next forty years have passed, so the current staff was happy to bask in the glow and heat of their fortieth birthday cake.

Congratulations to everyone involved!

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