View all newsletters
Sign up for our free email newsletters

Fighting for quality news media in the digital age.

  1. News
September 19, 2018

‘Hugely respected’ Scottish journalist and NUJ life member Alex Main dies aged 86

By Gordon Fyfe

A Highland personality who was a life member of the NUJ has died at the age of 86.

Alex Main was the doyen of the Highland press world and won 15 trophies as manager of former Highland League side Caledonian.

Married to Ella, he has two sons, Alan and Richard and two grandchildren, Nicolas and Leah.

From Inverness, Alex began his career in journalism in 1947 with the Inverness Courier and went on to work for the Highland News, Football Times, Press and Journal, Daily Mail, Daily Express, the Scotsman and finally back to the Inverness Courier. He retired on 25 April 1997.

He is a former winner of the Barron Trophy, which recognises lifetime achievement in journalism.  He was also awarded life membership of the National Union of Journalists.

He was a keen golfer and was a former captain of Fortrose and Rosemarkie Golf Club.

He was probably best known for his football exploits.  He was a member of the Caledonian FC Committee before emerging as  manager of the club.

Content from our partners
Free journalism awards for journalists under 30: Deadline today
MHP Group's 30 To Watch awards for young journalists open for entries
How PA Media is helping newspapers make the digital transition

He went on to win an impressive haul of trophies, including four Highland League titles. With his writing skills, he wrote a history of Caledonian FC in 1986: “Caley all the way – the first hundred years”.

John Ross, chairman of the Highlands and Islands Press Ball and former Highlands and Islands correspondent with The Scotsman, said: “Alex was one of the finest journalists in an era of fierce competitiveness in the newspaper industry.

“He was hugely respected by his colleagues, but also those he wrote about. Such was his contribution to journalism in the Highlands and Islands, he was made an honorary member of the Press Ball.

“There is also a trophy presented annually in his honour to encourage and reward young journalists and promote the high standards of accuracy, fairness and balance for which Alex was known.”

Email pged@pressgazette.co.uk to point out mistakes, provide story tips or send in a letter for publication on our "Letters Page" blog

Select and enter your email address Weekly insight into the big strategic issues affecting the future of the news industry. Essential reading for media leaders every Thursday. Your morning brew of news about the world of news from Press Gazette and elsewhere in the media. Sent at around 10am UK time. Our weekly does of strategic insight about the future of news media aimed at US readers. A fortnightly update from the front-line of news and advertising. Aimed at marketers and those involved in the advertising industry.
  • Business owner/co-owner
  • CEO
  • COO
  • CFO
  • CTO
  • Chairperson
  • Non-Exec Director
  • Other C-Suite
  • Managing Director
  • President/Partner
  • Senior Executive/SVP or Corporate VP or equivalent
  • Director or equivalent
  • Group or Senior Manager
  • Head of Department/Function
  • Manager
  • Non-manager
  • Retired
  • Other
Visit our privacy Policy for more information about our services, how New Statesman Media Group may use, process and share your personal data, including information on your rights in respect of your personal data and how you can unsubscribe from future marketing communications.
Thank you

Thanks for subscribing.

Websites in our network