BBC Scotland's political editor is retiring after more than 30 years with the broadcaster.
Brian Taylor, 65, has been working as a journalist for nearly five decades including 35 with the BBC, which he joined in 1985.
The editor will be leaving the post at the end of October.
The dad-of-two from Dundee is known to viewers for his jazzy ties and braces, and spent six years working in Westminster as a lobby correspondent for newspapers, and another two years in print journalism before switching to broadcast.
He said: "It has been a pleasure, a privilege and, not infrequently, a source of innocent merriment to have worked as a broadcast journalist, covering politics – and particularly Scottish politics - for such a prolonged period. At all times, I have tried to stand on the side of the people, our varied and valued BBC audiences. To find stuff out – and tell folk about it. Also, to analyse that stuff and explain why it matters. Whether on telly, the wireless or online.
"As a journalist, starting first in newspapers, I have covered every Prime Minister since Callaghan – and every First Minister since the reconvening of Scotland’s Parliament.
"It has always been my endeavour to offer robust but fair coverage and I am certain my BBC colleagues will continue to pursue those aims. It’s been great working alongside such talented and thoughtful individuals. But nae man can tether time nor tide. Stepping back seems right.
"However, I am not stepping aside entirely. I would hope to be able to play a role – albeit a different role – in helping chart Scotland’s future."
Gary Smith, BBC Scotland’s Head of News said: "As BBC Scotland’s Political Editor for nearly 30 years, Brian has become something of an institution, with his insights, analysis and colourful turn of phrase. He is an honorary professor, an author, a lover of literature, theatre and golf, and – it’s been rumoured - a bit of a fan of Dundee United. A 21st century Renaissance man.
"He will be a huge loss to us, and I personally will miss his wisdom and wit. But I’m sure we’ve not seen or heard the last of him on our airwaves."
The process of recruiting Brian’s successor as Political Editor will begin in the coming weeks.
Why are you making commenting on The Herald only available to subscribers?
It should have been a safe space for informed debate, somewhere for readers to discuss issues around the biggest stories of the day, but all too often the below the line comments on most websites have become bogged down by off-topic discussions and abuse.
heraldscotland.com is tackling this problem by allowing only subscribers to comment.
We are doing this to improve the experience for our loyal readers and we believe it will reduce the ability of trolls and troublemakers, who occasionally find their way onto our site, to abuse our journalists and readers. We also hope it will help the comments section fulfil its promise as a part of Scotland's conversation with itself.
We are lucky at The Herald. We are read by an informed, educated readership who can add their knowledge and insights to our stories.
That is invaluable.
We are making the subscriber-only change to support our valued readers, who tell us they don't want the site cluttered up with irrelevant comments, untruths and abuse.
In the past, the journalist’s job was to collect and distribute information to the audience. Technology means that readers can shape a discussion. We look forward to hearing from you on heraldscotland.com
Comments & Moderation
Readers’ comments: You are personally liable for the content of any comments you upload to this website, so please act responsibly. We do not pre-moderate or monitor readers’ comments appearing on our websites, but we do post-moderate in response to complaints we receive or otherwise when a potential problem comes to our attention. You can make a complaint by using the ‘report this post’ link . We may then apply our discretion under the user terms to amend or delete comments.
Post moderation is undertaken full-time 9am-6pm on weekdays, and on a part-time basis outwith those hours.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel