This week The West Lothian Courier is 150 years old!
The paper was first published in July 1872 and has gone on to become an institution in the county.
There were several early attempts to establish a newspaper in Bathgate: the Bathgate Times, the Bathgate Hoolet and the Bathgate Star, none of which lasted more than a few issues.
The first issue of the West Lothian Courier came out in July 1872 from the former Bathgate Co-operative Society drapery premises in Jarvey Street.
We've enjoyed a loyal readership since then, while successive teams of reporters have striven to make sure the news is brought to them every week.
Courier editor Marjorie Kerr said a thank you to everyone who has made our success possible, adding: "As we celebrate this special landmark, it’s important for me to say a well-deserved thank you to those who work on The Courier week in and week out – our reporting team who source news and sport and write for the paper, our production team who lay out pages and our advertising and circulation teams.
"However, the biggest thanks must go to you, our readers, who continue to support The Courier by buying it each week, reading our online content and supplying us with stories each week.
"For that we are grateful and hope, with your ongoing support, that we will be here to continue to bring you all the news from across West Lothian for many more years to come. "
Pick up this week's Courier for more.
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