HeraldScotland.com to charge subscription

Two of Scotland's national papers are to charge regular online readers.

HeraldScotland.com, which incorporates both the Herald and its sister title the Sunday Herald, is the first in Scotland to charge a subscription fee.

People can still read a limited amount of articles for free but will be asked to pay a subscription if they want to read more than 10 articles in a four-week period.

The charges come in from today.

Group digital director Mark Smith said: "We're following the lead set by the New York Times and others, still allowing access to a limited amount of our journalism for free but asking regular users to contribute a small amount towards supporting our journalism."

People will be asked to pay £1 for the first four weeks and then £2.99 per four weeks after that. Those who already subscribe to the newspaper and have a copy sent out to them will be able to access the website at no extra charge.

Mr Smith said: "Our research shows that most of our users are happy to pay for something they value. It's our job to make sure we provide that value.

"We also believe it's important that quality journalism by Scots and for Scots exists and prospers in the digital environment, perhaps never more so with Scotland facing up to real economic and social challenges, and of course a huge collective decision about independence.

"We intend that HeraldScotland rises to that challenge and over the months and years to come expands across a range of fields to become Scotland's foremost digital journalism brand."