A crisis is unfolding at The Scotsman newspaper where the editor, Neil McIntosh, has resigned apparently after he was asked to make a quarter of the editorial staff redundant.

The National Union of Journalists (NUJ) has written to the owner of the paper – National World – accusing it of overseeing the demise of the 207-year-old title.

Deputy editor Alan Young has been installed as editor as five staff are expected to leave. They include Emma Newlands from the business desk which will be reduced to one staff, and the health correspondent Joseph Anderson. The environment and property specialists are also under threat. The features desk will be reduced from three to two.

The paper recently hired Joshua King, a newly-qualified Scottish lawyer, as head of business, covering finance, business and the economy. He is formerly head of digital development at the title. He boasted in a social media post that he would be “working alongside some of the very best business journalists in Scotland”. He now finds himself with one colleague, Scott Reid.

Mr McIntosh was appointed in February 2021 from previous roles that included the BBC following the acquisition of The Scotsman, its sister Edinburgh titles and others across the UK, including the Yorkshire Post.

Since then it has moved head office several times, from the Regus serviced offices in Morrison Street, to Orchard Brae, the WeWork building in George Street and now the Regus offices in Princes Street.

Daily print circulation of The Scotsman for the period July to December 2023 was 7,710 of which just 3,692 are over-the-counter sales.

The NUJ has accused National World of not being honest with its staff Nick McGowan-Lowe National Organiser of the NUJ wrote to Claire Jackson, HR and communications director at National World, saying: “The new advertising campaign for The Scotsman – launched a matter of weeks ago – quotes Burns in boasting that our journalists “dare to be honest”. So we will be honest with you now.

“These proposed job cuts – imposed from England, with no consultation with Scottish staff – threaten the future of this 207-year-old newspaper we are proud to work for.”

The letter questions why specialist journalists are being cut when health is a devolved matter for the Scottish Parliament and consistently listed as a priority for voters, and 94% of Scots have described the natural environment in Scotland as important to its economy and national identity.

It adds that the remaining newsroom staff will struggle to meet the target of doubling page views by the end of the year.

“We only see a short-term action that will have long-term negative implications for the business,” it says.

“This title has so far outlived all its former owners. It cannot die a death of a thousand cuts under its current custodians.”

After the letter was posted, National World announced its half-year results which showed 17% year-on-year growth in revenue to £48.8m and adjusted operating profit up 62% to £4.7m.

The Scotsman is among a number of its titles that have grown their combined subscriber base by 17% since December 2023, the results said.

Total subscribers to National World websites and apps were up by 8% since then to 20,877 – but digital subscription revenue was flat at £0.8m.

Mr Young, who previously worked at the Evening News, said: “”I am deeply honoured to be taking over at the helm of The Scotsman, a title which I love and which has been such a huge part of my life. 

“Trusted, quality journalism has never been more important and I’m looking forward to working with the immensely talented team in the newsroom as we continue to grow and develop our content across all platforms.”

Dale Miller has been appointed deputy editor, while Steven Chisholm, takes over as general manager.