BELLA Caledonia, the online pro-independence magazine first set up in 2007, is fighting for its survival.
Yesterday editor Mike Small announced it was to close, writing on the site: “Thanks to everyone for their support over the years, to the board members and writers who gave their time and to everybody who supported us financially and who took part in the debate.
“Couldn’t quite manage to do it.”
The site’s Twitter biography was also changed to the past tense to read: “Bella Caledonia was an online magazine project which ran from 2007-2017.”
According to sources close to the site, Small’s decision to stop had been coming for the last few days, and he had told friends on Saturday morning that “Bella’s finances are in a bad way”. Small added that he was having to work on a voluntary capacity and couldn’t currently afford to pay contributors.
Most of Bella’s money had come through fundraisers and events. A special ceilidh had been organised for this Thursday at Glasgow’s Glad Cafe. Bella’s advisory board have confirmed this will still take place.
In a statement to The National, the board said they would do everything they could to keep the magazine going and appealed for financial backing.
“The Advisory Board of Bella Caledonia confirms we are going to have to make the decision to close, unless an urgent fundraising appeal can be met. Mike Small has advised that, despite his commitment to Bella, he will have to step down as editor as the position is too financially precarious and he is actively seeking other work. The Board is looking at other funding models and is appealing for urgent help to finance the magazine in a more permanent way in a year when a second independence referendum is very likely to be called.”
The statement continued: “Regardless of the outcome, the Board and contributors of Bella would like to thank Mike for his years of work – mostly unpaid but always cheerful, professional, imaginative and dedicated. Mike and our diverse range of writers have made Bella a successful online magazine and we hope that legacy can continue in some form. We thank you for your support and patience in this time as we decide how to continue.”
Writer Alan Bissett commented: “Love reading and contributing to Bella. If this is goodbye, you’ll be sorely missed.”
Over the years the site featured articles from Irvine Welsh, Lesley Riddoch, Ewan Morrison and many others.
In an interview with this paper on the first anniversary of the 2014 referendum, Small explained why he and Kevin Williamson had founded it.
Bella was, he said, born out of twin complaints: “There wasn’t serious radical, political commentary and the cultural stuff was failing as well.”
He went on: “Bella is dedicated to the idea of self-determination rather than just independence; to exploring more deeply what it means to be independent in your life, independent in your communities, your economy and in your culture. Not just in Scotland but anywhere.
“Sometimes that causes us problems because our more narrowly defined nationalist community sometimes find that agenda difficult. And sometimes it finds that great.”
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel