The magazine started in 1970 as a broadsheet founded by the poet-painter David Morrison.
Born in Glasgow, 1941, David entered librarianship at the age of 18, and a few years later qualified as a professional librarian, having studied at Strathclyde University. Before coming to Caithness in 1965 he spent a year as Principal Assistant Librarian in the Edinburgh College of Art. David describes the inspiration for Scotia Review:

‘That year was really influential, meeting up with poets and painters on numerous occasions in the famous Milne's Bar. On one occasion I met up with … poet Alan Bold who was editing a broadsheet entitled ROCKET. This little broadsheet was the inspiration for starting up SCOTIA. It ran for 28 monthly issues before becoming a proper magazine entitled SCOTIA REVIEW. Over the 70's and 80's I edited the magazine as well as running the WICK FESTIVAL OF POETRY, FOLK & JAZZ, and the WICK FOLK CLUB. In 1985, the National Library of Scotland held an exhibition on the work of the magazine.’

This prestigious exhibition was recognition of a valuable contribution to Scottish literature. In 2004 Morrison handed over the chairmanship-editorial responsibility to Christine Russell, after 34 years being at the helm.

Morrison is a widely published poet and has been anthologised well. His long awaited Collected Poems: 1965-2006, is coming out this year from Salzburg University Press.

A very important part of his life is painting. He has exhibited all over Scotland and in London, and his work is in many private and public collections.

He still lives in Wick and intends ‘what is left of my life to be centred on Caithness’. His wife, Edna, is an accomplished singer. His son, Ewan, is a filmmaker and writer, whose first major publication THE LAST BOOK YOU READ, has been received to great acclaim. His daughter Glenna is an actress who has appeared on stage and screen to fine reviews.

Having retired as editor, David Morrison will watch keenly how things are taken forward.
 ‘I wish Christine every success with Scotia Review in whatever direction it may take.’