Sally Magnusson leaves reporting Scotland after 27 years
3 mins read

Sally Magnusson leaves reporting Scotland after 27 years

BBC Sally Magnusson in a blue dress standing in front of the BBC News logo in a studio. The red, white and blue news bottoms can be seen behind her. She smiles.BBC

Magnusson has presented reporting Scotland since 1998

Reporting of Scotland’s presenter Sally Magnusson will stand down from the program after 27 years.

The journalist and author joined the 1998 news program, when it was broadcast from the BBC Scotland’s former headquarters in Glasgow’s Queen Margaret Drive.

She will continue to present until April and then work with the BBC as a freelance.

Magnusson described that he left Reporting Scotland as a “real wrench” and adds “I will miss the buzz and challenges with live news”.

She was part of the team that moved to the BBC Scotland’s new building in Pacific Quay and anchored many major stories for the company, including the deaths to Prince Philip and Queen Elizabeth II.

Magnusson began in journalism at Scotsman -Tidningen 1979.

Pa Media Sally Magnusson in a long purple dress, stands to the left of the profile and talks to Princess Royal. The princess stands on a slightly raised platform and is in a Royal Navy uniform. The carpet is light purple, the walls wood panelized and there are three uniformed guards in the background.Pa -Media

Magnusson was assigned a MBE 2023 for its services to charity

Her mother, Mamie Baird, was a newspaper journalist in Glasgow and her father, Magnus Magnusson, was a printed journalist, historian and transmitter best known as the presenter for BBC’s Mastermind.

She started on TV on BBC Scotland’s current account program and then on network news programs including sixty minutes and breakfast.

Magnusson returned to Scotland to present reporting Scotland two days a week. Other television programs included Newsnight Scotland, Panorama and Songs of Praise as well as Sunday mornings on BBC Radio Scotland.

Her latest TV documentary for BBC Scotland was Alzheimer’s, A Cure and Me, which was broadcast last year.

Magnusson is also a acclaimed writer. Among her books is a biography of the Scottish runner and missionary Eric Liddell, an account of her mother’s dementia and three novels.

She is the founder of the charity game list for life, which promotes the use of music to help people with dementia. She was assigned a MBE 2023 in recognition of her charity work

‘A real wrench’

Magnusson said that standing from reporting Scotland did not mean that she retired.

“Leaving Scotland reporting will be a real wrench after 27 years. I will miss the buzz and challenges with live news presentation, which I have always loved,” she said.

“But even though my focus is now turning to a growing writing career, an expanding family and my work on dementia, I also look forward to maintaining links with the BBC as a freelance company.”

Gary Smith, head of news and current issues at BBC Scotland, paid tribute to Magnusson and her work on the program.

“Sally is an outstanding journalist, broadcaster and writer,” he said.

“She has skillfully guided viewers through countless big and sometimes difficult stories and the TEATIME audience will miss her tremendously – as well as all of us who have worked with her over the years.”