For some time Ritchie was editor of "The Era", a sporting and dramatic newspaper, and was subsequently first editor of the "Indian News and Chronicle of Eastern Affairs" (No. 1, 11 June 1840), the copyright of which he was eventually given by the proprietor; and he later sold the newspaper. The latter part of his working life was spent in Scotland in editing "Chambers's Journal", and other publications by his employers. During this period (the 1850s) he lived at 29 St Bernards Crescent in Stockbridge, Edinburgh where he befriended his near neighbour, Andrew Crichton, of 33 St Bernard's Crescent.