Neil McIntosh Editor of The Scotsman

Good afternoon Voornaam,

I'll get to the heavy events of the week in a moment. But can I start with a little light, right here in Scotland?

Tonight, footballing minnows Arbroath take on Kilmarnock, at the latter's Rugby Park, in a game vital to both sides. A win for Kilmarnock seals their promotion back to the Scottish Premier League, at the first time of asking. Any other result means Arbroath still have a shot, going into the final game of the season, at that automatic promotion place.

It would be an outcome which would be close to miraculous for the part-time Angus side, led brilliantly by Dick Campbell, and whose own compact home ground features the risk of a soaking from the occasional North Sea wave ("The only football ground in the British Isles where it pays to check the shipping forecast before setting out for a match", as Ronnie Kerr put it).

Even if they don't win tonight, they have a chance in the playoffs. Most neutrals will be hoping they make it, by hook or by crook: it's a real-life sporting fairytale.

The rest of the week hasn't been so uplifting, alas.

The Prime Minister's dwindling authority has been a focus this week, culminating (so far) in yesterday's vote to investigate him for contempt of Parliament.

The shambles of Scotland's ferries - be it building them, running them or even communicating properly with customers about them - have continued to attract a great deal of interest - and ire - from Scotsman readers.

And, of course, the ongoing and murderous invasion of Ukraine has rolled on, occasionally leaping into the foreground in a terrible reminder of horror in Europe only a few hours' flight away.

Looking to this weekend, we'll be bringing you more on all these stories, and keeping an eye on the French elections - they go to the polls again on Sunday, as Emmanuel Macron and Marine Le Pen run off for the Presidency. The outcome will be vital for the future of France, and indeed the rest of Europe.

Finally, in tomorrow's Weekend package, dog lovers won't want to miss our magazine cover star Graeme Hall, the dog trainer star of Channel 5 show Dogs Behaving (Very) Badly, alongside our usual roundup of the best things to eat, drink, read, watch and view.

We hope it brings yet more light to your life.

Best wishes,

Neil McIntosh

Editor, The Scotsman