Neil McIntosh Editor of The Scotsman

Good afternoon, Voornaam

Welcome to this special edition of The Scotsman Insider.

It's a big day on Scotsman.com: we're launching a new campaign underscoring our commitment to integrity and quality, drawing inspiration from the iconic words of Robert Burns: "Dare to be honest". You'll see the campaign, featuring colleagues from across the title, online and in the paper over the coming weeks.

And while that's been going out, we've been busy.

Our political team is scattered across the country on the election trail, and today can tell you about the 20 seats where SNP MPs are fighting for their political lives.

We're also paying plenty of attention to a (welcome) distraction: the arrival of Taylor Swift, the world's biggest star, on these shores later today. The singer launches the UK and Ireland leg of her Eras Tour tonight at Murrayfield Stadium, Edinburgh, and continues for another two nights. And if you're wondering what the fuss is about, Lauren Jack explains Taylor Swift's popularity, while Rachel Mackie's tribute to Taylor is as lyrical as one of her songs: "I am Folklore and Folklore is me," she writes of the Swift album. 

But no Swift for me, not tonight.

I'm off - with a few tens of thousands of others - to wish safe travels to Steve Clarke and his Scotland team, in their final warmup match before Euro 2024.

Our boys kick the tournament off against Germany a week from now, but face what should be the more straightforward challenge of Finland tonight.

But let's not get too cocky.

Ahead of the big tournament, don't miss our brilliant countdown of the Greatest 50 Scottish football players from the last 50 years. Compiled by our football correspondent Alan Pattullo - who'll be covering the tournament for us from Germany - alongside commentator and former Scotland international Pat Nevin, it's a great conversation starter.

However you're spending the weekend, I hope you have a good one.

Best wishes,

Neil McIntosh