Neil McIntosh Editor of The Scotsman

Dear reader,

May I be among the last to wish you a very happy and prosperous New Year? The timing of this email means my wishes come late, but with no less sincerity.

We are all, frankly, looking for better from 2022.

Here at The Scotsman the year has got off to a busy start, with continued keen interest in our battle with coronavirus and the restrictions to normal life the pandemic has brought.

Our reporting has shown we are at an odd stage in this two-year crisis.

Hurtling into a 'worst case scenario'?

On the one hand, as our health correspondent Elsa Maishman reports, Scotland's hospitals are on alert as the country hurtles into what was called a "worst case scenario", in terms of case numbers. We've now had one million cases of Covid recorded in Scotland since all this started, and with case numbers moving up sharply it seems  those of us lucky enough to dodge the Covid bullet so far will catch it, inevitably, soon enough. That's worrying.

On the other hand, as our arts correspondent Brian Ferguson reports exclusively today, there's an understanding we will be getting back to something like normal in our cultural and sporting worlds quite soon. Scotland's cultural secretary, Angus Robertson, told The Scotsman "there will not be a minute wasted" to allow venues and events to get going again, when the public health picture improves. So that's quite cheering.

A waiting game

The truth is we remain in a waiting game, to see how many people fall seriously ill (as opposed to merely testing positive) and how quickly we might be able to recover. It leaves an awful lot of us in that horrible Covid limbo: able to get on with a version of our lives, but likely missing many of the things that can enrich existence so much, from live football to packed theatres.

And, as we look south to an England with far fewer restrictions, we maybe also ask: are we getting this right? And what are the implications of getting it wrong?

We will, of course, find out before long, and The Scotsman will continue to report and analyse events to give you the clearest possible picture in the days ahead.

And, while all that unfolds, we can continue to enjoy the welcome distraction of a lively football transfer window, the return of The Apprentice to our TV screens, and - in tomorrow's Saturday Scotsman - our definitive guide to 2022's Ones To Watch in the arts, highlighting those in art, film, music and theatre who are going to make waves in the 12 months ahead.

I've had a sneak peek at that, and there's really so much to look forward to. There will be song, dance and laughter again, before long. 2022 really is going to be lots better. Isn't it?

Start your New Year right with a subscription to The Scotsman

From just £3 a month you can get unlimited access to all our news, opinion, and sport. 

Subscribers see 70% fewer ads and get daily puzzles

Thanks for reading,

Neil McIntosh

Editor, The Scotsman