Neil McIntosh Editor of The Scotsman

Hello Voornaam,

I will confess that I had just - just - poured a chilled glass of white wine last Friday night when my phone started to vibrate ominously.

The cause was the news that Boris Johnson had announced his resignation as an MP. He'd delivered that, along with a 1000-word broadside at the people investigating him for - it turns out - lying and lying again about conduct in Number 10 during the pandemic, late on Friday evening. Johnson used to be a journalist, mused many colleagues - doesn't he know Friday night is the most difficult night of the week for breaking news? Either way, it ended up leading The Scotsman on Saturday, and driving much of the news agenda through the week.

Except, of course, that perhaps an even bigger story for Scottish readers broke at another awkward time - Sunday afternoon - when we learned that Nicola Sturgeon had been arrested as part of the ongoing police investigation into the SNP's finances. She was later released without charge, and strongly denied any wrongdoing - those denials made our digital homepage, and print front page, through Monday.

I draw no greater comparison between the stories other than to point out their awkward timing, and thus my enormous gratitude to the hard-working Scotsman team. Whatever the hour, they are always ready to not only tell you what has happened, but why, and what the implications might be. And that work is only possible because of your subscription. So thank you too.

The political ramifications of all this turmoil may still be playing out, but it does look like the SNP may not suffer the damage their foes would wish. Today we've published a Scotsman-exclusive poll, carried out by Savanta, which shows support for the SNP remains robust, and backing for independence nudging up since the appointment of Humza Yousaf as First Minister. It makes for interesting reading.

I'm hoping there might be a quieter Friday night, and weekend, ahead - because we've got some great stuff coming up. There's football, tomorrow, as Scotland travel to Norway in what could be a vital Euro 2024 qualifier, with the conundrum of how to stop a rampaging Erling Haaland foremost in everyone's minds. We'll have full coverage of the outcome.

And tomorrow we've got Scotsman Property, inside the magazine, looking at beautiful townhouses for sale, while Rose Murray Brown looks out the best wine for barbecues (let's just hope the weather holds out). As part of our usual excellent package of arts reviews, Susan Mansfield continues her tour of Scottish degree shows - it's Gray's School of Art, Aberdeen, this week - and we have some suggestions for garden gadgets and practical gifts ahead of Fathers' Day, on Sunday. You had remembered, hadn't you?

Have a wonderful weekend, whatever you're doing.

Best wishes,

Neil McIntosh

Editor, The Scotsman