Neil McIntosh Editor of The Scotsman

Good afternoon Voornaam,

Shall we start with some good news? Let's try. I wrote last week about the troubles we'd all be facing as ScotRail services were curtailed, because of an ongoing dispute between the newly nationalised service and the unions.

Today it does look like we may be moving towards a resolution. Aslef is consulting its members on an improved pay offer and a package of improved conditions. 

Those consultations won't save your arrangements this weekend, but they do hold out hope that things will get better. But, writes Alastair Dalton, the longer-term impact on ScotRail could be critical because of its mushrooming cost to the taxpayer - now standing at £690m a year.

Will our railways be allowed to lose that money into the future? Or will the fact they now compete with schools, hospitals and more for taxpayers' money mean some cuts become permanent? It's a subject we'll continue to look at very closely.

'Heartbreak' over Sue Gray report

Another defining story of the first five months of this year has been "Partygate" - that steady flow of shocking stories about politicians and officials living it up while the rest of us locked down during the Covid pandemic. Sue Gray's report laid bare the extent of partying - and vomiting, and fighting - that took place during those ruinous, worrying months.

In our leader, we reflected that it may seem a little old-fashioned to expect politicians to live up to certain values of integrity and decency. But, we added, we were happy to accept the label of being fuddy-duddies if the trend - somewhat supported by opinion polls - was to be tribal about these things, rather than led by values.

So it was reassuring to note, the next day, that not one of The Scotsman's letter writers disagreed, with one correspondent saying her "heart is broken" at what has gone on.

But my suspicion is that Boris Johnson has got away with it again, at least for now, with too few Tory MPs with the stomach for a leadership challenge, and no obvious replacement lurking in the wings. That will change in the longer run, however, I'm sure.

Looking ahead to the weekend

In the Saturday Scotsman we've got an entertaining interview with The Highland Vet - Guy Gordon - on the cover of our magazine, while Carina Contini reflects on the joys of eating outdoors and Alister Harkness offers his thoughts on Top Gun: Maverick, which sounds a lot like the piece of blockbuster escapism we could all do with.

Add in the usual package of incisive news - we've at least one exclusive in the works, as I type - and our pithy package of opinion and analysis, and I hope you'll agree it's the perfect way to start the weekend.

Before I go I should let you know we're currently offering a free 7 night holiday stay for two to new digital+ subscribers. It's an offer you won't want to miss, and it ends in a few days. 

Best wishes,

Neil McIntosh

Editor, The Scotsman