It's July already! So, first things first: if you're heading off on holiday this weekend - or are maybe even reading this on a sun-lounger already - may I offer my deepest envy... and a little inspiration for your poolside reading?

 

 

A couple of weeks ago we ran a wonderful guide to the best downloadable media - books, TV series, films. So, if you're engaged in a last-minute scramble for something nourishing, or just plain entertaining, it's all still online as part of your subscription.

 

We've got our guide to the essential fiction, the best non-fiction, five of the best podcasts we've heard of late, plus some top young adult fiction and top children's books for younger members of your travelling party.

 

Rounding it off, don't miss our guide to the best films and TV series to download for the flight (or, indeed, for the wait for the flight).

 

 

 

For the rest of us, life continues - and the return of post-Covid politics as usual was confirmed by Nicola Sturgeon's announcement, midweek, of her decision to shoot for a referendum on independence next year - or an election, billed as a referendum, the year after, dependent on legal argument about whether the Scottish Parliament can demand a referendum.

 

We have carried a wide range of views on that - for columnist Joyce McMillian, a shrewd Nicola Sturgeon was playing her Indyref cards to maximum effect. Murdo Fraser MSP thought otherwise, perhaps not surprisingly, branding it "a horrifying act of tedious political theatre".

 

Deputy political editor Conor Matchett, meanwhile, reckoned it was a last roll of the dice - and one that could define her entire political career, and the fate of the independence movement.

 

Because of that, our exclusive polling data - published the day after, but collected before her speech - will have been keenly analysed for clues about public sentiment. Political editor Alistair Grant was straightforward about it: the poll, which showed stalemate over the national question, spells trouble for the SNP and wider independence movement.

 

High stakes all round, however you view it. Our political podcast, The Steamie, dissects it all further, if you're interested - available via this link, or wherever you get your podcasts.

 

 

And if all that's a little too much, don't forget tomorrow's Saturday Scotsman will offer plenty of distractions. The Magazine looks ahead to Glasgow's TRNSMT by meeting Callum Beattie, quite the rising star this year, about the joy of playing music live. Elsewhere, Alistair Harkness reviews The Princess and Minions 2, we visit Istanbul in travel, and there's all the usual good advice in our books, art, food & drink and gardens guides.

 

We hope it helps you relax, whether you're getting away or not this weekend.