Neil McIntosh Editor of The Scotsman

Dear reader,

Hello from a crisp, cold Edinburgh.

I hope you survived last week's storms more or less intact: that some of you may only getting electricity restored today, seven days later, is shocking. Utility companies tend to describe these damaging storms as "once in a generation" events, but we tend to hear that phrase too often for comfort these days, don't we?

The romance of candlelight wanes quickly when it's the only lighting option you've got. And, in the digital age, losing all your electricity is even less acceptable, as we wrote this week. Indeed, the need to make Scotland's infrastructure more resilient to the effects of climate change is something we've covered extensively in the past, and I'd suggest to utility company bosses that their customers will find excuses about unexpected bad weather wearing thin when people find themselves spending a week in the dark, unable to even charge their phones.

Omicron in Scotland

Beyond the weather, deepening concern about the Omicron coronavirus variant has dominated the news agenda this week. The message from experts is it's important to be neither alarmist nor over-confident about the risks: we're still learning about the health implications of this new strain, so can't draw conclusions just yet.

We continue to try and ensure our coverage reflects this emerging picture. Health matters most, of course, but the implications of this new strain for our beleaguered hospitality and entertainment industry, approaching what should be a bumper time of the year, will also become clear. That's an angle we will watch closely too.

There has been further focus on Glasgow's Queen Elizabeth University Hospital, where there are concerns about a number of patient deaths in recent years, some potentially linked to the black mould found in the flagship hospital and seen in images released this week.

Labour has demanded sackings over the hospital's failings, while bereaved relatives have voiced concerns more people will die unless action is taken. First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has argued, however, that replacing the health board’s leadership would not "change overnight the practice in a hospital".

Scottish football and the best Scottish restaurants

To lighter matters, we'd had one of those breathless weeks in Scottish football that you might want to review in all its messy glory before the circus starts up again tomorrow. We've had a fistful of controversial refereeing calls, angry managers, smokebombs and snowballs and plenty of match day action. So long as the electricity stays on, there will be plenty more to enjoy in the next 48 hours or so.

Before all that kicks off, you might want to check out our favourite Scottish restaurants of 2021. Our food and drink team's year might have started with reviewing lots of takeaways - you'll remember we had no other option - but, as Gaby Soutar writes, they made up for lost time from the summer on, and the final list has a pleasing pan-Scottish feel, as you'd expect.

And, finally, tomorrow's Scotsman Magazine will be the first of a few festive treats. Alongside a gift guide we've got the best Christmas Market food reviewed, an interview with bestselling author Denzil Meyrick (our cover star) and the usual array of reviews across art, film, books and music. We hope you find it a distracting, inspiring package.

From everyone at The Scotsman, thank you for your continued support. We hope you have a wonderful weekend.

Before you go, our Black Friday offer is back

For one day only, we're offering six months free with The Scotsman.

Just use the code BlackFriday50 for 50% off new annual digital subscriptions. 

Offer ends at midnight

Best wishes,

Neil McIntosh

Editor, The Scotsman