Neil McIntosh Editor of The Scotsman

Dear reader,

It is a privilege to introduce myself today as the new editor of The Scotsman. 

It has, however, been an unusual first month.

In normal times, starting a job should involve a blur of new faces, unfamiliar corridors and the hunt for a vending machine.

Inevitably, these first few weeks have been different, sat in a back room at home where I've spent much of the last year. At least I knew where the coffee pot was.

And not all about The Scotsman is new to me. I started my career here in the 1990s, writing a weekly column about the internet, and also worked on the Edinburgh Evening News.

Subsequent travels saw me work for the Guardian, The Wall Street Journal and the BBC. But with The Scotsman and its sister titles under the new, ambitious ownership of National World, I leapt at the chance to return. 

Sticking to the mission

As Scotland emerges from the pandemic and makes vital decisions about its future, it was impossible to resist the opportunity to ensure The Scotsman pursues vigorously its 204-year-old mission to "exhibit, as much as possible, the very shape and pressure of the times".

We hope to move from tracking the relentless toll of the last year towards a global celebration - of family reunions, a summer of sport, our festivals. We will wholeheartedly support the people and businesses helping our nation recover. And we will keep a keen eye on those whose decisions, necessarily, have had such an impact on our lives and freedoms over the last year.

Unwavering focus

On that final point, the last few days have been busy, with an unwavering focus on tomorrow's Scottish election. Every twist and turn on the campaign trail has been covered and the manifesto promises scrutinised. The Scotsman's journalists, based across the country in the communities they cover, have produced brilliant podcasts, live hustings, fresh polling, insightful analysis and more. It's been a busy few weeks, but this work is central to The Scotsman's mission. I hope you've found our coverage enlightening. 

Beyond politics, there has been joy at the relaxation of lockdown across Scotland, and the growing pace of vaccination here. While many questions remain unanswered - when can we sit in a pub with a drink, or go on holiday? - hope springs eternal, this spring.

Never been a better time to subscribe

And as we look forward, your support remains vital to this institution. By subscribing online or buying the paper you sustain The Scotsman.  And I will always be glad to hear from you, either on our famous letters page, or via Scotsman.Editor@scotsman.com.

There has never been a better time to subscribe to Scotsman.com. We are offering 25 per cent of all annual digital subscriptions until 13 May. Gain unlimited access to quality Scottish journalism, 70 per cent fewer ads, our newspaper app (Digital+) and a faster site.  A whole year of The Scotsman for just 18p a day.

Use the promo code SCOTELEC21 at checkout to take advantage of this saving today.

Best wishes,

Neil McIntosh