Hello and welcome to your final morning update of 2021 from The Scotsman.

Before we begin, we would like to thank all of our readers for their support throughout the year.

We hope you enjoy your Hogmanay celebrations and we wish you all the best in 2022.

As as thank you, we're offering our readers a chance to save double with our special festive offer...

Save £46 off a case of wine and over £24 off an annual digital subscription with our Christmas offer.

Just use the code XMAS25 at the checkout. 

Find out more and join us today

The top headlines today:

• Freemasonry behind Auld Lang Syne arm linking at new year
• Pubs and bars scrap Hogmanay plans as Covid-19 cases and restrictions bite
• Widow of prominent lawyer calls for halt to insulin system after tragic death
• Almost 10,000 people across the NHS Lothian area failed turn up to booster appointments
• The box office's 10 highest grossing movies of the year

More headlines are below.

Graham Falk.