Sam Shedden Engagement Editor

Good morning,

Welcome to a new working week and The Scotsman newsletter.

The Scottish Parliament elections are just over 50 days away now and as a result you'll see us continue to ramp up our coverage of everything happening on the campaign trail and inside Holyrood. We've already got some exciting projects coming this week.

Podcast:  We're launching a new weekly politics podcast as part of our expanded coverage in the countdown to the Scottish election on May 6. The Steamie will analyse every angle of political debate happening in the corridors of Holyrood and Westminster, offering a balanced, informed take on the events and commentary shaping Scotland and beyond. Here's how to listen, come join the conversation.

Virtual Hustings: We're excited about this one. The Scotsman is proud to be launching its inaugural series of virtual hustings in the countdown to the Scottish elections on May 6. The eight-part series will be launched at 6:30pm on Tuesday, with the first hour-long hustings focused on the regional list area of the Lothians. Here's how to watch.

Email any candidate questions to scotsman.livestream@jpress.co.uk with your name, location, age and occupation

For unlimited access to thousands of high quality Scotland articles and our expert election analysis, subscribe today for 25% off all annual subscriptions.

Why things could be about to get worse for Nicola Sturgeon

In our opinion section today, Brian Monteith argues that things could be about to get a lot worse for Nicola Sturgeon.

"The Hate Crime Bill, passed last week, will, I believe, prove to be a serious misjudgement that will eat into voter support. Already the polls are now trending away from the SNP and Sturgeon’s personal rating is falling."

Do you agree with Brian or do you think he's wide off the mark?

Join the debate and comment on the article here.

Scottish hospitality groups call for accelerated route out of lockdown 

Five major hospitality trade bodies have urged the Scottish Government to alter its levels system of lockdown and mirror the planned easing of restrictions in England as closely as possible, in a move they argue would save over 60,000 jobs and contribute more than £1.2 billion to the economy in the short term, Elsa Maishman reports.

They have demanded a move to a nationwide easing provisionally hooked to specific dates, as has been set out in England by Boris Johnson.

Read the full story here.

Scotland suffer late agony against Ireland - how the players rated

So close.

Ireland’s domination of Scotland continued as they won 27-24 at BT Murrayfield to record their tenth win in the last 11 meetings between the sides.

The match, which ended Scottish Six Nations title hopes, ebbed and flowed but the home side will rue a dreadful start.

How Gregor Townsend's Scotland players rated in last-gasp Six Nations defeat to Ireland

More pupils return to education across Scotland

As more pupils are returning to school in Scotland today in the latest phase of lockdown easing, a teaching union has criticised the decision as being ‘politically motivated’.

From today, all remaining primary school children are set to return to school full-time with all secondary pupils returning on a part-time basis, meaning they will continue to do some learning at home until after the Easter break.

Read the full story here.

Thanks for reading, more stories below.

Sam Shedden, sam.shedden@jpimedia.co.uk