Neil McIntosh Editor of The Scotsman

Dear Voornaam

It's rare Edinburgh's civic affairs make the Today programme on Radio 4, alas, but this is where we are this week. Piles of rubbish are climbing ever higher in the capital's streets, bringing the auld reekie nickname back into current use. 

And with cleaning staff going on strike across the country, it's an unwelcome experience that many of us will share in the days ahead. We're keeping an eye out for progress in talks today, but more in hope than expectation.

It would be a shame the great bin strike became what was best remembered of this August, because we've had a glorious return of the Edinburgh Festivals over the last month.

There has been so much to celebrate in recent weeks, and it was an honour to be in the audience at The Pleasance this morning for The Scotsman's Fringe Awards, and the final edition of this year's Scotsman Fringe First awards.

Hosted by the brilliant Joyce McMillan, the Scotsman's theatre critic (and columnist, of course) it was a joyous, powerful celebration of new talent. As one speaker speculated, maybe the quality of this year's Fringe was down to three years' creativity distilled into one year's Fringe: all those talents, holed up at home, honing their work and dreaming of getting back out in front of an audience.

Whatever the creative drivers, it was clear there was a lot to celebrate this year. And, already, I'm looking forward to The Scotsman continuing to play a central role in unearthing the best new shows at the Fringe next year. In the meantime, coverage of the Scottish arts scene will continue to be central to The Scotsman's purpose right through the year.

In tomorrow's paper

On that note, do look out tomorrow for The Festival supplement once more, alongside our excellent magazine - actor Shauna Macdonald is our cover star, talking to Janet Christie about her part in Shetland, horror roles and work with Edinburgh Youth Theatre. 

In food, we'll be looking at how to cheer up your salads, while Allan Massie casts his eye over Rosemary Goring's Homecoming in books.

In the news section, we'll be looking at the future of the beautiful Paddle Steamer Waverley, a Scottish institution we have often featured on our pages and on which (coincidentally) I'm looking forward to a sail down the Clyde on this weekend. 

It turns out even that fine old steamer isn't immune from the difficulties of the day: soaring oil prices, and skills shortages, all pose challenges to the ship's future. Here's hoping she can sail through those challenges, as she has so many others over the years.

Wherever you plan to read your edition of The Scotsman - online and in print, we hope it will offer you a helpful, informative and maybe even inspiring start to your weekend.

Thank you, as ever, for your support.

Neil McIntosh