Good morning, Today we have some key coronavirus announcements coming from the Scottish Government. At the end of October we launched interactive puzzle pages for digital subscribers. Here's a wee teaser from today's quick crosswords: Solidify (seven letters). For unlimited access to all our news stories, puzzle pages and more, subscribe today for as little as £3 a month. When will Nicola Sturgeon announce review on restriction levels? Scotland’s First Minister is due to give the nation an update on the country’s lockdown restrictions in the Scottish Parliament today. Nicola Sturgeon’s announcement will take place in front of MSPs at Holyrood this afternoon shortly after 2pm – the time is yet to be confirmed. Here is what to expect ahead of today’s announcement. The £100m of slavery wealth that bought up the Highlands and Islands More than £100m of wealth forged through slavery in the Caribbean and North America was used to buy up estates in the West Highlands and Islands, new research as found. It found that 63 estates in the far north were bought by beneficiaries of ‘slave derived wealth’, with the majority changing hands between 1790 and 1855. Read more on this fascinating story from Alison Campsie, in The Scotsman's heritage section. Top private school called out in racism row One of Scotland's most expensive private schools is facing shock new racism claims from former pupils, including the hosting of annual mock ‘slave auctions’ and discrimination from students and teachers which left them feeling “dehumanised.” A number of staff at the £36,000 a year school, once attended by former Prime Minister Tony Blair, have been accused of enabling the “endemic” mockery of pupils’ intellect and physical appearance through a “culture of racism.” Read the full story here. 'Will Biden come to independent Scotland?' Celebrations for the election of Joe Biden and Kamala Harris have been held across the US and much of the rest of the world, including Edinburgh, writes columnist and former SNP Westminster leader Angus Robertson. In our opinion section, Mr Robertson ponders the prospect of Joe Biden visiting an independent Scotland, "Joe Biden may well be the US President when Scotland finally becomes independent. As nations with close and enduring historic ties, we can look forward to positive relations between Scotland and the USA." Do you think Joe Biden will visit an independent Scotland during his term in office? Have your say in the comment section of the article. Thanks for reading, more headlines below, Sam Shedden, sam.shedden@jpimedia.co.uk |