Brighter times

Things just all seem a bit brighter this week and that is some welcome relief after weeks of gloom and doom.

We may be far from out of this pandemic yet but at least things seem to be moving in the right direction.

And at the very forefront of Arran’s continuing fight to contain the virus is our very own testing centre which the medical services and all the staff on the island deserve enormous credit for getting up and running so quickly.

Some clarification, too, of an increased capacity on the ferries, which was a major worry - both on and off the island - with an earlier start for the second summer ferry and the summer timetable on the Lochranza to Claonaig route. Talks are also continuing on the use of the outdoor space on the MV Caledonian Isles which is key to getting more visitors to the island.

And that’s not all. Many of the local shops are opening next week too, which will make things on the island that bit more normal. Of course there will be changes here, too, but we hope people will support these small traders who have been through a hard time.

Then there was good news on the schools front. I don’t think anyone expected Mr Swinney’s his statement/u-turn - you chose – this week announcing the return of full-time schooling in August.

However, while it may have left education chiefs with a headache, it will come as a huge relief to working parents wondering where they would get childcare, and how they would afford it.

Now, when is the mini golf open?