A message from the editor

It has been another terribly difficult year for everyone.

The coronavirus pandemic has continued to wreak havoc with every aspect of life in Scotland, despite a world-class vaccine programme and the everyday heroics of frontline workers.

Through all the trials and tribulations of 2021, The Courier has been by the side of our readers.

We have championed our communities, challenged bureaucracy, exposed corruption, charted the challenges and celebrated the successes of another trying year.

Our teams have also asked the tough questions of government over their response to the crisis and provided vital public health information while continuing to deliver a first-class diet of local news, features and sport.

Providing high-quality local journalism is both labour intensive and expensive. This is as true today than ever with publishers facing soaring paper, ink and energy costs at a time of dwindling advertising revenues.

The reality is we cannot continue on our mission to inform, analyse and entertain without your support.

That is why we are raising the cover price of a single edition of The Courier by 10 pence to £1.40 from Monday January 3.

Our Saturday paper, which comes with a suite of free magazines and supplements for your weekend enjoyment, will also go up by 10 pence to £1.70 from January 8.

We know this is unwelcome news and any additional costs will be felt.

But, at less than the cost of a cup of coffee, we believe The Courier remains great value when compared to other quality titles in the market.

After such an unpredictable year The Courier’s journalism is as vital now as it ever was and I appreciate your continued support into 2022.

I wish you all a very happy, healthy and more stable New Year.

David Clegg.