John Swinney - SNP MSP for Perthshire North

Ordinarily, the festive period is a time of joy, reflection and family.

Whilst this may still be the case for many of us, we know that this Christmas will be difficult for many people across Perthshire.

Rather than the familiar camaraderie, easy banter and laughter that Christmas with loved ones brings, there are many within our community who will be forced to endure a first Christmas without a loved one, or isolated from those that they most cherish.

I hope those who are struggling will find solace in the good wishes and prayers of others, and in the promise of a better tomorrow.

This has been a year like no other, but the end of the pandemic is in sight.

Thanks to the rollout of our vaccination programme, we can justifiably hope that we will be able to celebrate Christmas in a more traditional manner next year.

Thank you once more for your sacrifices this year. I know that this year has been difficult, and that you have all given up so much to protect both yourselves and others.

As your local representative, I could not be prouder of you all. Please stay safe, and have a Merry Christmas.