Welcome to the Christmas Edition of Scotland Now.

2006 has been a fantastic year for Scotland.

The record-breaking performance of our Commonwealth Games team in Melbourne inspired Scots at home and abroad. And our landmark legislation to ban smoking in public places has been a huge success, ensuring that, this Christmas, tens of thousands of Scots will enjoy their festive nights out without having to breathe the second-hand smoke of others.

Our economy has grown every quarter and our employment rate is at its highest point since records began. Major companies – from Goodrich to Morgan Stanley; from JP Morgan to GlaxoSmith Kline and Wyeth Pharmaceuticals – have chosen to invest and expand here this year. At the same time, more and more skilled and talented people are coming to work in Scotland, and are making a vital contribution to our economy, our culture and our society.

This year, too, Scotland has shown that it is increasingly a destination of choice for tourists. Our visitor attractions have been busier than usual, and Scottish culture – traditional and non traditional – has been displayed to greater numbers in every part of Scotland. Over the last 12 months, we’ve welcomed thousands of people from all over the world to prestigious events like the International Press Institute World Congress, the International World Wide Web Conference and the first ever gathering of Global Scots.

Scotland is now connected to the world as never before. The number of direct air connections from our country has increased yet again over the last 12 months. This year, too, we’ve launched strategies to strengthen links and our engagement with China and with the United States, one of our most important trading partners. And thanks to the progress we’ve made on our co-operation agreement with Malawi, thousands of Scots are working there to develop vital services and create a better future for this small part of Southern Africa.

So, 2006 has been a great year for our country and our people – and, there’s already much to look forward to in 2007. The Highland Year of Culture will provide an opportunity for Scots around the world to celebrate all that is best about the unique culture of the Highlands. In 2007, too, we can look forward to more world-class conferences coming to Scotland – starting with the Government Leaders Forum – Europe 2007 in January – and we can look forward to the Edinburgh and other festivals bringing even more world-class talent to Scotland and once again smashing the attendance records broken this year. And, of course, we all hope that in 2007 Glasgow will be confirmed as the host for the 2014 Commonwealth Games.

This edition of Scotland Now features a progress report on our bid for the Games. It also includes an interview with Midge Ure, one of the founders of Live Aid. We also examine Christmas in 21st century Scotland and profile some of the most stunning places to stay in our country.

I hope that you enjoy this Christmas edition. And I wish you all the very best for Christmas and the New Year.

Rt. Hon Jack McConnell MSP, First Minister of Scotland