The 10 areas in Scotland with the most new Covid cases | The best pubs in nation named in new guide

Unemployment in Scotland fell slightly between August and October, according to latest statistics. [View email online]( [Subscribe]( [Facebook]( [Twitter]( [The Scotsman] Dec 15, 2020 Good morning, Welcome to Tuesday's edition of the daily newsletter from [The Scotsman.]( Before we begin, if you value what we do and are able to support us, it's just £3 per month for the first two months of a digital subscription with us. Get unlimited access to all our stories, features, [puzzles]( and more. [Try us out today](. We also offer [subscription gifting]( so you can give trusted Scottish news and analysis as a present to a loved one this Christmas. Why is there no Nicola Sturgeon briefing today? There will be no lunchtime [coronavirus]( briefing from the First Minister on Tuesday, with Nicola Sturgeon instead due to give an afternoon update from Holyrood on where each local authority area in Scotland sits in the five-level system. Today’s weekly briefing comes after Ms Sturgeon revealed that in the past six days more than 18,000 vaccinators and health and care workers have received the first dose of the vaccine against Covid-19. [Here's what we expect the First Minister to cover and when she will speak.]( The 10 areas in Scotland with the most new coronavirus cases last week According to the latest figures published by the Scottish Government,[these are the ten areas in Scotland that recorded the highest levels of positive coronavirus tests]( between December 5 and December 11. The data breaks down the number of positive covid-19 cases per 100,000 people, according to council area. [The top three slots are occupied by rural areas rather than cities.]( The 17 Scottish pubs recommended in the Good Pub Guide 2021 Life may not be back to normal by any means, but that doesn’t mean we can't be hopeful that 2021 will see us out socialising and getting pints together again. The Good Pub Guide 2021 is out and 17 Scottish pubs were recommended by guide. [There are definitely a fair few boozers here you might want to visit in 2021 if and when rules allow.]( New 'heartbreaking' figures on Scottish drug deaths Figures on drug deaths in Scotland released later today are likely to be ‘heartbreaking’, opposition parties have warned. The figures, which will show the number of drug-related deaths in Scotland in 2019, will be released by National Records of Scotland on Tuesday. [Scotland has the highest drug death rate in the EU, and the figures are expected to increase on 2018, when there were 1,187 deaths.]( Thanks for reading, as ever, more headlines below. [Sam Shedden](, sam.shedden@jpimedia.co.uk [Unemployment in Scotland has fallen slightly, according to latest statistics.]( Unemployment in Scotland fell slightly between August and October, according to latest statistics. [{$escapedtitle}]( [Article Image]( [Scotland’s economy could take almost three years to recover, think tank warns]( A slow rollout of the coronavirus vaccine could mean economic growth in Scotland will not return to pre-pandemic levels for almost three years, according to researchers. [Article Image]( [Christmas Gift Guide 2020: great ideas to delight people of all ages, for all budgets]( We’ve rounded up presents to please everybody, be it a secret Santa gift or a luxury present to spoil your beloved. Here are all of our Christmas gift guides for 2020 in one place. Promoted by The Scotsman [Article Image]( [Coronavirus in Scotland: 'Cut down contacts' before Christmas, Scots urged]( Nicola Sturgeon has urged Scots to cut down on unnecessary contacts and not hold office Christmas parties if they plan to meet up with relatives over the festive period. [Article Image]( [Domestic abuse victims should get council house priority says new report]( Councils and housing associations should prioritise the housing needs of domestic abuse victims over those of the perpetrator, according to a new report. [Article Image]( ['Human remains' have been discovered on Orkney beach as Police remain at the scene investigating]( Police Scotland have said that on Monday, December 14, they received a report that ‘human remains’ had been found on the beach at Dingieshowe, Orkney. [Dave Lewis]( [Heavenly hideaway: Could this remote cottage on the Ardnamurchan peninsula be your dream home?]( If you’re looking for a secluded bolthole where you can truly get away from it all and enjoy some of the most stunning views anywhere in Scotland then the search is over. [Dave Lewis]( [Edinburgh experts draw-up plan for floating 'tube bridge' linking Scotland and Northern Ireland]( Futuristic plans have been drawn up for a floating tube bridge linking Scotland and Northern Ireland. [Dave Lewis]( [Ally McCoist denies Rangers narrative, Alfredo Morelos ready to learn punishment fate, £800k Aberdeen signing to go in January, County ace cleared of wrongdoing against Rangers - Scottish Premiership Rumour Mill]( Tuesday’s Scottish football news and gossip. [Dave Lewis]( [Gregor Townsend welcomes prospect of South Africa’s big four joining Pro14]( Plans to bring the South African Super Rugby sides into an expanded Pro14 have been welcomed by the national coaches of Scotland, Ireland the Springboks. [Dave Lewis]( [Scotland pay the price for being among third seeds at 2023 Rugby World Cup draw]( The reality of being in the third band of seeds for the 2023 Rugby World Cup hit home for Scotland on Monday when they were placed in Pool B with holders South Africa and bete noire Ireland. [Dave Lewis]( [Rangers and Liverpool legend Steven Gerrard pay tribute to Gerard Houllier]( Rangers manager Steven Gerrard has paid tribute to former Liverpool manager Gerard Houllier, who has died aged 73. [View more news]( You have received this email as you are opted in to newsletters from The Scotsman, published by JPIMedia Publishing Ltd. To manage your individual newsletter preferences with us, please [click here]( and log in to your account. Alternatively you can [update]( your email preferences to choose the types of emails you receive from JPIMedia Publishing Ltd, or [unsubscribe]( from all future emails. 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