The endgame of the Alex Salmond Inquiry is upon us

She is not a household name and has deliberately kept a low profile on her way to becoming one of Scotland’s most generous benefactors. [View email online]( [Subscribe]( [Facebook]( [Twitter]( [The Scotsman] Feb 22, 2021 Good morning, We hope you had a great weekend. Welcome to Monday's newsletter from [The Scotsman.]( Our readers are our lifeblood. Like many businesses, we have been hit by the economic crunch of the pandemic. If you like and value what we do, please consider taking out a [digital subscription]( with us. Subscribers get unlimited access to thousands of Scottish stories a week, award-winning writers, agenda-setting opinion, sport, arts, features and much more. [Try us out today from just £3 a month.]( Analysis: The endgame of the Alex Salmond Inquiry is upon us This promises to be an extraordinary week. Holyrood’s inquiry investigating the Scottish Government’s botched handling of harassment complaints is set for its final act in the coming fortnight. Within the week the Scottish public and MSPs will hear Alex Salmond give evidence in front of the committee, providing an opportunity for the man targeted by what he believes to be a political conspiracy to say his part. Following a decision by the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body to publish his submission to the inquiry, Mr Salmond is now expected to give evidence on Wednesday February 24. [Here's everything you need to know about the inquiry as Nicola Sturgeon and Alex Salmond are set to land closing blows on one another.]( Young children return to school as classrooms reopen Relief for parents today as the youngest children are returning to the classroom as schools reopen to more pupils. Children in primaries one to three are due back in Scottish schools from Monday, along with some senior secondary pupils who need to do practical work for qualifications. [Education Secretary John Swinney has said it is “critical” that parents follow these Covid rules at the school gate.]( Remembering the islander woman 'murdered' for being a witch 12 years after persecution outlawed A tragic feature from our[heritage section]( next. A powerful clan figure was accused of binding and burning a woman to death after accusing her of being a witch – more than a decade after the persecution was outlawed in Scotland. Katherine MacKinnon died in 1747 after being attacked at house in Camuscross with Ruaridh Mac Iain McDonald, a tacksman of Clan Macdonald of Armadale, accused in court documents of her “barbarous and cruel murder”. [Read the shocking and shameful story here.]( We're offering more FREE newsletters We're increasing the number of specialised newsletters we offer. During lockdown many of our readers like the convenience of us bringing the news to them via email. In March we'll be offering three new newsletters. Like this one they'll be totally free. Scotsman politics: The latest Scottish political news and analysis from our specialist writers direct to your inbox (twice a week) Opinion: Expert analysis and agenda-setting opinion from our team of columnists with insight from our comment editor (once a week) History and Heritage: Features on Scottish history, heritage news, nostalgia and archive picture galleries (once a week) [Sign up to any of these for free right HERE.]( Thanks for reading, more headlines below, [Sam Shedden](, sam.shedden@jpimedia.co.uk [The under-the-radar benefactor who has gifted £80m to Edinburgh]( She is not a household name and has deliberately kept a low profile on her way to becoming one of Scotland’s most generous benefactors. [{$escapedtitle}]( [Article Image]( [Analysis: The endgame of the Alex Salmond Inquiry is upon us]( Holyrood’s inquiry investigating the Scottish Government’s botched handling of harassment complaints is set for its final act in the coming fortnight. [Article Image]( [Argyll schoolboys save OAP’s life thanks to Heartstart project]( Two primary school pupils who were trained in first aid by a Rotarian volunteer have saved the life of an OAP who collapsed while rushing out to buy a morning paper. Promoted by West of Scotland Rotary [Article Image]( [Don't blame MSPs who try to get at the Sturgeon-Salmond truth - Brian Wilson]( With a little help from Lady Dorrian in the Court of Session, and the Scottish Parliament’s Presiding Officer, the barriers of obstructiveness might finally be broken down. [Article Image]( [Skye woman 'murdered' for being a witch 12 years after persecution outlawed]( A powerful clan figure was accused of binding and burning a woman to death after accusing her of being a witch – more than a decade after the persecution was outlawed in Scotland. [Article Image]( [The SNP’s opposition 'must score', but they are playing the wrong game - Brian Monteith]( For people of my generation – almost but not quite of pensionable age – there is a famous footballing moment involving a Scotsman playing at Wembley that reminds me of the opposition parties taking on the SNP. [Article Image]( [SNP commits £600k for Scottish independence referendum preparations]( A total of £600,000 has been “ring-fenced” by the SNP to spend on preparations for another independence referendum this financial year, it has been revealed. [Article Image]( [Scots firms report strongest employment intentions since onset of pandemic]( The UK government is being urged to extend the furlough scheme to avoid redundancies, as Scottish companies report the strongest employment intentions since the onset of the pandemic. [Dave Lewis]( [Mystery of prehistoric skeleton found by farmer close to Skara Brae on Orkney]( A well-preserved skeleton which could be more than 4,000 years old has been found by a farmer close to Skara Brae on Orkney. [Dave Lewis]( [In pictures: Artworks exhibition explores Edinburgh life down the centuries]( Capturing Scotland’s capital from the Age of Enlightenment right up to the modern era, they harness the innermost emotions of the artist that only paint on canvas can truly convey. [Dave Lewis]( [Tiger Woods in race against time to be in shape for Masters]( Tiger Woods is facing a race against time to get both his body and game in shape for the Masters in seven weeks’ time. [Dave Lewis]( [Rangers 'red-hot favourites’ to sign 13-goal ace, Celtic need ‘big overhaul’, Scottish FA in Covid blunder, Neil Lennon apologises to fans – Scottish Premiership Rumour Mill]( It was another significant weekend in Scottish football despite the continued postponement of the game below the Scottish Championship. [Dave Lewis]( ['I'm a Celtic fan and even I'm laughing at Celtic': Supporters react to 1-0 defeat to Ross County]( Celtic were defeated in the Highlands on Sunday evening as Jordan White’s goal was enough for the home side to grab all three points. [Dave Lewis]( [Josh Doig's attributes reeled off as Hibs youngster earns seal of approval from elders]( There is a renewed sense of conviction in the Hibs squad as they home in on their targeted third-place finish and work to ensure this is a season not quickly forgotten. [View more news]( You have received this email as you are opted in to newsletters from The Scotsman, published by JPIMedia Publishing Ltd. 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