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Scotland has taken its first steps out of lockdown, with rules on meeting people outdoors relaxed. [View email online]( [Subscribe]( [Facebook]( [Twitter]( [The Scotsman] Mar 12, 2021 [Sam Shedden] Sam Shedden Engagement Editor Good morning, Welcome to your final newsletter of the working week from [The Scotsman.]( We've got a lot of news to cover today and some important stories to tell. Remember to scroll right to the bottom of the email to see our full selection. Don't forget, until the end of the month we're offering a whopping 25% of all annual subscriptions to The Scotsman. Get inside knowledge of what is really happening at Holyrood, unlimited access to the very best Scotland stories, exclusives, award-winning writers and much more. [Subscribe today using code POLITICS25 at checkout to take advantage of this deal.]( [Lockdown easing begins today and these are all the things Scots can do again]( Scotland has taken its first steps out of lockdown, with rules on meeting people outdoors relaxed. [{$escapedtitle}]( Lockdown easing begins Finally, we have some slight easing of lockdown restrictions. From today (March 12), up to four adults from two households will be able to meet locally for social and recreational purposes as well as exercise. Interactions will be able to take place in any outdoor space - including private gardens. [Here are today's changes in their entirety and what it means for us all.]( EXCLUSIVE: Former Holyrood candidate and Alex Salmond's sister leaves SNP Gail Hendry, a former Holyrood candidate for the SNP and sister of former party leader Alex Salmond, told members in her local branch that she is stepping away from politics and the party, reports [Conor Matchett.]( Her departure from the SNP as a member comes as the party is consumed by bitter infighting over the Scottish Government’s handling of harassment complaints against Mr Salmond. [Read the full story here.]( 'Women's Bill of Rights' could be put into Scots law after elections Four UN human rights’ treaties could be incorporated into Scottish law after the Holyrood elections – including a “women’s bill of rights”. The Scottish Government has said it will adopt all 30 recommendations of a National Taskforce for Human Rights Leadership after a two-year review, including putting the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women into Scots law, after the May vote. [Read the full proposals here.]( We're offering more FREE newsletters We're increasing the number of specialised newsletters we offer. 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 headline below. [Sam Shedden](, sam.shedden@jpimedia.co.uk [Article Image]( [Former Holyrood candidate and Alex Salmond's sister leaves SNP, saying she would rather fight for independence outside the party]( Gail Hendry, a former Holyrood candidate for the SNP and sister of former party leader Alex Salmond, told members in her local branch that she is stepping away from politics and the party. [Article Image]( [Female leaders still need to navigate 'glass ceilings and old boys' clubs', says Yale School of Management expert]( Despite research showing women have better-developed leadership skills than men, the glass ceiling remains in many places across the globe. Promoted by GetSmarter [Article Image]( ['Men have stared, groped, catcalled and verbally abused me': Experiences of a young woman in Edinburgh - Beth Murray]( This summer will mark five years since I first moved to Edinburgh. [Article Image]( [SNP warn Erasmus replacement scheme will leave 'Scottish students worse off' as applications open]( The SNP have warned the Erasmus replacement – the Turing scheme – will leave “Scottish students worse off” as applications open to schools and universities today. [Article Image]( ['Historic moment': Union Chain Bridge between Scotland and England cut for the first time in centuries]( A historic 17th century link between Scotland and England has been cut for the first time in centuries. [Article Image]( [Alex Salmond inquiry: MSPs order Crown Office to hand over further documents]( The Crown Office has been told to hand over a statement from a senior Police Scotland detective on the conduct of a key meeting between the police and the prosecution service. [Article Image]( ['Women's Bill of Rights' could be put into Scots law after elections]( Four UN human rights’ treaties could be incorporated into Scottish law after the Holyrood elections – including a “women’s bill of rights”. [Dave Lewis]( [Scotland in the 1990s: The biggest news stories of the decade]( The last decade of the 20th century proved to be one of the most pivotal in Scottish history as the nation voted overwhelmingly to take greater control of its own affairs. [Dave Lewis]( [How Beinn Eighe tragedy transformed Scotland's mountain rescue operations]( It was one of the worst aviation tragedies of the post-war era, the echoes of which can still be felt to this day. [Dave Lewis]( [Scott Brown & ex-England boss in shock Aberdeen link, Rangers in talks with star, Hibs ace to exit, Gerrard would turn down EPL clubs to stay at Ibrox - Scottish Premiership Rumour Mill]( We are set for another weekend of Scottish football from the top two divisions. [Dave Lewis]( [Fraser Brown: Sean Maitland is one of the most underrated players in the Northern Hemisphere and key to Scotland’s defensive resurgence]( The Six Nations is a competition built on momentum and an enforced four-week break is exactly what Scotland wouldn’t have wanted after the narrow and bruising defeat by Wales but it’s the challenge that’s been laid down and I can’t wait to see how they respond against Ireland to get their title challenge back on track. [Dave Lewis]( [Glasgow Warriors v Ospreys: 21 missing but Danny Wilson is happy with team]( Glasgow Warriors host Ospreys tonight knowing a win is essential to their hopes of overhauling the Welsh side and claiming third place in Conference A of the Guinness Pro14. [Dave Lewis]( [Celtic will be bidding to avoid a 29-year low against Rangers next week]( Another grim statistic will added to Celtic’s dismal league campaign if they are unable to avoid defeat against newly-crowned champions Rangers when the pair meet for the third time this season in Glasgow’s east end a week on Sunday. [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. JPIMedia Publishing Ltd, a company registered in England and Wales with registered number 11499982, having its registered address at 9th Floor, 107 Cheapside, London, England, EC2V 6DN, United Kingdom. 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