Almost 10,000 older people in Scotland are facing Christmas alone this Festive Season.

And today, First Minister Alex Salmond called on all of us to make Scotland a great place where the elderly are included in all the celebrations.

Speaking during a visit to Lifecare’s Dean Club service for over 65s in Edinburgh’s Stockbridge – where he helped Santa hand out Christmas gifts – the First Minister urged all Scots to take time to visit older relatives, pop next door to check on neighbours and even set another table space for a deserving friend to spread some festive cheer in the coming weeks.