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.

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.

Representatives from across political parties and civic Scotland will be invited to work together with the Scottish Government if there is a yes vote in the 2014 referendum, Deputy First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said today in a major speech on the case for independence.

The First Minister delivered the inaugural Edwin Morgan Memorial Lecture at the Shelter Scotland event titled "Housing and Social Justice in a Progressive Scotland". This took place in the Scottish National Gallery on 27 November 2012.

An historic accord that paves the way for a referendum on an independent Scotland was signed in Edinburgh today, after First Minister Alex Salmond reached an agreement with the Prime Minister David Cameron that will confirm the Scottish Parliament’s power to hold a vote that will be respected fully by both governments.

A multi-million pound renewable energy investment fund (REIF), geared to stimulating greater levels of private finance into innovative green power and renewable district heating projects in Scotland, was opened for business by First Minister Alex Salmond today at the Scottish Low Carbon Investment conference,

The First Minister has set out the Programme for Government to the Scottish Parliament.

This includes 15 new Bills to be introduced in the 2012-2013 session.

Public Discussion in Kirkwall Orkney.

The Scottish Cabinet in Renfrew - Public Discussion in the Town hall

Welcome speech from Fiona Hyslop.

The Scottish Parliament will play host to an International Culture Summit on August 13-14.

Culture Ministers from over 40 countries will debate the different approaches they are adopting to maintain support for culture amid cutbacks.

Find out more: www.eics2012.com

On twitter: @CultureSummit