Deputy First Minister John Swinney also urged people to take "the greatest of care" over household mixing.

Rising transport and energy costs push inflation to 5.1% in the 12 months to November

Scotland's new coronavirus guidelines dominate the front pages of Wednesday's newspapers.

The event would have forced the largest vaccine hub in Edinburgh to close for more than a week.

Will travel to Scotland from England be banned over Christmas and new year? This and other questions answered.

A court rules a bid to return James White to Scotland to face firearms and organised crime allegations is valid.

The new limits will not apply on Christmas Day, but people have been told to keep their celebrations as small as possible.

Families describe the rewards of fostering as the pandemic is blamed for a drop in carer numbers.

The Scottish Covid-19 inquiry is set to begin in the new year after terms of reference were agreed.

The flagship plan to boost recycling via a 20p deposit on drinks bottles and cans was originally due to begin this year.

Earth was removed from the Neolithic site on Skye for use in the building of a shed.

The incident is alleged to have taken place outside Tannadice Stadium after a game against Dundee United.

A daily update on the number and location of coronavirus cases in Scotland.

Based on past vaccination efforts offering and delivering boosts to all adults by the end of December will be challenging.

The restrictions are being reviewed on a daily basis due to the rapid rise in cases of the Omicron variant.

Swabs from PCR tests can help identify omicron, but genetic analysis is needed to confirm it.

Booster campaigns are being brought forward across the UK, over fears about the Omicron variant.

The scheme, which applies to nightclubs and large events, came into effect in October.

All children aged 12 to 15 are being offered two doses of Covid vaccine.

Vaccine passports, boosters and lateral flow tests - your questions answered on the first minister's Covid update.

The Woodland Trust honour goes to a tree from southern Scotland for the second year in a row.

BBC Scotland's Angie Brown takes a seat on an Edinburgh bench where people are urged to chat to tackle loneliness.

The young female has already been recorded off Denmark, the Netherlands and Northumberland.

The pantomime at the Kings in Edinburgh has an added poignancy in tribute to performer Andy Gray.

Exploring the case for and against buying land for the purpose of offsetting carbon emissions.

Dundee is to be the location for a £60m arena which is expected to create opportunities for games enthusiasts.

Income tax rates in Scotland are not set to change. But that is not the full story for tax payers north of the border.

Finance Secretary Kate Forbes has detailed her tax and spending proposals for the year ahead.

Nicola Sturgeon sets out a "mission" to get the overwhelmingly majority of eligible people booster vaccinations before Hogmanay.

The SNP retain control of Moray Council after a tied vote on its administration went to the cutting of playing cards.

People in Scotland are urged to reduce contacts with people from other households before and during the Christmas period.

Dundee is to be the location for a £60m arena which is expected to create opportunities for games enthusiasts.

The 600ft chimney at the former Longannet power station has been demolished in an explosion.

Paul McMullan's startling own goal gave managerless Hibernian a much-needed Scottish Premiership win over Dundee ahead of Sunday's League Cup final showdown with Celtic.

Hibs could announce Shaun Maloney as manager on Wednesday as Celtic manager targets deals for trio.

British Olympic short track speed skater Elise Christie retires from the discipline at the age of 31 but says her career in sport "isn't over".

Eve Muirhead's Scotland rink continued their resurgence at the Olympic qualifier in the Netherlands with a 7-4 win against Germany.

Dundee's luckless Paul McMullan finds his own net with a stunning diving header in his side's Scottish Premiership defeat by Hibernian.