AS regular readers will know, we always love to highlight grassroots events, and here are a couple that will have particular appeal later this month.
First up is Trossachs & Teith SNP Burns Supper which is being held at Blair Drummond Community Hall on Friday January 17 from 7.30pm.
They have managed to procure some terrific speakers and entertainers including The National’s own Paul Kavanagh, alias the Wee Ginger Dug.
Newly elected MP for Stirling Alyn Smith and his colleague Alison Thewliss, MP for Glasgow Central, will also be speaking as will a special guest from Wales, Plaid Cymru assembly member Delyth Jewell.
Crawford Logan and Alastair MacDonald complete an impressive lineup.
Tickets priced £25 are available from john_watson13@hotmail.com or call 07899 895767 or 07792 594405.
On Friday January 31 from 7pm, Yes Eastwood and Yes Southside in Glasgow are hosting a quiz night for Scottish independence.
READ MORE: Scottish Independence Foundation provides backing for AUOB march
This quiz night will have a number of big prizes and there will be a variety of different categories. There’s a maximum of six people per team and refreshments will be available.
The organisers said: “Come along with your friends and family for a lively fun filled night.
“With this year being so important to our cause, this is a great opportunity to get together before a busy year of campaigning.”
The venue is Pollokshaws Bowling Club. Register on Eventbrite.
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here