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Welcome to Wednesday's daily newsletter from The Scotsman.

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Scotland's best archaeological discoveries of 2020

From a massive hilltop Pictish fort to hundreds of medieval skeletons found beneath the streets of Edinburgh, a number of key archaeological digs in 2020 have helped to further our understanding of the people and places of Scotland through time.

Here, we take a look at three key projects which have illuminated previously unknown parts of Scotland’s past.

Rail passengers to be hit by above-inflation fares rise

Not good news for any rail commuters out there.

Train fares are set to spike above inflation as fares rise for the first time in eight years, the Department for Transport (DfT) has announced.

Transport Scotland said: “The increase will apply to all cross-Border operators such as LNER, except Caledonian Sleeper, which normally freezes fares but any increase would be also be decided by Transport Scotland."

Here's how much fares will increase by.

10 baby boy and girl names at risk of becoming extinct in Scotland

Have you noticed there are some names you just don't head as much anymore?

In Scotland, names have fallen in and out of fashion over time, with many popular monikers from years past now much more rare. The National Records of Scotland stores data on the most popular first names given to babies whose births were registered in Scotland, with records dating back more than 40 years. 

Here are 10 common names that are rapidly dwindling in Scotland. Is your name on the list?

Thanks for reading, more stories below,

Sam Shedden, [email protected]