Who won leaders' debate which showed the 'worst of Scottish politics'?

Good morning,

Welcome to your daily Scotsman newsletter.

Did you watch the leader debate last night on Channel 4?

It was, as our reporter Conor Matchett puts it, a "debate that showed the worst of Scottish politics." It was an uncomfortable evening for many of Scotland's party leaders as they wobbled under questioning and often resorted to comfort zone attacks. Were there any standout winners? Ultimately that's up to the public to decide but Conor picked out a "standout loser" from the evening.

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New independence report

Independent Scotland would have 'substantial' fiscal deficit, warns the Institute for Government (IfG) this morning.

The think-tank’s report follows similar conclusions by the Institute for Fiscal Studies on Monday, which also predicted a heavy deficit burden and “difficult choices” for an independent Scotland, although Nicola Sturgeon has dismissed the findings as only “reflective of Scotland’s fiscal position in the UK” and not as a separate country.

Hidden letter from Bonnie Prince Charlie

It's hard to believe that over two centuries since his death we're still uncovering new information about the often romanticised Jacobite leader Bonnie Prince Charlie. But we are.

A letter written by the prince in which he describes his top military commander and strategist as an “idiot” has emerged. The original memorial between Prince Charles Edward Stuart and Lord George Murray, the Jacobite lieutenant general and military strategist during the 1745 Rising, has been found in the collection at Blair Castle, the family seat of the Scottish soldier.

Thanks for reading, more headlines for you below.

Sam Shedden