Mark a moment all our progress

that income when life returns to some sort of normal and the staycationers go elsewhere.

If you don’t agree with the practices they are legally entitled to carry out, do something sensible about it.

The Wildlife and Coutryside Act, passed by the Scottish Parliament this summer after years of campaigning by animal welfare groups, has brought in new protections, including a ban on salmon farmers shooting seals and an end to the culling of mountain hares.

It also extends the time allowed to investigate wildlife crimes – a development welcomed by Scottish Land and Estates which insists its members support tougher penalties.

As I write this, we are learning a satellite tag belonging to a golden eagle that went missing over a grouse moor in Strathbraan in 2016 has been found wrapped in lead sheeting in a river near Dunkeld and is now being examined by police. In the case of this investigation the Scottish Gamekeepers Association said it would be unwise to comment further but RSPB Scotland says the find means Holyrood must look with fresh urgency on the findings of the Werritty Review, which recommends greater regulation of grouse moors.

If you care about these issues, the way to make change is to make your voice heard. It won’t happen overnight but we can all play a part. It’s as true in the case of protecting the countryside and the legal rights of everyone to enjoy it as it is for stopping the spread of a pandemic. Now get outside and get some fresh air. You’ll be glad of it in January.

Pictures: Steve MacDougall/Kim Cessford. Clockwise from top left: There have been many complaints over dirty camping and rubbish during the summer months; Loch Tummel, where up to 50 cars were spotted parked by the roadside; Stay Safe sign at corner of George Street, Perth; staff at work serving customers, Bird & Bear on Whitehall Crescent, Dundee; a social distancing sign on High Street, Perth.