What is the point of The Scotsman?

If you want to know why The Scotsman has lost so many readers over the last few years, just take a look at their coverage of Nicol Stephen's resignation.

The Scotsman used to be a paper which was largely supportive of a liberal standpoint. But not for a long time. Apparently the Scottish Lib Dems are "in disarray" and "in turmoil" because of Nicol's decision to quit. I was under the impression that this was a principled but difficult decision by a politician to put his family first, but you won't find any word of praise from The Scotsman for his actions.

I would also question their description of Mike Rumbles as an "independence-minded" MSP. Independently-minded perhaps, but to use the description they have done gives the impression that he supports separating Scotland from the rest of the UK, which as far as I'm aware he certainly doesn't.

As so often, The Herald covers things better with no less than three articles on the resignation, and I think provides a fairly balanced approach.

Note to The Scotsman: must do better.