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Nicola Sturgeon expects a second independence referendum to take place within the next two years if the SNP wins the Holyrood election, she confirmed tonight, as she faced increasing pressure from the public about her priorities during the first televised leaders’ debate. [View email online]( [Subscribe]( [Facebook]( [Twitter]( [The Scotsman] Mar 31, 2021 [Sam Shedden] Sam Shedden Engagement Editor Good morning, Welcome to your Wednesday newsletter from [The Scotsman.]( We've got a lot of news to cover today as we dissect last night's Scottish leaders debate. Remember to scroll right to the bottom of the email to see our full selection of stories. Last day Don't forget, today is the last day we're offering a whopping 25% off all [annual subscriptions]( to The Scotsman. Get inside knowledge of what is really happening at Holyrood, unlimited access to the very best Scotland stories, exclusives, award-winning writers, in-depth features, sport and much more for just 18p a day. [Subscribe today]( using code POLITICS25 at checkout to take advantage of this deal. [Join us today to gain full access to quality Scottish journalism you can trust.]( [Scotland Election 2021: Nicola Sturgeon under pressure on independence referendum timing in BBC TV debate]( Nicola Sturgeon expects a second independence referendum to take place within the next two years if the SNP wins the Holyrood election, she confirmed tonight, as she faced increasing pressure from the public about her priorities during the first televised leaders’ debate. [{$escapedtitle}]( Rival political leaders make their pitch in BBC live debate Well that was certainly a lively debate. Scotland's rival political leaders made their pitch to voters in the first TV debate of the Holyrood election campaign. Nicola Sturgeon expects a second independence referendum to take place within the next two years if the SNP wins the Holyrood election, she confirmed last night, as she faced increasing pressure from the public about her priorities during the first televised leaders’ debate. [Here are the key talking points from the debate](. Captain Corelli's Mandolin writer calls for SNP to explain how independence would work We love getting letters from our readers and this next one really jumped out at us. The author Louis de Bernières has called for the SNP to explain how independence would work in a series of pointed questions. Writing [a letter]( to The Scotsman, the Captain Corelli's Mandolin writer claimed the public were “entitled” to answers and outlined 12 issues he wanted addressed. [Read the full story here]( If you want to send us a letter the best way is to email lettersts@scotsman.com Woman discovers preserved WWII air raid shelter hidden in tenement What a find! For decades it lay concealed under a mountain of discarded carpets, paint pots and other household junk. Homeowner Mia Gray was stunned to discover that the old Victorian washroom beneath her tenement had been used as an air raid shelter during the Second World War. [Take a peek inside the forgotten shelter here.]( We're now offering more FREE newsletters We've increased the number of specialised newsletters we offer. During lockdown many of our readers like the convenience of us bringing the news to them via email. We now offer three new newsletters. Like this one they'll be totally free. Scotsman politics: The latest Scottish political news and analysis from our specialist writers direct to your inbox (twice a week) Opinion: Expert analysis and agenda-setting opinion from our team of columnists with insight from our comment editor (once a week) History and Heritage: Features on Scottish history, heritage news, nostalgia and archive picture galleries (once a week) [Sign up to any of these for free right HERE.]( Thanks for reading, more headlines are below. [Sam Shedden](, sam.shedden@jpimedia.co.uk [Article Image]( [Author Louis de Bernières calls for SNP to explain how independence would work in open letter]( The author Louis de Bernières has called for the SNP to explain how independence would work in a series of pointed questions. [Article Image]( [Faster and better decision-making crucial at time of extreme uncertainty]( Leaders urged to screen out the noise of judgments and biases in quest to get the big decisions right Promoted by GetSmarter [Article Image]( [Scotland Election 2021: Nicola Sturgeon plans national virtual tour as part of SNP election campaign]( Nicola Sturgeon is to embark on a virtual tour of Scotland as she bids for a historic fourth term at Holyrood for the SNP. [Article Image]( ['Refresh after lockdown': 11 incredible experiences on Scotland's North Coast 500 route]( It’s been called Scotland’s answer to Route 66, but what are the best things to do on the North Coast 500 route? [Article Image]( [NHS workers urged to reject proposed 4% pay rise offer from Scottish Government]( NHS workers are being urged to reject a proposed 4 per cent pay rise being offered by the Scottish Government, with union leaders insisting it does not pay workers enough after a “wretched year”. [Article Image]( [Scots set to miss out on ‘hottest March day on record’ as mini-heatwave sweeps parts of the UK]( Britons could see the hottest March day on record – but sadly, Scotland won’t enjoy the same amount of sunshine as other parts of the country. [Dave Lewis]( [Fraser Brown: Massive squad effort by Scotland after the scandalous decision to deny us all our players]( Away wins against England and France in the same season for the first time in 95 years; Scotland’s biggest ever Six Nations triumph in a thumping 52-10 win over Italy and a late penalty and a tap tackle away from victories over Ireland and Wales at BT Murrayfield all resulting in another fourth-place finish for Scotland. How do we sum up Scotland’s campaign? [Dave Lewis]( [Scotland boss Steve Clarke had plenty of time to think with pilot going uphill - and he is tiring of negativity]( Steve Clarke knows there is nothing to be gained by challenging his side to post a multi-goal victory against the Faroe Islands tonight. The opposition are perfectly capable of making a mockery of such plans. [Dave Lewis]( ["There were broken hearts". Edinburgh's Harvest Garden is shutting the chocolate side of the business.]( This 38-year-old shop will be focusing on flowers, so stock up on their exclusive chocolate brands now [Dave Lewis]( [The Scotsman's Annual Investment Conference 2021: Event Recap]( After the whirlwind of last year, uncertainty remains the new normal in 2021 as investors seek to steer a course through these uncharted waters. [Dave Lewis]( [Woman discovers preserved WWII air raid shelter hidden in Edinburgh tenement]( For decades it lay concealed under a mountain of discarded carpets, paint pots and other household junk. 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