As we brought in the bells calling an end to 2020, you could be forgiven for having a sprinkle of hope as we look into the New Year.

Over the last year, the coronavirus pandemic brought communities together during the most difficult times in our lives.

But as we remember those who lost their lives, and pay tribute to those fighting on the NHS frontline, there is room for home and ambition for 2021.

Here, we outline five things we can look forward to in 2021:

The coronavirus vaccine

Towards the end of a difficult year, December 8 saw the first vaccinations against Covid-19 take place in Scotland.

Initial supplies of the Pfizer vaccine were delivered to NHS Boards across the country, with thousands having been given their first doses already.

Over the course of this year, everyone in Scotland over 18 will be offered the jab – amounting to around 4.4 million people.

GPs, pharmacists and optometrists are expected to be among 2000 people recruited by the end of this month to administer the vaccines.

Clydebank Post:

Some footballing glory

The Famous Tartan Army are heading to their first men’s major tournament since 1998 in June.

Tensions were running high back in December, but goalkeeper David Marshall’s wonderful penalty save ensured Scotland would be heading to the Euros.

Steve Clarke’s side face the Czech Republic at Hampden Park, before heading down south to play in a nail-biter against England at Wembley on June 18.

But the Trafalgar Square fountain shenanigans (Covid-dependent) can’t last too long – with another gruelling fixture against Croatia back in Mount Florida just four days later.

Clydebank Post:

Scottish elections

Another vote? You bet.

Scots will be going to the polls on May 6 for the Scottish General Election.

The Scottish Government passed new legislation to make sure the election can take place safely during the pandemic, with powers drafted to introduce measures including allowing polling to take place over two days, with extended deadlines for postal voting.

There are 129 MSPs, split as 61 for SNP, 30 for the Scottish Conservatives, 23 Labour MSPs, six Greens, five Lib Dems, three independents and one with ‘no party affiliation’.

COP26 climate summit

More than 200 world leaders are expected to descend on Scotland in November for the COP26 climate conference in Glasgow.

Glasgow City Council leader Susan Aitken said she was “looking forward” to welcoming recently elected US President Joe Biden to the event, joking he should “bring a waterproof”.

The summit, delayed as a result of the pandemic, is set to take place between November 1 and November 12 at the SEC

Clydebank Post:

A normal Christmas

For many of us, Christmas this year was far from normal.

Coronavirus restrictions meant celebrating closely with friends and family like years gone by were not possible, but news of vaccine roll-outs gives everyone hope for this year.

Nicola Sturgeon previously said: “Hopefully, by this time next year, all of this will be starting to fade into a bad memory and we will looking forward to a much more normal Christmas.”