Andy Wightman trains for his Himalayan charity  task

With Brexit talks and lorries at Dover both gridlocked, the wider political environment looks pretty gloomy too.

But throughout this year, families and communities have come together like never before to provide support to each other and solidarity in the face of the restrictions put in place to tackle the pandemic.

Workers have performed miracles in keeping public services going and ensuring that food supplies are maintained and transport links remain open.

It has also been a good opportunity to get to know our local area better. Edinburgh is, as we all know, a very beautiful city. I had been planning to raise money for one Edinburgh’s oldest charities, EMMS International, which was founded in 1841. Its Every Girl Matters appeal is designed to improve palliative care in Nepal and lift the burden of caring from girls so that they can return to school. For every pound donated, the UK government’s UKAid will match it.

My challenge is to climb the equivalent of Everest base camp to the summit – over 5000 metres. In normal times, this would involve a few weekends out on Scotland’s hills but with Tier 3 restrictions, I am restricted to Edinburgh’s famous seven hills.

Living in the north of the City I seldom visit the Braids or Craiglockhart hills but the 15 mile walk and 600 metre ascent of Corstorphine Hill, Wester Craiglockhart, the Braid Hill, Blackford Hill, Arthur’s Seat, Calton Hill and the Castle Rock is a great day out.

Edinburgh is full of wonderful walks in the hills, along rivers, through the Old Town and by the coast. It’s a perfect respite from being stuck in doors.

This past week I took the sad decision to leave the Scottish Green Party. There are difficult but important discussions to be had about questions of gender, sex, transgender and womens’ rights and I want to have them in an environment free of hostility and censorship.

Politics presents us with many complex and sensitive issues to deal with. It is our duty to avoid being drawn into fixed and dogmatic positions and listen to what everyone has to say.

I remain a Lothian MSP until the end of this Parliament and am still here to support constituents with all your day to day concerns and issues

With the Covid pandemic likely to dominate our lives for at least the early part of next year, I know that this remains an anxious time for everyone. As the Scottish government and local authorities continue to work together to manage the impacts, a MSP’s job remains to represent constituents, scrutinise the government and debate and make laws for the people of Scotland.

In this Christmas week, we all have a chance to reflect on the importance of friends, family and loved ones and do what we can to support each other through what remain difficult and trying times. Happy Christmas.

Andy Wightman is an Independent MSP for Lothian Region