THE latest survey on the state of the Scottish economy has some welcome bright spots.

Of course, we must not forget the huge challenges facing businesses as the Brexit saga continues with all of its attendant impact on the confidence of companies and consumers. These challenges look to be long term, amid a continuing lack of any clarity, and some worrying signals, about key issues such as access to employees from the European Union and future trading arrangements with countries in the bloc.

Sterling’s post-Brexit vote fall continues to push up Scottish companies’ costs sharply.

However, it was encouraging to see growth in Scotland’s private sector economy accelerating in July to its sharpest rate in 33 months.

And employment growth accelerated significantly.

Bank of Scotland cited signs that services growth had been boosted in July by increased tourism. While it did not come up specifically in the survey, it may well be that the squeeze on Scotland’s economy from the oil sector’s woes is easing, at long last.