If next year was to be notable for simply the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, the Ryder Cup and the anniversary of the beginning of the First World War it would still be a massively important one for Scotland.

The addition of the referendum on independence transforms it from "merely" important to truly historic.

But the confluence of such major events presents a challenge and opportunity for us all.

Indigenous Scottish press has a responsibility to fully capture the drama and excitement of these events - and in the case of the referendum to do so while giving both sides of the argument a fair crack of the whip - at a time when financial pressures and cultural changes are putting unprecedented pressure on resources.

The wider public has the chance to show Scotland in the best possible light to those outside our borders - who are watching sporting triumphs and political developments - as well as the duty to do so.

So what does this newspaper wish for as 2014 unfolds? First, of course, is that the country enjoys the Commonwealth Games and the Ryder Cup, and emerges from both events with its reputation for hospitality, friendliness and efficiency enhanced.

Secondly, that the referendum debate captures the public imagination and is the focus of respectful, passionate debate.

Both sides of the independence debate have some work to do in the early months of the year to encourage that debate.

The Yes camp must, as soon as is possible in 2014, begin to inspire and galvanise public debate. In a very real sense, it is the Yes camp which will suffer most if apathy wins out.

It is the Yes campaign which must persuade the public that a leap of faith is worth making and paint a picture of the country Scotland could become once independence is assured.

But Better Together should not simply stand back and hope the debate does not catch fire. We have consistently argued that Better Together has a responsibility to put forward a case for the benefits of the continuation of the union, rather than simply catalogue the problems - real or imagined - that independence might cause.

So far, that case has not yet been made, and there is no sign of any clear detail of what the future would hold for Scotland if it voted no in the referendum.

We believe that on September 18 the Scottish public should have two clear blueprints for the country's future ... not just one blueprint and a long list of hysterical warnings.