In terms of sporting events, 2014 has been a memorable year for Scotland, dominated by the triumphant Commonwealth Games in Glasgow and the Ryder Cup at Gleneagles.
The calendar will be topped off next month by the BBC's Sports Personality Of The Year in Glasgow.
It is disappointing there are no Scots in the running for the trophy this year. Andy Murray, last year's runaway winner, is not on the shortlist - understandable, given his relatively modest achievements in 2014, although sustaining a high ranking despite having undergone major back surgery is admirable. Meanwhile, great individual performances from the likes of Eilidh Childs and Ross Murdoch at the Commonwealth Games probably cannot rival the six golds and a silver medal achieved by Adam Peaty in Glasgow and Berlin, or Rory McIlroy's extraordinary golfing year.
Some suggest bringing the BBC event to Glasgow was a tokenistic pre-referendum "sop" to Scotland. That should not take the shine off a year of achievement. In a year that has not lacked for grand occasions, hosting this award at the Hydro will be another prominent chance to demonstrate Scotland knows how to put on a show.
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