Judy Murray: I always try to be positive but, honestly, I’ve got a bad case of the lockdown blues

The arrival of winter is usually a cause for celebration with lots to look forward to in the cold, dark months ahead.

Yes, we get battered by the Scottish weather but that pales in comparison to the excitement of dressing up for Halloween, sparklers on bonfire night, and festive parties in the run-up to Christmas.

But this year it doesn’t feel like there’s much to celebrate as we take yet another step backwards in our battle with coronavirus, with pubs and restaurants across the Central Belt forced to close their doors for the next two weeks.

This decision – although I know a difficult one for the Government to make – is a blow for the hospitality industry, which was only just starting to get back on its feet, and it has launched so many business owners and staff into yet another period of anxiety and uncertainty.

I know from my close involvement with our incredible staff at Andy’s Cromlix hotel that most businesses are doing everything in their power to ensure venues are as safe as possible and rules are adhered to – so it’s tough to accept everyone being tarred with the same brush.

Would it not make more sense to just close down the establishments that aren’t playing ball, rather than demonising an entire industry that is already struggling?

The other worry I have is whether this short “circuit breaker” is just the first step towards even harsher restrictions in the coming weeks.

If the government had come out and said we needed to go into another full lockdown for three months, there would have been an even greater outcry, so are the new constraints just easing us into lockdown 2.0? Of course the science, facts and figures will determine the decisions yet to be made, but it’s hard to remain positive in the face of the unknown.

Plus, it feels like the population is going to be split down the middle – some people will become even more fearful and cautious, while others will suffer from Covid fatigue and become more reckless.

Since eateries, cafes and gyms reopened, the simple luxury of seeing friends, family and even strangers face-to-face has been absolutely vital for me, and I think that’s what people will miss the most as this new wave of restrictions comes into force.

I live on my own and, for the most part, I’m actually quite happy being alone. But being able to go out for lunch or dinner with family or friends has been one of the things I’ve most enjoyed recently, and to have that taken away will be particularly hard.

My parents aren’t able to get out much, and now these latest restrictions make social interaction even harder for them.

At the start of lockdown, I adopted a positive approach, embracing the opportunity to slow down and the time to try new things. I hoped we would soon be back to “normal” if we just stuck with the rules for a little while. But now? It feels like we’re stuck in the world’s most depressing groundhog day.

Rise of super-cool hipster hangout shows east is best

Once again Scotland has landed a place on the world stage, with the small neighbourhood of Dennistoun, in Glasgow’s east end, named the eighth coolest place to live in the world.

The only area in the UK to make the top 10 in Time Out’s annual survey, Dennistoun’s food, nightlife and community spirit were counted as reasons for the accolade. Having visited myself, I can see why it’s so popular.

A few months ago, I stopped by Soul Food Sisters kitchen, a not-for-profit organisation that aims to empower migrant women in the community. Just walking down the main street I could see how much of a buzz there was about the place.

It reminded me a little of Brixton, in London, which used to be considered dingy, dull and dangerous, but is now a sought-after residential area with cool, quirky venues, bursting with activity. Maybe the Village People had it wrong this whole time, and we need to Go East.