It was a year of big questions in Scotland: should we become independent? When will the economy improve? What happened with all that sun? And will we hear the pitter-patter of tiny panda paws on Scottish soil soon? These questions, and so many more, were put to The Herald newspaper's Diary column, where views on world affairs, plus all the hilarious stories of the daft and delightful things that happen throughout Scotland every day of the year, are culled, polished and printed. And now, presented in this compilation are the very best stories gathered from across the country and around the world, telling all the funny tales that happened to Scots - sometimes in the most unlikely of places. Sure to make you cry with laughter, this year's Herald Diary is not to be missed.