ALERT readers of The National would have noticed we had a special little notice in Saturday’s edition. We didn’t want to make too much of a big deal of it at the time, in case the person concerned found out before she was supposed to.

Reader Mike Viegas of Dundee proposed to his girlfriend Gail Fish on Sunday — via the pages of this very newspaper! And as you would expect from someone in a family of independence-supporting National readers, Gail said Yes!

It was certainly one of the more unusual requests we’ve had in our three years of existence, but one that we were delighted to have been able to deliver. The National is YOUR newspaper, after all, and we’re here for you.

Mike told us yesterday: “Thank you, thank you, thank you for making possible a very special proposal, it was unforgettable, her reaction was priceless, all thanks to The National.

“The entire family enjoys the paper and now it will forever be linked to our beautiful bond. We were also delighted by the front page of December 23 (49 per cent of Scots Would Back Independence in EU Over Brexit Britain), giving us hope for our future as a nation.

“We, will never ever ever EVER forget how instrumental The National is to everyone of sound mind in Scotland and for my future marriage. So many people at our respective jobs, friends, family loved the romance of it all, and are talking about The National, even the newsagents where we bought 10+ copies were happy to have been part of ‘our’ story with the National.

“I bought them before proposing and told them the plan, then after proposing at her hair salon, we went back to the newsagents to thank them. Safe to say they will never think of the National in the same way. A true fairy tale, of sorts.”

The National doesn’t have an official announcements page, but we know we’ve got a community of readers who want to keep in touch with each other so if you contact us at letters@thenational.scot we’ll see what we can do!

Mike says: “I always wanted to make a special proposal for a the lady that wanted me for ten years ... you made that possible and laid the foundation for a great marriage. The National has given me the greatest gift of all ...in addition to knowledge.

“I will continue to plug and promote The National tirelessly with tact, with charm and gravitas.”

Best wishes to the happy couple from everybody here at National HQ — we hope you have a lifetime of happiness together!