SCOTLAND could see the return of live gigs this summer, should the country's post-lockdown fortunes continue.

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon gave a much-anticipated address to the Scottish Parliament this afternoon where she laid out the government's pathway out of the current restrictions.

Among them where the re-opening of hairdressers, gyms and hospitality, with April dates set down.

While these activities would include some degree of social distancing, public events – including attending live shows – are much more difficult to hold safely, for the time being, especially indoor events.

Scotland's vaccination programme is continuing at pace with almost 2,000,000 Scots received at least one dose to date, but further progress is to be made before gigs can resume.

However, Ms Sturgeon intimated that the indoor hospitality could return in mid-May, with a further easing of restrictions relating to concerts to be considered in the weeks after that.

The first minister was reluctant to offer a date for the return of live gigs, adding that she hopes it to be some time "over the summer".

Speaking at Holyrood today, the first minister said: "It is our fervent hope – and also our tentatively increasing expectation – that vaccination, continued and effective use of the test and protect system, and probably a continued compliance with precautions like good hand hygiene, will allow us to keep Covid under much greater control.

"And that this will allow us to enjoy many of the things that we took for granted before the pandemic – for example, normal family gatherings where we can hug our loved ones, sporting events, gigs and nightclubs.

Alloa and Hillfoots Advertiser: 'OVER THE SUMMER': Nicola Sturgeon has suggested live gigs could return in the next few months'OVER THE SUMMER': Nicola Sturgeon has suggested live gigs could return in the next few months

"For me to set out a precise date for all of that right now would involve plucking it out of thin air - and I’d be doing it to make my life easier, not yours.

"I am not going to do that. But I do believe that over the coming weeks – as more and more adults are vaccinated – it will be possible to set a firmer date by which many of these normal things will be possible.

"And I am optimistic that this date will be over the summer."

Scotland will enter a level system once again, with a date of May 17 indicated.

Ms Sturgeon added that from early June, all of Scotland will move to level 1 –allowing for a further easing of restrictions – with all of Scotland moving to, at least, level 0 by the end of June.

The first minister stressed, however, that the roadmap laid out at Holyrood will remain subject to ongoing review.

MORE: Read the full speech delivered by the First Minister Nicola Sturgeon