Tis the season to be jolly!  And I actually do feel jolly, which is not necessarily my default setting in the run up to Christmas. So, why the jollity?

On the first day of Christmas my true love sent to me not a partridge in a pear tree, but my annual keeper’s Christmas reception. It was a great opportunity to relax with colleagues, customers and stakeholders, and together reflect on the biggest year in our working lives.

On the second day of Christmas my true love sent to me not two turtle doves, but regular “show-and-tell” sessions with our digital teams, at which I have been impressed with the progress we are making on our digital transformation programme. This is down to the enthusiasm, skills and knowledge of the people involved.

On the third day of Christmas my true love sent to me not three French hens, but three ways to complete the land register: triggered, voluntary, and keeper-induced registration.

On the fourth day of Christmas my true love sent to me not four calling birds, but 47 successful software releases so far this year.

On the fifth day of Christmas my true love sent to me not five golden rings (though I wish he had), but continuing profitability.

On the sixth day of Christmas my true love sent to me not six geese a laying, but the first ever Keeper-induced registration of the Georgian House.

On the seventh day of Christmas my true love sent to me not seven swans a swimming (though I drive past them every day in Holyrood Park), but a cloud in a box that will really help us with our digital transformation.

On the eighth day of Christmas my true love sent to me not eight maids a milking, but the registration of the 2,000th croft and 200th common grazing on the Crofting Register.

On the ninth day of Christmas my true love sent to me not nine ladies dancing, but a new blog with content on a range of subjects and the opportunity for our customers to have their say.

On the tenth day of Christmas my true love sent to me not ten lords a leaping, but seven – that’s the number of my gentlemen colleagues on RoS’ executive management team, and when I say jump…

On the eleventh day of Christmas my true love sent to me not eleven pipers piping, but lots of new products and services for our customers, reports, checking, new data…

On the twelfth day of Christmas my true love sent to me not twelve drummers drumming, but twelve months in 2016 during which I can say “next year, we are celebrating our 400th anniversary”.

All the best for a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

#TheKeeper