It's hard to believe that it is just over a week until Christmas Day.

It's maybe just a sign of getting older, but it seems that 2014 has passed in a flash. Then again, maybe it's because it has been such a busy year for the country. As it draws to a close, it is worth just reflecting on what an incredible experience the whole year has been. On the downside - and just as is the case every year - many individuals and families will have shouldered more than their fair share of personal worries and setbacks. And for a great number of people, economic pressures are still taking their toll. So to everyone who has faced tough times this year, I really hope that next year brings happier days.

But for the country as a whole, 2014 will live long in our memories as the year that we came under the global spotlight - and excelled ourselves.

The Commonwealth Games, for me and many others, was a real highlight. I always believed the Games would be a triumph, but they exceeded even my high expectations. The city shone - so did the sun - and our Team Scotland athletes gave the performances of their lives. Around 700,000 people visited the Games over the ten days of competition, many of them from outside Scotland. They will have left with nothing but positive memories of Glasgow and Scotland, and we hope that many will return in future. The focus now, of course, is on making sure that the promised legacy of the Games is delivered.

And although, I'm no golf expert, the Ryder Cup at Gleneagles was also a triumph. The organisation was magnificent and, yet again, the country was showcased to the world.

So, there is no doubt that we proved in 2014 that Scotland can put on a show.

But what we also proved is that we can take big, momentous decisions in a grown up and mature way and set an example for others to follow.

The result of the independence referendum certainly wasn't what I was hoping for - but the process and experience of it was way beyond what I had hoped for. The sense of interest, engagement. empowerment and excitement was fantastic. And although there were some robust disagreements along the way, in the main the debate was conducted in a respectful and dignified way.

Yes or No, I think we should all be really proud of ourselves for setting such a shining example of democracy.

So all in all, 2014 has been a good year. There is a confidence in Scotland now that should make us all look forward to the future with optimism. 2015 will bring its own challenges - every year does - but we should feel confident about our ability to face up to them. Scotland is a great place to be - and if we all work together, we can make it even better still.

In the meantime, though, I want to take the opportunity to wish all of you a happy and peaceful Christmas.