2021 in pictures: From the Capitol to Cop26, the Euros to Indiana Jones

Thousands take to the streets of Glasgow for Cop26 demonstrations

2021 was another year of ups and downs across the world as the pandemic continued to change the way we live our lives.

Covid vaccines, the slow easing of restrictions and even the simple return of hugging loved ones led to a summer of hope that the worst was over after a bleak winter.

But by the end of the year, rising cases and the Omicron variant meant curtailed festive celebrations again – albeit in much better shape than last year.

Outwith the pandemic, the aftermath of Donald Trump’s presidency rumbled on, a ship blocked the Suez Canal and Afghanistan fell once again to the Taliban.

It was another year, too, of people taking to the streets and making their voices heard in support of refugees, women’s safety and action on climate change.

That final issue put Scotland at the centre of the world in November when the Cop26 environmental summit came to Glasgow with tens of thousands of demonstrators, delegates and world leaders in attendance.

In the world of sport, there were historic moments and the sad loss of legends. There was Scottish sporting success at the Olympics and the Tartan Army got to enjoy the Euro 2020 atmosphere, if not so much the results.

Here, we take a look back on some of the defining images across news, sport and entertainment from the past year.