Drumlanrig: Jeremy Purvis | Gavin Brown | Ruth Davidson

NEWS fresh off the hill is that the newly enobled Lib Dem Jeremy Purvis has settled into the higher echelons of society.

Jeremy Purvis Picture: Ian Rutherford

Purvis has shot his first stag – a highly sought after Royal (12 points to the antlers) no less. Purvis was blooded at the top of Glen Tilt in Perthshire. His stalking companion was Ben Thomson of the Reform Scotland think tank. After the beast was gralloched, Thomson presented Purvis with the stag’s head as a trophy when they met in Edinburgh later. Purvis had to walk through the middle of town to carry it to his car – a sight that was greeted with surprise by Lib Dem voters.

Meanwhile, it has yet to be announced what Purvis will call himself when he is formally elevated to the Lords. The smart money, however, is on Lord Purvis of Tweed – whether that refers to where he lives or what he now wears is unclear.

Fettes failure? There’s aways the Tories

AN interesting contribution to the most recent Old Fettesian Newsletter was an account of a careers talk given to the school by the Tory MSP Gavin Brown. Brown lectured the privileged youngsters at the hideously expensive fee-paying school on the need for persistence when job hunting. Expect rejection and failure was the message.

As the newsletter correspondent recounted: “He himself, Head Boy at Fettes College, was rejected by a kebab store, as a cleaner at the Balmoral Hotel and even at McDonald’s. We were consoled.” Marvellously encouraging news for former Fettes Head Boys, who have failed to pass muster as burger sellers and cleaners (and one suspects there are quite a few of them). Fear not – there will always be room for you in the Scottish Conservatives.

Davidson not down with the kids

Attempts by the Scottish Conservative leader Ruth Davidson (below) to raise her profile do not appear to be having the desired effect – judging by one of her most recent public appearances. On Friday, Davidson gave a speech at the Edinburgh tourist attraction Our Dynamic Earth in an attempt to capture the youth vote.

“I’m here for the Ruth Davidson event,” said one journalist to a youthful voter-type who was manning the door at Dynamic Earth.

“Who’s Ruth Davidson?” was the reply.