Compact Crossword - The Scotsman, 24/01/14

Friday’s cryptic puzzle
Grid: Ros SherardGrid: Ros Sherard
Grid: Ros Sherard

Across

8 Slim down considerably to take partner at the beginning of last month (8)

9 Relieves fear, perhaps, as everyone give a ‘yes’ (6)

10 Granny’s all right to receive love of Arctic hero (6)

11 Players on holiday — on a desert island? (8)

12 Act that made education an intrinsic component (4)

13 It’s excessive to go into the line of fire (4,3,3)

15 Rattles create a reaction of fright (7)

17 Takes offence when women about to get married attend love-in (7)

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20 Island Mr Drood visited, bearing English festive beverage (6,4)

22 Heard paranormal whispered groan (4)

24 Praise he gives out is concerned with his own good works (8)

26 Composer has ecclesiastical work in progress (6)

27 Forbidden to give dictionary to old soldier in America (6)

28 ‘Birdbrains’ I heard as ‘bonkers’ (8)

DOWN

1 Look out when hostility visited on insect (6)

2 Mix-up with command from the Underworld? (8)

3 Put up the necessary funds when tumbled to foot of slope (10)

4 Fruits of physical exercise? Pains! (7)

5 Luggage claims (4)

6 Comfort with old-time pudding containing lemon peel (6)

7 Rays come magically from tree (8)

14 Tom, Dick and Harry maybe chalk up sixty (10)

16 The cruet as used in cookery by Highlander (8)

18 Reveal adultery through divorces (8)

19 Something sour brewing in grave (7)

21 Slow passages lead initially to shop (6)

23 Allegedly makes golden trade fellowships (6)

25 Fusses made over drink (4)

THURSDAY’S SOLUTION

Across: 1 Recuperate, 9 Mair, 10 Definition, 11 Invest, 12 Ensue, 15 Grade, 18 Airts, 19 Literal, 20 Vague, 21 Omega, 22 Cartoon, 23 Roast, 24 Greet, 26 Bliss, 29 Middle, 31 Reasonable, 32 Nose, 33 Theorising.

Down: 2 Even, 3 United, 4 Exile, 5 Adits, 6 Ernie, 7 Wage freeze, 8 Protestant, 13 Natural, 14 Uproots, 15 Government, 16 Aggrandise, 17 Elect, 18 Along, 25 Rivals, 26 Beret, 27 Image, 28 Spoor, 30 Clan.