Crossword - Scotland on Sunday 30/09/12

ACROSS

3 & 17 Across It’s not entirely fair, as all pointed out, burying the dead (8,6)

8 Mule, say, horse, or elk, originally (4)

9 One man, a criminal, punches witness – that stings! (3,7)

10 See 16 Down

11 It means nothing in court (4)

13 Shiny old general found in extremes of South Bank (5)

17 See 3 Across

18 Rise about what is charged (6)

19 Thick layers, we are told, for egghead (5)

22 Encountered retreat of quiet office worker (4)

24 Chooses to work with Eliot (4)

25 Taste what old fairy takes to church, holding two points (10)

26 I am returning with subject in a morass (4)

27 Note and desist from re-arranging leading players (4,4)

DOWN

1 & 23 Down Politician put on summer wear for a little romance, say (5,5)

2 Sent out for fish, or starter of songbirds? (9)

4 Permission to depart (5)

5 Waters spilled without article on what could be tartan (5)

6 One’s upset about 11 - for a hanging? (5)

7 Just creatures, we hear, who have made an impact in the commercial world (8)

12 Compete with initial opinion (4)

14 Tokens of affection from linesmen? (4,5)

15 Dutifully gaining award to pass on books (8)

16 & 10 Across Western bird harbours urge to fly to river (4,4)

20 Sleeps around, absorbing first external body parts (5)

21 Makes a living from birds, reportedly (5)

22 Step on regular turret aid (5)

23 See 1 Down

LAST WEEK’S SOLUTION

Across 1, Fall short. 8, Rhine. 9, Striker. 11, See 4 Down. 12, Trouble. 13, Cape. 14, Sid. 17, Ski. 18, Omen. 21, Warring. 23, Nelson. 24, Diverts. 25, Arete. 26, Schindler. Down 2, Astir. 3, Laid up. 4, 11 Across & 20 Down, Our Mutual Friend. 5, Traumas. 6, Figures. 7, Replaying. 10, Ella. 12, Tasmanian. 15, Dollies. 16, Denotes. 19, Mali. 20, See 4 Down. 22, Nitre. 24, D’oh.