Cryptic crossword - The Scotsman 09/03/2012

Across

8 Legacy of their peculiar age (8)

9 Got to the top without kicking? (6)

10 Played winter game when dog showed how (6)

11 A quiet mother is not necessarily the real thing (8)

12 It’s useless, they say, to tell which way the wind is blowing (4)

13 Writer who couldn’t face Christmas? (4,6)

15 Abort school container of soup

(7)

17 Thermostat I only saw in depot (7)

20 With unblemished record, what domestic does at night (5,5)

22 In former times, you were heard to abandon big cat (4)

24 CIA stole plans belonging to the community (8)

26 Australian animal given food and sheltered (6)

27 Blamed confusion of madhouse (6)

28 Cable that Marge let swing back (8)

Down

1 Go across the sea to America to find jellyfish (6)

2 Most daft window ledge that is to be seen on the street (8)

3 Heavy pounding on the door of the school is life’s downside (4,6)

4 Bawled out for taking speed without getting up (7)

5 West fashionable for hunting officer (4)

6 Pub brawl in Cumbrian town (6)

7 It’s created from an old ore by artist (8)

14 Ashcart led to construction of lofty buildings (10)

16 Ready eyeful sees most of the game (8)

18 Comprehensive but not uniform (8)

19 Cats and dogs get everything put in makeshift beds (7)

21 Failed to get going away from home (6)

23 Salad fit for an emperor? (6)

25 Finality has a sweet scent, it’s said (4)