Cryptic crossword - The Scotsman 13/12/12

ACROSS

7 Lie about, although having stamina (5)

8 Decision to sack the whole plant could lead to explosive reaction (9)

10 A bit of a scramble at the first intersection (6)

11 Indicating that Italian runner got a new time, in good order (8)

12 Threatening to close, at any moment (8)

13 Vessel from 9 down, moving from back to front (4)

15 Steal stale tales, for example, in different order (7)

17 Unconventional way to have some latitude (7)

20 He would have second lesson to pay attention (4)

22 Aromatic herb gathered by two girls (8)

25 Smart alec well-advised to get some land (8)

26 I have to follow performance in play (6)

27 Continued to brew up purple tea (9)

28 It’s hard to take in height of moorland (5)

DOWN

1 Charming girl’s getting ready for action (9)

2 Was top dog angry about force going on and on? (8)

3 Girl’s place, at the end, is in question (7)

4 Grounds to have second rewrite about some pieces (8)

5 Need courage to hold road-race in the recess (6)

6 Is hard up if covering final bet (5)

9 At one time lived in Lower Egypt (4)

14 Harass a nameless vagrant, for example, out of sorts (9)

16 Sailor with no time to lay down the law has to stand down (8)

18 Embraced, at short notice, Romney took on press boss (8)

19 Learns about a magazine (7)

21 Not subject to old measure, up to a point (6)

23 Pretended to salute him, after military leaders (4)

24 Offer drink to detectives with little hesitation (5)

Yesterday’s solution:

Across: 1 Loch, 3 Hang around, 10 Gotta, 11 Slapstick, 12 Telegraph poles, 14 Panoramic, 16 Sepia, 18 Riata, 19 Salubrity, 20 Bridge-building, 24 Palladium, 25 Twist, 26 Catchpenny, 27 News.

Down: 1 Light opera, 2 Catatonia, 4 At sea, 5 Graphical, 6 Responsibility, 7 Unite, 8 Duke, 9 Bangers and mash, 13 Laryngitis, 15 Mesmerise, 17 Primitive, 21 Relet, 22 Unman, 23 Spec.