Cryptic crossword - The Scotsman 14/12/12

ACROSS 

8 Letterbox, as it were, in which to stick stake (8)

9 Have a slight accident on excursion at university (4,2)

10 First intimations of space present on earth, for example (6)

11 There, DIY construction is down to inborn abilities (8)

12 Statement from James’s fitness centres (4)

13 Elegant man can become a member of the upper classes (1,9)

15 Done any alternative pain-relieving? (7)

17 Clamps put on front half of desk to make gadgets (7)

20 Arena found at fashionable school near Italian city (10)

22 Extremely deeply buried in cajun compote (4)

24 Bequeathed more than anyone else at furthest extreme of socialism (8)

26 Supply more light when mixed up (6)

27 Attempted to wander down the street (6)

28 As holding to come round from being unconscious (8)

DOWN

1 Roman general seen in Portsmouth? (6)

2 Desserts dished up under pressure (8)

3 Briefed in advance as need for war developed (10)

4 He cites work by the guys who fix your computer (7)

5 Steps one’s missing out with celebrity (4)

6 Something to watch while saying 23, perhaps (6)

7 Luggage that will be appropriate to situation (8)

14 After time, my dear, her confusion will be apparent to revolutionary troops (3,3,4)

16 Nutty sweet I sent to mysterious east (8)

18 Drown one monastic who takes girlfriend (8)

19 Get in touch with prisoner by diplomacy (7)

21 Father’s at market place, meeting sponsor (6)

23 Big important person said to be in photograph (6)

25 Plea to marry is due (4)

Thursday’s solution

Across: 7 Fibre, 10 Tangle, 11 Pointing, 12 Imminent, 13 Ewer, 15 Anagram, 17 Strange, 20 Heed, 22 Rosemary, 25 Wiseacre, 26 Active, 27 Perpetual, 28 Heath.

Down: 1 Disarming, 2 Dragging, 3 Dispute, 4 Sediment, 5 Bottle, 6 Skint, 9 Were, 14 Aggravate, 16 Abdicate, 18 Admitted, 19 Arsenal, 21 Exempt, 23 Sham, 24 Cider